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EDanaII
1/25/2008 2:38:53 PM | OK, just like my other suggestion regarding the site's appearance, I don't expect this one to be taken too seriously. In fact, it would be a bigger undertaking for any, including myself, should someone try to tackle it, but I thought I'd make the suggestion anyway, just as food for thought.
I've been thinking about ways to fund this site, beyond the donations that the 401st depends on, that is. Don, for example, recently sent me some eBay links for 401st patches. Some of them were way overpriced, but that got me to thinking, who has the right to sell 401st patches, if anyone, but the 401st?
That got me to thinking about an on-line store that sold 401st paraphernalia, such as patches. But it didn't have to stop there, other items could be sold, such as t-shirts, knick-knacks, or even items like Cody Dailey's father's jacket. (I don't mean THAT jacket, specifically, just flight jackets, perhaps with insignias).
I wouldn't expect such an endeavor to be profitable, but it is possible that it could generate funds to sponsor this site, maybe even help the 401st out as an organization.
In any case, it's just a thought.
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Phoenix
1/25/2008 4:13:13 PM | Ed,
I don't want to get in trouble again like with the Market Garden debacle but I think you got something there especially for overseas enthusiasts that will most likely never get to a reunion to use the PX, hope I'm not overstepping the mark and upsetting the board by adding my support.
improvise, adapt, overcome
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EDanaII
1/26/2008 12:55:13 PM | Well, I can understand the 401st's reluctance to participate in that event, but only because George mentioned the SS. If that had not been the case, I think I would have been disappointed with their decision.
That said, what might you be willing to purchase for the sake of supporting the 401st?
Right now, I'm playing with the following ideas (some already mentioned):
- "Official" 401st Insignia patches.
- T-Shirts, perhaps featuring the "shield" I borrowed from the PFG and, maybe, the image of a 401st plane (or just nose art) and/or Squadron Insignia.
- Coffee mugs, Yellow Stripe/Emblem on one side, an insignia on the other. Maybe all four on one, but I like the one for one idea (gotta collect them all!). :)
- Reproduction A2 Jackets with or without insignia.
- Reprints of Menzel's book, "Portrait of a Flying Lady."
- Reprints of "401st Bomb Group 'Best Damned Outfit in the USAAF'"
- A tour book with things to do and see with details about the 401st and surrounding areas, including Benefeild, Weldon, Corby, Deene Hall, Rockingham, etc.
- Playing cards. Actually, this is an idea I've been playing with since our trip to Belgium. I played with the idea of a deck of "Hard Seventeen" playing cards to give our Belgium friends. It was never meant to be a serious gift, merely one that I found amusing.
- 401st Baseball caps. This one, like the t-shirt, using the shield and Squadron Insignia and/or a featured plane.
So, Dale (or anyone else), what would you pay for? Not just what I listed above, but what would you like to see available, if it could be made available?
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EDanaII
1/26/2008 1:03:05 PM | Paul Bellamy's recent find is another good idea for something to sell to support the 401st, so I'm adding to the list:
- Combat Videos of (or including) the 401st. The value-add here would be the addition of running commentaries by surviving members of the group.
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
1/26/2008 9:35:18 PM | Hi Guys,
Does anyone know if the updated phpBB software will allow us to set up video's on the 401st site? I had offered a year or so ago to loan copies of movies that I had found on Ebay to upload to the site as yet another incentive to interest newcomers in the support of the site. The ones I own are as follows:
1. The Story Of The B-17 Flying Fortress
2. Flying Fortresses and Liberator Bombers
3. US War Dept. B-17 (each time I watch this one I get a lump in my throat as I see the small Ball Turret area in these planes where my father sat on each mission before they were shot down.
This is an excerpt of his memoirs that I have been putting together. It is almost complete:
~~~Foreword: On July 19, 1944, on a mission to Augsburg, Germany, we were hit
by heavy Flak over the target, fell out of control, lost altitude and fell behind our group. We made it to the vicinity of Angers, France where we were attacked by
7 ME-109
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
1/26/2008 9:47:52 PM | I think it would be a good idea to ask the board about setting up the site to offer 401st related items. I agree it is an interesting suggestion to help pay for the site and any future expansion of the site. I especially like the idea of reprinting the...
# "401st Bomb Group 'Best Damned Outfit in the USAAF'" and other related items.
Jackie
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EDanaII
1/27/2008 10:19:43 AM | Jackie,
It isn't a matter of whether or not phpBB supports video, as that is an HTML issue. However, it is a matter of whether or not this site has the storage and bandwidth to host a video. There are sites that will allow you to do this indirectly. I've posted some suggestions on that in the thread where you asked Cody.
As to reprints, that is the most valuable thing that the 401st could offer the public: information. However, books would also require the more overhead to sell before they could generate revenue, which is why I listed trivial items too, like caps and mugs, as they'd require smaller costs to start with. I'm for all of them, I, personally, think it's best to start small.
Ed.
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Phoenix
1/27/2008 10:58:39 AM | Ed,
Go back a couple of entries. Apart from the books you mention, as I already have them, I would buy all of those things, no worries, have you thought of an emblemed tie for the upmarket guys? Also as a born and bred Corby man I have reservations about putting it in a sightseeing book, wink, wink,!!!! How about getting Corgi to commision a group B-17 model it would make a nice change from just getting the 91st all the time.
All the best
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
1/27/2008 11:35:31 AM | I've got a 401st Tie Pin that Ron Sismey gave me many, many years ago.
It's circular, about half an inch across, part enamelled. Very nice it is too, I'll try to get a photo later.
Was that the sort of thing you were thinking of Ed?
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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EDanaII
1/28/2008 9:21:01 AM | Good ol' Ron. I met him in '94. Nice guy.
Yep. That's what I'm looking for. Anything low cost, good profit that could be used to help keep the memory of the 401st alive.
Just about everything suggested so far can be made without too much trouble. I've found custom sites for ties, including bolos, mugs, caps, shirts, everything, including custom B-17s. Unfortunately, the B-17s that I've found are, as far as I'm concerned, sub-par: too expensive and not the best detail.
@ Phoenix
I wouldn't worry too much about guidebooks, Dale. I kinda doubt that Corby would be flooded by tourists if they were adopted. But I do like the idea because it could supply families with information about what our veterans saw and did during the war.
As to your suggestions, I like them all, especially the Corgi idea. The problem is, like the reprint ideas, they would require a lot of initial funding to get started. Let me be clear, I'm not shooting the idea down, not at all, I'm just describing the obstacles to be faced. Also, we'd probably have a tough time convincing Corgi to do it, or if we could, we would face high up-front costs. But if we could do it, well... hell yea! 🙂
With regards to your tie idea, I like that one too. Talking with dad about it yesterday, he liked the idea and even added the idea of a bolo tie. He prefers bolos because they are easier to... um... "tie."
Ed.
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Phoenix
1/28/2008 3:07:45 PM | Ed,
Unfortunately I have to agree regarding the costing of the Corgi project. A chap I know over here had the English Electric Lightning specially commisioned and had to remortgage his house!!! well nearly, but you get my drift. Still we can dream.
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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EDanaII
1/29/2008 9:45:12 AM | Yes, but the fact that he commissioned it suggests that it can be done. How many did he have made? 1? If it can be done in volume, then I'm sure that will cut the costs.
I've checked into, for example, having those "Hard Seventeen" playing cards made, and with some places, a single pack would cost 50$. But if I could mass produce them in the hundreds, the price can be lowered to about 5$ per pack.
Ed.
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Phoenix
1/30/2008 1:24:25 PM | Ed,
The chap in question had a whole lot made which he sells from his website and he even returned the first lot as they were incorrect and did not incur the cost. I'm not sure exactly how many he had made but I assume I could maybe find out if required.
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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EDanaII
1/31/2008 10:04:49 AM | Ah... OK. 🙂 Definitely wouldn't hurt to find out.
On that note, should it happen and we recreate aircraft, I'd love to see reproductions of planes that didn't make it. If anyone needs to be remembered, it's them.
Two cents.
Ed.
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Phoenix
2/12/2008 2:02:48 PM | Hi Ed,
With regard to my Corgi idea I got in touch with Chris and this was all I got by way of reply
Hi Dale
Best way is to contact Corgi direct on 0116 2826622 and ask for the dept who
look after commisions. You would have to do all the work on the markings
(always stick to your guns if something is wrong) and probably buy a minimum
of 1500 pieces. Price would be negotiated on an individual basis.
Hope the info is ok
Best regards
Chris
Not much help really and I guess 1500 pieces would be far too ambitious and cost would be scale dependant I suppose but I tried.
All the best
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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EDanaII
2/13/2008 10:39:22 AM | Yea, I figured it would be something like that. Like I said before, better to start small. Thanks for checking in to it. 🙂
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