[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V3 #147

["Tom Walden" <jwalden@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey, I've been away for a couple of years but have rejoined recently.  From 
the perspective of someone who has owned way too many vintage Airstreams and 
is now down to just two; and who used to scramble for every bit of 
information he could get to inform his restoration 
goals.........................the difference from a few years ago is 
obvious.  I think there is much more reliable information and many more 
resources available than there used to be.  The list still gets a wide range 
of questions, FYI'S and responses from the trivial to the complicated and 
technical.  Lately a thread on axle replacement to today's on storing 
silverware and glassware.  I remember vituperous exchanges on Hensley 
hitches and flame-outs from overly passionate devotees on all kinds of 
safety and tech subjects.  I just monitor the list and will contribute if I 
think I have information that hasn't been provided yet.  So far that hasn't 
been the case.  I believe there are many more experienced restorers and 
custodians of our favorite aluminum artifacts than there used to be and 
there are a lot of already answered FAQ's in the Archives.  So, NO, the list 
isn't anywhere near dead and I would bet there are more like me out there 
who used to respond more.  I have found that,there was usually someone more 
informed than me who had more tech knowledge or was better at explaining the 
subject at hand. "Lurking" has too many negative connotations; I like 
"actively monitoring" much better.  So far this is the only subject I felt 
called on to reply to.
Tom Walden
58 Wanderer
56 Safari