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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: stunt1 on September 12, 2007, 03:10:43 PM

Title: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: stunt1 on September 12, 2007, 03:10:43 PM
 It is with a "Very Heavy Heart" that I have to advise you all of the passing of a "True Legend".
"Big Jim Greenaway" passed away this morning in the nursing home he has resided in for the last two years.

I don't have any of the particulars yet, but as soon as I find out I will pass that info on to all of you. I know that he will be waked at a Funeral Home in the Jamaica, Queens area on Friday and the viewing will be between 4 and 8 PM with the Funeral Service being at the Funeral Home at 9 AM Saturday with the burial immediately following.

He will be missed by us all, especially all those who have run "Big Jim Motors" in the past and some of us still use them. We will sure miss those "Great Grunt Stunt Runs" that he made so famous around the world.

With Deep Regret, I remain yours in STUNT,

Bob "Champione" Lampione
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: RandySmith on September 12, 2007, 04:04:53 PM
HI Bob

This is indeed a  very sad day for many , and We are  all  very saddened  to hear the news of Big Jim passing ,
This  was a better world with Jim in it.

Sincerely

Randy
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Randy Powell on September 12, 2007, 04:12:49 PM
I asked on the other site and I'll ask here; how is Windy doing? I know that he and Big Jim were very close.
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Peter Nevai on September 12, 2007, 04:41:15 PM
Aw heck, I can still clearly picture him sitting on the park bench at FMP dispensing knowledge to any and all who asked. I am sad, sadder even. One of the most humble guys in Stunt yet such a big influence.

A photo taken by Andy Lee and borrowed to post here, I hope no one objects.

Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Charlie Pate on September 12, 2007, 05:09:03 PM
 Never met the man;Talked to him once via phone.
 I belie :)ve this man was way ahead of the curve and not so sure he got all the credit he deserved (IMHO),
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Bradley Walker on September 13, 2007, 06:43:27 AM

Big Jim was one of the single greatest influences on modern stunt, even without often times given his due credit.

I will personally miss Big Jim, as he taught me more than he ever had too...  :'(

I know Bob as lost a good friend, I am very sad for his loss.  I hope Jose Modesto is doing OK, I know he was very, very close to Jim.

I hope Big Jim knows we will carry on his work.  He will not be forgotten.
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: De Hill on September 13, 2007, 09:01:49 AM
Not too much has been said about what Big Jim accomplished.

He designed the Patternmaster. Windy, who was a good friend of Big Jim,  used the Patternmaster numbers on many of his own designs. As I remember Big Jim designed the Bj (Big Jim) which was a .60 powered stunter. (might have been the Patternmaster) He also designed the LJ (Little Jim, named after his son) It was a .46 powered stunter.

He modified Super Tigre V .60's into stunt engines that are still legendary. They had a distinctive growl when they ran. He also reworked Super Tigre .46's.

He also built custom fuel tanks which were quite pricey, and worked superbly.

He had an edetic memory and was a walking encyclopedia of aerodynamics and stunt.

He had a people type personality and was a joy to talk to.

He had a stroke a few years ago, and dropped out of sight.

He was a Man's Man, like George Aldrich.

Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Bill Little on September 13, 2007, 09:52:36 AM
HhiBobby,

Thank you for passing on the information.   I will miss talking with Large James, that's for sure.  Always a big laugh and a great time!  That is how I will choose to remember him.....

With regrets,
Bill <><
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Leo Mehl on September 13, 2007, 10:07:29 AM
I will also miss Big Jim, he did a super Tigre for me and it has run like clockwork for 8 Years. I enjoyed his sence of humor and always ha good advice on how to run his engines. He was truly an icon in this sport and he will always be remmembered and missed. God Speed, Leo Mehl
Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: Bradley Walker on September 13, 2007, 11:43:34 AM
Not too much has been said about what Big Jim accomplished.

True.

Jim was responsible for the following:

1.  He was father of the modern stunt design.  His designs, which go back to 1970, were the basis for the high aspect ratio/large tail stunters of the 1970's.  Very little has changed since.  I do not think most even know where there own designs came from.  Big Jim was visited by Al Rabe and Ted Fancher back in the 1970's.  You might see some commonality there between what those designers produced in later years and what Jim was doing.
2.  He was responsible for pushing bullet proof control systems.  Something that is common place now.
3.  He truly understood the stunt run.  He has the "Big Jim" formula for compression and venturi that he applied to several style of engines.  the Chinese beat our butts for years flying Big Jim based engines.  The modern Doublestars and Retros are based on Big Jim style engines.
4.  Big Jim did not "guess" he engineered.

Title: Re: THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND
Post by: jim gilmore on September 13, 2007, 07:26:33 PM
Hello all, -
It has been thirty yrears since i've seen big jim fly.  iI was in my late teens and always found him willing to talk and help if he could. I wish my condolences to his family IRL and family among this community.
Jim Gilmore