[Andre40]

Hi Bernie,

I like your writing style, it’s clear, concise and rational. Thank you also for your supportive post.

Once again I might be putting my neck in a noose by expressing my opinion but I’m happy to do so as I believe that I’m bullet proof by now!!!

There is no ways that Hershal Byrd and Rick Chattell can be remotely or in any way be blamed for the RF debacle or indeed be implicated in any way whatsoever. Not at any time did they communicate directly with the Cape Town factory or were they privy to production schedules or anticipated deliveries. This was a strict instruction from Robert Logan who said that he would be one and only person to communicate with Hersh and Rick.

I met Rick briefly about three years ago, basically to be introduced to for about one minute. My first impression was that here was a tough guy with a military aura and someone who could be a member of the elite British SAS. I don’t believe I was far wrong.

Rick owns or is involved with a marketing company and for while we corresponded with regard to Rick’s company importing and marketing South African goods sourced by me, ie plastic raincoats, plastic storage systems, fold up chairs, metal trays, even a Tudor style kiddies fold-up cardboard wendy house and more. During our communication not once was there ever a mention of the name GT40.

I offered Hersh the US agency for a locally made stainless steel camper trailer and subsequently asked him if he would like to be an agent for a South African aircraft parts manufacturer and offer the parts to an Arizona based company in the same business. He declined with thanks both offers as he said he was on a military pension and only had time to focus on his Roaring Forties agency. Apart from the mention of RF there was absolutely no further reference to the name GT40.

Hersh was a Colonel in the dreaded Vietnam war and subsequently a police officer with senior rank in the Arizona police force as I understand it. I subsequently discovered that my initial assessment of Rick was spot on.

Both these gents served their countries at a high level and saw service under extremely dangerous circumstances and there’s no f……… way I’m going to sit here in Cape Town and watch them maligned or implicated in any way in the RF mess, by possibly some wimps who would poo in their pants at the thought of looking down the barrel of a gun let alone having experienced it. They were as much victims as were the customers who lost their deposits.

If I have to look down a barrel of a gun for having defended Hersh and Rick I’ll be happy to do so!

André 40