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Home , Joe Foss, John Smith (flying ace), USS Wasp (LHD-1)

The Scuttlebutt Official Publication of Air Group One Commemorative Air Force

September/October 2012

1905 N. Marshall Ave. Hangar 6 * El Cajon, CA 92020 * 619.259.5541 * www.ag1caf.org * [email protected]

“Forged Above” A painting by Steve Tack Commemorating 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation Contents Notes from the Cockpit...... 2 I Didn’t Know That...... 9 Maintenance Officer Report...... 2 New Members...... 10 American Aces of WWII...... 3 Lt. Constant Pringle...... 11 Cover Story: “Forged Above”...... 4 Normandie, Before and After...... 12 Intensely Worthy of Commemoration...... 6 Laff Trak...... 14 Commemorative Happy Hour...... 8 2 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Notes Maintenance from the Officer Cockpit Report

Col. Bob Simon, Wing Leader Col. Howard Merritt I know it’s not November but I feel we have lots to be The last two months have seen many changes in our thankful for! Especially for the amazing people that maintenance corner. Sassy has plodded thru another we have in this organization. Under the leadership of annual inspection. The cowl, parts of the wing leading our Maintenance Officer Howard Merritt, Mike Green- edge, the scoop and right gear door were repainted halgh, Darrel Cook, Jim McGarvie and Erich Moulder due to various dings and dangs. A few bearings and have taken apart for annual inspection and put back cables were replaced. Grease was injected and joints together again a fresh and new looking “Sassy.” With were oiled. Wish to thank the team who accomplished diligent work, parts have been inspected and renewed all these tasks: Darrel Cook, Mike Greenhalgh, Jim Mc- and fresh paint has been added. We now have a Garvie, Erich Moulder, Warren Thomas, Torri Mowery “bird” that we can all be proud of! And let’s not forget and Pete Hunt. Tim Baerg, who has been cleaning parts for the SNJ I also want to commend a special gentleman, Tim and now, the L-5. He is real material! Let’s all Baerg, who came by the hangar around the first of encourage him! July and offered to “clean stuff” for us. The result of Speaking of which: if I were a fly on the wall at the his efforts is the present condition of the finish on Camarillo Air Show, I can only imagine the comments Sassy. Even after several flights she still glows. He about our “new” airplane! Of course I’m referring to our also cleaned the leather couches and chair in the of- SNJ with her new, fresh look! Thanks are due to Jim, fice. His next project is the L-5. Quite a man. What an Erich, Darrel, Vicki, Mike, Linda, Heather and Rich for asset to the unit. representing Air Group One and enduring a hot week- The L-5 wing is coming along due to the efforts of Darrel end away from “cool” ! and Erich. Erich has brought in some of his contacts Stay tuned for more activities and weekend trips com- and has set up small teams to continue the tasks. ing soon. Your help is always needed and is greatly Come on by and I will share a cup of coffee with you appreciated. while we work and discuss the issues of the day. See you at the hangar. Air Group One Staff Members

Wing Leader Bob Simon Maintenance Officer Howard Merritt [email protected] 858.254.3036 [email protected] 619.820.5359

Executive Officer Jim McGarvie Safety Officer Warren Thomas [email protected] 619.890.7340 [email protected] 858.382.9919

Finance Officer D’Marie Simon Marketing and Webmaster Rich Kenney [email protected] 858.829.4736 [email protected] 858.837.2068

Adjutant Linda King Scuttlebutt Editor Jim McGarvie [email protected] 951.966.4090 [email protected] 619.890.7340

Operations Officer John Telles Assistant Scuttlebutt Editor Bob Constantine [email protected] 760.458.4230 [email protected] 619.546.7080 September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt 3 American Aces of WWII

Submitted by David Hanson This month: Major Robert E. Galer to roam the skies wondering when the Japanese would USMC Ace and Recipient sweep over them. That September, while piloting an F4F Wildcat, he managed to shoot down 11 enemy bomber and fighter planes against astonishing odds. ‘’Though suffering the extreme physical strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations at an altitude above 25,000 feet, the squadron under his zealous and inspiring leadership shot down a total of 27 Japanese planes,” his Medal of Honor citation read. President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented him with the award March 24, 1943. Superiors resisted send- Robert Galer began his Aviation Cadet flight training in ing Medal of Honor recipients back into combat, but June 1936, at NAS Pensacola, , and was com- General Galer persisted and eventually returned to the missioned a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps skies during the . As commanding officer on July 1, 1936. Following his designation as a Naval of Marine Aircraft Group 12, he managed to strike ef- Aviator in 1937, he was advanced to First Lieutenant fectively at the enemy’s industrial center in Pyong-yang in July 1939. in July 1952 and was awarded a Distinguished Flying On 29 August 1940, Galer ditched his Grumman F3F Cross. The next month, however, his plane was hit 100 fighter off the coast of San Diego while attempting a miles into enemy territory. landing on the USS Saratoga (CV-3). (The fighter was ‘’I did a dumb thing,” he told a reporter a few years rediscovered by a Navy submarine in June 1988, and ago. ‘’We were bombing, and when we finished, I recovered on 5 April 1991. It was restored at the San went back to take a picture. And this antiaircraft gun, Diego Aerospace Museum and is now at the Naval he nailed me.” Aviation Museum in Pensacola). As he tried to eject at a high altitude, his foot became By the time the United States entered WWII, he was far trapped in the shoulder harness. He struggled free only more seasoned, although on several occasions he was at the last minute and smacked part of the plane’s tail as shot down by enemy fire and landed in the water. He he parachuted out 150 feet from the ground, breaking once swam to a nearby island, where locals returned his ribs. He hid until an HO3S (Navy helicopter) located him by canoe to the nearest Marine outpost. He arrived him and whisked him to safety while Communist snipers at his home base in time to see preparations for his fired, hitting the rescue craft three times and causing memorial service. it to spin. The helicopter made it back through fog with On Guadalcanal, while commanding an undermanned 10 gallons of gas left, he told the Dallas Morning News. but dogged Marine fighter squadron, Major Galer re- For exceptionally meritorious service in combat, he was ceived the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest award advanced to brigadier general upon his retirement on for valor. Major Galer and his men were based on a July 31, 1957. small Japanese airstrip rechristened Henderson Field, where the flyers were dubbed the Cactus Air Force. In addition to the Medal of Honor, General Galer also By mid-1942 he was sending up his handful of planes received the Navy Cross, the with Com- to engage an average of 40 Japanese bombers and bat “V,” the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold fighters on each mission. His only advantage was be- star, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal with 10 gold stars ing radioed in advance by a coast watcher of Japanese and the British Distinguished Flying Cross. takeoffs. That also saved gas, as his pilots did not have Brigadier General Galer died on June 27, 2005 in Dal- las, Texas. 4 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Cover Story: “Forged Above” A painting by artist Steve Tack Commemorating the Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation By Colonel John Telles, Jr. USMC (Retired) The acknowledged official birthday of United States Marine Corps Aviation is May 22, 1912. That was the date that 1/Lt Alfred A. Cunningham, USMC, reported for flight instruction at Annapolis, MD. So May 22, 2012 started the Centennial Year for celebration purposes. The Marines chose the term “Marine Aviation Centen- nial” (MAC). On April 8, 2012 Air Group One (AG-1) signed an agree- ment with artist Steve Tack to commission a painting in oil or acrylic to commemorate “The Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation.” The concept had been presented to him by an AG-1 contingent while attend- ing the 2011 International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) CURTISS C-3. The twin-crew, mahogany-hulled Curtiss Conference, December 2011. There are two purposes: C-3 hydroplane of 1913 was the very first type actu- (1) Commemoration. The CAF and AG-1 are a com- ally owned by Marines. First Lieutenant Cunningham memorating organization dedicated to the heritage of and others had learned to fly in U. S. Navy and civilian military aviation, and specifically World War Two. (2) airplanes. Fund-raising. The contract supports the sale of 500 highest-quality Limited Edition numbered and artist- CURTISS DH-4. Marines recognize the Curtiss DH-4 signed lithographs for fund-raising purposes. The work Jenny as their very first combat-tested Close Air Sup- was completed and delivered in May 2012 just prior to port (CAS) weapon. Led by Squadron CO Major Ross the 2012 Wings Over Gillespie Air Show. Rowell, five Jennys with hand-held 25 lb. bombs saved the day for Marines in contact fiercely fighting the San- “Forged Above” (see cover) by famed aviation fine art- dino rebel forces at Ocotal, in July 1927. ist Steve Tack is the most impressive piece yet done to commemorate the Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps VOUGHT F4U. During WWII in the Aviation. This remarkable painting captures the heart campaign, and later in Korea, Marines learned to rely on and soul of aircraft, airmen, and mission since the be- the F4U Corsair for its brutish capability in both fighter ginning of Marine Corps aviation. and attack (CAS) roles. Many types of USN, USMC, and USAAF aircraft mauled the enemy, but for Marines, One will find deep symbolism and meaning in every the F4U stands proudest of all. brushstroke. The setting brings forth the roar of thun- dering aircraft supporting the Ground Combat Element DOUGLAS F3D. The dawning of the Jet Age brought (GCE) engaged in “every clime and place” … , many “firsts.” Marines flying the Douglas F3D Skynight Nicaragua, WW I, Guadalcanal, to the Middle East. The were the first jet night-fighter pilots to down an aircraft overall color tone brings to mind the immense strength at night during the Korean conflict. of hardened blue steel. Even the title word “Forged” DOUGLAS F4D. The very first operational USN/ suggests tough material. The two separate aircraft for- USMC carrier-based jet fighter capable of sustained mations cross as do crossed swords, time-tested, the supersonic speed in level flight was the Douglas F4D symbol of warriors. Skyray. It also held the record for time-to-climb to in- Every Marine Corps aircraft had a job to do, and did it tercept altitude. well. But the “Forged Above” craft are milestone set- DOUGLAS A4D. When the attack and fighter missions ters, and representative for the entire history of USMC were eventually separated, Douglas Aircraft gave Navy- aircraft. Specifically: Marine attack pilots the A4D Skyhawk. It served the September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt 5 Cover Story: “Forged Above” (cont.)

Corps extremely well from the 50’s to the 80’s…. nearly “Phrog” has remained the workhorse in nearly every 38 years. No artist has paid so much artistic honor to USMC ground combat operation since Vietnam. It will the A4 than R. G. Smith, Steve Tack’s grandfather. remain in service until fully replaced by the MV-22 by 2015. VOUGHT F8U. Fighter pilots received the Vought F8U Crusader capable of reaching 1,000 MPH. Major John Glenn set a coast-to-coast non-stop speed record of 3 hours and 23 minutes in July 1957 (avg. 723 MPH). Later versions carried 4,000 lbs. of external ordnance for CAS during the Vietnam era. MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F4B. The McDonnell-Doug- las F4B Phantom II brought on a whole new meaning to air superiority and ground attack. From 1962 to 1992, capable of carrying up to a 12,000 lb. bomb load, the F4 was the Corps’ frontline fighter/attack champion. MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AV8A/B. V/STOL added significant flexibility to CAS on the battlefield. The SIKORSKY CH-53. Entering service in 1966 to replace AV8A in 1971 and later the AV8B in 1985 became a the CH-37C, the H-53 remains the heavy lifter serving new direction for deployed Marines ashore and afloat. Marines in combat and in relief operations for natural MCDONNELL DOUGLAS (BOEING) F/A-18. The Hor- disasters worldwide. net is a milestone with designed-in reliability, maintain- BELL BOEING MV-22. On 8 December 2005, then- ability, and survivability. It has been the Corps’ frontline Lieutenant General James Amos accepted the delivery fighter/attack weapon for 30 years, and will remain in of the first fleet of USMC MV-22 Ospreys. It has seen service for a good while yet. extensive combat service in the Middle East, and will LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35. Officially rolled out for the eventually replace all USMC CH-46 and some CH-53 Corps in February 2012, the Lightning II is the fifth helicopters. generation fighter/attack/V/STOL weapon. Technology ***** advancements and capabilities are all still to primarily support Marines on the ground. For promotion and event display, Rich Kenney had an 8-foot and a 10-foot mural on vinyl produced by Blend LOCKHEED MARTIN KC-130. “Senior Member of the Printing Co. in Miramar. They were first used at the air Board,” the Hercules has served Marines so incredibly show promotion AG-1 display while at the USS Midway well with cargo and fuel since 1958, the only military Legacy Week on the hangar deck as “best-of-show.” aircraft to remain in continuous production for 56 years Later they were used as AG-1 promotion at the opening with its original customer (USAF). Today it remains the of the El Cajon Car Classic event just prior to Wings stellar air refueler for both helicopters and jets. over Gillespie 2012. Since then the murals, framed BELL UH/AH-1. The “Huey” family joined the Corps in lithograph, poster, and original painting have been on February 1964 and is the Marine Corps’ first turbine display for the: powered helicopter. The solid design concept and Foundation and Museum Gala advancements have proved great success for over 48 Dinner fund-raiser years and has taken part in every combat engagement beginning with Vietnam. The AH-1 Cobra followed in GKN Aerospace, Inc. Conference Room April 1969 with VMO-2 while in Vietnam. The new AH- Fairbanks Republican Women Federated Society 1Z Super Cobra is a quantum leap from the original model. University Club, Military Network BELL VERTOL CH-46. Transporting Marines since November 1964, and now completing its 48th year, the 6 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Intensely Worthy of Commemoration

By Col. John Telles, USMC (Retired) In 1942, 70 years ago, WWII really began to heat up USAAF 67th Pursuit Sqdn arrives with P-400s in Europe and in the Pacific. Even as a member of a (export P-39 Air Cobras). “Commemorative Air Force” organization it is a chal- lenge to keep in mind our proud combat history. Talk- AUG. 24: VMF-223, 14 F4F, 2 P-400, down 16 enemy. ing about the Centennial of USMC Aviation, I could Capt. Marion Carl first USMC Ace. not adequately describe 1942 activity to my friends Navy carrier Enterprise damaged sent aircraft and grandkids, particularly about Guadalcanal in the to Cactus. Enterprise Flight 300. Solomon Islands where the island wars began for the USA. So I was compelled to make a list*. Many of you AUG. late: Arrival of VMF-224 19 F4F, VMSB-231 12 know I’m a “List Guy” …. I just love lists, can’t help it! SBD. 86 pilots, 64 planes. (10 USN, 3 USAAF) I hope this helps you “commemorate” with somebody AUG. 26: Battle of Milne Bay begins: Japanese forces as it did me. JT land and launch a full-scale assault on Australian base BACKGROUND: near the eastern tip of New Guinea. Japanese wanted to cut off Australia and New Zealand AUG. 28: Incendiary bombs dropped by a Japanese lines of communication (LOC) with USA, and take over seaplane causes a forest fire in Oregon. the Western Pacific oceans. SEPT. 1: US Navy Construction Battalion personnel, Dec. 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor. Seabees, began to arrive at Guadalcanal. April 18, 1942: Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. SEPT. 9: : Light carrier USS Wasp is sunk by a Japa- nese submarine off Guadalcanal. May 1942: Midway and Coral Sea battles hard on IJN. By SEPT. 17: Only 63 serviceable planes. Avg. loss 3 ACTION: per day. AUG. 7, 1942 to FEB. 8, 1943: OPERATION WATCH- SEPT. 23: 1st MAW arrives. MGEN Roy Geiger (USMC TOWER. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. aviator #5). AUG. 7: 1ST Marine division (now at MCB Camp SEPT. 27: VMF-223, 224, VF-5 down 6 bombers, 5 Pendleton, CA) lands at Lunga Point. MGEN Archer fighter. Vandergrift. SEPT. 28: Downed 23 bombers, 1 fighter. AUG. 11-13: USN augmented with 60 planes from Espiritu Santo, USS Hornet and Wasp 18 F4F, USS OCT: Tokyo Express delivers 20,000 fresh troops down Saratoga SBD/TBF. “The Slot”. AUG. 18: Japanese reinforce New Guinea; Australians OCT. 3: LCOL. Harold Bauer, CO VMF-212 (but flying land troops at Port Moresby. Meanwhile, American with VMF-223) downs 4 planes. planes have destroyed Japanese air power at Wewak, VMF-223, 224, VMSB-232, Flight 300, pulled New Guinea. back due to losses/ineffective. (KIA, sick, tired). AUG. 20: Marine aircraft arrive. MAG-23 VMF-223 with OCT 6: MAG-14 arrives LCOL Al Cooley, VMSB-141 19 F4F, VMSB-232 (Red Devils) with 12 SBDs. (Exactly SBD, VMF-121 F4F. 30 years after solo flight 1/Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham.) OCT. 11: IJN renews determination to re-capture Gua- Henderson Field named for Major Lofton Henderson dalcanal, bombing daytime, shelling night. Horrible KIA Midway Is. Code name “Cactus.” time. All but totally destroyed Cactus numerous times. AUG. 21: USMC Air Ops begin. Maj. , VMF- Midnight naval Battle of Cape Esperance to block for 223 makes first kill. delivery of 164th Inf. Div. USA reinforcements. September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt 7 Intensely Worthy of Commemoration (cont.)

OCT. 26: Battle of Santa Cruz. Hornet sunk, Enterprise SUMMARY: damaged. IJN carriers Shokaku and Zuiho damaged. AUG. 20, 1942-FEB. 8, 1943: OCT. 30: Cactus with 12 F4F, 11 SBD, 3 P-400, 1 USMC photo F4F. 13 Marine Sqdn. 464 pilots, 94 KIA, 177 WIA, medical, NOV. 2: MAG-11 arrives. LCOL William Brice. VMF-112, fatigue. VMSB-132, 142, 131 (TBF). VMJ-253, 152, USA 13th Troop Carrier Sqdn. R4D work hard support. Aug.-Dec. KIA/MIA 20% 3,000 medevacs. Overall 58% NOV. 11: Air raids continue. Attack offloading US Army. Down 30 Jap planes. 2,117 sorties, 427 kills, VMF-121 highest with 208. NOV. 13: Battle of Guadalcanal - A climactic naval battle near Guadalcanal starts between Japanese and Ameri- Lost 118 planes combat, 30 accidents. can naval forces. Notably, the USS Juneau is sunk with 30 USMC Aces, 6 Medals Of Honor. much of its crew, including the five Sullivan brothers. JULY-DEC. ’42 16 USN Aces in Pacific. NOV. 13: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. 24 minutes post-midnight. US lose 2 cruisers, damage 3rd, lose 4 Guadalcanal saved by Warning Radar and coast destroyers, damage 3. IJN lose 2 destroyers, battleship watcher/spotters. Hiei. First Cactus attack on a BB. 1st torpedo VMSB- MEANWHILE IN EUROPE: 131 TBF. F4Fs shoot down all 8 covering Zeros. AUG. 17: First US Army Air Forces B-17 heavy bomber NOV. 13: IJN shelling 1,000 rounds 8” on Cactus in raid in Europe, targeting the Sotteville railroad yards 45 minutes. at Rouen, France. NOV. 14: Cactus and Enterprise destroy IJN reinforce- AUG, 19: Operation Jubilee, a raid by British and ment effort, many transports sunk. Only 4,000 of 10,000 Canadian forces on Dieppe, France, ends in disaster; troops make it ashore (but no ammo, food, medical). they come under heavy gunfire and eventually most are LCOL Harold Bauer shot down while flying with Capt. killed or captured by the German defenders. . AUG. 23: Massive German air raid on Stalingrad. IJN attempt final night shelling. Battleship Kirishima, I destroyer sunk. USN lose 3 destroyers and SEPTEMBER 1942 damaged USS battleship. SEPT. 3: The Battle of Stalingrad proper may be said DEC: Cactus now has 71 F4F, 17 P-38, 100 other. to have begun on this date, with German troops in the suburbs; even civilian men and boys are conscripted DEC. 9: The Marines turn over Guadalcanal to the by the Red Army to assist in the defence. command of US Army. SEPT. 4: Manhattan Engineering District is formally cre- JAN. 1943: Heavy air attacks resume, IJN transport ated, full-effort production of the atomic bomb is begun. ships take big losses. Brilliant withdrawal planned. SEPT. 9: A Japanese plane drops more incendiaries JAN. 15: Capt. Joe Foss, XO VMF-121 downs 3 for on Oregon, but with little effect. total 26. Equals Rickenbacker WWI record. SEPT. 30: The Eagle Squadron (American volunteers FEB. 8: Japanese evacuates 12,000. Give up Gua- in the RAF) is officially transferred to the US Army Air dalcanal. Force.

*Compiled from numerous references online. 8 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Commemorative Special Happy Hour for First USMC Solo Flight

By Col. John Telles, USMC (Retired) A Special Membership Award (AG-1) was presented by Mr. Darren Levack, GKN GM to Mr. Brent Christiansen, We made LtCol. Alfred A. Cunningham proud! Or at a prominent engineer at GKN Aerospace Inc. He had least I think we did… In grand style, we toasted to his previously won the B- 17 ride at the June 2 Wings over historic first solo flight as a USMC 1/Lt at Marblehead, Gillespie Air Show. But additionally, Brent is a design MA on Aug. 20, 1912. In the splendor of the Pavilion and production engineer for the GKN-built forward Lift of Flight, San Diego Air & Space Museum, exactly 100 Fan on the USMC F-35B Lightning II fighter. Ahh, Cun- years later, we paid him liquid tribute for his spectacular ningham would have been proud to know him! deed. Air & Space Museum Head Docent Verne Wochnick Produced and coordinated by Air Group One (AG- kindly “co-hosted” with terrific guest tours during the 1), we hosted guests from the Air & Space Museum, celebration. Thanks so much, Verne. And of course, USS Midway, Flying Leathernecks Museum, Tailhook it was Mr. Jim Kidrick’s generosity that provided the Association, DFC Society, and GKN Aerospace, Inc. awesome venue in the first place. Thanks, Jim! of El Cajon, and many more aviation personalities of the area. We sincerely thank all who joined in the fun evening!

John Telles, GKN GM Darren Levack, Lift Fan Engineer Brent Christiansen “Forged Above” framed with blue mat September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt 9 Happy Hour (cont.) I Didn’t Know As a mini-unveiling, “Forged Above” was officially presented. Back-dropping the enjoyable evening was the 8’x10’ mural of the Steve Tack painting “Forged That Above.” The original painting commissioned by AG-1 By Robert Bruce was also on display, our joint contribution in celebra- tion of “The Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation”. EDDIE DUCHIN... was a swing-era pianist and band Oorraahh! We had many positive comments on the leader who served in the WW-II navy. He had perfect work, and sold several highest quality Limited Edition pitch and was trained in anti-submarine detection. He lithographs. They are still available at AG-1. Call John took part in the D-Day invasion on a destroyer escort. Telles at 760-458-4230. He also was involved in the invasion of Iowa Jima and Okinawa. (See movie: The Eddie Duchin Story... New AG-1 member Abraham Talerman won the drawing Tyrone Power) for a ride in “Sassy” (SNJ). Congrats, Abe. DUGOUT SUNDAY... was a bad weather day on Again, thanks to all who helped make this remarkable Guadalcanal which kept the U.S. planes grounded by centennial event such a success. muddy runways. The Japanese attacked with air raids and shelling from ships, inflicting severe damage. DUMBARTON OAKS... was the name of a meeting held in Washington D.C. in August 1944 at which the organization was born. DONALD DUNCAN... was a Navy captain air officer on Admiral Ernest King’s staff who came up with the idea of a carrier strike on , which became the Doolittle Raid. DREAM BOAT... was the code name for the develop- ment of the B-29 Super Fortress. RICHARD DRONNE... was a Free French captain who was in Gen. Jacques Le Lerc’s French armored division that was from Chad. He was the first French soldier to enter Paris in 1944. Vought F8U Crusader From “Forged Above” painting SAXIE DOWELL... was a U.S. bandleader in the 30’s and 40’s. He wrote the very popular “Three Little Fishes (in the itty bitty pool).” He served on the carrier Franklin, which was hit by two bombs on March 19, 1945. 772 crewmembers were killed. This was the navy’s second worst casualty event. Saxie survived the attack. Howard sez.... At least a couple of times, our Maintenance Officer Howard Merritt has arrived at our hangar to discover someone had left a door open. There are New Sassy Pilots! a lot of sets of hangar keys out there now. Please, Congratulations to our newest SNJ pilots, Erich Mould- everyone, be careful to lock up when you leave er and Bret Ebaugh! And many thanks to their instructor if you are the last one out. Oh, and it would be Joe Graham and check pilot Pete Hunt. good to turn off the lights and air conditioner, too! We are looking forward to the help with the flying duties. Fly safe and have fun! 10 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 New Members These are some of our newest members, and we Member of QBs, CAF, AG-1, Antique Aircraft Associa- are delighted to have them join us. tion (including San Diego chapter), EAA, AOPA, Swift Museum Foundation Other hobbies: Golf and tennis (latter is just to be my wife’s warm up opponent, she is the big tennis fan), travelling to countries I haven’t seen before.

Karl Johanson—Born 12/30/54 in Springfield, MA Education: BSME from Worcester Polytechnic Institute Bill Judge—RV-8 builder and test pilot. Bill has about in1976 1800 hrs flight time, 1500 of which are tailwheel, 800 of which are in his RV-8 (see above). Bill as flown his I am married with three children (all grown; son is a RV-8 across the country nine times, to Mexico twice private pilot, now studying to be an air traffic control- and Aruba once. He has a single engine commercial ler). My wife is Donna and she flies around the region license with an instrument rating and a private glider with me to attend airshows in our 1946 Globe Swift, license. Bill’s wife, Kenzi, also enjoys flying and has restored in 2001/2002 (as static display; the attached been on many of the trips. For work Bill is an electrical photo was taken at Edwards AFB Open House 2009). engineer who now does operations research work for She probably has 250+ hours in the right seat but is the Navy’s Budget Office (OPNAV) through SPAWAR. not a licensed pilot. When not flying and spending time with his wife Bill I worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in late seventies enjoys kitesurfing and snowboarding. until 1982. Moved to San Diego in ’82 and worked at same company making gas turbine auxiliary power units for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The name changed several times through acquisitions starting as Solar Turbines, then Turbomach, then Sundstrand Turbomach, then Auxiliary Power International, then Hamilton Sundstrand from 1999 to this year and now we have just merged with Pratt and Whitney so I am right back to where I started in 1976! I have been on the sales side of the business for the past 20+ years and travel extensively working with our customers worldwide. I lived in Iceland, Norway, India and Indonesia during my early years (up to age 28). My father was a Pratt and Whitney Field Representative so we lived a somewhat Sid Karin—I passed my private pilot check ride in nomadic life during my teenage years. 1968 while still a graduate student at the University of We live in Rancho Bernardo. Michigan. By the time I finished school I was earning September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt 11 New Members (cont.) Lt. Constant my living as a CFI. CFI income and graduate student life style were a good fit at the time. Now I’m a retired Pringle UCSD faculty member and I do some consulting in computing and telecommunications. By Robert Bruce I have accumulated 4,200 hours total and I have owned Constant Pringle grew up in a small town in Georgia. It a Cessna 210 for more than five years. I hold CFI, CFII, was said he shared his rural roots with five brothers... CFIM and Commercial ASMEL, ASES ratings but have all of them older than he was. When it came to book never even sat in a warbird. I’m looking forward to help- ‘larnin’ he was the only one who achieved a 10th grade ing out and learning more about warbirds. education. His brothers quit school and went to work picking cotton or raising tobacco. Somehow, Constant got into ROTC, which took his name off the dreaded draft list, and it wasn’t long before the Army made him a 2nd lieutenant. Among his friends, it was believed he really liked the army. He had a warm place to sleep, three meals a day and he received salutes from enlisted men in his units. Everyone agreed that discipline was surely a sore point with Constant, causing the company and battalion commanders to give him unimportant assignments just to keep him out of trouble. Once he misread map coordinates during maneuvers, causing the Battalion Commander to get lost. Both attached pictures are of me. In the first I am (al- It might have been his love of food and ever balloon- most) visible in the nose gear mirror. Mt. McKinley is ing weight that was responsible for keeping Constant in the background. The second is more conventional. “behind the lines” so to speak. Tipping the scales at over 300 lbs. earned him nicknames like “Porky” and “The Crisco Kid” (the latter really stuck with him). But it never seemed to bother him. Looking back, I can’t but wonder what ever happened to Lt. Constant? Yes, it was a long time ago to be sure, Where is the Crisco Kid now??

Connor Reid­—I am 16 years old and have been flying since I was 14. I soloed near my 16th birthday and plan to get my Private Pilot License near my 17th birthday. I am a junior at Granite Hills High School and plan to be an Alaskan Bush Pilot. [Ed. note: Connor’s grandmother Kathy and aunt Robyn are also members of Air Group One.] From “Forged Above” painting 12 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Normandie... Before and After September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt 13 14 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Laff Trak

Overheard on the radio a few years ago: Police Stop at 1 AM N1234: An elderly man is stopped by the police around 1 a.m. “Kalamazoo approach, student pilot N1234 five miles and is asked where he is going at this time of night. west.” The man replies, “I am going to a lecture about alcohol Approach: abuse and the effects it has on the human body.” “Are you the red and blue Cessna 172?” The officer then asks, “Really? Who is giving that lecture N1234: at this time of night?” “Yes. How did you know?” The man replies, “That would be my wife.” Approach: “I have color radar. N1234, go to tower 123.45.” Me: “Kalamazoo approach, white Bonanza with black and Student Solo red stripes checking in.” A student became lost during a solo cross-country Approach (laughing): flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, “I used to fly that 172!” ATC asks, “What was your last known position?” The reply: “When I was number one for takeoff.”

Air Group One—Commemorative Air Force 1905 N. Marshall Ave., Hangar 6 El Cajon, CA 92020