VOL. 33, NO. 8 2005 CONTENTS COVERS 1 Straight and Level FRONT COVER: On August 5, 1904, Orville Wright flew the Flyer II a total of 356 feet over the grassy hummocks of 2 VAA News Huffman Prairie , outside of Dayton, Ohio. It was the 19th flight of the summer. Throughout all of 1904, the Wrights struggled with obtaining consistent, controllable flights. Af­ 3 Friends of the VAA Red Barn 2005 ter numerous crashes and subsequent revisions to their Flyer, they would achieve their goal of a truly practical air­ 4 Aeromail plane in the late summer of 1905. with their Flyer III. See the first of a two-part article on the Wrights' activities dur­ 6 Reminiscing with Big Nick ing those two years, starting on page 10. This detail is a The Pylon Club- Part I part of a larger image from a Library of Congress negative (the original was a 5"x7" glass plate negative). Library of by Nick Rezich Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, (LC-W86-00617) BACK COVER: M. Randall Mytar's watercolor painting "Fly 10 The First Practical Airplane Fishing" depicts a father sharing his love for fishing and Part I: The Wright's dogged pursuit of useful fli ght ftying with his young son . The artwork was presented with the 1st place Vintage Category award during the 2005 EAA by H.G. Frautschy Sport Avia tion Art Contest. A very limited number of prints are available. Contact Mr. Mytar in Sherman Oaks, Califor­ 16 Trans-Atlantic Moth nia, at 818-789-7719 for more information . Torquil Norman's D.H . '85 Leopard Moth by H.G . Frautschy STAFF 20 The Forgotten Performers Publisher Tom Poberezny Bellanca's record-making airplanes Editor-in-Chief Scott Spangler Executive Director/Editor H.G. Frautschy by Vic Pike Administrative Assistant jennifer Leh l 25 The Vintage Instructor Managing Editor Kathleen Witman News Editor Ric Reynolds Whether/weather to go, or not Ph otography jim Koepnick by Doug Stewart Bonnie Bartel Production Manager julie Russo 27 Mystery Plane Classified Ad Manager Isabelle Wiske by H.G. Frautschy Copy Editor Colleen Walsh 28 Pass it to Buck Director of Advertising Katrina Bradshaw Aero nca C-3 N-13000 Display AdvertiSing Representatives: ortheast: Allen Murray by Buck Hilbert Phone 609·26S·1 666, FAX 609·265· 166 1 e·mail : al/rlllllllrra)o@IlI illrlsprillg.fOlII Southeast: Chester Bau mga rtn er 30 Phone 727·573·0586, FAX 727·556·0177 e-mail; (balllll I I I @\lIilldsprillg.fOlII Calendar Central: Todd Reese Phone SOO·444·9932, FAX 816·74 1·6458 e-mail: (o< ld@Sp("· /1/lIg.!01II 32 Classified Ads Mountain & Pacific: Keith Kn owlt on & Associat es Phone 770-5 16-274 3, e- mail: kkllowltu lI @!ea(/.urg GEOFF ROBISON PRESIDENT, VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION Summertime in Oshkosh t's the Fourth of july weekend, busy little community airpark. It's sues, or even how much lemonade to and I am writing this column really quite wonderful! have on hand to keep our volunteers from Oshkosh as I sit at my picnic If you have an opening in your cal­ upright and in forward motion. Be­ Itable in Camp Scholler. I'm here endar, consider donating that time lieve me, this list is never ending. tending to a number of last-minute to the VAA Division and EAA. Think Everybody pulls together every EAA AirVenture logistical items that about coming early, and staying late, year to get this huge job done in what needed attention. to experience what this little piece of can only be labeled as a professional I realize that few of you folks heaven is like prior to the main event. and helpful manner. This effort put have ever seen the EAA grounds For the uninitiated, few have a real forth by the staff is remarkable, and here in Oshkosh other than dur­ feel for the massive effort that must it is important that we all recognize ing EAA AirVenture. It's a typical be put forth to prepare the grounds their efforts and offer them our sin­ summer day here in the upper Mid­ and arrange for all of the necessary cere gratitude. west, and as I look north from my logistical issues that are required in Yes, it may be impossible to put on camper, I can see the large field EAA preparation for the thousands of this world-premier event without all uses for car parking, and a little fur­ visitors the world's greatest aviation of the volunteer efforts, but it is im­ ther, across the road, is EAA's Pio­ event attracts each year. possible for me to imagine what this neer Airport. The grass in the field It is often heard around here that event would be like without the ever­ is tall and turning brown, and you without the volunteers at EAA Air­ important participation and qual­ can see the wind push it around, Venture, this event would not be pos­ ity efforts of your EAA staff. Many making the grass look like waves. In sible. As you know, I have oftentimes thanks to each of you for your dedi­ just a few short weeks, it won't be extolled the many virtues of our val­ cation and hard work. nearly as serene. ued volunteers. Although this is a By the time this column hits your It is always interesting to observe true statement about our volunteers, mailbox, EAA AirVenture 200S will the variety of reactions of first-time in this month's column I wanted to be but a recent memory. Here's hop­ pre-convention volunteers who are also extend the gratitude of the Vin­ ing it is a safe and successful event. among the hundreds who come tage organization to the often-forgot­ As I am putting the finishing touches here to prepare the grounds for this ten individuals who toll away every on this month's column, word world-premier event each year. work day of the year to make this lit­ reached my desk today of the loss of In the weeks just prior to EAA tle piece of heaven more heavenly for two icons of the air show circuit. The AirVenture the atmosphere here is the membership and our volunteers. sad and tragic loss of jimmy Frank­ nothing short of surreal. There are Who are these individuals? Why, lin and Bobby Younkin hit the EAA few airplanes flying around, little they're the many dedicated, hard­ as well as the vintage family with a to no traffic in the campground, working staff members of the Experi­ hard blow. This loss will be long felt and no buzzing of motor scooters. mental Aircraft Association and its by the extended Oshkosh friends and The only real noise you may hear divisions. Special thanks to those in­ family of these two fine, professional is the humming of the neighbor's dividuals who work every day to plan gentlemen. Our hearts go out to the air conditioner, or that wonderful and implement the untold number members of their individual families. symphony of noise made by the of incidental issues that are required Somehow, the show must go on. Swallow, the Travel Air or, occasion­ to be in place to have a successful Let's all pull in the same direction ally, the Ford Tri-Motor in the pat­ and safe event. for the good of aviation. Remember, tern around Pioneer Airport. My The effort is massive when you we are better together. join us and campsite is strategically situated di­ consider how many toilets will be have it all. rectly under the pattern at Pioneer needed, how many T-shirts we need Airport, so it's a lot like living on a to have on hand to sell, security is­ VINTAGE AIRPLANE Dinner and a Murder EAA staffers Gregg and Trish Deimer at the 2004 mystery dinner. Visit EAA's Pioneer Airport for a fabulous buffet dinner on a 1930s movie set. Rub shoulders with glamorous movie stars, but watch out for shady characters! Don't be surprised if a terrible murder takes place during dinner-after which it'll be up to you and the other pa­ Celebrate Aviation's Good 01' Days With EAA trons to find the culprit. Visitors enjoy the golden age of aviation at Good 0 1' Days 2004. Tickets, including dinner, are $25 for EAA members, $30 for others. There's nothing quite like the good 01' days, especially when it Reservations are recommended and comes to airplanes. On August 20-21, the good folks at EAA's Pioneer can be made online at https://secure. Airport present the Good 01' Days of Aviation, a heartwarming return eaa.orglmuseum/murdermystery.asp or to a simpler time of open cockpits, leather helmets, and goggles. by calling 920-426-6880. All are invited to experience what airports were like during the early days. Meet characters from the past, and rediscover the folklore, crafts, First Biplane Fantasy Camp and skills of old-time aviation. in September Weather permitting, visitors will see incredible vintage airplanes­ Everything you wanted to know EAA's and those from visiting pilots (as detailed in last month's "VAA about biplanes will be discussed at News")-fly throughout both days. Don't miss the afternoon "parade EAA's first Biplane Fantasy Flight of flight" and special flight demonstrations, like balloon bursting. Camp September 23-25. Included Other weekend features: are three biplane flights from Pio­ • At our large children's activity center kids can play the games that neer Airport, with extensive pre­ were popular during the golden age of aviation.