2 21- 3 The Membership Newsletter for The Military Aviation Museum Spring 2010 Y A M and Zeppelinspelins The Military Aviation Museum has announcedd 0 201 their plans to host a World War One air show for the week- end of September 25/26, 2010. It will be the approachproach to the centennial, hundred year anniversary of the startart of the First World War. This weekend event will be somewhatmewhat similar to the museum’s annual World War Two airr show Volume 3, Issue 2 of Over the Beach, which is held eachh May on the weekend before the Pungo Strawberry Festival,tival, which is during the Memorial Day weekend. However,ever, instead of Mustangs, Spitfi res, and Corsairs, it willl be Military Aviation Museum older vintage airplanes from a much earlier era. www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org The most often asked question has been, “OK guys,, Virginia Beach Airport where are you gonna get a Zeppelin from?” Well, www.VBairport.com to be quite honest, we have absolutely no idea and chances are, we might not be able to pull that one Fighter Factory off. Everyone needs a goal in life. However, we www.FighterFactory.com will have quite a collection of open cockpit bi- plane fi ghters over the airport protecting Pungo from any such marauding Zeppelins trying to attackk from Inside this Issue: Continued on pagee 2

February NATO Visitors 3

Air and Space Odyssey 3 Romance by RR “Boom” Powell Fieseler F1-156 “Storch” 4 He was a B-17 instructor pilot. She was a Dragon Rapide 5 WASPW fresh out of fl ight training. She remem- bersb standing in a row with nine other women Hangar Happenings 6 pilotsp waiting for their fi rst fl ight in a Flying Grapes, Glamour & Glory 7 FFortress, “scared to death.” He remembers cchoosing, “the cutest one.” They have been Joe Perkins 7 mmarried for 65 years. Upcoming Events 7 AAppropriately, this tale was told on the Friday Warbiards Over the Beach bbefore Valentine’s Day when Jack and Mad- Airshow 8 eelon Hill visited the Military Aviation Museum ((MAM).M They had traveled from their Oregon Jack and Madelon Hill (middle) with museum volunteers Boom hhome to Washington DC where Madelon along Powell and Nelson Eskey who had the pleasure of showing thewith 200 other Women Airforce Service Pilots re- former B-29 pilot and WASP around the museum. ceived the Congressional Gold Medal for their service during WW2. Their son, Marty “Rocky” Hill (USAF fi ghter and current airline pilot) lives Continued on page 2 PAGE 2 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

Biplanes... Continued from page 1 these early days of aviation. Hear the wind vaudeville and the birth of the movie in- far across the ocean. whistling through the bracing wires of bi- dustry. This was an era now romanticized planes and smell the burnt oil coming from by authors and Hollywood. Experience Currently, there is a new World War One rotary engines. It was the beginning of the it yourself at the Virginia Beach Airport, hangar under construction at the far end of last century and in a few short years, it will when you go back in time, a hundred year,s the driveway. It will be built completely out be the hundred year centennial of the start and see these First World War airplanes fl y- of wood timber with massive beams. This of the First World War. ing once again.  new structure will house the museum’s col- lection of World War One airplanes that Join us in Virginia Beach on the last warm are currently scattered throughout the local days of summer, when the hotel rates have area and still under construction elsewhere come down, but the excitement has gone up. in the country. Most of them are open cock- Imagine the spectacle of these colorful air- pit fi ghters of design and there planes dancing through the bright blue sky, might be enough room for a dozen such with infantry encampments underneath. aeroplanes. The new hangar will be fi fteen Visit with hundreds of re-enactors and mu- thousand square feet in size with three han- sical entertainment from the early days of gar bays. It will also be suitable for small parties and rental functions.

It was the confl ict that began in June of 1914 with the assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria. This triggered a war that drew all of Europe into the War to End All Wars. Just less than a dozen years af- ter the invention of the fi rst frail airplane to lift into the sky of nearby Kitty Hawk, NC, young men were jousting over the trench- es of in primitive wood and fabric aeroplanes.

Come to see these times relived on the last weekend in September and experience

Romance... Continued from page 1 She also became an instructor and fl ew in Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrender, he in and arranged for their AT-6 Texans training fl edgling Army Air fl ew missions over POW camps dropping visit. The MAM does its best to honor vet- Force pilots to fl y on instruments. canisters of food and medical supplies be- erans and made sure the Mr. and Mrs. Hill fore returning to the USA. received special treatment. After Jack Hill fi nished teaching other pi- lots to fl y the B-17 at the Las Vegas Airbase As a departing gift for the museum, Madelon Bur- (now Nellis AFB), he transitioned to the B- The book is a his- chamc (as she 29 Superfortress and fl ew eleven combat tory of the Women wasw known missions (mostly low-level, incendiary at- Airforce Service then)t not only tacks) with the 497th Bombardment Group Pilots that she au- fl ew the B- on Saipan before the war ended. The day tographed as Made- 17,1 but had after the atomic bomb was dropped on Na- lon Burcham for the manym hours gasaki, his crew was sent on a propaganda MAM library.  ini the Mar- leafl et drop (the airmen called them “BS tint B-26 Ma- missions”). Briefed to fl y alone over Japan rauder,r called at 5,000 feet, the squadron CO wisely said, thet “Widow “Forget that. Go as high and as fast as you Madelon Burcham Maker”M by pi- can.” Jack says the leafl ets were dumped Madelon (Burcham) and her WASP dur- lots intimidated at 38,000 ft and may still be up there in the ing WWII. Hill holding her by the fast and jet stream. They were at such high power Congressional Gold tricky bomber. settings that they landed short of fuel in Medal VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 February NATO Visitors by Nelson Eskey In February, we were graced by the visit some of their experiences in their careers. in an old ex-hospital, which is far from be- from Sir Stewart Eldon, UK Permanent We had a totally enjoyable time and this ing as nice as Paris. To top off Stu’s muse- Representative to NATO and to his host, “Colonist” found more common ground um visit, he got to fl y with our Corsair and RAF Group Captain Peter Round, UK with them than expected. They both were SNJ master, O’Bie O’Brien, in the SNJ-4 Representative to NATO at NATO Head- very knowledgeable, as you would expect, and do much of the fl ying. He said it ful- quarters, in Norfolk, Va. Whoa. Let’s see; when it came to our British Spitfi re, Hur- fi lled one of his lifelong desires. if “Sir” precedes a person’s name, in Eng- ricane and Tiger Moth and their rolls in the land, it means they’ve been “knighted” by War; with the and Chipmunk Nope, I haven’t forgotten about Group being of great interest to them also. Captain Peter Round. Pete has fl own the TThey seemed captivated by our Mu- British Buccaneer and Tornado, among sseum and its aircraft. other aircraft, during his years of ongoing service with the RAF and had some inter- SSir Stewart has been involved in the esting stories to tell. He’s a very unassum- DDiplomatic Service to England for ing person who you can tell loves fl ying. wwell over 30 years, has been award- He seemed to especially enjoy the Spitfi re eed the Order of the British Empire and the Hawker Fury. I expect we’ll see ((OBE) and in June 2009 was awarded Pete back at the Museum sometime soon. KKnight Commander of the Order of Wish I could have just sat down with him SSt. Michael and St. George (KCMG) and had a pilots “bull session”, naturally iin Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday over a “pint or two”, and I’ll bet “Sir Stu” HHonours, which means he would for- would have been right there with us.  Sir Stewart Eldon fl ying in the eever be “Sir Stu“. His many postings North American SNJ-4 include Deputy Cri- sis Manager during the 1990-91 Gulf Her Majesty the Queen, certainly the high- War; involvement in the est honour for an Englishman, and a RAF Maastricht Treaty, which Group Captain, UK Representative to led to the Euro currency; NATO. Do I stand at attention, bow, salute UK EU Presidency in or just say “hi guys, nice to meet you.”? 1992 and British Ambas- sador to Ireland. He said Well, my apprehension disappeared when that the most luxurious their introductions were, “Hi, I’m Stu” NATO Headquarters were and “Hi, I’m Pete”. What followed wasn’t in Paris, until De Gaulle really a “tour” because we just walked kicked them out and that around talking about airplanes (the next the present NATO Head- Captain Peter Round climbing into the Supermarine Spitfi re best thing to fl ying them), the Museum and quarters, in Brussels, are Air and Space Odyssey at the Military Aviation Museum by Michael Gardner, Kempsville District, Tidewater Council BSA On the weekend of April 16-18, 2010, 242 In addition, Scouts assembled rockets as and Scouters would like to thank the staff Boy Scouts and 98 adult chaperones de- part of the Space Exploration program and and volunteers of the Aviation Museum and scended upon the Military Aviation Mu- they had a successful launch of 94 rockets staff that came out from the Virginia Air & seum {Virginia Beach Airport} as part of on Sunday morning. Space Center for a wonderful weekend.  the 2010 Kempsville District Spring Camp- O-Ree. The Scouts developed their skills The recently activat- working on either the Aviation or Space ed Kempsville Dis- Exploration Merit Badge. An optional trict OA Ceremonies program to study the stars, the Astronomy Team performed as Merit Badge, was available during the eve- they conducted a ning hours. The Aviation Museum provid- callout for 11 newly ed aircraft static displays for the Scouts to elected candidates see and examine in their quest of learning for the Order of the how aircraft generate lift and remain aloft. Arrow. The Scouts There were over 300 attendees for the Boy Scout camp-out PAGE 4 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

Fieseler F1-156 “Storch” by Felix Usis The history of any aircraft is akin to your Because of the unique fl ight qualities of took the two Germans into custody. Mar- family history. Some history is written the Fieseler Storch was found on every tin was awarded the Air Medal for his part down, some is by word of mouth and front throughout the European and North in the fi ght, but Francies would have to some is found in seemingly irrelevant African theaters of operation in Second wait until the story was reported in Cor- documents, fl ung far and wide. The World War. It will probably always be nelius Ryan’s book “The Last Battle,” to Museum’s Fieseler Fi-156 Storch is no most famous for its role in Operation fi nally be awarded the Distinguished Fly- exception. We were able to review the Eiche, the rescue of deposed Italian dic- ing Cross. The USAF was 22 years late. aircraft’s logbooks, additional informa- tator Benito Mussolini from a boulder- Apart from being the last plane tion was gleaned from previous owners, strewn mountain top near the Gran Sas- lost in the west, this Storch was also the and then there were the totally unrelated so, surrounded by Italian troops. German only enemy plane downed by pistol fi re scraps of information that just pop up commando Otto Skorzeny dropped with during the war. when digging into the plane’s past. 90 paratroopers onto the peak and quick- ly captured it, but the problem remained Military Aviation Museum Storch’s Background of how to get back off. A Focke Achgelis history Fa 223 helicopter was sent, but it broke In 1935, the Reichsluftfahrtministerium down en route. Instead, pilot Walter Ger- In April 1942, the French Company, Mo- (RLM), Reich Aviation Ministry issued a lach fl ew in a Storch, landed in 100 feet, rane-Saulnier, now operated under Ger- request for a new Luftwaffe aircraft suit- took aboard Mussolini and Skorzeny, and man control, began to manufacture a num- able for liaison, army co-operation (For- took off again in under 250 feet, even ber of German types. Morane-Saulnier ward Air Control), and medical evacuation. though the plane was overloaded. plant at Puteaux, in the suburbs of Paris, To meet this request, Fieseler designed the France, was directed to build the Storch. Fi-156 Storch (Stork). The fi rst Storch In the fi nal days of the Second World War, In October 1943, the Fieseler Werke in prototype fl ew in 24 May 1936 and was a Storch was one of the last planes to land Kassel, started producing the accepted for use, with the fi rst production on the improvised airstrip in the Tiergar- Folke Wuslf FW-190 and production of aircraft going into service in mid-1937. ten near the Brandenburg Gate. The test all Storch types were shifted to France. pilot Hanna Reitsch fl ew Field Marshall At the same time, production was com- The Storch achieved incredible short take- Robert Ritter von Greim from Munich to menced at Leichtbau Budweis in the Pro- off and landing (STOL) performance by Berlin to answer a summons from Hitler. tectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (better using a fi xed slat over the leading edge of Once in Berlin von Greim was informed known as Czechoslovakia). Leichtbau the wing and full length slotted camber- that he was to take over command of the Budweis built one Storch in 1943 and 72 changing fl aps along the trailing edge. In Luftwaffe from Hermann Göring. the following year, before production was a light breeze the Storch could take off in transferred to another Czech fi rm, Benes- just 200 feet and land in about 66 feet. In It was also the last dogfi ght victim in the Mraz in Chozen, where it was built under fl ight, the long main landing gear hung western front during the war. While look- the name K-65 Cap. down, giving the aircraft the appearance ing for ground targets in their Piper Cub, of a very long-legged, big-winged bird, pilot Duanes Francies and his observer, The Military Aviation Museum’s Storch hence its nickname, Storch. William Martin, of the 5th US Army Di- is one such aircraft. It is believed that the vision, spot- basic fuselage was built while the Ger- tted a Storch mans still occupied France but not com- ccircling below pleted, as the data plate is a German data tthem. Diving plate with the werksnummern 2631 (se- oon the Storch, rial number). While aircraft construction tthe two men was never really halted by Morane-Saul- oopened fi re nier, it did slow down from June 1944 to wwith their Colt the end of the war. The end of the Second ..45s and the World War intervened in its completion pplane spiraled and the fuselage was left to gather dust. tto the ground. AAfter a short Upon the conclusion of the Second World ggun battle, War, the French government decided to FFrancies and keep a number of German designs in pro- Fieseler F1-156 “Storch” at the Military Aviation Museum’ his observer Continued on page 5 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5

Storch... Continued from page 4 of material shortages, wings were made the original airframe construction during duction to rebuild both its military and its of wood. After the war, damaged and the German occupation and the second aircraft industry. Thus 925 Fi-156s were surplus aircraft were being scraped and for the fi nal production by Morane-Saul- ordered under their new designation, the melted down and the French constructed nier. Morane-Saulnier MS-500 Criquet. the newer wings out of aluminum. The Construction was commenced beginning museum’s Storch was then completed The factory completion date was 23 May with the left over sections from earlier with metal wings in 1947 for the French 1947. With obscure documents comes production. By then Morane-Saulnier military, it was the 751st off the produc- interesting information, like the names had made a few slight modifi cations to tion line. And thus two serial numbers of the fi rst two pilots are believed to be, the aircraft. During the war, because were assigned the airframe. The fi rst for Monsieurs Goujon and Frantz. The de- livery date to the military at Rouen is reported to be 22 December that same year.

The Dragon Rapide being disassembled The museum’s aircraft was then further modifi ed, in 1950/51 time frame, into for shipment to Virginia Beach a photo reconnaissance airplane. This modifi cation was for a vertically placed camera, placed behind the pilot, with a ‘parachute sender’ and explains the dif- ferent shaped lower fuselage from other Storches. (A ‘parachute sender’ is a para- chute release system to parachute the fi lm canister awaiting ground intelligence per- sonnel.) Records indicate that this modi- fi cation was completed and a test fl ight fl own on February 16, 1951, then deliv- ered to Châteauroux Air Station on March 6, 1951. It was also modifi ed later in its military career to lay cable or telephone line. Because of it low speed capabili- ties; the aircraft could reel out cable out from the bottom of the fuselage for a few miles. By 1966, it was deemed surplus itself and the French military sold it.

The new owner, Herr Hans-Joachim Mei- er, partly restored the aircraft and painted it in Luftwaffe North African Corps green / gray colors with the radio code letters or ‘Stammkennzeichem’ of ‘EA+ML’. In 2001, it was brought to the US. Bruze Panzl replaced the fuselage fabric. The Fighter Factory, headed by Don Anklin, completed the balance of the restoration and maintenance work. The museum’s aircraft has been painted to represent a Storch, which was used by Field Mar- shal Erwin Rommel in his North Afri- can Campaigns. It is expected to be on display at the Military Aviation Museum very soon.  PAGE 6 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

Hangar Happenings

Welcome spring! We are delighted to bring you not only one of the best collections of restored to fl ying condition WWII war planes, but also, monthly events. Every month the museum is proud to have speakers, usually WWII vets, which talk about their experi- ences during the war. Always following the speaker is a fl ight demo. You will also fi nd other events throughout the year, such as the upcoming “Warbirds Over The Beach”, and the recent events recapped below. To stay up on happenings at the museum, sign up for our monthly eblast at www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org or email: [email protected]. 

Recent Events at MAM

Booked events recently were two weddings, National Turkey Wildlife Federation fund- raiser, Sailor of the Year banquet, Contemporary Art Center function and upcoming on Saturday, June 5th will be the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Pig Pickin – open to the public. For tickets and more information contact The Breakers Resort Inn at 428-1821 or Peter Kwick Printing at 486-3011. 

Table set-up at recent wedding reception

Drive-In Movies: 1940s Valentine The Summer Under the Stars Hangar Dance When was the last time you went to a drive-in movie? Or if you are too 1940s Valentine Hangar Dance: Big Band Music by young to have had the pleasure of going to one, because that era is gone, The Terry Chesson Orchestra, Swing Virginia dancers, well you can now know what an experience it is to sit in your car, under the tap dancers, food, drink and 575 guests, all refl ecting stars and watch a big screen movie. Look for our upcoming announcement the feel of the 1940’s. February 13th at the museum for the date this summer.  was a step back in time and we would like to thank our guests for getting in the swing of it and coming dressed during that time period. See a clip from the dance on our website events page, go to: Update on the Toys for Tots www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org/photos_valentine2010.html Trains & Planes Event We reported in the last issue about this successful event and wanted to give an up- date. The Marines and Toys For Tots presented The Mili- tary Aviation Museum with a beautiful plaque in apprecia- tion for the donations brought in over the 3 day event. Gen- erous museum goers donated a total of $1,522.39 and 88 toys! This plaque only went to groups with large dona- Best Dressed Couple: tions. Thnk you everyone for Best Dressed Woman and Debbie and Mike Plaque presented to MAM by your generosity!  Best Dressed Man Spaulding Toys for Tots VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 7

Grapes, Glamour and Glory: Joe Perkins A Wine, Food Tasting and Retrospective Joseph (Joe) C. Perkins Jr, at the age of 75 passed away on April 10th 2010. Joe a Fashion Show leading light and ambassador for the mu- On March 20th, the fi rst day of spring, six wineries and four restaurants offered sam- seum will be sadly missed. An avid avia- plings of their wine and food in the navy hangar. Entertainment was provided by Echoes tor with a long history fl ying gliders, prop of Time with a retrospective fashion show. The fi rst segment was vintage clothing through planes and helicopters, a local broad- the ages and the second segment was amazing costumes! Maria Boren, who you may re- caster who’s career spanned more than member from the second season of “The Apprentice” was the Mistress of Ceremonies.  40 years. Kindness was Joe’s hallmark.

Blessed with a phenomenal memory he Participating Wineries made everyone he touched feel special. and Restaurants: Cardinal Point Winery He was a grateful guardian of a heart do- Lake Anna Winery nation he received 15 years ago. Moonrise Bay Vineyard North Mountain Vineyard Joe was a Quiet Birdman. We have all Tiki Island Bar and Grill lost a beloved storyteller, historian and Rebec Vineyards friend. Sans Soucy Vineyards Anchor Inn Seafood Restaurant Our sympathy goes out to his wife Caro- Grapevine Restaurant lyn and family on their loss.  Harbourway Maria Boren, There were costumes from the Mistress of Ceremonies Thank you to our sponsors: all different time periods Harbourway at Atlantic Shores Echoes of Time

Upcoming Events May 22nd & 23rd Warbirds Over the Beach Airshow The 13th Annual June 5th Virginia Regional Virginia Beach Crime Festival of FLIGHT Solvers 4th Annual Pig Suffolk Municipal Airport Pickin May 22 and 23, 2010 2 Days of Airplanes & Family Fun July 24th from Ultralights to Multiengine! Volunteer Docent Training

September 24th - 26th WWI Biplanes and Zeppelins Airshow

Come to the Warbirds Over the Beach and buy a Festival of Flight ticket for half price on the same weekend! PAGE 8 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

Immerse Yourself in the 1940s

Join us at the Military Aviation Museum, located at theVirginia Beach Airport, for the Annual Warbirds Over the Beach Air Show. The Museum owns and dis- plays dozens of aircraft from the 1940s and earlier, which are all meticulously restored to fl ying condition. Plus, many more aircraft will be on display from other museums and personal collections from all around the country.

 Watch many of our Warbirds fl y overhead  Visit the re-enactor encampments  Interact with Allies and friendly Axis troops  See vehicles, armor, and artillery demonstrations  Shop our vendors and military fl ea market  Meet distinguished veterams from World War II  Schedule yourself a ride in World War II aircraft LiveLive EntertainmentEnter All Weekend Continuous entertainment from the 1940s begins Saturday and Sunday at 10:00am and runs throughout both days. Plan to get comfortable on your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy big band music, singing, dancing, impersonators and more!

A color version of Prop Noise is available for download at www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

9:00 am - 5:00 pm 5:00 - am 9:00

Open Daily Open

(757) 721-PROP (757)

Virginia Beach, VA 23457 VA Beach, Virginia

1341 Princess Anne Road Anne Princess 1341

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