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Home , Biplane, Curtiss Model D, Flying Corps, Military Aviation Museum

The Membership Newsletter for The Military Museum Fall 2014

Inside this Issue: Museum Visitors 2

Biplanes & 2 One Pilot’s View 2 WWI Dawn Patrol 3 NMRA 3 Hangar Happenings 4 Skyraider 4 Pungo NAAS 5 By Jonathan R. Lichtenstein, Events & Marketing Coordinator P-64 5 Living History 6 The eight reindeer so dear to Kris Kringle are taking a In a gathering of train enthusiasts, members of the Tidewater holiday of their own, from 28-30 November, 2014. They’ll Division of the National Model Railroad Association have kick back in the sunshine of Virginia Beach, VA, as Santa collaborated to assemble an elaborate winter wonderland in Claus temporarily trades his magical, lacquered, red sleigh miniature. Throughout the weekend, they will be on hand for the seven-cylinder Continental engine of the Military to demonstrate train models of all shapes and sizes: from Aviation Museum’s vivid yellow Stearman . the mighty S and O gauges, to the more modest HO and N, and even LEGO. Junior locomotive engineers are welcome St. Nicholas will rejoin us for “Planes, Trains, and Santa” aboard for a weekend full of fine model railroading! We the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, touching down also hope to host, as our guests, the Virginia Beach Police www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org at 11:00am on both days. In an early dose of holiday cheer, Department’s Crime Prevention Unit, the Civil Air Patrol, as portrayed by Mr. Ric Farrow, the venerable toymaker will Virginia Beach Airport Symphonicity, and the AACA, among others, over the course relish his task of compiling the Christmas lists of visiting www.VBairport.com of the weekend. children. He’ll even pose for pictures with the tiny tots, Fighter Factory the purchase of which will benefit the Military Aviation General admission prices are applicable. Children aged www.FighterFactory.com Museum. And the proprietor of the world’s finest toyshop 12 and under receive free admission all weekend! Hours & Triplanes will find, inside our hangars, holiday displays fit to warm the are 9:00am–5:00pm, 28-29 November, and 9:00am–3:00pm, www.VBairshow.com hearts of children young and old, alike. 30 November. q

The AACA show cars found their way to the I Travel the Road: and Wheels North field, whereas the “Rods and Mods” proceeded to the field adjacent to Jurassic Park, By Samuel Kern, Member of the Tidewater Region (AACA) for display and judging. For its annual meets, the Tidewater Region employs “AACA Judging Standards” in evaluating all cars for awards, the only AACA region in Virginia to do so. The goal for each restored vehicle is for it to look exactly as it did when brand new on the showroom floor. Originality is the key. However there are allowances and considerations for unrestored vehicles in basically This year, as it has done continuously for the past six 100th and 50th-anniversaries, respectively, of these original but well-maintained condition. The thrust, overall, years, the Military Aviation Museum provided its entire makes and models. Mr. Tony Scarpelli of the AACA is to keep the cars preserved and maintained to high site for the Tidewater Region, Antique Automobile Club once again served as Meet Chairman. standards of appearance and operability. From 3:00pm, of America, to conduct its annual vintage car show. This Show cars began streaming onto the property around awards were presented at a ceremony in the museum’s year was its 41st-annual meet. This event has become 8:00am. In all there were about 200 AACA antique cars Navy hangar. The awards ceremony was preceded by an a very important function for the Museum because (aged 25-years or older) and about 90 “Rods and Mods”, entertaining demonstration by the dancers of Swing Virginia. it draws substantial numbers of spectators from the comprised of modified cars of various shapes and sizes. Tidewater AACA volunteers served as members on several automotive and local communities. This year’s “Wings With the museum’s North American P-64 as the back- of the judging teams. and Wheels” was no less of a success than in previous drop, volunteers first photographed each vehicle on the years. Plus, there was plenty of flying on the day. A concrete apron. Then the cars paraded to parking in The award-winners of the “Rods and Mods”, however, selection of historic Dodge vehicles and Ford Mustangs their respective areas. Subsequently, these glamour shots were evaluated using a self-judging system, whereby participants was displayed around the flag pole, 2014 being the were processed and offered for sale throughout the day. voted for the top 40 entrants. Continued on Page 3 PAGE 2 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 MUSEUM VISITORS

One Pilot’s View Elementary Flight: Biplanes and Triplanes 2014 Enveloped in a thin mist, the Pungo By Jonathan R. Lichtenstein By R.R. “Boom” Powell , Pilot became indistinct in the morning light. Was it a turf runway, somewhere west of the French salient, onto which the hangar doors opened? The absence of marching boots and thundering artillery belied the fact it was October, 2014, and not the autumn of 1914. However, just as the “Guns of August” reverberated around the world one hundred years ago, heralding the commencement of the “War to End All Wars”, the distant echo of those infamous salvos could be heard at the Military Aviation Museum, in the course of the 4th-annual “Biplanes and Triplanes” air show. What’s it like to be a pilot in the Pungo Flying Among the latest additions to the museum’s stable of Corps? Yours truly’s experience during the 2014 flying machines are the obscure Fokker D.VI and D.VIII. Biplanes and Triplanes event will give you a sense The former was the result of a painstaking of why those of us lucky enough to fly these historic reconstruction by the late, Mr. Walt “Wimpy” Redfern. machines are so enthusiastic. However, in spite of efforts by the Fighter Factory to prepare the plane for its debut, certain brake problems persisted First off, for pilots most of the week before is and prevented the D.VI from participating in the program. busy. (And if pilots are busy, the Fighter Factory In between the full-scale action, we benefited by the crew is even busier, and for months, not weeks attendance of members of Tidewater R/C, Academy of before.) A typical pilot is qualified in a half-dozen of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Charter No. 641. As in years the Military Aviation Museum’s and each past, they brought along an assortment of models of all scales –with exceptions—has three or four pilots to recreate some of the more daring maneuvers one might qualified to fly it so working out the show schedule Photos by Art Norfolk have observed over the Western Front. They appeared in can be complicated. (Note: German designations conjunction with the 3rd-annual “Mid-Atlantic WWI Dawn traditionally used Roman numerals but, to avoid Patrol”, about which you’ll find more information in this the confusion inherent in DVI/VII/VIII, we’ll use issue. Also on hand was a selection of fine antique Arabic numbers.) automobiles, courtesy of the Tidewater Region of the Antique For 2014, “new” included the purple Automobile Club of America (AACA), including Mr. Samuel and green Fokker D6, the refurbished Hall-Scott Kern’s 1925 Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Roach’s 1915 powered Fokker C1 and the Bleriot XI. Because Saxon, and Mr. David Curl’s 1929 Model A “Huckster”. one of our Triplanes and the went away Among other guests at this year’s event were the during the “bad time”, Nelson Eskey was going to check out in the D6 and I would learn the D7. The Manhattan Dolls, the talented vocalist, Ms. Theresa R. Eaman, The second of our two Curtiss models, the JN-4D two of us made a nuisance of ourselves hanging and Mr. Charlie Chaplin, star of the stage, screen, and film, Jenny, was introduced in 1917. This was the first aircraft around the Fighter Factory eager for our familiar- in the person of Mr. Damian Blake, whose antics recalled purchased in quantity by the American military, and was ization flights. the physical comedy of an earlier era. Their ability to recreate the primary trainer of American pilots during the Great the popular culture of the period was especially welcome at War. Postwar, bought by enterprising barnstormers, the ‘Twas not to be. The Fokker D6, on its first Saturday night’s Hangar Dance, with the accompaniment surplus Jenny became a fixture in the skies of rural America. flight, gave chief pilot Mike Spalding, a very of Mr. Terry Chesson’s “Jump n’ Jive Orchestra”. Returning Daredevil pilots sold rides, thrilled spectators, and inspired exciting ride, when one brake locked up on on his third visit this year, Mr. Mark Whall, host of the young pilots-to-be. Six American companies were contracted takeoff. The builder of the replica D6 had put on Shuttleworth and Military Aviation Museum “Flying Proms” to share wartime construction of the Jenny, including the brakes best described as “weird” and even the talents rejoined Mr. Jonathan Lichtenstein as co-commentator for St. Louis Aircraft Corporation. In April, 1918, they filled an of the Fighter Factory could not make them right. the duration. Ms. Eaman was integral to these proceedings order for 450-examples. Nearly 100-years later Aerohistoric The ancient Hall-Scott engine on the D7, after a Saturday and Sunday–processing with a colour guard of Paraná, Argentina, received one of those original 450. couple of good test runs, suddenly got cranky and of re-enactors, dressed in uniforms of the American After nearly two years of restoration, on 6 April, 2013, the now needs a rebuild of various accessories. The Expeditionary Force (AEF), British , plane made its first flight in decades, having been last certified Fighter Factory mechanics sweated and swore until and the I ANZAC Corps–as she sang the National Anthem, airworthy in 1967. At “Biplanes and Triplanes” she was flown late Friday, when both machines were pronounced before the commencement of flight operations. expertly by the Chief Pilot of the Fighter Factory, Mr. Mike no-go, static display only. Spalding. These elementary flying machines were joined by Our aerial program opened with a scene reminiscent of Thus there was a last minute shuffle. Nelson yet another entry, a recreation of Louis Blériot’s eponymous Reims, , site of the Grande Semaine d’Aviation, and would fly the Klimke again since Josh Blériot XI, the first plane to fly across the English Channel setting of the former triumphs of Mr. . For it Wilson (whose day jobs included and in July of 1909. Powered by an original Anzani engine, the was at Reims he succeeded in winning the Gordon Bennett supersonic F-22 fighters) had checked out in the plane was taxied the length of our runway by the General movie star Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter, which he had Cup in August, 1909. Entrepreneur, businessman, engineer, Manager of the Fighter Factory, Mr. Tom Kurtz, III. pioneer, and pilot, Mr. Glenn Curtiss would have been flown previously. I was awarded the “sorta D7”, the Further weekend flights encompassed the balance of two-seat Fokker C1. All the show airplanes were pleased to see two of his formative designs airborne once the museum’s available selection of airworthy , exercised on Thursday and Friday. again. Mr. Robert “Boom” Powell served as surrogate for Mr. Eugene Ely, one of several pilots once employed by Mr. including two examples of the Fokker Dr.I triplane. Mr. Nelson Thursday also had a significant event—the Curtiss, who undertook the first takeoffs and landings from Eskey took the controls of Lt. Klimke’s triplane, while the 1910, 3 cylinder “W” Anzani engine on the Bleriot naval vessels, in 1910 and 1911, respectively. Reconstructed second, derived from a Dr.I operated by Lt. August Raben, fired up and kept running! Every pilot and by Mr. Bob Coolbaugh and Mr. Andrew King to celebrate was manned by Mr. Gerald Yagen. The Fokker triplanes mechanic was grinning in awe at this achievement; the centenary of the Navy’s flight program were then joined by the Sopwith One-and-a-Half Strutter especially Tom Kurtz, Continued on Page 6 (inaugurated in 1911), the museum’s was for a brief scrap. The Sopwith was flown by Mr. Josh Wilson, the first to fly on Saturday and Sunday. and was joined by another new Continued on Page 7 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 PAGE 3

Model to Follow: Mid-Atlantic WWI Dawn Patrol Wings & Wheels continued This year, the Tidewater Region garnered over By Scott Vickery, Representative of the Academy of Model Aeronautics 25 paid sponsors, with such sponsor awards as “Best Chrome” and “Best Modified Car” selected by a special committee and presented to participants for It was a crisp fogbound fall morning on the grass the Dawn Patrol handed out over $4,000.00 worth of their achievements. Some sponsors staffed exhibits runway of the Military Aviation Museum. As you awards and prizes this year. looked up you would think you had travelled back in in the Navy Hangar. Mr. Samuel Kern, Assistant time to the frontlines of WWI. Fokkers and Sopwiths For 2014 there were three trophies presented. The Meet Chairman, said, “Having Tidewater’s meets were dogfighting in the cool morning skies, twisting award for Best Allied, plus $200.00, was given to Mr. at the Military Aviation Museum has enabled us and banking, while trying to line up that perfect shot. Keith Goff from Georgia, for his impeccable scratch- to gain more sponsor support with each ensuing But instead of the war-torn fields of France, it was the built 27%-scale Curtiss JN-4 Jenny. The trophy for Best year. Businesses understand its importance and are neatly tilled farmlands of Virginia Beach, at the 3rd-annual Central Powers, with a $200.00 prize, was presented willing to pay for having a presence at this venue.” Mid-Atlantic WWI Dawn Patrol (M.A.D. Patrol), to Mr. Mike Gross from New York, with his GTM There was plenty of flying action throughout over which these planes were flown. one-third scale Fokker Dr.I triplane. Considering the the day. Rides were available on the Boeing- level of detail on Mike’s model, one would almost swear The Dawn Patrol is a five day event held each Stearman PT-17 of the Military Aviation Museum. it was the real thing shrunk to one-third its original year since 2011, during the first week of October. R/C One lucky person, Mr. Myron Rhamy, was the size! Best of Show, plus a cash prize of $300.00, was pilots from around the country and around the world winner of a 15-minute ride raffled on the day. awarded to Dr. Gotz Vogalsange from , travel to attend. This year there were 75 pilots, with Mr. Michael Kuhnert of Bay Aviation sold several now a resident of North Carolina, for his beautiful over 230 planes. They ranged from small “foamies” all rides in his Fairchild PT-19. And Mr. Gerald Yagen 40%-scale Fokker Eindecker. Between the outstanding the way up to half-scale monsters. Most of the WWI delighted the crowd with a demonstration flight by model itself, and the expert flying of Dr. Gotz, it was radio control planes were of one-third scale, with the museum’s North American P-51D Mustang later -spans of over ten feet. The ½ scale models range without question the best of this year’s show. The custom- in the afternoon. from twelve to over 20-foot wing-spans! built three-foot tall trophy, hand-made by Dawn Patrol TK Foods (of the Virginia Beach Sportsplex), With spectacular weather, we enjoyed five days of founder, Mr. Scott Vickery, was made from cherry and Bros. Fish Tacos and Heavenly Kettle Corn were on awesome flying. This year M.A.D. Patrol was combined cedar wood. This year’s awards were sponsored by Glenn with the Military Aviation Museum’s “Biplanes & Triplanes” Torrance Models. Congratulations to all winners at hand to dish out various delights from their menus. air show, which showcased the museum’s collection of the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Dawn Patrol. The evening ended This year, for the first time we welcomed the full-scale WWI-era aeroplanes. In contrast with the with a fully catered steak dinner, sponsored by the Wounded Wear charity to the Navy Hangar. Based limited flight operations conducted by these veteran Military Aviation Museum. in Chesapeake, Wounded Wear’s primary mission aircraft, the R/C pilots were able to demonstrate the is to raise national awareness of the sacrifices made The organizers of the Mid-Atlantic Dawn Patrol full potential of these ancient designs. Engaging in by all members of our armed services. would like to offer a special word of thanks to Mr. Gerald aerial , there were some very exciting close- The magnificent collection of military artifacts calls during the half-time shows on Saturday and Yagen, Mr. David Hunt, Mr. Jonathan Lichtenstein, Mr. from Don’s Military Memorial Displays returned to Sunday. Hosted by Tidewater R/C, the local chapter James Stanton, and the crews of the Military Aviation the Navy Hangar, under the supervision of Mr. Don of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the Museum and the Fighter Factory. Without their assistance Belew. Don’s mission is to commemorate, through Dawn Patrol draws support from Glenn Torrance the event would not be possible. We have no intention of Models, Aeroscale, Balsa USA, SKS Videos, Arizona scaling back in 2015. With a little luck, the size of the event display of his collection, those who have served and Models and Proctor Ent. With the help of its sponsors, and the models will be bigger and better than ever. q continue to serve as members of our armed forces. “Wings and Wheels” is a very labor-intensive endeavor, and this year was no exception. Several diverse teams are needed for traffic control and parking, distribution of a large quantity of furniture, County Stations of Princess Anne plane operations and handling, and museum tours. By Steven Prescott, Tidewater Division of the National Model Railroad Association Performance by the museum’s volunteer workforce, under the direction of Mitch Welch, was nothing On 16 August, 2014, members of the Tidewater Mr. Cullipher offered those in attendance the less than superb. The Tidewater Region thanks the Division of the National Model Railroad Association opportunity to examine samples from his collection of Military Aviation Museum for once again hosting (NMRA) met at the Military Aviation Museum. Among maps and photographs of Princess Anne County. He also its 41st meet and looks forward to the prospect of the topics for discussion was the 2014 edition of “Planes, brought materials illustrating the former rights-of-way and another sunny day at the 42nd. q Trains, and Santa”, an occasion at which are showcased the old area train depots. Included amongst his artifacts the train layouts of local modelers. At the meeting were on display was a selection of old rail spikes, fragments of many Division members, plus representatives from other actual rails, and a spike puller salvaged from his farmland. groups, whose modular layouts will be on display in The wealth of material unearthed on his property had November. Museum Director, Mr. David Hunt, welcomed come as no surprise to Louis because it had once been everyone with a brief presentation on the museum, its on the mainline. The discovery of something like a spike puller is usually heralded by an unpleasant and unexpected current collection of aircraft, and other upcoming events. clanking sound, the result of farm equipment impacting For the occasion the NMRA was pleased to welcome these forgotten relics of the rails. as its guest speaker Mr. Louis Cullipher, local farmer and The group’s enthusiasm was further enhanced by a businessman. He shared with those gathered his extensive raffle, which featured a single 15-minute ride in the North knowledge of Virginia Beach’s history. In particular, his American SNJ-2 biplane of the Military Aviation Museum. presentation focused on Princess Anne County, now the The lucky winner was Ms. Sharon Prescott, wife of Tidewater southern section of the City of Virginia Beach, where Division member Mr. Steven Prescott. Following the farmers’ crops once were just large enough to feed their meeting’s conclusion, the museum permitted attending families. If there was a good harvest, there might be a little members of the NMRA to tour the museum. On behalf of left over to share with the neighbors. But when the former the local model railroading community we would like to A special thanks to the AACA Norfolk & Western Railway arrived in the region it offered thank the museum for having hosted this conference. We members who donated the money a great boost to the local agricultural economy: farmers look forward to once more installing our layouts at the next and manpower to erect two bridges at the q museum. L to R: Samuel Kern, Jim Villers, could now deliver their harvests outside of the county. “Planes, Trains, and Santa”. Kit Larence; Bill Treadwell (not pictured) PAGE 4 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 Hangar Happenings Miracle Skyraider

By Stephen S Chapis

flares into the water to help guide pilots on their approaches. For 65 tension-filled minutes, in an ever-darkening sky, all aircraft safely recovered aboard whatever carrier they could find. Fifteen minutes later the fog descended and the task force sailed in zero-zero conditions for the next By David Hunt, Museum Director The AD-4 Skyraider at the Military Aviation Museum 18 hours. The prayers offered in the preceding four hours is a survivor. It was heavily involved in combat operations had been answered, and the event became known as The in the opening months of the , it came within This year marked the launch of our very Mariner Miracle. successful airplane rides program. The 1941 Boeing minutes of having to ditch in the North Atlantic during Stearman and the 1940 North American SNJ-2 Operation Mariner, and was slowly picked apart by vandals In October 1954, ‘827 was turned over to VMAT-20 have collectively provided over 450 rides so far. before Dave Forrest saved it in 1966. at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. While at Cherry Point, it was flown by New York-native Dick Berry, who Flights were booked by visitors from more than The aircraft, BuNo 123827, rolled off Douglas’ El Se- was inspired to become a Marine Corps aviator after he 15 states and 9 countries. The positive results were gundo production line on September 29, 1949 and was saw John Wayne in “Flying Leathernecks”. After Dick evidenced by the oohs and aahs uttered by satisfied delivered to Attack Squadron Fifty-Five (VA-55) Torpcats completed his Skyraider training in July 1954, he was passengers as they soured over the wonderful at NAS San Diego, California. When the Communists assigned to VMA-121 Wolf Raiders at K-6 airbase Virginia Beach countryside, Back Bay Wildlife stormed across Korea’s 38th Parallel on June 25, 1950, the Pyeongtaek, South Korea. He flew AD-2s and -3s on Refuge, and the picturesque Intracoastal waterways. only U.S. carrier in the Western Pacific was USS Valley reconnaissance flights along the DMZ looking for build- Most of them return with the priceless photographs Forge (CV-45) with VA-55 aboard. On July 3, Valley taken while aloft, souvenirs of a trip to remember. Forge launched the Navy’s first carrier-borne airstrikes ups of Communist troops or artillery. When his tour was Flights will commence in the spring of 2015 of the war and VA-55 Skyraiders attacked airfields in complete in August 1955, Berry was assigned to VMAT-20 with the addition of a new plane, our WACO Pyongyang, North Korea, destroying hangars, aircraft, as an instructor. When he left the Marine Corps in July YMF-5. The WACO brings an opportunity for two and fuel depots. This mission marked the combat debut 1956, Berry had logged almost 700 hours in Skyraiders, people to fly up-front, so someone who is flying for of the Douglas Skyraider and 123827 was in the thick of including 11 hours in the museum’s aircraft. In early July, the first time will have someone’s hand to hold. the fight. ‘827 was flown to NAS where it was stricken on July 25, 1956, with 2,807 hours total time. Personally, one of my favorite comments was In June 1953, the aircraft was attached to VA-75 from a lady who took her first ever flight in a plane Sunday Punchers at NAS Quonset Point, RI. Two months In 1959, the Navy closed down the air station and it and enjoyed a 30min ride in our Stearman. Stepping later the squadron sailed into the North Atlantic aboard became DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK). The Skyraider out of the front seat, wearing her leather jacket, USS Bennington (CV-20), where it would participate in was donated to the City of Chamblee, Georgia for display leather helmet, goggles and silk scarf, she said that it Operation Mariner along with USS Wasp (CV-16), and at PDK on May 16, 1960. In 1965, Lt Dick Berry was now was the most unbelievable experience and she only Canadian carrier HMCS Magnificent. On September 23, Agent Dick Berry of the FBI’s Atlanta Bureau. Berry heard wished she had done it years ago. Her husband 1953, ‘827 and 41 other aircraft were nearly lost on this about a Skyraider on display at PDK and went out to take a commented that he had been trying to get her to near-tragic day when they were launched into marginal look. He enjoyed seeing a Skyraider again, but was appalled take a flight for over 10 years.q weather conditions at 1330hrs. By 1420hrs the weather at the condition of the aircraft. As he was leaving he wrote had deteriorated so much that RAD Goodwin recalled all down the Bureau Number. When he got home that evening aircraft. Ten Corsairs managed to land aboard Bennington he leafed through his logbooks and found that he had WACO before a heavy fog enveloped the task force in zero-zero flown the aircraft at Cherry Point in 1956! conditions, stranding the remaining 32 aircraft aloft. For PDK employee and former USN Skyraider electrician the next three hours radar controllers and flight leads Dave Forrest was also disgusted at the condition of the struggled in vain to locate a break in the weather. Fuel AD-4 and spent several years battling bureaucratic red supplies dwindled. Time ticked away. Pilots asked for Last tape and political apathy on the part of the Chamblee Rights over the radio. mayor and city council to save the now-dilapidated Able At 1705hrs the decision was made for all aircraft to Dog. Dave finally found a council member that was ditch, but when a small break in the fog was seen RAD sensitive to his position and who kept bringing up the Goodwin ordered the three carriers into the wind in line subject to the mayor and council. Eventually the city abreast formation 1,500 yards apart. Additionally each realized the Skyraider was a liability and could do flattop went to full flight deck illumination and dropped nothing but dispose of aircraft. Continued on Page 7 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 PAGE 5

By Stuart Chaplain “They Can Have My Bed!”

On December 7th, 1941, over 350 Japanese airplanes bombed U.S. Navy ships at Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. The following day, the United States declared war on Japan and entered the Second World War. This action required more U.S. planes and pilots for both the Pacific and European theaters. It also required more Navy bases to train those pilots. Land was acquired by eminent domain for four Young Stuart Chaplain on one of his paper routes. Tidewater auxiliary bases: Oceana, Creeds, Fentress and Pungo. The land for Pungo Auxiliary Air Station was I remember Mom and Dad talking about having Michigan then came to live with us. My dad talked acquired from 16 contiguous property owners amounting a Navy couple staying with us. I loved those guys so I with Mr. and Mrs. Buck Flannagan about taking in the to 441 acres. The station had a total of 82 buildings and jumped in and said, “They can have my bed. I’ll sleep in Harringtons, which they did, so we still saw them. This a complement of up to 1,400 men. the little bedroom,” and that is what happened. It was a was not a unique situation, as many of the people in our There were two large, two-story cinderblock barracks. little like a long-term bed and breakfast, and we all used the area did all they could to make things as comfortable as same bathroom. I think the cost was 30 dollars a month. they could for our servicemen. Another couple, Max and One was for the enlisted men with open sleeping Louise, stayed with my grandmother and they became arrangements. The other barracks was for officers with It was different having two strangers living in your life-long friends. two bunks per room. There were no arrangements for house; but, the man left early for work and, many times, married couples. the wife would catch the Navy bus to downtown Virginia The airfield was like a beehive—everyone had a job Beach or Norfolk. There wasn’t much to do in Pungo. and every job was filled. The squadrons that came through Once the men settled in at Pungo, arrangements Pungo were in intense training for war. They trained for were made by the Navy and the good people of Pungo A lot of the Navy families and hosts grew close hours at a time, firing rockets at airborne targets while together. We were fighting a war and we were all on and surrounding areas to provide what most called “a over the ocean. They dropped practice bombs on targets the same side. Both families furnished food and other room and kitchen privileges”. laid out on the northern section of the base. A total of 24 necessities as many ate together, washed dishes together squadrons passed through Pungo during WWII, most In 1942, I was seven years old and Pungo airfield and worked for the benefit of freedom. Many of these consisting of TBF and TBM Avenger torpedo was a big part of my life growing up. I was a paper boy families kept in touch for years. My family kept in touch and F4F or FM Wildcat fighters. the entire time the base was open. Each day, I sold forty- with Ruby and Claude Harrington from Kannapolis, five Norfolk Ledger Dispatches at 5 cents each. My only North Carolina and their children until 2009 when the These men at Pungo NAAS had a huge job to do and regular customer was Commander Hines and he paid sailor died at the age of 96. Ruby predeceased Claude. they did it, as witnessed by the signing of the surrender of weekly and with a tip. Today, his daughter emails me on occasion. Japan on the deck of the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. I hung out over there a lot, as they were good to me, Eventually, Claude shipped out and Ruby went back teased me and took care of me. I got cookies from the home. When Claude returned to Pungo from his nine Many families in Pungo performed their job of mess hall, watched their ball games, and even learned month cruise, so did Ruby, but we had another couple providing homes-away-from-home for married warriors some words my mom and dad didn’t approve of me using. by then. Bobby and Dick Sisson, great people from and their wives—thereby assisting in the war effort. q

By Felix Usis, Volunteer Historian

The NA-68 On 30 December 1939, Siam ordered six aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force, similar to the NA-50 and initially designated NA-50As, then re-designated NA-68. The changes in the NA-68 included: a modified landing gear, new outer wings, heavier armament, and redesigned tail surfaces similar to those adopted on later production trainers. North American test pilot Lewis Waite flew the first NA-68 on 1 September 1940. The six of this ‘strictly export’ aircraft were built A recent arrival at the Military Aviation Museum is any country, and provided the basic design for a single- at Inglewood and painted in Siamese markings. They a copy of a North American P-64. The P-64 was the engine fighter intended for small countries that needed a were en route to Siam when the US Army confiscated designation assigned by the United States Army Air simple aircraft with modern capabilities and features. them after the Franco-Thai War and growing ties between Corps (USAAC) to the North American Aviation Seven NA-50s were purchased by the Peruvian Air Thailand and the Empire of Japan. The USAAF removed NA-68 fighter, an upgraded variant of the NA-50 Force, which nicknamed it Torito (Spanish slang for the armament, and assigned them to training duties at developed during the late 1930s. The P-64 designation Luke Field, Arizona and were used for advanced fighter falls out of chronological order and belongs to a North “Little Bull”). The Peruvian aircraft was of a single- seat fighter design based on the two-seat Basic Combat training and liaison aircraft. A widely-published report American product the USAAC never intended to use. that the Siam-bound aircraft were caught at Pearl Demonstrator NA-44. The NA-50 was powered by a Harbor during the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack The NA-50 Wright R-1820 radial air-cooled engine and armed is inaccurate: the aircraft were embargoed in October The North American NA-50 was developed as a with two .30in M1919 Browning machine guns. simple, single-seat, low-wing, single-engine fighter strictly 1940 and one was noted in USAAF markings at Luke for export. The design was little more than a single-seat The Peruvian aircraft deliveries were completed in as early as 16 September 1941 pursuit ship patterned after the NA-16 of May 1939. In Peruvian service, these aircraft were fitted The Museum’s copy is actually a North American 1935. The NA-16 evolved into a series of aircraft (BT-6 / with bomb racks under the fuselage for small bombs. The SNJ-4 (BuNo 51363) rebuilt to resemble a P-64. The AT-6 / SNJ / Harvard) that were some of the most widely Peruvian NA-50s took part in the Ecuadorian-Peruvian project was completed in 2001 and was recently used advanced and basic training aircraft produced by war of July 1941, supporting Army of Peru ground forces. acquired by the museum. q PAGE 6 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3

Living History at the 2014 Over the Beach Air Show By Andrea Docos

For the 6th year in a row, the Military Aviation Museum has had the great privilege of hosting a number of Veteran guests as part of the Living History portion of our annual ‘Warbirds Over the Beach’ Air Show. This event continues to be an incredible opportunity for air show patrons to learn a little bit about the past, gain a lot of perspective, and shake hands with the gentlemen who changed the course of history. Bringing with them photographs, airplane models, old uniforms, and plenty of stories, these men continue to be one of the main attractions at our event. In case you missed the fun, here is a little bit about each of the veteran guests who joined us this year. Norwood Thomas of Virginia Beach, Virginia joined Left (L to R): Don Demmert, Bob Cinibulk, Bob Krause, Robert Shawn, us again for the 6th year in a row. As a member of the 101st Norwood Thomas, Hans Meyer, Ira Comstock; Right (L to R): Gerald Yagen & Jerry Yellin Airborne Division, Norwood parachuted into Normandy Don Demmert for Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, and later into our show who served as aBob fighter Krause pilotRobert during Shawn Norwood the Thomaswar. some incredible surveillance photos of war torn Europe, Hans Meyer Holland for Operation Market Garden. Norwood then Looking sharpBob Cinibulkin his Army uniform, Bob has some as well asIra someComstock instruments from his aircraft and a flight went on across Europe to fight at the Battle of the Bulge in incredible stories to tell about his experiences in the P-51 helmet. He came decked out in his original uniform jacket, Bastogne. He recently took a trip back to Normandy for the and P-47, just two of the many different airplanes he flew and brought some touching photos of himself as a young 70th anniversary of D-Day, and was able to find the spot during his career. His display included photographs and man the night his three brothers were united again with his where he landed so many years ago. numerous model airplanes. sister and parents for the first time in years during the war. Hans Meyer is our returning German pilot. Don Demmert is a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who joined We also had a group from the Howard Baugh Hans flew Me-109s on the Eastern front during the war and us for the first time this summer. He brought with him, Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. Howard flew 135 combat offers a unique perspective on the conflict to our air show his lovely wife Hildegard, some wonderful photographs missions as part of the 332nd Fighter Group’s 99th Fighter guests. Hans is a Virginia Beach local and has participated from his war years, as well as a medal. Squadron in Sicily, , during World War II. He was in our events for the past couple of years. Among other Robert “Bob” Cinibulk served as a Waist Gunner represented by his son, his granddaughter, and some other things, he brought with him his original flight boots as well during WWII on a Flying Fortress called “Lazy Baby”. folks from the Chapter that has been set up in his honor. as a fascinating book he has written about his life. On the morning of October 14th 1943, Lazy Baby took Jerry Yellin, an accomplished author and decorated Robert “Bob” Krause is another one of our returning off from England on the second Schweinfurt raid; later to former P-51 pilot who flew numerous missions over Japan, guests who consistently wows our air show guests with become known as Black Thursday. After taking on severe joined us as the National Spokesman for ‘Keep The Spirit stories about his years as a Navy Instructor Pilot, and an damage inflicted by enemy fighters, and having suffered of ’45 Alive!’ Jerry had the opportunity to share a little bit impressive display of photographs and model airplanes. numerous injuries on board, Lazy Baby crash landed in about the mission of ‘Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive’ with our Bob served our nation stateside where he trained hundreds a farm field in neutral Switzerland close to the German air show visitors, as well as talk about his experiences in the of naval aviators in many different types of aircraft such as border. Bob survived the crash relatively unscathed and South Pacific during the war. “This group is a coalition of the F-4U Corsair and the Kingfisher. Donned in his crisp has since been in touch with the members of the community organizations and individuals who are helping to preserve summer whites uniform, Bob also attended the Saturday who helped get the brave aviators to safety. and honor the legacy of the men and women of America’s night swing dance where he enjoyed the music of his youth Ira Comstock was another new face at the air show ‘greatest generation’ by helping to support the campaign and had quite a full dance card. this year that we hope will come back to see us again soon. to promote public awareness and participation in Col. Robert Shawn is another returning guest to Ira flew P-38s during WWII and brought along with him Spirit of ‘45 Day”. q

Pilot’s View continued Fighter Factory manager, who would pilot it for the show I made a quick shift into the Fokker C1 and took off could have returned fire. Jerry Yagen in the Raben triplane wearing his custom-made, extremely appropriate helmet. as wingman to the famous “Pappy” Mazza in his yellow and Nelson Eskey in the Klimke triplane arrived to save The Bleriot would only do ground runs as the builder nose Fokker D7. Our mission; shoot down der Englander, us from the French fighter, and flew alongside until Lou of our replica had put “fat”, modern wings with Josh, in the 1 ½ Strutter. Our in sight of the crowd Radwanik showed up to complete the Luftstreitskrafte on it, thus doubling the weight of the original. That’s a bit was a glorious fifteen minutes of rolling, turning, diving, formation. The Fokker D8 he flew could have been the best much for an ostensible 35 horsepower motor to handle, but twisting maneuvers. The advantage shifted back and forth. fighter of the First World War but arrived too late. with its unique sound and appearance, the Bleriot was a However, after landing, my airplane was surrounded by show-stopper. folks shouting they had tried to signal me down because Sitting backwards, hanging on through hard turns, of the stream of white smoke coming from my engine. Oil The division of the performance into two one-hour dives and other maneuvers without knowing what was quantity was checked and a half gallon had been used in segments, with the radio-controlled WWI flyers before, in coming was sensory overload. The wind was a force to be twenty minutes. There was oil everywhere. My ride for the between and after, worked well for pilots flying two types. reckoned with and a lesson learned was front seat pilots second segment was grounded. The three of our aircraft with only one pilot qualified—so should not have scarves long enough to flap annoyingly on far—opened the show. I coaxed the Curtiss Pusher around During the break, John “Mushroom” Fuentes asked, the rear seater’s helmet. A gunner’s belt for security and the the pattern only once because of turbulence while Mike did “You want to ride in the back of the Halberstadt I’m flying?” ability to stand would make a lot of difference. Enabling the better in the Curtiss Jenny, but he also didn’t stay up longer As a student of the Great War, a chance to see what a machine gun to traverse, elevate and swivel would result in than he had to. Tom had a blast running up and down the gunner went through was irresistible. Noted and approved, more shoot downs—well, some terrific camera shots and runway showing the crowd what really early, early-birds the mechs lugged 75 pounds of lead shot out of the back seat. videos. looked and sounded like. Climbing in was difficult. Strapping in was awkward. While the Saturday flights went well for all pilots, The space was cramped—my knees were drawn up high. For one of the few times in my flying career, I was Sunday was my day to remember. The Pusher was again It was hard to see over the cockpit edge. I had no idea what glad to land. A glass of wine was most welcome after that first off and managed twice around before conceding to the was going on, but the view was fantastic. Kevin Sinibaldi in exciting day. Drank a toast to Biplanes and Triplanes 2015, wind. The Jenny was up as well while the Bleriot blasted the 17 slid to our six o’clock to shoot us down. If the 100th anniversary of the second year of the War to End castor oil on its high speed taxi runs. the machine gun wasn’t bolted down.. and had ammo, I All Wars. q VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3 PAGE 7

Skyraider continued In Memoriam It took over a year for the city to make a decision, but mechanics, Epps Aviation mechanics, and retired Navy on September 14, 1966, Dave purchased the AD-4 and mechanics, Dave took his AD-4 aloft on its first post- became the first civilian to own a Douglas Skyraider. restoration flight on December 5, 1978. Over the next several years Dave put 200 hours on the airplane, flying it Once Dave moved the AD into the maintenance to various airshows throughout the southeast. hangar at Epps Aviation, he began to take stock of his new aircraft. It was in deplorable condition. The windshield, In 1983, Dick Berry heard that the ragged Skyraider canopy, and portions of the cowling were missing and he saw a decade earlier had been restored to flying the interior was completely gutted and full of garbage. condition, and was based at Epps Field in Athens, Control cables and electrical wiring had been cut and Georgia. He went out to see the aircraft and talk to the partially removed, and the fuel cell was full of holes. At maintenance crew. A few years later he saw the aircraft some point the rudder had been torn off; the city fixed it a gain at McCullum Field in Marietta, Georgia. by punching holes in the skin and tying the rudder back The Skyraider joined the Fighter Factory in August on with steel cables! During disassembly and cleaning, 2000, still wearing its Atlanta markings. In 2001, the On September 19th 2014, Henry Speight Proescher Dave began the arduous task of searching for parts and passed away at the age of 84. Born in Norfolk General aircraft was repainted to represent the AD-4 flown by placed blind ads in Trade-A-Plane and The Green Sheet, Hospital on June 30, 1930, he lived at Ballentine Place VA-195 CO LCdr Harold ‘Swede’ Carlson on the famous asked friends in the airlines and the Navy to look for in Norfolk, VA. Henry was a Korean War veteran of the Hwachon Dam raid on May 1, 1951. This Skyraider parts during their travels, received invaluable help from United States Army; after he was the Senior Illustrator survived five months of intense combat over Korea, Douglas Aircraft Company Product Support Manager at the Navy Aviation Depot and retired after 29 years of nearly ditched in the North Atlantic, and was slowly Harry Gann, and did some trading with the Museum government service. picked apart by vandals before it was saved at the very of Naval Aviation. Henry was a member of the Experimental Aircraft dawn of the movement. The fact that it is safely Association, International Aerobatic Club, Vintage Aircraft Then, after a 12-year restoration during which in the care of the Military Aviation Museum today is truly Association, and the Soaring Society of America. He Dave received generous assistance from off-duty airline a Miracle. q was founding President of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 339. Henry had a pilot’s license Biplanes & Triplanes Review continued before he could drive a car and purchased his first plane before a car (it was his little secret he kept from his mother). Allied acquisition, a , flown by Mr. Kevin Fokker D.VIII, an advanced parasol fighter, He was not only one of the museums first volunteer Sinibaldi. Although soon outclassed by more advanced had the distinction of having been one of the last designs docents, but also our very first Santa for our Trains, Planes types, the 17 was one of the most important planes of the Fokker Company accepted by Germany, and the and Santa event. He was the only Santa who never had to fielded by Allied air forces, following the “Fokker last German aircraft to achieve victory in the air, during wear a false beard. Scourge” of 1915-1916. World War One. Henry received much pleasure from his lifelong With the recovery of the two triplanes, the Sopwith, Our patrons’ and re-enactors’ continued demand for hobby of building, rebuilding and flying planes. He and the Nieuport, we pressed ahead with our final flights. these events at Pungo means we shall resume next year, leaves behind his best friend and loving wife, Diane Aeronautical engineering during WWI reached its zenith with an even more historic bill of fare. These events would Proescher, son, J. Stephan and daughters, Susan Gary in 1918 with Anthony Fokker’s D.VII. So successful not be possible without the unflagging dedication of the and Betsy Batten. was the model, surviving examples were demanded as Military Aviation Museum’s staff, the expertise of the Keep them flying Henry. reparations, post-war. The museum holds two examples mechanics and pilots of the Fighter Factory, and the of the D.VII, including one constructed around a Hall- hours of assistance offered by the museum’s volunteers. Scott engine. The Hall-Scott was actually installed in the Their efforts ensure the continued safety of our operations, D.VII, post-war, as operated by the nascent U.S. Army and enable you to enjoy one of world’s most extensive Air Service, and replaced the original Mercedes or BMW collections of WWI-era biplanes and triplanes. We would blocks in these second-hand planes. However, it was our also like to thank members of the Coastal Composite more conventionally powered D.VII that took to the air, Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), who helped to with Mr. John “Pappy” Mazza in the cockpit. He was park cars and enforce our crowd safety line. The CAP joined by a lone Fokker C.I, Mr. Robert Powell at the is a United States Air Force auxiliary comprised of controls. At first glance, one might mistake the plane cadets, aged 12-18 years, and senior adult members. for another D.VII, but upon closer inspection one may We hope your enthusiasm for such commemorative discern a second crew position and a slightly elongated events will motivate you to join us for yet more airframe. After a brief set change, the next to join the exhibitions at the Military Aviation Museum. Mark your formation was the museum’s Halberstadt CL.IV, Mr. calendars now: the next edition of “Warbirds Over the John Fuentes at the controls, and Mr. Powell in the Beach” will be 15-17 May, 2015! q observer’s seat. The final aircraft launched and recovered had both the last word at “Biplanes” and in the Great War. Flown by Mr. Lou Radwanick for the occasion, the

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One of the museum’s Fokker D.VII biplanes, featuring traditional lozenge paint scheme and German insignia as used

on linen at Langley in 1922.

NOVEMBER 28-30 NOVEMBER 22 NOVEMBER

November 28-30 November march 11 march 14 February

Circle of the Military Aviation Museum. Aviation Military the of Circle

dance the night away at the museum. the at away night the dance Children 12 and under receive free entry. free receive under and 12 Children

Air Races. Sponsored by the Leading Edge Edge Leading the by Sponsored Races. Air

on Valentine’s Day for 2015. Cut a dash and and dash a Cut 2015. for Day Valentine’s on models of all sizes for children of all ages. ages. all of children for sizes all of models

astronaut, and veteran contestant at the Reno Reno the at contestant veteran and astronaut,

romance, our annual Valentine’s Dance lands lands Dance Valentine’s annual our romance, with model train displays all three days: days: three all displays train model with

Capt. Robert Gibson (USN ret.), former NASA NASA former ret.), (USN Gibson Robert Capt.

swing dancing, door prizes, fine food, and and food, fine prizes, door dancing, swing Witness his arrival on Friday and Saturday, Saturday, and Friday on arrival his Witness

aviator, noted with evening the Spend A 1940s-themed event with live music, music, live with event 1940s-themed A Santa Claus is coming to town… by air! air! by town… to coming is Claus Santa

MAM Leading Edge Circle Edge Leading MAM 1940s Valentine’s Hangar Dance Hangar Valentine’s 1940s Tidewater Division NMRA Division Tidewater

Noted Speaker Dinner, Dinner, Speaker Noted Planes, Trains, and Santa, and Trains, Planes,

November 15 November

November 22 November November 22 November

benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Warrior Wounded the benefit

be 18 years of age or older to register. to older or age of years 18 be at 9:00am, and ½-mile run at 10:00am. at run ½-mile and 9:00am, at

$50.00 registration fee for contestants will will contestants for fee registration $50.00

required is enthusiasm! Candidates must must Candidates enthusiasm! is required Registration opens at 7:30am, 5K race starts starts race 5K 7:30am, at opens Registration

Wildcat) a distance of approximately 75-feet. 75-feet. approximately of distance a Wildcat)

and share their stories with others. All that’s that’s All others. with stories their share and serving special needs children and adults! adults! and children needs special serving

one of the museum’s warbirds (Avenger or or (Avenger warbirds museum’s the of one

history of the Museum’s amazing aircraft, aircraft, amazing Museum’s the of history Spirit Therapeutic and Educational Program, Program, Educational and Therapeutic Spirit

From 11:00am, participants will pull pull will participants 11:00am, From

Give a few hours a month, learn the the learn month, a hours few a Give

Step out for a run to benefit Untamed Untamed benefit to run a for out Step

Brute Strength Gym Strength Brute Volunteer Orientation Class Orientation Volunteer Runway 5K, Untamed Spirit Untamed 5K, Runway

Brute Strength Plane Pull, Pull, Plane Strength Brute

EVENT CALENDAR EVENT

8 PAGE VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 ISSUE 7, VOLUME