The Membership Newsletter for The Military Aviation Museum Winter 2012 Valentine’s Day Hangar Dance by Jacey Byrne Join us in at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach for our 4th Annual 1940’s Valentines Hangar Dance. February 11th will be a night to remember! Come dressed in your 1940’s attire as we transform one of our hangars into a dance fl oor in celebration of Valentines Day. Terry Chesson Orchestra Band will be playing all the favorite period hits to dance the night away to with members of the Swing Virginia Swing Dance Club and Cuisine & Company’s tasty delights. Military Aviation Museum Need lessons before, check out: www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org www.SwingVirginia.com

Virginia Beach Airport For costume rentals in use Echoes of Time: www.VBairport.com 757-428-2332 Fighter Factory Tickets are limited and last year we sold out. www.FighterFactory.com Get your tickets now at 757-721-7767 www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/events/vday-dance Inside this Issue:

Museum Display at the Latest Museum Arrival: Focke Wulf Fw-44J Norfolk Airport 2 by Felix Usis The most recent arrival to the Military Aviation Mu- batic Competition consisting of a compulsory and a Naval Academy Factory: seum is a Focke-Wulf built Fw-44J “Stieglitz (“Gold- freestyle program was held. The winner of the World N3N-3 3 fi nch”). Kurt Waldermar Tank began design work for Aerobatic Championships was Otto von Hagenburg What’s Going on at the the Fw-44 in 1931, with the prototype fi rst fl ying in in a Focke-Wulf Fw-44. Note: This event was NOT Fighter Factory 4 August 1932, powered by Argus As-8 in line engine. In part of the Olympic Games held in that year. the production aircraft, this engine was replaced by the Get to Know: Charles Demand was so great that a new factory was built just Siemens-Haiske Sh 14a radial engine. Flight trials were “O’Bie” O’Brien 4 for Fw-44 production. The Fw-44 was not only used conducted personally by Kurt Tank - a commendable in , but also in Rumania, Sweden, Finland, Crossword 5 habit that he maintained even with his later (and greater) , Chile, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, aircraft despite being offi cially forbidden to do so. Skyraider Pilot Hangar Talk, China, and Turkey. A Great Success 5 The Fw-44 turned out to be a very The Fw-44J was, from the successful aircraft, with fi ne harmo- Museum’s Annual “Trains bbeginning, an export-ver- ny of control, great maneuverability and Planes” Event 6 ssion based on the Fw-44D and full aerobatic capabilities, which oof 1935. It also became Pearl Harbor Survivor made it famous in the contemporary ththe fi nal production ver- Remembered 6 aviation world. Pilots like Ernst ssion. Production licenses Udet, Gerd Achgelis and Emil Kopf Hangar Happenings 7 wwere granted to Austria, used it in international aerial dis- AArgentina, Bulgaria, Bra- Event Calendar 8 plays. The aircrafts superb aerobatic zzil, and Sweden. capabilities were demonstrated dur- ing the 1936 Olympic Air Display TThe museum’s FW-44J at Berlin Tempelhof airfi eld. In late wwas built at the Focke- July 1936, the International Aero- The Focke Wulf fi nally in fl ight Continued on page 2 PAGE 2 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 Museum Display at the Norfolk Airport Case One contains items from the North Wildcat, built April 14, 1944 in New Jersey Case Three holds items from the Pacifi c Ocean Atlantic with the Pungo Naval Airfi eld and currently owned and fl ying by Military and Asia including World War II Naval fi ght- (1943); George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st Aviation Museum; the TBM Avenger is er pilot Jacket courtesy of John Woody estate; President of the and young- also fl own by the museum and fi nally the the Curtiss P-40 E Warhawk with markings of est aviator in U.S. Naval History; German consolidated PBY-5 Catalina seaplane was Tex Hill; the North American B-25J Mitchell Enigma Code Machine; German C-Class stationed at Norfolk Naval Base in 1944. Bomber that has been restored to fl ying con- U- Boat 352 Submarine; World War II FM-2 dition; the F4U-1 Naval Corsair- 1945 with Case Two contains items from the European the markings of Ray Beacham “Kitty Hawk Theater including a Army Air Corps Flying Kid” of Kitty Hawk, NC. Jacket; the North American P-51D Mus- tang-1944 “Double Trouble Two” fi ghter The most popular museum in the world is plane fl own by Bill Bailey; a British Mk-IX the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Spitfi re, a Museum aircraft fl ew and fought Washington, DC. They have a few more from North Africa, up the boot of ; and airplanes, but ours at the Military Aviation the English Mk-XII Hurricane, famous De Museum all FLY!  Havilland design from before World War II depicted in the markings of John Havilland, Focke Wulf..Continued from page 1 only American pilot to fl y in battle of Brit- Wulf factory in , Germany in 1937 ain and survive the war. with WkNr 183. It was one of a batch of fi fteen Bremen built aircraft originally sent to Argentina by Focke-Wulf before the Sec- ond World War and before the aircraft type Museum Visitors Dressed was produced under license in there. In 1989 it was acquired by Hans Dittes and in Their Holiday Best returned to Germany, then later moved to Belgium. In 1996, it suffered damage dur- ing a heavy landing in Speyer, Germany. Glen Lacey purchased the damaged aircraft and restored it in 2004. It was purchased by Peter Holloway and was based at Old Warden.

Over the years the museum’s Fw-44J has had a series of registrations. In Argentina, it was LV-YYX, when it moved to Germa- ny, it was D-EHDH with D-2692 as a side number. Then in Belgium it was OO-JKT. In England, when hangared at Old Warden it was G-STIG, and now at the Military Aviation Museum, it is N183FW. 

Focke Wulf being worked on at the Fighter Factory VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3

Naval Aircraft Factory: N3N-3 BuNo 2892 by “Skip” Johnson A recent arrival to the Military Aviation 8 June 1941 with engine number 6099 change via its NADC, registration, and Museum is a bright yellow ‘Canary’. (NADC). The later Civil Aeronautical Ad- certifi cation documents. Its NAPT classi- ‘Canary’ is the offi cial name for a Naval ministration (CAA) registrations indicated fi cation was again recertifi ed on its aircraft Aircraft Factory (NAF) built N3N. The that it was manufactured on 21 May 1941, data card on 21 October 1943 after over 5 museum’s N3N arrived a little while ago but the actual aircraft data plate is stamped months at NAS Glenview. This again was and is the U. S. Navy’s Aeronautical Bu- as 1 April 1941. The CAA also listed the most likely connected to its next owner- reau Number (BuNo) 2892. engine as a Wright R-760-2 engine. Its ship move to wartime civilian service.

The N3N was designed and The museum’s fi rst civilian regis- built by the NAF located in tration was dated 8 October 1943 Philadelphia, PA. In August as Aircraft Registration Certifi cate 1917, the NAF facility was Number 45067. Although it was opened and was owned and listed as a civilian aircraft it was operated by the U.S. Navy. still a government owned aircraft It was established to assist in t0 be used for War Training Service solving the problem of aircraft (WTS). This fi rst certifi cate stated supply, which faced the Navy that it was for “student training to Department upon the entry be conducted by War Training Ser- of the United States into the vice contractors.” Great War (that lasted from The N3N back in its heyday 1914 – 1918). It was stricken from Navy rolls on 24 November 1943. The registra- The N3Ns were powered by a NAF built current engine is an R-760-8, like the one tion and fi rst airworthiness certifi cate in- 235 hp Wright R-760-2 radial engine. listed on the NADC. dicated that our N3N-3 was turned over Uniquely, the N3N-3’s were built with to the WTS. Its next milestone was being surplus aluminum from earlier NAF NAS Pensacola primary fl ight training sold a little over two years later for sur- constructed dirigible parts. NAF built ended in spring 1943 and training was plus. While there is no positive data that 816 N3N-3’s from April 1940 to Janu- moved to other locations which is con- the museum’s N3N was actually in WTS ary 1942. sistent with our N3N-3’s transfer to NAS service other than its certifi cation for WST Glenview, Il. After 21 months of service and its later surplus sale. Our N3N-3, BuNo 2892 with a Wright and prior to its transfer, NAS Pensacola Engine Model R-760-8, had an accep- completed an ‘Overhaul & Repair’ cycle It was sold by the Reconstruction Finance tance date of 6 June 1941 according to on the aircraft on 15 March 1943. Corporation, which was authorized to sell the Naval Aircraft Data Card (NADC). it under the Surplus Property Act of 1944, It was received by NAS Pensacola on It was received and classifi ed for Naval for $472.00 on 15 December 1945. The Aviation Pilot Train- paperwork noted an Oklahoma County ing (NAPT) at NAS notary, and an Ohio buyer purchased the Glenview on 5 April museum’s ‘Canary’. 1943 after being transferred from NAS It went through fi ve owners and docu- Pensacola on 3 April ments indicate that it had not fl own since 1943. N2S Stearmans the 1950s. It was sold to the museum in gradually replaced 2007 and restoration work by Centennial the N3Ns and Spartan was completed in May 2011.  NPs during the re- mainder of the 1943.

The Museum’s N3N’s history shows this The N3N as it looks now at the Military Aviation Museum PAGE 4 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

What’s Going Get to Know: Charles “O’Bie” O’Brien by David Hunt on at the Charles O’Brien (aka) O’Bie has been as- ing orders back to sea in 1965, he reported to sociated with the Fighter Factory and the the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard off the Fighter Factory? Military Aviation Museum as a volunteer coast of Vietnam as the assistant Air Boss. In by David Hunt pilot since October 1999 and has fl own 1967, O’Bie came to Norfolk as Operations The fall and winter are the busiest times for many of the airplanes in the collection. He Offi cer for Commander Fleet Air Norfolk and the dedicated team of mechanics working says his favorite is the Corsair but in reality then in1969 again departed for Vietnam as 7th at the Fighter Factory. This time period al- the plane he is fl ying at the moment is num- Fleet liaison to Allied forces in-country. After lows the opportunity for maintenance, re- ber one. O’Bie had a childhood dream of 15 months, returned to Norfolk to become Op- pair and inspection, getting ready for the someday becoming a Naval erations Offi cer for NAS Norfolk. He retired spring and summer seasons of air shows Aviator and upon graduating frfrom this assignment at MAM and other air shows around the from Prep School in June of in 1976. Over the country. The three planes currently being 1946 he applied for and was yyears, O’Bie has ac- worked on are the Supermarine “Spitfi re” selected into the Aviation ccumulated over 7000 Mk 1Xe, the North American SNJ-2 and Midshipman Program. Af- fl ight hours, landed Boeing B-17G “Flying Fortress.” ter two years of college and 7735 times on 20 dif- 18 months of fl ight training feferent carriers and he was designated a Naval fl own 52 types of air- Aviator in 1950 and subse- ccraft, all accident free. quently was commissioned O’Bie as a pilot in 1952 an Ensign, USN. After attending Old Dominion University, His fi rst duty station was in a Fighter Squadron earning a BS degree in Education in 1980, he fl ying the Corsair. He remained in this squad- joined a large outplacement fi rm as a senior ron for over four years making three major de- associate. During this time, O’Bie also en- ployments one of which was a combat cruise joyed fl ying with the Skytypers, a six plane to Korea. Shore duty followed aerial advertising and The Spitfi re having work done as an instructor in the Basic demonstration team, at the Fighter Factory. Training Command fl ying the fl ying the SNJ-2. In Our 1941 Spitfi re which has been down since SNJ and T-34. Returning to the the 2001 time frame, November 2011 needed repair to its landing Fleet in 1957, he joined Light O’Bie decided it was gear, as you can imagine the parts needed Photographic Squadron 62 time to slow down, are not exactly “on the shelf” and often have making one cruise fl ying the smell the fl owers and to be made. Whilst doing a major strip down F9F-8P and two cruises in the enjoy other activities this gives mechanics the opportunity to do F8U-1P. After four years with including the Military general inspection and maintenance. this squadron, he reluctantly Aviation Museum and went back to shore duty as Offi - Fighter Factory. O’Bie As the photos show the SNJ-2 is also hav- cer Aviation Programs Recruit- has been married 56 ing a major strip down allowing for inspec- er in and then years to Bobby has tion and removal of the engine for repair. to Monterey, California to get a three children and four Chuckie our B17 whilst having its annual Bachelors Degree at the Naval grandchildren.  check has all panels removed for inspec- Postgraduate School. Receiv- tion, lubrication and repair if needed. It’s expected that over 1,000 hours will be spent on Chuckie before the plane is ready for its test fl ight in the spring. Being done at ththe same time is the replacement of en- ggine number 3 which has been away for ooverall taking over 5 months. VVisitors to the museum can now visit ththe Fighter Factory on week days be- twtween 9am and 4pm also on Saturdays wwhen we have speakers. The cost of vvisiting the FF is included in the cost of vvisiting the museum. The SNJ-2 (on the right) TThanks guys for keeping our planes having a major overhaul. TheThe BB-1717 ““Chuckie”Chuckie” fl ying.  VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 PAGE 5 Skyraider Pilot Hangar Talk, a Great Success by Ed Dillingham Continuing the museum’s series of vet- eran’s speaking events, the museum was honored to have former Navy Skyraider pilot LT Tom Patton as our guest speaker for the month of January.

In 1966, Tom was deployed onboard the USS Intrepid as a mem- ber of Attack Squadron 176, fl ying the famous Douglas AD-4 Sky- raider. During August of that year, Tom launched from the Intrepid as a member of a two aircraft fl ight charged with the mission of Rescue Combat Air Patrol (RESCAP) protecting the helicopter assigned to rescue pilots in the event they went down.

During the fl ight, Tom and his fl ight leader heard another fl ight of Skyraiders calling for help – they were under attack by North Vietnamese Mig-17 fi ghters! Despite the fact that the Skyraider was a 20+ year old prop driven aircraft designed for ground at- tack, Tom and his leader, pushed the throt- tles to the fi rewall, and went charging to the rescue. Rolling in from a higher altitude onto the “6 O’clock” position of the Mig- 17, the four 20 mm cannons of the Skyraid- Webmaster Wanted for the Fighter Factory er made short work of the Mig-17! Tom Do you love airplanes like we do and his Skyraider were one of only two and can you design a webpage? air to air kills made during the entire If so, put your talents to work and contact David Hunt, Vietnam confl ict! Museum Director, as we are looking for someone to maintain and update the Fighter Factory webpage. The museum was www.FighterFactory.com delighted to have Tom Patton as our You must live locally and have had previous experi- guest speaker for ence designing multiple commercial webpages. January, and wish him every success Call the museum at 721-7767 or email in the future!  to [email protected] FormerF NavyN SkSkyraiderid pilot,il t LLt.t TTom PPattontt PAGE 6 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

Museum’s Annual “Trains and Planes” Event by Brad Groom There were so many reasons people came interactive for all. People walked around with a jolly man with a long white beard to the Military Aviation Museum (MAM) looking at the many train exhibits while and a red suite waving to all below. The during the November 25-27 2011 week- enjoying some Zook’s barbecue. Some of Stearman landed and Santa greeted every- end. It could have been for the trains, the attending clubs included; Tidewater one with a big HO,HO,HO! Santa had no planes, drop off a toy for Tots, great bar- “O” Gage Association, South Hamp- becue or a visit from a very special guest. ton Roads “N” Track Club, Tidewater This was the annual “Planes and Trains” Live Streamers, and Atlantic Coast “S” event and just like the year before it was Gaugers. There was a nice authentic an excellent event that put smiles on the display by Wings of Glory , faces of all who came. which is an active internet community dedicated to the game “Wings of War” The model trains are so special that it is and “Dawn of World War II.” hard to believe they were just setup the day before. There were various scales of As the train whistles echoed in the han- trains including HO,S,N,O and live steam gar, the crowds were notifi ed of the spe- engines. The knowledgeable train conduc- cial guest on his way. At 12:30 that af- Santa arriving in his Stearman tors were assisting children as they let them ternoon, people started gathering around operate and get a the tarmac in real feel of control- anticipation of problem fi nding his way to his big green ling the trains. The Santa Claus, the chair. With the help from all his elves, he children could also special guest, visited with all the children and wished push buttons along fl ying by and everyone a Merry Christmas! the tracks to make landing to see the active a sign man, children and the The Military Aviation Museum is happy miniature golf, tug young of heart. that so many people were generous and of war, a fl oodlight, At 12:57pm the brought so many toys for the Toys for oil pumping station, sky was clear Tots. We collected over 8 boxes of toys, train whistle and when the bright equaling 350 happy children and 2 lucky more. These train Kids admiring the trains’ details. yellow Stearman ones will receive brand new bikes!  set ups were very fl ew by

Pearl Harbor Survivor Remembered It was mid-November, a few weeks before Bill Temple had one hope in the face of William G. Temple, Jr. was born in Ports- the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack his failing health. Just one more time, he mouth in 1919. He graduated from Nor- on Pearl Harbor and 92-year-old Bill Tem- wanted to attend the December 7th remem- folk’s Norview High School in 1937. Two ple was at home in Virginia Beach. He told brance ceremony years later, he joined the a story to a reporter that he’d been asked to at the Pearl Harbor ArmyA Air Corps, a fore- tell many times over the years: how he’d Memorial at Joint runnerru of the Air Force. been in bed that Sunday morning when the Expeditionary Base HisH fi rst duty station was bombs began to fall, how he’d rushed to Little Creek. I think WheelerW Field, a stone’s Wheeler Field with the rest of his air squad- I’ll make it, he said. throwth from Pearl Harbor. ron, and how frantically they’d worked to Indeed, he did and, get as many American pilots in the air as six weeks later, he BillB was a frequent guest fast as they could. “I saw a pilot climb into was admitted to the anda speaker at the mu- his fi ghter plane wearing a tuxedo,” Temple hospital for the last seums sharing with the reminisces, “There had been a party the time. On Wednesday visitorsv his experiences night before at the offi cer’s club, and the afternoon, January ofo that tragic day on De- pilot had fi nished off too many drinks to drive home, so he’d spent the night on base 25, 2012, Bill took cemberc 7, 1942.  in his party clothes. You just did what you his last breath. Bill Temple at the museum’s air- had to do that day.” show with the American Belles. VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 PAGE 7 Hangar Happenings A Day to Remember Truman’s Party Held by Jacey Byrne About six months ago Bridgette Williams That is where they met, so when they at the Museum and her fi ancé Chris Labissiere came to vis- stepped onto our Navy Hangar, they knew by Jacey Byrne it our Museum to consider it as a possible that’s where they wanted to celebrate their The Military Aviation Museum (MAM) reception site for their wedding . Chris is a marriage. Fitting to the December 10th was proud to host the USS Harry S. Tru- Lieutenant in the Navy and Bridgette works wedding date, they choose a Christmas/ man's (CVN 75) Children's Christmas Par- at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth. winter wonderland theme complete with ty on December 9th. Typically these events wreaths, a Christmas tree on the are held once balcony, holiday décor and a fi replace. They were married at a year and are Thalia Lynn Baptist Church with oon the large a guest list of 300 family, friends, AAircraft car- church family and coworkers, rrier. This year, all of which headed over to the ththe Truman museum after the ceremony to wwas "in the celebrate the start of their new yyard" as they life together. Congratulations to ssay with re- Chris and Bridgette Williams, ppairs, so they we wish them all the happiness, and we are so happy they choose nneeded to fi nd The bride and groom, Mr. and Santa “wing walking” off another place Mrs. Chris Labissiere our wonderful museum for their of the Stearman. big day!  that would hold just about German Cottbus Hangar Progresses 2000 people. The Truman's "FUNBOSS" by David Hunt and her commander came to check our German Cottbus Hangar is cur- hangars in early October and they knew rently being erected ~our Ger- this was the spot! The extravagant event man hangar used by the Luft- they put on for the ship's families trans- waffe to protect the southern formed our hangars into a Santa Wonder- fl anks of the city of Berlin dur- land full of fun things to do everywhere ing the Second World War is you turned. The evening of the event, starting to take shape. Many dis- Museum pilot Kevin Sinibaldi and Santa coveries have been made one be- came over the speaker saying they were on ing an inscription made on one their way! The tarmac was full of families of the hangars steel girders’. It and children of all ages, anxiously await- seems that this may have come ing....what a surprise they got as the Stea- from forced laborer workers do- rman came around our Navy hangar and ing cleanup work following an The Cottbus structure being fl ew down close enough for all to see the attack. As you can see from the erected at the museum Jolly St. Nick waving to the onlookers. In- photos enclosed the Germans side they dined on pizza, donuts and hot undoubtedly tried to make the cchocolate. On the Army hangar side, they air base usable in spite of ex- hhad a magic show, crafts and miniature tensive damage with shrapnel ggolf. On the Navy side, they had a rock literally peeling off the cor- wwall to climb, all the way up to the ceil- rugated metal roofi ng, as we ining, a bounce house, and other fun activi- gather more information on tities. In the middle part of the museum, the the inscription we will reveal liline was around the corner as everyone in future articles as the han- wwanted their chance to sit with "SUPPO gar is completed. The Cottbus SSanta" and tell them what they wanted, hangar was disassembled and wwhile having their photo taken. It was a shipped to Virginia in numer- fufun night for all and we thank the Truman ous ocean containers to house ffor choosing the MAM to have this great many of our planes Luftwaffe Klemm Ki-35 trainer and Fw-44 Stieglitz train- event!  and German artifacts.  ers inside Cottbus hangar during the late 1930’s PAGE 8 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

Event Calendar FEBRUARY MAY

11 – Valentines Hangar Dance 5 –Flying Proms 18 – Speaker, Chief Master Ser- 17 – Event Dinner geant Grant S Williams, Sr. USAF (Ret) (Original Tuskegee Airman) 18-20 –WWII Air show

MARCH JUNE 15 – Blue Star By-Way Marker 8-10 –RC Airplanes Here- WWII Vet Remembrance cer- 16- Speaker B-17 Navigator Bob emony Plaque to be placed at MAM Birney plus fl ight 17 –Speaker, Hans Meyer plus 16 – Drive-In Movie Night fl ight JULY APRIL 21 – Speaker (to be announced) 14 – Fly-In Lunch 14- Speaker, Donald E. “Buzz” AUGUST Wagner, Lt. Colonel USAF Ret and Summer Camp (date to be an-

fl ight plus fl ight. nounced)

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