The Official Newsletter of the Valiant Air Command, Inc. 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780 - (321) 268-1941 website: http://www.valiantaircommand.com email: [email protected]
3rd Quarter Review - July, August & September 2017 IRMA RECAP Damage to the museum was minimal. A few of the roof panels on the southeast corner of the main hangar were peeled back and some insulation was lost. While water intrusion is evident in several places within the museum, no major damage occurred to exhibits or aircraft. Our main hangar roof antenna was crushed, as a result, we had no internet or phone service. Some minor damage occurred to the TICO Warbird sign at SR405. Tico Road was blocked from SR405 to the museum due to several fallen trees blocking the road. There were massive amounts of debris in the parking lot and picnic area. A mighty team assembled the morning of September 12th to help clean up the mess. A grateful thanks to Joe Cross- Airshow Field Boss, Tom Etter-Director Facilities, Bob Filippi-Aircraft Restoration Expert, Charles Hammer-Chief Tico Belle Mechanic, Marvin Juhl-Director Maintenance, Pat and John Zelniak-Get-It-Done Custodians. A total of 25-man hours on Tuesday morning was spent picking up and hauling debris in members pick-up trucks to dump in undisclosed areas. Shortly after noon, everyone went home to take care of issues with their own properties.
You should check out the “Fly-in Drive-in” Breakfast every Second Saturday, weather permitting. Chef Matt prepares your omlette to order. There is coffee, OJ, danish, fruit, sausage, bacon & more. Reservations will be appreciated 321-268-1941, ext 4112
MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP - OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - 9AM TO 5PM Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day Adults $20.00 - Senior or Military $18.00 - Students 13 to 18 years old $10.00 Children 5 to 12 years old $5.00 - Children under 5 years old FREE - Special Group Tour Rates Available Statement of Purpose The Valiant Air Command was formed to perpetuate the history of aviation, to encourage gathering of men and women in camaraderie, research and Warbird restoration, to serve as an educational tool for young and old alike; and to assure that the memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country shall not perish.
501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization Museum Recognized by the Internal Revenue Service Future Events • 4th Quarter • 2017 October 13 5:00 pm at the VAC, close out time to receive November 18 Space Coast (Tico) Warbird AirShow meeting Ballots for the General Election from Active November 21 VAC Board of Director’s meeting VAC Members voting for the VAC Commander November 23 Museum Closed; Thanksgiving Day and future BOD members. December 9 Fly-in Breakfast October 14 Fly-in Breakfast December 15 VAC Christmas Dinner - main hangar October 14 VAC General Election Vote Count by the December 19 VAC Board of Director’s meeting Elections eamT December 25 Museum Closed; Christmas Day October 17 VAC Board of Director’s meeting 2018 Jan 1st Museum Closed; New Year’s Day November 9 Senior Boomer Fest - Main hangar Check the VAC website for late breaking dates & cancellations November 11 & 12 Veteran’s Day open house http://www.valiantaircommand.com
Commander’s Report The Kennedy Space Center Ama- Norm Daniels, Commander teur Radio Club spent a weekend Email: [email protected] transmitting world wide from the (321) 268-1941 ext. 4101 VAC picnic area to the delight of the The Valiant Air Command is Your museum now has a new Museum Visitors. poised for a great 2018. This year wireless alarm system protecting much time and effort was made by our assets in all three hangars. We the Board of Directors to increase now can arm and disarm the system visitation. These efforts included remotely allowing an electronic audit focused advertising in various trail of when and who utilized the markets spearheaded by Executive system. In addition to helping design Officer, Bob Boswell who is also our new alarm systems, Richard acting as Public Relations Officer Jones, Personnel Officer has made until that slot is filled. significant strides in cleaning up old Our booked events reporting programs and continues to L to R: Larry Anders and Kevin (weddings, parties, reunions) have make our website even more user- Panik manning the radio. increased dramatically this year vs friendly. Thanks to Richard we are last year. Accommodating client’s able to accurately collect the number requests for space, parking, lighting, of volunteer hours electronically sound, seating, set-up, etc., creates allowing us to submit accurate logistical issues including moving a information when applying for grant fair number of aircraft. Tom Etter, funds, Facilities Officer works with clients Tracy Bohrmann, Finance to schedule and execute their Officer has skillfully cleaned up, set needs prior to the event. Tom’s up and otherwise gained control of team reconfigures hangar space to all our financial reporting systems meet client’s needs in a timely and allowing for timely tax reporting, efficient manner with no disruption submissions and has created a daily to ongoing museum operations. P&L allowing the Board to plan and The Official Newsletter of the Valiant Air Command More good news! The prioritize capital expenditures. Tico Bell completed her 50-hour During this last quarter, The Un-Scramble Team Phyllis Lilienthal, Editor inspection in time to meet several the Navy sent a team to our Lynn Foraker - Lorraine Juhl - Louise Kleba appearance events that were museum to inspect and verify that 1st Quarter - Jan, Feb & Mar booked. Marvin Juhl, Maintenance demilitarization of all their aircraft Submission deadline - Mar 25th NL Published - April 1st 2nd Quarter - April, May & June Officer along with Chief Mechanic- in our hangars had occurred before Submission deadline - June 25th NL Published - June 30th 3rd Quarter - July, Aug & Sept Charlie Hammer, Jim Towe, Andy receipt by the VAC. The inspection Submission deadline - Sept 25th NL Published - Sept 30th 4th Quarter - Oct, Nov & Dec Kidd, Roger Johnson and Terry Nies discovered many anomalies that Submission deadline Dec 24th NL Published - Dec 31st Please note: have the Tico Bell running like a needed prompt attention. The Navy’s Items submitted after the submission deadline will not be Swiss Watch. contractor had a 3-page statement published or will be published the next month if applicable. continued on page 3 The Editor reserves the right to not publish submitted items. Pg 2 Commander’s Report significant structural corrosion and Grill Master handles the cooking for continued from page 2 corrosion on a large part of the volunteers. ). In addition, Lynn helps exterior with some additional issues to support many events as well as of work to manage and execute. Due with the wings that were cut at our monthly Fly-in Breakfast. Lynn to Bob Frazier, Procurement Officer some point in the life of the aircraft. is the scribe and minute recorder at having a long-term relationship with Our commission project from the Board Meetings. Also, Lynn assists a senior Navy official in Pensacola California Science Center Foundation the Airshow Chairman by centrally helped make the several weeks is unique. Their representative, locating and organizing all the process a seamless effort between Dennis R. Jenkins-Project Director thousand plus documents necessary the parties. was instrumental in the Valiant Air to mount an airshow. The Gift Shop team: Louise Command receiving this honor. Two other volunteers the Kleba, Lorraine Juhl, Rich Cariseo and Dennis has been most supportive; Board thanks, Lorraine Juhl and Patti Manager, Anita Varela have made our museum has been given this Champion devote hundreds of hours significant strides in merchandising charge due to the reputation we have in assisting in all event set-ups to and sales with new and different received in turning out high-quality make sure the client experience is merchandise offerings. Their sales restored aircraft. For those who seamless. Additionally, they attend efforts at the 2017 AirShow set a have a special interest in Aviation various workshops during the year record. Customer comments are and Space may want to check out representing the Museum; Teachers positive. Do not forget your 10% the numerous books authored by Open House at the Brevard Zoo, member discount available to you 7 Dennis. You are in for an eye-opening Senior Safety Day at Buena Vida days a week. treat. Estates and various Chambers to list As part of the 2018 year Guest satisfaction: Reputation just a few. ahead, Bob Boswell, Air Show is one of the keys to a museum being A thank you goes out to Chairman has officially booked Tora, successful. Our tour guides are in Kenita Bushee for taking up the task Tora, Tora as the exciting ground the unique position to foster guest of working through the mountain shaking performance act. Do not satisfaction and they as a group has of paperwork hitting her desk and miss this event set for April 6,7, and stepped up to the challenge. Randy taking on special tasks. 8 with a special night show on Friday. Wheeler, schedule creator and Don Tender loving care of our More news to come from Bob B. Henry keep the train on the track. aging fleet of tugs, forklifts, carts Curator, Don Leathers is The Board owes this group special and crane fall under the “keep them in the process of designing new thanks. running” guru Joel McGinley. Joel signage covering all aircraft in the A thank you to Phyllis scours sources who may have parts museum. This process included Lilienthal for devoting, as a that are no longer available from the correcting narrative and creating volunteer, much time and talent in manufacturers. His due diligence in a new standard design. All the putting together the Unscramble in this matter allows continuing use of Aircraft in the main hangar now have a professional manner in addition to our ground service equipment. new attractive signage with work designing ads for inclusion in various I want to wish all members, commencing on signage for the media. pilots and friends of the Valiant Air Aircraft in the Vietnam hangar. A thank you to Lynn Foraker. Command Warbird Museum a safe, Special restoration project: She is the woman behind the scenes happy holiday season and a fruitful Work on the F11F-1 is progressing. in organizing the monthly “hot dog new year. Norm The work process is slow due to day,” Lynn’s husband, Bob Foraker, “To Honor the Past, Educate the Future and Preserve Our Heritage”
Use the VAC’s Website and Facebook Not unless your ballot is page to stay up to date on current events, returned by 5PM new events & cancelled events on October 13th, 2017 Pg 3 Executive Officer’s Report Bob Boswell presents a singed Bob Boswell, Executive Officer and framed Thunderbird Litho Email: [email protected] to Lt. Tom House in appreciation (321) 268-1941 ext. 4104 for all the outstanding support This has been a very busy Keys. We were on standby and provided by the Titusville Police Spring and Summer, filled with alerted to go when the roads were Department for our TICO Warbird multiple activities. The number of opened and they sent the trucks in AirShow 2017. visitors to our museum has been relief. good as has the Gift Shop sales. We Our Flagship C-47 Tico have expanded our advertising and Belle flew in the 3-day Thunder marketing program and continue Over Michigan during Labor Day to see an increase in visitors, both Weekend. Dick Osborne was PIC, individuals and groups. Request Mike McCann SIC, Charlie Hammer to use the museum as a venue for FE and Stan Taylor Flight Crew and private functions has also continued Jumpmaster. Our VAC maintenance to increase. We have weddings and team provided a herculean effort other events booked well into 2018. to get the aircraft ready for this General Election Ballots to important event. C-47 Events A film crew from the United select our next Commander were planned for the remainder of this Kingdom spent 2 days at the mailed out to all active members year include the Stuart AirShow, VAC on interviews and shooting on 15 September. Close out on November 3-5, Fri-Sun. [Brian videos of some of our aircraft. balloting is 5:00 PM on 13 October Bucher PIC, SIC TBD, Charlie 2017. Ballots will be counted on Hammer & Stan Taylor + Crew.] We 14 October following the Second will take the PX so volunteers are Saturday Fly-In Breakfast and needed for the PX and C-47 Tours. the winner announced. Our VAC We will fly 2-3 times on Friday Articles of Incorporation, Article and once on Saturday and Sunday. VI states that only Colonels of the There may be a 2-ship troop drop Larry Champion on the Canberra VAC in good standing shall be able with a second C-47, Placid Lassie. to vote in any election….and they On December 7, late must have been official members Thursday afternoon we will do a not less than 30 days prior to said Parish Medical Center Fly-By for election. Ballots may be returned their Pearl Harbor Salute and Tree by mail or in person at the VAC. Lighting Ceremony. On Thursday, September 21 On Saturday December 16, we hosted the American Volunteer we will be supporting the Annual Group reunion. Known as the WW Surfing Santa’s Drop on the Beach. Tour Guide, Kaila Comeau telling II Flying Tigers in China, they flew This is an all-day event with multiple the history of the TBM Avenger P-40 fighters under the command parachute drops. of General Claire Chernault. The On Saturday October 28th, current Flying Tigers, at Moody our first “Space Coast Warbird AFB, Valdosta, Georgia, flew in two AirShow” meeting will be at 12:00 A-10 Warthogs for the event. Noon in the Library. The AirShow Also last month we will be held Friday, Saturday and supported Hurricane Harvey with a Sunday, 6-8 April 2018. Friday monetary donation to the American will be an afternoon show leading Red Cross. For Hurricane Irma, to a night show ending with giant Tim Plunket, owner of the we offered the C-47 to transport fireworks. This year we will honor Sopwith Camel replica in the needed relief supplies to the Florida continued on page 5 background, is interviewed. Pg 4 Executive Officer’s and memorabilia; we will also have Bye old friend! Report on hand many of the veteran pilots continued from page 4 that flew these venerable aircraft. those who served in the Pacific Additionally, there will be operating Theater during WW II. train layouts, an antique and hot We will present the Tora! rod car show; as well as the model Tora! Tora! reenactment of the club building and showing their bombing of Pearl Harbor, the B-25s craft. The radio control aircraft club will present the Doolittle Raid on will also be there with their aircraft Tokyo and the TBM the Battle of and flight simulators. If you are the Removing the tattered and torn Midway. This will be a very exciting owner of a vintage automobile or flag in the main hangar show and one not to miss. other specialty vehicle and want to All Board of Directors and display it during our Open House, Team Leaders should attend this first please contact the museum. Finally, organizational AirShow meeting. there will be music and miscellanies Request that everyone review food vendors as well. The museum your AirShow responsibilities will be open from 9:00 AM to and coordinate with other team 5 PM. Hot dogs and drinks will members. Volunteers who would be available and parking is free. like to work the AirShow are also There’s something for the whole be asked to attend. Lunch will be family so come on out. provided. As always, we will need It is very hard to fold a giant flag On Thursday 9 November, volunteers to help with the parking, the VAC will host the 2017 Senior transportation, set-up and clean- Boomer Expo. The event will be up. Go to our web site volunteer open to the public from 9:00 AM to area and indicate the days you will 2:00 PM. This is a large event with be able to work. entertainment, food, handouts Our Christmas Dinner this and local area vendor/information year will be on Friday, December tables. We expect one to three 15th. Happy Hour with hors d’ thousand attendees throughout oeuvres from 5:30-6:30 with dinner the day. Once again, we will need to follow. The event will be catered volunteers to help with the parking, and cost $20 per person. Non- transportation, set-up and clean- alcoholic beverages are provided Don’t step on it!!! up. Go to our web site volunteer and a pay as you go bar will be open. area and indicate the days you will Please make your reservations with be able to work. the PX gift shop, (321) 268-1941. We are preparing for another The VAC supports local great Veteran’s Day weekend Open needy food centers and the “Toys House at the Warbird Air Museum, for Tots” program. For both the 11th and 12th of November. Veteran’s Open House and the Admission is FREE for all military, Christmas Dinner, please consider Active or Retired; plus, we will also bringing a canned good for donation allow Free admission to ANY Florida and/or bringing in a toy to our drop- resident with ID. off point. In addition to the Warbird Safe and Happy Holidays! Air Museum display of 47 vintage warbirds and hundreds of artifacts The new donated flag is up Bob and really looks great Pg 5 Facilities Officer’s Report Tom Etter, Facilities Officer Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 ext. 4105 It has been a very busy three months. save glass doors and gate damage if we have a fire since Events: firemen will have our key that is kept in the Knox Box. We are now using the Vietnam Hangar for most We completed a quarterly sprinkler system test. functions. By placing all the flying aircraft (and their The C-47 crew emptied the Main Hangar to allow the mess) in the Main Hangar, we can keep the Vietnam new overhead fan wiring to be installed. Hangar clean for functions; if more room is needed we I have been placing white vinegar in our eight can easily clear the South part of the Main Hangar. The airconditioning systems with mixed results. One still North part has 14 aircraft and keeping them inside is floods and will require spending money to fix the mold a must as many of the older aircraft are covered with blocking the drain causing flooding of the PX storeroom. fabric. We supported the following: Photoshoot of the A-7 and F-8 by opening the cockpits and moving aircraft. BBC photo shoot and interviews by moving aircraft and opening the TBM wings, putting air in the tires of the WWI aircraft and helping Tim Plunkett fly the Sopwith Camel and Fokker for photos. Three Florida Institute of Technology visits. Met with the USAF team, planning big celebrations here. The July Fly-in-Breakfast. Equipment: We launched the July 4th skydivers. Joel replaced the water pumps on the VAC dually and Opened and made certain aircraft available for the 3-D the Boxer tug. photo project of interior shots. The Airport loaned us a big tug and big forklift. We The August Fly-in Breakfast but had a poor response loaned our forklift to Area 51. due to Spruce Creek airfield repair. The Large Forklift steering gearbox failed and it took Building: many man hours to get it apart, try to fix it, find new I did some more patching on the roof and got most of parts, reassemble and test. All the C-47 crew members the spots to stop leaking and I was able to cut back the were involved at one time or another and included Joel, amount of water coming into the museum due to the Richard Jones and his son, Tom. It is now repaired. rusted out gutter on the North side by adding metal to RV: the floor of the gutter. We will attack this again in the We worked some on the RV but events, hurricane, Fall. damage repair, and more events have pushed it off my The Main Hangar roof repairs were completed immediate to-do list. We will need to spend money for along with some minor repairs to the Motor Pool tires and refrigerator repair. and Restoration for $12k. The main roof was rusted Navy Contractors: through on the edges on both the North and South The Navy sent ten contractors with a Navy Master sides that was compromising the cross beams. This Chief to inspect, review conditions, and make safe the Fall will see more repairs to doors, drains, gutters and 13 aircraft they have loaned to us. Their orders were interior panels. to seal all openings, lock all canopies, and make all the Repaired emergency lights in the Vietnam Hangar. aircraft immovable. We were very lucky Norm Daniels Bathroom fixture repair, replace bad lights and reset was able to get waivers from Pensacola to allow us alarms. to still open the plane canopies and to move them We installed a Knox Box for the Fire Marshall. This will continued on page 7 Pg 6 Facilities Officer’s Report We re-did the Vietnam Hangar so to reduce stress on continued from page 6 the F-5 and F-105 nose gears. While doing this we around. They did seal most panels up, drilled holes in placed the Canberra into the Vietnam Hangar to see all pressure vessels, removed 800 pounds of fuel from how it looks. It looks super but I had to leave two TA- the F-14 and some in others, removed and disposed of 4s out to make it happen so it’s not going to work at some radioactive items for us (T-33 had many switches present. The Canberra will be in again per a wedding with radium), and many other things such as making request. wing locks taking 17 days of our support of them We replaced both main tires on the TA-4. supporting us. We learned a lot about the aircraft Hurricane: and they were happy with us as we were their first The B-25 left before the hurricane hit. civilian museum they had done, so they learned much We moved drums around and tied down aircraft for from us. We also saved about 100 gallons of JP5 that the hurricane. will work in our equipment. We disposed of any oil or The hurricane re-opened our earlier roof leak repairs hydraulic fluid for them. and the wind found new paths for water entry. Aircraft: Besides tree branches down in front of the museum, Folded the Wildcat wings out to please the Docents we had a 2’x10’ hole opened up just above the F/A-18 but it blocks a safe fire exit. Don Leathers is working in the corner of the Main Hangar. A storm the other with the Docents to figure out a way to have one wing day widened it to a 2’ x 20’ hole. We covered the out and one folded and they are excited about it. engines with tarps awaiting a roofing crew. We got a The L-13 is now in the Restoration Hangar and the crew in and have a temporary repair in place. Bristow Cessna 170 has moved out. The S2F will go into the had much hangar damage and borrowed the Man-Lift Restoration Hangar soon. Tracy and Richard started to do a temporary repair. We got it back in time for our on returning the S2F to flight under Tom Riley’s roofers to use. suggestions. We loaned our C-47 sextant to Pat Foley and his CAF I would be remiss if I did not mention how lucky we are crew as they were getting their C-47 ready to goto to have such a group of volunteers who have worked Michigan, as were we. so hard this summer in the worst heat I can remember We started and completed the 50-hour maintenance in a long time. It was worse than my two years in on the C-47. Nigeria. The C-47 crew really has expanded as we We helped get the C-47 ready for the Michigan flight work on just about anything. To Jim, Joel, Terry, Roger, and test flights prior. Harry, Charlie, we have added Len, Andy and Cullen. The C-123 prop stand is now at the VAC for the S2F Of late we have Tracy, Norm, Richard, Larry Champion, project. Martin, Tim Plunkett, Marvin and Tom Jones working I removed the accessory covers on the TBM so Marvin with this crew in the heat on many diverse projects. could start the coil swap and its return to flight. The Docents have also been helping opening doors The F-86 came back and the owner’s son inspected it. and moving planes. The Restoration Crew will help The C-47 crew helped the Restoration crew place the the C-47 crew anytime we need them. I love it here. new F-11 on a cradle so it could enter Restoration. Thank you all. Tom
Tico Belle, once again, transported these jumpers to the beach on the Fourth Of July Pg 7 Finance Officer’s Report Evans? Or hear the first-hand account Tracy Bohrmann, Officer of World War Two from Joe Reus? Or Email: [email protected] learn how to manage a temperamental (321) 268-1941 R-2600 from someone as experienced Hello, members! VAC’s mission and goals, lately much as Tom Reilly? We had a close brush with contested. So here is what I believe: This special place needs all of its Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The VAC exists to promote warbird members in all of their abilities. Some Luckily the VAC received very little aviation and the story of those that used can give money easily; some can figure damage to the facility and no aircraft these planes in service of their country. out how to navigate bureaucratic maze were impacted. Both before and after We restore warbird aircraft: some to of grant applications; some support the storm period we did experience very flight, some to static display. The planes our special events; some maintain the light visitor attendance which of course that fly bring the museum to life as aircraft and some fly the aircraft. All adversely impacted our sales. Going they demonstrate their purpose. One are needed and all are welcome who forward we are diligently planning an can hardly deny the excitement level come with the intent to improve and increase to advertising to bring more goes up any day the C 47 is pulled out grow the VAC. Your Board of Directors visitors to our museum. There are of the hangar, even if it’s just to do the is actively striving and dedicated to also several larger events planned for weekly run up. Watching her take off is building a stronger VAC, with stronger the upcoming months which will help an incredible experience, one which all connections to the local community as increase our revenue. of us who volunteer here are grateful to well as the warbird community. I would like to take a minute be a part of. One more Topic: to extend a grateful thanks to our The argument of museum vs a A VAC Scholarship Program maintenance and aircrew teams which flight club is a false one to me. We can I know we have done something got our C 47 up to the Thunder Over be a museum that has flying aircraft. like this in the past, and the program Michigan event earlier in the month. In restoring the aircraft to flight we stopped several years ago, a victim Cranky carburetors and iffy weather are bringing the museum to life. This perhaps, of benign neglect of the prior had threatened to scuttle the event for draws people to us and helps put new administration. I was talking the other us, but our team came together and blood in the pipeline. A careful balance day with one of our youngest volunteers solved all the issues and were able to must be struck between growing and as she spoke of her dream of flying our get the Tico Belle and her crew to this maintaining our museum and our flying TBM and the process of applying to event. This resulted in a happy client, aircraft programs. colleges and also for scholarships. This increased visibility for the VAC and a As with many other things in is one volunteer and member the VAC check, the funds of which will go right life, money is course is key, but I would would want to support at the start of back into the C 47 for her continued venture to say that of equal importance their career. maintenance and her continued flight is engagement and participation of Please let me know your schedule. All this was done by a team our members. Too quickly the day may thoughts on reinstating this program. who worked together and got the job arrive that no amount of money can How much? How often? Open to done with no arguments or screaming! buy the skills and knowledge needed members only? Who should be eligible (Although rumor has it that something to maintain and fly an aircraft like to apply, etc.? To be honest, I don’t have not nice was written on the men’s the C 47. We are at the cusp of these that much experience in this area as I room wall about a certain carburetor’s rare skill sets beginning to fade as was fortunate to be able to pay for my momma.) our Greatest Generation continues to college degrees. As such I would like While we are on the subject of pass. If their knowledge is not given membership input into going forward thank you’s...... Thank you to all who to those that follow, it will recede into with the idea and the design and scope. have responded so quickly to the call a distant memory in a book on a shelf. Please email/call me with any input you for Airshow Donations. Always needed, One doesn’t learn to fly from a book, would be willing to give on this issue. always welcome. That, of course, goes one learns to fly from a pilot. The tracy.bohrmann@valiantaircommand. for volunteers for helping during the level of engagement and interaction com. Airshow. I’m sure Richard Jones, our of our more experienced members As always, thank you for letting me be great Personnel Officer will keep you and our youngest members is part of a part of this organization and a part of posted. what continues to make the Valiant our Board of Directors. If I don’t see you Our Goals, Our Mission: Air Command a very special place. before….Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Of course, you all have Where else can a 16-year-old make a Christmas, and a Joyful New Year! heard the various viewpoints on the connection with a master pilot like Bud Pg 8 Tracy Maintenance Officer’s Report in-progress for collection and will be Marvin Juhl, Maintenance Officer stored in one location and marked Email: [email protected] as “MASTER FILE”. All flyable aircraft (321) 268-1941 ext. 4108 logs will be collected, monitored Five months I have been your and stored in one location; parts and stored in one location with a Maintenance Officer for the Valiant in storage containers to be tagged high controllability. Tasks for these Air Command. I can’t begin to tell and identified as serviceable, Manuals and Logs will have the you how much of a privilege it has repairable, cores or just trash. The highest priority. The above will be been. I am proud to be working latter will take time and needs stored upstairs in the Maintenance with such an outstanding Board Of qualified manpower to complete. Officer’s office. Directors. By no means do I want TBM Avenger If you haven’t visited us in awhile, to leave out our VOLUNTEERS who Left and right magneto coil stop in and see the progress your make it possible for the Valiant Air replacement is completed.The first Board of Directors and the volunteer Command to be put on the map as of four engine run-up checks workers have accomplished and one of the best aviation museums made it through satisfactory along what the future holds for your in the Southeast and expanding. with cycling the wings unfolding Valiant Air Command Museum. One The various skills of our volunteer and boom bay doors closing. It was other note I would like to make; we maintenance team make it possible a great site to see her on the flight are always looking for volunteers to keep the aircraft flying and our line with wings extended out and to help in all of our departmental static aircraft to stand at attention boom bay doors closed, just purring areas.You would be surprised at for our public viewing. I must not like a kitten. After all four engine the feeling of accomplishment and forget our restoration team who runs check out satisfactory, we will how rewarding it can be in one’s end up with a basket case aircraft start on the annual inspection. lifestyle. and are asked to put it back together S2F Tracker to look like it just rolled off the The S2F will be moved to the factory assembly line. Their task is restoration hangar in two weeks not easy, but they keep on working for continuing engine maintenance miracles, and the proof can be seen and the performance of an annual sitting proudly in the hangar. inspection. Both engines oil systems C-47 Skytrain have been drained, pre-oiled and C-47 Skytrain TICO BELLE’s long cross-country the oil tanks ready for removal for revenue trip for Thunder Over cleaning and inspection. Michigan Airshow was a great Restoration success, this trip was made possible Work on the F-100 paint stripping by many who rolled up their sleeves, with the left and right side of TBM Avenger getting hands dirty right up to the fuselage completed. Stripping paint 11th hour in making sure that she on top wings is next. Cleaning, had a safe trip. More local revenue prep and painting continue on trips/flights are in the schedule for the leading edge slats. Vertical the next two months. The Aircraft stabilizer to be installed after its Status Book appears to be working final painting. Our goal is still on as Pilots and FE are making their track for completion by year-end. S2F Tracker discrepancies known in the book The B-52 interior is getting closer Would you like to be part of for corrective action requirements. to its completion with exterior still the volunteer restoration crew In the short run, this system will requiring some additional sanding or how about becoming a undoubtedly enhance the aircraft’s before painting. This is one cockpit Tour Guide? readiness. Many suggestions were display that is well visited by all Fill out an application on our made for: inspection kit made visitors. website or stop at the Gift in advance; serviceable parts ID All our flyable Aircraft manuals are Shop and get an application. Pg 9 Personnel Officer’s Report Richard Jones, Personnel Officer Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 ext.4100 Greetings VAC members, when funds come available we will I hope everyone here be installing a second one in each in Florida survived Irma with hangar. These fans are big, at slightly only repairable issues. We were over 24 feet across blade tip-to-tip very lucky that it was not much and 8 blades. The main hangar fan worse than it ended up being. will help with much-needed airflow Please remember property can out there. The Vietnam hangar will Gov. Scott • Bob Boswell be replaced, human loss is not get an 18 foot tip-to-tip, 8 bladed Bob Boswell, VAC Executive Officer, reversible, please be safe! All fan installed. These fans should shaking hands with Governor Scott of our collection being spared get our visitors and staff down to a after being awarded the Governor’s and only minor damage to one more livable condition to perform Veterans Service Award. hangar was a much-relieved sight their tasks. We are currently waiting after the big blow calmed down. for our electrician to complete the Technology-wise we had a few days wiring for the install in the Vietnam while the internet infrastructure hangar and then we are ready to was restored, but no loss of internal start getting these fans mounted. network or server hardware. The fans themselves have already The last couple of summer’s been received. one complaint I’ve heard and seen The 2017 Election process is from both staff and visitors to our nearing its finality. I hope everyone organization is the unbearable got a chance to get your ballots heat in our hangars. This is most in and help keep us a cohesive noticeable to our events and tour organization into the future. group staff. They spend hours Our work on the Member, in setup and breakdown on the Volunteer and PX databases hangar floors and escorting visitors. continue and we are ramping up Museum Visitors exiting “Tico I believe I’ve seen a few of our Tour for the 2018 Warbird Airshow, I Belle” after an On-Board Tour Guides and their visitors melting hope to see many of the 200 plus from the sweltering heat out there. volunteers at the show again this I placed a motion before the Board next year. and they approved the purchase Your VAC Board continues and installation of two massive fans to work cohesively to ensure the in the Main and Vietnam hangars. future of our organization; we hope These fans will be placed in one- to see everyone at some of the half of each hangar, in the future, events the rest of this year.
Would you like to be part of the volunteer restoration crew or how about becoming a Tour Guide? Fill out an application on our website or stop at the Gift Shop and get an application.
l to r: Richard Jones • S2F Tracker Save The Date ! Richard is checking carefully to see VAC Christmas Dinner • December 15, 2017 what is needed to return the S2F to flight.
Pg 10 Gift Shop News Once again, The Warbird Air Anita, Louise, Lorraine, Rich Museum will be an official “Toys Email: [email protected] (321) 268-1941 ext. 4112 For Tots” toy drop off. Please bring a new, unwrapped gift We made it through our unwelcome visit from Irma giving us more memories of living in Floria. There are only 3 months until Christmas. This is a great time to get ahead of the season by shopping early. Remember, we do offer layaway and your member discount still applies. We have a lot of new items from which to choose. One of the most popular is the Top Cat t-shirt for the cat-lover in your family. A Gift Certifi- cate is also a nice gift – one that is often redeemed but rarely returned! Just a reminder that we carry a lot of toys that would be nice to drop into our Toys For Tots collection boxes. Oh the benefits of one stop shopping! The drop off boxes will be available Anita, Louise, Lorraine, Rich Mid-November in the VAC lobby. Do Your Christmas Shopping Early And Do It At The VAC Gift Shop Layaway Available Until December 23rd Don’t know what to give T-shirts - Pull Back Toys Model DYI Planes - Paintings for Christmas Scale Model Planes - Signs $ Posters - Photos - Toys Puzzles - Jackets - Hats Cash Merry Christmas for redeemed be A Gift For: Cannot # dAte 10% Discount For Members In The Sum Of:From: Warbird (321)Museum, 268-1941Sample 6600 •Tico www.valiantaircommand.com Road, Titusville, Florida 32780 Gift Certificates are always
SignAture Authorized good and never returned
Fly-in Walk-in Drive-in Breakfast Special Have you seen anything special in our gift shop that you would love to have? Come to our Fly- in/Walk-in/Drive-in Breakfast; have breakfast and you will receive a 20% off coupon to use on all merchandise in the gift shop. Coupon good on the day of the breakfast only. Save The Date ! VAC Christmas Dinner • December 15, 2017 Call the VAC Gift Shop for reservations • 321-268-1941
Pg 11 VAC was host to Flying Tigers AVG Tour (70 people) September 21, 2017
AVG Group watching the arrival of two A-10s Frank Losonsky, former AVG pilot, meets Captain Dan Lusardi, A-10 pilot
Chocking the A-10 Marshalling the A-10s
High Dynamic Range photo of the two A-10 Thunderbolts parked on the VAC ramp
Pg 12 the superior training and tactics of the US pilots contributed to F-86 Sabre these successes. At the end of the Dr. F. J. Erik Kramer, VAC Historian Korean War, it is claimed that the F-86 Sabre had established a kill- North American’s F-86 Sabre Jet... restrictions that prohibited hot ratio of 10 to 1 over the MiG-15. It is time to put a fantastic jet pursuit of Communist MiGs to their However, this impressive kill-ration fighter in the limelight. Reference is bases across the river Yalu in China. is only applicable when Chinese or made to the North American F-86 However, US pilots weren’t the only Korean pilots flew the Mig-15’s. An Sabre. It was one of the greatest ones suffering from limitations. important factor that contributed to jet fighter aircraft of all times. It Those who were piloting the MiG- this high kill-ratio is due to the fact entered service with the USAAF 15s received their own limitations that Chinese and Korean pilots were in 1949 and although not as fast coming straight from Stalin. MiG not wearing g-suits in the cockpit, and maneuverable as the MiG-15, pilots were forbidden from flying while American pilots always flew it was instrumental in denying air over non-communist controlled their F-86 fighters, dressed in a superiority to the Chinese during territory or within 30-50 miles of g-suit. As a consequence MiG-15 the Korean War. Russian, Chinese the UN front lines. That meant no pilots in a hard break sometimes and North Korean MiG pilots air strikes on UN airfields or aircraft passed-out due to GLOC (loss of discovered the Sabre was razor- carriers, no aerial bombing of consciousness occurring from sharp, it could dive opponent faster, supply lines or seaports, no close-in excessive and sustained g-forces, was more aerodynamically stable, air-support for the Chinese or North draining blood away from the and had a radar gun sight that Koreans, and no air cover for those brain, causing cerebral hypoxia), came in handy during high-speed same units at the front line. In turn, resulting often in a crash. F-86 was jet dogfights. After the Korean War the UN pilots were free to attack about equal in performance as the ended in 1953 and on account of the Chinese & North Korean forces MiG-15. The MiG-15 did not easily F-86 outstanding combat record it throughout North Korea and often depart from controlled flight, unless became the mainstay of many Allied they violated the restrictions and the pilot pulled too hard, other nations, becoming their primary not only pursue them across the than that, MiG-15 flew very well! fighter. Yet, while the Jets captured Yalu River but would loiter over air But when flown by Russian pilots the public’s imagination, it was the bases in Manchuria. The fact that MiG-15 performance was slightly pilots that were most fascinating. the Soviets rotated their squadrons superior over the F-86 fighter. World War II was a young airman’s in the Korean War for training war where teenagers were strapped purposes, made it worse for their into powerful airplanes that too side since whole units would come often killed them. But the Soviets into the air without any experience, sent many of their top aces from same scenario for the Chinese & World War II to Korea, men such as North Korean pilots. Ivan Kozhedub (62 victories on the Eastern Front) who had survived Fortunately, the Soviets started to the Luftwaffe’s best and thus had replace their aces with rookie pilots no terror of the Americans. For who soon demonstrated their their part, Americans sent to battle inferior training and tactics versus top guns like “Gabby” Gabreski (28 their Western counterparts. They This very F-86 is on display in victories). were supplemented by hordes of our Warbird Air Museum when Chinese and North Korean pilots not out doing Air Shows. Both sides appeared fairly evenly fresh from the farm plow. It was The German Luftwaffe at the end matched in terms of the pilot- and then the Sabre scored consistent of WW-II recorded an important aircraft quality, while the Americans victories over Russian, Korean database of their experimental- had the disadvantage of political and Chinese pilots. Admittedly continued on page 14 Pg 13 year production run. Each model supersonic, the nose of the MiG F-86 Sabre performed better than the last. fighter would push up and aircraft continued from page 13 Four models of the fighter (F-86A, becomes uncontrollable by pilot and operation jet fighters like the E, F and H were day fighters, due to the produced shock waves. ME-262 Schwalme. This source while the F-86D, K and L versions As regards to the F-86 in a dive, it of proven conditions was used by were all-weather interceptors. could go supersonic and has enough North American aircraft builder Successive models of the daylight people to back up this claim. It was to designing the F-86, which versions were equipped with more George Welch, a pilot working for became the first aircraft in the powerful engines and armament. the builder North American, who USA that used swept wings like All were rated in the 650-mph flew supersonic (Mach-1) with the the ME-262. However, the ME- (1046 kph) class with a 600-mile Sabre. Observers on the ground, 262 featured swept wings of only (696-kilometer) combat radius who heard the loud “ba-boom” 18.5 º, which really did not much and a service ceiling of more than when Welch broke the sound affect aerodynamics. Records 45,000 feet (13,716 meters). The barrier, confirmed this event. of Luftwaffe experiments were K-model was flown by NATO forces adapted to give the F-86 swept and was manufactured in Turin, But in reality, F-86 and MiG-15 are wings of 35º, also applicable to Italy, by Fiat. officially classified as sub-sonic the horizontal stabilizers. Such a fighters. configuration resulted to delay the Various models of the F-86 held onset of shock waves, thus allowing world speed records for six VAC’s F-86 saw duty in Argentina Air the aircraft to fly at higher speeds. consecutive years, setting five Force until its retirement in 1988. These shockwaves are building up official records and winning several at the frontal surfaces of aircraft, National Aircraft Show Bendix Basic Statistics: particular at wing and tail surfaces Trophies. Crew: 1 when aircraft was flown at high Empty weight: 10,815lbs speeds and sometimes did cause As of the introduction of the F-86A, MTOW: 17,772 lbs complete destruction of several fighters were equipped with a Engine: 1x J47-GE-27 turbojet aircraft like P-38 Lightning and P-47 unique control system, developed Max speed: 688 mph at sea level Thunderbolt. by North American, called the “all- Range: approximately 1,317 miles flying tail”. North American built Service Ceiling: 48,000 ft The F-86 was the first USAF night 6,200 F-86 fighters in total before Rate of climb: 9,000 ft/min fighter to carry only one airman production ceased in December Armament: Guns 6x 0.50in M3- and has only one engine. The fire 1956. Altogether there were 9,860 Browning 16 x 5-inch rockets control system was so automatic, F-86 Sabres built in the US and Bombs: 5,300 lb a second airman was considered many other countries around the Drop tanks: 760 lit. unnecessary. F-86 Fighter was world. The F-86, the first swept- armed with six .50-caliber M-3 wing airplane in the U.S fighter Sources a.o: Aviation History on machine guns in the nose, just aft inventory, was able to score line/Boeing Historical Snapshot/The of the jet intake. Target acquisition consistent victories over Russian National Interest/etc. was aided by a new radar assisted built MiG fighters during the Korean gun-sight. It required the pilot to War. hold the cross hairs on his target for just one second. From then, till Some remarks as to the supposed target was obliterated, the pilot was supersonic capabilities of the F-86 free of the complicated problem of and MiG-15. The Russian designed adjusting for target’s range during fighter had the engine-thrust to the heat of combat. push the Mig-15 through the sound barrier, but in reality, it only could The Sabre was continuously This MiG-15 is on display in our achieve Mach .98. When flying Warbird Air Museum. improved throughout its 10- Pg 14 Coming Events - Save The Dates
Flybys • Displays • Memorabilia Food & Drink Available For Purchase Car Clubs • Model Trains & Planes Combat Pilots On Hand Radio Controlled Airplanes Veterans Day Weekend Open House Planes - Trains - Automobiles for all Active or Retired Military Free and All FL Residents I.D. Required For Free Admission Happy Holidays
Please bring a non-perishable food donation New Name - New date
Warbird Air Museum, 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780 Same Great AirShow (321) 268-1941 • www.valiantaircommand.com
December 15, 2017 VAC Christmas Dinner VAC main hangar happy hour - 5:30pm to 6:30pm (Cash bar) Dinner - 6:30pm
$20 Music
Bring Your Toys For Tots
ReseRVAtions must be mADe At the VAC Gift shop 321-268-1941
Pg 15 3rd Quarter Review - July, August & September 2017 Fly-In Breakfast Visitor sends a note It was a pleasure being in your facility and meeting your director (Colonel Bob) yesterday afternoon. I’m always impressed with the cleanliness and arrangement of your displays in the museum and the hangars, as well as the friendliness and knowledge of your staff. I’d like to submit this picture to you. Please do with it what you will, perhaps post it on your official site or Facebook page. Thank you again for your service, your volunteerism and your dedication. Very respectfully, John Eggert Editor’s note: Bill and Marge Eggert, of Mel- bourne, Florida, enjoying a soda and sharing a war story in the Vietnam Hangar. Mr. Eg- gert was telling about the time when his C-130 crew very nar- rowly avoided a mid-air colli- sion with an OV-10 over Viet- nam in 1972. F-100 Super Sabre making progress
Larry Mathis at work Valiant Air Command, Inc. 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, Florida 32780 - 321-268-1941 Website: www.valiantaircommand.com - Email: [email protected]