STRAIGHT AND LEVEL and staffs an efficient Press Headquarters during the Convention. To coordinate th ese visitors with our Division , AI and Lois Kelch directed them into the activities and functions that exemplified the An tique/Classic format. The many volunteers who daily offer their assis By Brad Thomas tance to ou r Parki ng, Secu rity, and Barn Headquarters Chairmen are the backbone of our success during the daily operational chores of our Division activities. Without the leadership of Jack Copeland, and Matt Copy for each monthly issue of THE VINTAGE AIR ordinated by our Parking and Flight Lin e Safety Chair Worner, who chaired the Manpower Committee, PLANE is completed and organized about six weeks men, Art Morgan and Bob Kesel. Beginning with th e our Division could not have functioned with the before the current issue is printed. This means that Monday before the Convention thes e chairmen and success and fluid motion that was prevalent during your STRAIGHT AND LEVEL editorials are written volunteers spent countless hours setting up these the week. far in advance, and this particular one was composed areas with row numbers, placing taxi cones and warn With the Convention parking areas completely the week following our '1979 Convention at Oshkosh, ings throughout the Division areas. Incoming traffi c filled within the first three days of arrivals, the judg It is felt that many of our chairmen and volunteers began in earnest on the Friday preced ing the Con ing committees immediately began th ei r tedious warrant recognition so well deserved for their effort vention and continued through the following several and time consuming chores. Under th e leadership of and service to EAA and our Division during the Inter days. The smoothness and competent coordination Division Chief Judge Claude Gray, Antique Chief national Convention. of the Parking Chairmen and their efficient volunteers Judge Dale Gustafson, and George Yo rk and Dale Each of us recognizes the benefits offered during deserve the recognition so well exhibited during Wolford , Chief and Co-Chief Classic Judges , th e the complete week of forums presented each year. the Convention. selection of the award winners was completed on Many hours and countless phone calls and letters Our History of Flight on Wednesday was an out Thursday evening and ready for the Awards Presen of correspondence consumed the time of AI Hen standing exa mple of our Division leadership with tation on Friday evening. ni nger, Chai rman of ou r Division Foru ms this year. Ron Fritz and Phil Coulson organizing and coordi Tuesday evening, following the air show, our Being one of "The Tullahoma Bunch" , AI brought nating the program. This event was executed with second annual Division picnic was held in Ollie's the organization and expertise so well enjoyed by an efficient continuous display of the aircraft of our Park behind our forums tent. The success of this event all attending the Division forums, and with the assis Division's era. is definitely due to the hard work and planning of tance of Jack Winthrop our forums this year exceeded Being unexpectedly hospitalized a few days be John Turgyan and his co-chairman Chub Trainor. our expectations in both attendance and use. fore the start of the Convention, George Williams Attendance this year was four hundred and a fine From Saturday to Saturday, with never a frown, but was unabl e to attend, so his co-chairman, David friendly time was had by all. This social function, always smiling were the ladies who greeted us at our Shaw quietly and efficiently assumed the entire man together with the refreshment party later in the week , Division Barn Headquarters . Kate Morgan, Jan e t agement of our Division Security. So effective were will be definitely planned as an annual affair. Kesel and their fine group of volunteer ladies offered David and his volunteer group that a Trustee of th e Jeff Copeland along with his able assistants again our members, guests and visitors the friendly atmos EAA Air Museum Foundation verbally complimented this year kept our mobile eq uipment in working phere so prevalent within our Division. Our ladies our Security Division. Hard working and efficient order. The Parking volunteers were blessed this year very efficiently answered questions, gave directions, Stan Gomoll constructed our new Division member with the use of mopeds , and their efficient week of took messages, distributed our sales merchandise, ship booth placed beside our Barn, organized and operations was assisted by the maintenance ability assisted the manpower chairmen, printed posters , set up our Antique/Classic Booth in the commercial of Jeff and his assistants. made lemonade and continued to smile and enjoy display area, and volunteered as our Division " Handy All in all, we show that two hundred and fifteen the functions. man" for repairs during the Convention. Jackie House volunteers, chairmen and co-chairmen of our Antique/ Each Convention committee has an important and Betty Trainor with th eir volunteers manned our Classic Division parti cipated in the 1979 International function during the Convention week, and many re Division Display Booth of audio slides and exhibits Convention. Yours truly and his Convention Co quire preliminary work preceding the actual official and recruited memberships. Chairman, John Turgyan thank each of you. The fellow sta rting date. Parking areas for the Antique and Classic Each year the Convention draws an increasing ship, cooperation and social activities are what it is show aircraft and show aircraft camping were all co- number of press and m edia personnel. EAA maintains all about. TIl~ VI~TAf7~ AIl?()LA~~
Editorial OFFICIAL MAGAZINE Staff EAA ANTIQUE/CLASSIC DIVISION INC.
Publisher of THE EXPER IMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 229, Hales 'Corners, WI 53130 Paul H. Poberezny Copyright ~ 1979 EAA Antique/Classic Division, Inc., All Rights Reserved. (Photo by Ted Kos ton) Editor Curtiss Robin belonging to EAA Air Museum. OCTOBER 1979 VOLUME 7 NUMBER 10 David Gustafson, Ph.D. (On The Cover. . Grand Champion Cla ss ic at Os hkosh '7~ was Tim ana tJarbara Bowers' Luscombe BE. Phato by Ted Kaston.) Associate Editors : H. Glenn Buffington, Edward D . Williams, Byron (Back Cover . .. Grand Champion Antique at Oshkosh '79 was Dick Martins ' H oward DGA- 15P. Photo by (Fred ) Fred ericks en, Lionel Salisbury Ted Kos ton.) Readers are encouraged to submit stories and photographs. Associate Editorships are assigned TABLE OF CONTENTS to those writers who submit five or more articles which are published in THE VINTAGE AIR PLANE during the current year. Associates receive a bound volume of THE VINTAGE AIR PLANE and a free one-year membership in the Division for their efforts. POLICY-Opinions Straight and Level by Brad Thomas ...... 2 expressed in articles are solely those of the authors. Responsibility for accuracy in reporting Oshkosh '79 by David Gustafson...... 4 rests entirely with the contributor. From The Ground Up - Oshkosh '79 by Lois Kelch...... 9 Directors Selections From The 1979 Parade Of Flight ...... 14 Claude L. Gray, Jr. AI Kelch PRESIDENT A Curtiss Album by George Hardi e, Jr...... , .. 20 W. BRAD THOMAS, JR. 9635 Sylvia Avenue 66 W. 622 N. Madison Avenue Northridge, CA 91324 Ceda rburg, WI 53012 Borden 's Aeroplane Posters From The 1930's by Lionel Sa lisbury ...... 24 301 DODSON MILL ROAD 1979 Antique Judges At Oshkosh ...... 26 PILOT MOUNTAIN, NC 27041 213/349:1338 414/377-5886 Home Calendar Of Events ...... 26 919/368-2875 Home Dale A. Gustafson Morton W . Lester Letters ...... 26 919/368-2291 Office 7724 Shady Hill Drive P.O. Box 3747 VICE-PRESIDENT Indianapolis, IN 46274 Martinsville, VA 24112 703/632-4839 'Home JACK C. WINTHROP 317/293-4430 703/638-8783 Office ROUTE 1, BOX 111 Richard H. Wagner EAA ANTIQUE/CLASSIC DIVISION MEMBERSHIP ALLEN , TX 75002 P.O . Box 181 Arthur R. Morgan NON-EAA MEMBER - $22.00. Includes one yea r members hip in the EAA Antique/ 2141727-5649' Lyons, WI 53148 3744 North 51st Blvd. o 414/763-2017 Home Milwaukee, WI 53216 Classic Division, 12 monthly is sues of THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE ; one year mem SECRETARY 414/763-9588 Office 414/442-3631 bership in the Experimental Aircraft Association and se parat e membership ca rds . M . C. " KELLY" VIETS George S. Yo rk SPO RT AVIATION magazine not included. 7745 W. 183RD ST. John S. Copeland Advisors 181 Sloboda Av e. 9"Joanne Drive Mansfield. O H 44906 o EAA MEMBER - $14.00. Includes one year membership in the EAA Antique/Classic STILWELL, KS 66085 Ro bert E. Kese l Westborough, MA 01581 Busi ness Ph one 41 91755- 1011 Division, 12 monthly issues of THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE AND MEMBERSHIP CARD. 913/681-2303 Home 455 Oakridge Drive 617/366-7245 Home Phone 4191529·4378 Rochest er. NY '14617 (Applicant must be current EAA member and must give EAA membership number.) 913/782-6720 Office John R. Turgyan Ronald Fritz 7161342 ·3170 Home '1530 Ku se r Road TREASURER 1989 Wilson, NW 716/325·2000. Ext. Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Trenton, NJ 08619 ' 23250/23320 Office E. E. " BU CK" HILBERT 6161453·7525 609/585·2747 P.O . BOX 145 Stan Gomoll Gene Morris Robert A. White UNION, IL 60180 '1042 90th Lane, NE 27 Chandelle Drive P.O. Box 704 815/923-4205 M innea poli s, MN 55434 Hampsh THE VI NTAGE AIRPLANE (ISSN 0091·6943) is owned exclUSively by EAA Antique/Classic DiV ISion , Inc., and is published monthly at Hales Corners, Wisconsin 53 130. Second class Postage paid at Hales Corners Post Office. Hales Corners, W isconsin 53130, and additional mailing offices. Membership rates for EAA Antique/Classic DiviSion, Inc .. are $14.00 per 12 m o nth period of which $10.00 is for the publication of THE VI NTAGE AIRPLANE . Membership IS open to a ll who are Interested in aviation. Page 4 Page 14 Page 24 3 f " (Photo by David Gustafson) Jim Yonkin's Travel Air Mystery Sh ip prepares for a takeoff at Oshkosh 79. By David Gustafson, Editor It would b e fascinating to take the last 3 to 4 Grand Champion Antiques and Classics at Oshkosh and put them together for some sort of special run off. Natu and Luscombe as th e South Sid e Champs at Oshkosh. It's obvious that if you're cont emplating a rebuild rally, the focal point of interest in this fantasy would The variety and outstanding quality of r estora project with an inves tm ent of only a coupl e year's be the judges : Can you imagine the dis cussions that tion work in evidence at Wittman Field this summer spare time, you can pretty much write off any judging might develop in trying to eliminate anyone of th e w e re incredible. It's doubtful that th e winners of competition at Oshkosh. Th e finalist s these days winners? Some of the judges clearly felt like they'd th e Indy 500, Miss America Pageant or Super Bowl could probably build a couple houses in addition been through that kind of experience this summer have any more to offer as examples of skill , artistry to ea rning a medica l d eg ree with the tim e and ef when they finally settled on the immaculate Howard and dedication . fort they expend on reconstruction and resea rch. 4 • 1 (Ph ala by Dick Slouffer) Bob McDaniels of N aperville, Illinois brought up his We all profit, of course. It's an immeasurable Ca nuck project a nd n ot o nly discovered trem endolls pleasure to walk the lines of parked aircraft or to interes t, but picked up a lot of leads for needed parts. (Ph ala by Ted Kos lon) watch them take-off, admiring these tr easures of Ryan ST-3 KR belonging to Ron Johnson of Rockford, Illinois. history. So much has been held back from the scrap heap so it can pass under the exacti ng wand of avia ---. ...... -.""'.~-.-,-- tion's sweating tinkerbells. They lay hands on a mess of rotting , rusting bones , giving more in time and love than any wife or mistress could ev er hope for , and they transform garbage into beauty. Rebuilders ar e starting off with less and less in the way of usable components these days. Some people wonder where the line should be drawn be tween restoration and replication. For most people though, it doesn 't matter; it's what sits on the flight line that counts . What really stru ck th e Convention regulars this summer was the obvious turnover in the aircraft that showed up particularly in the antique area. There were a lot of " just finished" types , including Di ck Martin 's Grand Champion Howard and the Grand Champion Luscombe belonging to Tim and Barbara Bowers. They kept company with outstanding antique "debutantes" like Curly Havelaar's Waco OCF-2, Eugene Coppock's Stinson Model A Tri-Motor, Dan Winge's '1930 Stearman 4E, Dick and Mary Geist's 1933 Corben Baby Ace, Pat Groves' Focke Wulf 441, Ron Rippon's customized Howard DCA, Marchal Caldwell's Fairchild 24, Jim Yonkin's Travel Air, Bill Turner's replica Gee Bee, AI Kelch's Travel Air 12-0, and R. H. Meek's replica Star Cavalier. And though it's never been neglected enough to warrant a restoration , we'd be remiss to pass over a newcom er that has always enjoyed th e tender loving ca re we'd like to see every aircraft receive: Richard Durand's shiney Curtiss A-22 Falcon. Classics weren 't quite as active in attracting new faces, but we could note Milo Turn er's Navion, Mike Sherwood's Aeronca Chief, Ri chard and Jani ce Loomis' Cessna 195, and Bob Schumaeder's Stinson 108-2 - all were winn ers . It didn't take long for the large Antique and Classic parking and ca mping area to overflow, in spite of th e terribl e weather to the east and southeas t. H eavy rain slowed a lot of pilots down and doubtless made Tullahoma look like a good compromise to others. Those who got through found a lot of improvements o n th e grounds, most notably in th e middle of Ollie's Park where there sat a new open air theatre. It has replaced th e old main meeting pavillion which had been walled in so it could be us ed for indoor exhibit space. When combined with the outdoor space made available by shifting th e remai ns of the old camp ground , it gives EAA the largest commercial aviation ex hibit space in the country and probably the world. Th ere's still plenty of room left in Ollie's Park for th e social hours , p·icni cs and spontaneous discussion groups that have become so familiar in the Antique/ Classic area. Thi s year th ey were again abundant as th e Officers, Directors and r egular friends of th e Division made all the newcomers feel right at home in th e relaxed country setting. Story swapping seems to improve in the shade of the old red barn every year. Rumors still arise there of pristine antiques stash ed in remote locations , available for a song to the lu cky prince who can prop erly align th e stars and whip up a verbal web with a snake charmer's persua sive powers. In th e Forum 's t ent this year, th e schedule ran smoothl y with attentive , appreciative audiences. Th ere was a wide range of topi CS as usual with tre m endous edu ca tional and entertainm ent benefits. Over the years; th ese lectures and d emonstrations have provided the incentive and where with all for a lot of restoration work. Aircraft activity swung from a leisurely pace to moments of apparent chaos, yet it always smoothed out and came off with complete success as far as safety goes. (P hotos by David Gustafson) Ron Fritz once again did an exce llent job of organ GRAND CHAMPION ANTIQUE: HOWARD DGA - 15P izing 90 antique and classic aircraft, along with about owned by Dick Martin, Route 3, Aerodrome Road, Green 20 warbirds for the annual Parad e of Flight. It's th e Bay, Wisconsin 54307. See November SPORT AVIATION highlight of the week for the Division , one that's for ful/ S(Qries on th e Grand Champion Antique and Classic. anticipated and enjoyed by all who attend the Con (Photos by David Gustafson) GRAND CHAMPION CLASSIC: LUSCOMBE 8E belonging to Tim and Barbara Bowers, 729 Second Street, Woodland, California 95695. several whi ch h ad b een h auled out of a jungle in India for r es toration . Rudy Fra sca d o nated thi s phenomenal ch all enge to th e Museum and it proved highly po pular with Convention-goers. N ext to th e Spitfire, an oth er kind o f history was made . Th e Fo undatio n 's Po b er Pixie, desig ned and built by th e Foundation 's Presi d ent Paul H . Po b erez ny, w as given th e "Sh az am " treatment by M O TH ER EARTH N EW S and EAA M ainte nance Director, Bill Ch o mo. Th ey enlarged th e fu el jet in the ca rburetor for th e Pixi e's Volkswagen engine, th en drained th e fu el tanks, and p o ured in pure grain alcoh o l. Two days b efore th e Fly-In 's official opening , (Ph o /O b y Dick Slouffer) Pr esident Paul took off with what was probably th e Master o( th e Mini Museum, Kell )' Vif'ts stands b)1 the first American sport-plan e p o w ered by ethyl alcohol. fAA Foundation '5 Trav el A ir 4000. A couple days earli er his famou s Red One Topl ess and Keith Ni ce ly too k o ff fro m th e Ca lifornia coa st Volk swa gen al so b ecam e an alcoholi c, whil e th e on th e Fourth o f July in a pair of Pt erodactyls " modi Cuby , in a m ove th at seem ed almos t anti climati c , fi ed " for c ross-country flying (th ey added an extra w as refu eled , without adjustment , and flo wn on gaso five ga llo n fu el tank) and landed at O shkosh two days ho l. All of this was done "a s a ges ture to th e govern b efore th e Fl y-In started . Whil e at Oshkos h , th ey m ent showing ho w th e EAA Foundati o n is ready to built anoth er Pt erodactyl , rigged all three to run on commit itself to a full prog ram o f tes ting alternate alcohol and took off with Paul Yarnall for Kitty Hawk fu els IF th e funds are made available. Larry Mauro and th e Atl antic Coas t. underscored th e fa ct that an energy crisi s can b e a Amo ng th e 1B different ultralight d es igns that w ere challenge with his dramati c Solar Ri ser , a solar p ow ered present, one could see th e fasci nating res ults of fecund Ea sy Ri ser with 600 solar cells, a small storage batt ery imaginations that so obvi ou sly thrive on th e sa m e kind and a four horsep ow er motor . Larry's frail craft w as o f fr eedom , th e same con ceptive spirit th at chara c al so a part o f th e Mini Museum. t eri zed th e exciting era of d es ig n s which w e now This summer may h ave been th e b eginning of a recognize as antiqu es. You can't h elp but w o nder Ah , th ose m agnificent Staggerw ings, captured h ere (o r major transition for th e Mini Muse um . Th e Official what th e original pi o neers li ke th e Wri ghts o r Curtiss us by D ick Stouffer during one of th eir dail y a ft ernoon wo rd ca m e out through Pres ident Paul that EAA has o r Sopwi th w o uld think of thi s renai ssa n ce o f th e fly- b ys. vo ted to m ove its Hea dquart ers, hangars and Museum primordial esprit d ' Aeronau ti c. What w ould th ey have to O shkos h . D etails on funding and blu eprints for d on e th emselves with th e material s that are avail able vention. Th e contras t b etween Dale Crites' 19'1'1 Cur acti o n are yet to be finalized , but th ere's no ques today? It was fun to think about while standing b es ide ti ss Pu sh er and United Airlines' D C-B is ph enomenal. ti o n th at a consolidati o n move to O shkosh is in th e th e ultralight airstrip , envying th ose magnificent young What a marvelous way to m eas ure progress. With th e works. Of course, a significa nt new ro le will em erge m en and th eir fl ying ma chines . n ew , different aircraft turning up ev ery year , th e for th e Antiqu e/Class ic Divisio n in d eveloping a sp eci al (PholO b y Randy Bennelll Parad e always lo oks different. wing of th e Museum and its new Hall of Fam e. At I\rt Morga n. Cha irman of Antique /Class i c p a rking rf' O f course no on e sp ends th e entire Conventio n th e sa m e time, th e annual trips to th e Oshkos h Con hriefs th e tmop !> on ., a(e f'S(ort prot edurf'." Congratu la in th e Antiqu e/Cl ass ic area. Thi s y ea r th ere was a v entio n are going to b ecome a lo t m ore exciting as tiom on another incident-free )Iea r. lo t to look at in th e oth er p ock ets of activity o n th e build ings start going up and th e grounds b egin taking fi eld. o n th e shap e of our n ew Internati o nal H eadquarters. Th e EAA Foundation's Mini Museum , h eaded up Coming back to ea rth fo r a m o ment, th ere's o ne by th e gr egarious Kelly Vi ets w as sig nifi cantly im final d ev elopment at this yea r's Convention that m erits prov ed th is yea r . Th e larger t ent , w ith transp arent a bri ef d es cription : Th e flight line was ex tended to sides, h ou sed an excell ent assortment o f artifac ts, th e south this summer do wn b eyond th e ro to r craft but w as surrounded b y an even more exciting coll ec area to mak e room fo r th e ultralight contingent. It's ti o n of aircraft. Jim Yonkin 's Trav el Air Mystery Ship really amaz ing wh en you consider th at three yea rs sp ent th e w ee k th ere b es ide Bill Turner's G ee Bee ago th ere w ere o ne o r two po wered hang gliders at and Miss Los Angeles. Steve Wittman brought over Oshkos h. Las t summer th ere w ere 24. This summer his histori c Bo nzo to complet e the display on th e the number sho t up to 64. In addition , th ere were four Golden Age o f Ra cing. On th e other side of th e tent tents and a bu sy ultrali ght forums sc h edule. To prove sat th e remains of a d ecomposing Spitfire, o ne of th e r eliability of p o w ered hang gliders Jac k M cCornac k 8 FROM THE GROUND UP OSHKOSH '79 Vignettes & Phot~s From the vantage point of the very friendly Antique/ Classic Red Barn Headquarters, it was a thrill to watch the beautiful vintage airplanes taxiing proudly to their places. The arrivals seemed to be endless in the open ing days of Oshkosh 79. Very quickly the rows filled up, and soon there was a solid sea of colorful planes, wing tip to wing tip. Walking through thi s "candy store" of airplanes by Lois Kelch during the week, and soaking up the exciting atmos W 66 N. 622 Madison Avenue phere, I had many pleasant conversations with old Cedarburg, WI 53072 friends and new friends . I would like to share some of them with you ... MARY MORRIS, AIRLINE PILOT Hampshire, Illinois training - 1 month of ground school and 1 month of cockpit procedural training and 727 Simulator. A goal accomplished - an Airline Pilot! Mary Morris is proof positive that the female sex Mary is marri ed to a handsome American Airlines ca n accomp li sh anything they se t out to do. She is a pilot and active EAA Antique/Classic member, Gene pilot for TWA 727s. This didn't just happen - it fol Morris. Though they fly the "Big" ones for a living lowed lots of determination and hard work. their real love in flying is flying their beautiful an Mary's interest in aviation started at age 3 when tiques. Their 193'1 American Eag let has been a trophy her father took h er to air shows in the St. Louis area. winner at Oshkosh - Reserve Grand Champion in An early ambition was rea lized when she became a 1976 and Silver Age Runner-up in 1977. TWA flight attendant in '1971 , but this just whetted her They also own a 1929 Travel Air 4000 and are busily appetite to become a pilot herself. This she did, peri flying it to all th e summer m eets and fly-ins they can. odica lly taking a leave of absence from her job, and Their Travel Air was recently featured in Delta Air DALE CRITES' adding additional ratings , and she now has her Com lines 50th Anniversary Celebration, and also 50th An mercial, Instrument, Multi-engine, Flight Instructor, niversary of the Knoxville Airport. This beautiful plane 1911 CURTISS PUSHER and Ground School Instructor ratings . She started air was once owned by Richard Bach and was used in his taxi and flight inst ructing and ferrying airplanes to build movie "Nothing by Chance". One of the most popular ai rplan es on the field at up her hours. She th en contracted with American Air Mary and Gene have a lovely home on an airstrip , Oshkosh every yea r is Dal e Crites' '191 '1 Curtiss Pusher, lines to get h er Flight Engineer Certificate, which took with a hangar in their backyard, and are currently as ca n be seen above. Th e minute Dale and his crew two months of concentrated study in 1977. res toring a 1941 Culver Cadet, and hope to bring it arrive, th e Pusher becomes th e center of attraction, The next goal of this determined young lady was to Oshkosh next year. They also own and fly an A Model and people scra tch th eir h ea ds in awe of som ething to apply to the airlines as a pilot. She started applying 1949 Bonanza. so old and fragile still able to fly. Th e thought that in 1975 and received h er first intervi ew in August, Mary received a big thrill recently while riding in comes to everyone's mind is " that's where it all be '1978 with TWA. Her final interview was in February, The Spirit of St. Louis with Verne Jobst - he turned ga n ". Th anks Dale for your efforts and courage in 1979 and she was found well qualified in all require th e controls over to her and she was " pilot in com keeping th e Pu sher alive and flying. ments and was hired. She attended th e two months mand" - som ething she'll never forget. 9 was too you ng bu t to stu dy hard and get good grades in school. John did that, and also got his private li cense at age 18. Fina " y, John got the reply he had al ways hoped for, and worked at Old Rhinebeck for three summers flying wonderful old airplanes like the Fokker DVII, Spads, and Nieuports. A great thrill for an enthusiastic young flier. During the winter months, John was busily restor ing a Piper J-3 Cub, working on it 14 hours a day, The very first time he flew it to a fly-in he won a "Best An tique" award with it, a proud reward for a" his hard work. He studied and received his A&P license and con tinued restoring old ai rplanes, Though he didn't know her at the time, Pam was JOHN & PAM BARKER of airplanes and their dreams came true, but only after learning to fly, and was helping her pilot father re much effort and hard work. build a plane, and aviation was her great love. She Holcomb, New York John was taken to Cole Palen's show at Old Rhine has her Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine rat beck, New York, at the age of 11, and that was the ings, and is a Flight Instructor. You'd think these two Joh n and Pam Barker in front of their "Honeymoon beginning of his love of airplanes. Every summer after aviation minded young people would have met at an Home" a cozy tent under the wing of their '1946 Lus that he would write to Cole asking if he could work airport - not so - they met on a blind date at a ski combe, at Oshkosh 79. They both grew up dreaming for him, and Cole always kindly answered saying he ing party. They soon discovered their mutual interest in airplanes, and quickly forgot a" about skiing. They were married two months ago, and they hope to run their own sma" airport where they can continue to restore and fly their antiques, and earn a living at the same time - the best of both worlds. CURTISS FALCON Dick Durand, Jr., of Westernair, New Mexico, owns the beautiful Curtiss Falcon above, Serial #1. As the sign says, "In a class by itself - a custom airplane the only airplane of its kind in the world". "Casey" Lambert paid $52,000 for this airplane in '1938, without engine or prop. Dick flew to Oshkosh from Albuquer que, New Mexico in just 6V2 hours flying time. This plane was frequently used in the Smilin Jack comiL strip because of its futuristic lines. rPhOIO b}' Randy 8cnnt'1I! 10 1933 CORBEN BABY ACE SERIAL # 2, NX12961 Owned by Dick and Mary Geist Wichita, Kan sas The Corben Baby Ace, Serial #2, was brought to Oshkosh, making its first appearance here. Its proud owners and restorers are Dick and Mary Geist. NX1296'1 is the second of 5 Baby Ace airplanes built by Otto "Ace" Corben at Madison, Wisconsin in 1933. It was in storage until 1968 . During WW II, Aeronautical Corp. of America (Aeronca) bought Serial #2, removed one wing and stripped much of the fabric. The plane was used to demonstrate to new employees how control cables should be routed. After the war, Dick and Mary bought it for $100.00 including engine. The special sound of that old Salm son is music to your ears. The original propeller was supplied by Roger Lorenzen, but the present prop was carved by Ole Fahlin. The colors are Travel Air Blue and lemon yellow. 1937 FAIRCHILD F45 - N16878 The Corben is not lonesome in its home port, since it has lots of roommates. Dick and Mary also own a 1929 Davis V3, a 1937 Aeronca K, 1934 Aeronca C3 and The above very rare Fairchild F45 was flown to Osh a 1939 Welch OW5M. kosh by Bob Hartford of Federal Way, Washington rare because there were only 17 made between 1935 and 1938 with only three remaining, of which only two are airworthy. Bob acquired the airplane in 1968 after he saw it sitting neglected, tattered and torn at the Auburn Air port in Washington. It was owned by a widow, Mrs. Virginia Knechtle, and she was pleased he wanted to restore it so she sold it to him. It took him 8 years to restore it back to its original look. It was originally de THE HISTORY OF FLIGHT FLY-BY signed as a "baby airlines" plane, having 5 places, and also was used as an executive t ransport plane by Getting approximately 90 planes ready for the His oil and steel companies. tory of Flight Fly-By really takes planning. The planes The plane cruises comfortably at 160 using 2'1 gal were sent to their " stand by" positions and waiting lons of gas per hour. The trip from Kent, Washington for their " cue" to go on stage was like opening night to Oshkosh took a leisurely 15 hours flying time. - adrenalin flows! The synchronization of the flight This is Bob's first time at an Oshkosh Convention, between signal to take-off and the narrator on the and he says it is mind-boggling. He is a new EAA mem stand, was perfection. Each plane got its moment of ber and his enthusiasm is evident as he takes it all in. recognition and the crowd sat transfixed throughout He says he has never been to a place where people the flight. are so friendly and considerate, and was very impressed Dale Crites led off the Parade in his 1911 Curtiss at how immaculate the grounds were. Pusher and approximately 90 airplanes later, United Bob has been interested in flying since he saw a Airlines DC8 completed the line up. A thrilling ex dirigible fly when he was 5 years old - it's as clear to perience and it caught the feeling of what the Osh him today as it was then. He's been flying since 1938. kosh Convention is all about. 11 1931 DE HAVILLAND PUSS MOTH 80A Edgeward, England (Ph oro by Randy Bennett! ,,/..... This 1931 DeHaviliand Puss Moth is owned by Ed This is its first visit to Oshkosh, and it took 2'12 days "s keeter" Carlson, Spokane, Wash i ngton. Skeeter from Spokane, in a pleasant uneventful trip. As Skeeter bought this treasure as a basket case and it took him says "there is a lot of earth between Washington and 1'12 years to restore it. Most of the instruments were Wisconsin". Skeeter and his wife, Doris, also own gone, kids had walked on the wings, the door was some other nice rare antiques, such as a 1930 Student buried in the snow just barely peeking through, or he Prince, Serial #4 , 1927 C3B Stearman, a 1942 Army LS , would have missed it. Thomas Morse Scout SC4, all restored . Waiting in line He first flew on "Moon Day" in July of 1969, and to be restored are a Gypsy Moth, a 1917 Curtiss Jenny, flies allover the west coast with it. In its original use, '1917 Standard, a 1934 Fairchild CAC and a 1939 Cessna it was an "Executive" bird and used for exploration Airmaster. by mining companies and for delivering company mail. 12 SOMETHING SLOWER Thanks to Gene Morris and his beautiful Travel Air 4000 biplane, we were able to reciprocate and give the U.S. Marine Corps Harrier pilots and crew a thrill ' as they thrilled us during the air show with the Har rier. Riding in the open cockpit biplane was a first for above pilots Major Larry Kennedy and Captain Terry Cuny. They both caught the fever of flying in the open air, and want to "learn to fly" one and own one some day. FOCKE-WULF 44) - N638 A synonym for the word "rare" is "highly valued owing to uncommoness". That describes the authenti cally restored Focke Wulf, brought by Pat and Monty Groves, of California. They researched the plane back to its beginning and their efforts were highly rewarded. The plane originated in 1932 at the Focke-Wulf Com pany of Bremen, Germany, went into series produc tion and formed the initial equipment of early Luft waffe units. In 1935 the FW 44D was demonstrated for the Swed ish Air Force which was looking for a new trainer. They ordered two FW 44)s from Germany. In Sweden these two planes were designated P2s then redesignated Sk12 . Eventually Sweden completed negotiations for a license to manufacture them and produce 20 of them. ON 90 (SAF sin 638) flew as a trainer until August, 1954, when it was purchased by the Norrkopings Automobil Flygklubb, used asa trainer and glider tow until Sunnyvale, California and dismantled in order to . (Photo b y Dick Stouffer) 1961 . Swen H. Ahlgren of San Diego, California pur undergo full restoration back to its original SAF color chased it and then it passed into the hands of the and markings. They worked with the FAA and after Hill Country Air Museum at Morgan Hill, California. much correspondence and patience, they were able On October 1, 1973 , it was purchased by Monty to get the original number N638. The instructions and Groves, Flody Carter and Wayne Mikel, moved to all the instrument~ of the plane are in Swedish. 13 · . I , I 19 1 I Curtiss Pusher rep lica, Dale Crites, Waukesha, WI 1928 American fag/e, fd Wagner, Plymouth, WI . 'c ",, 7927 Spirit of 51. Louis replica, fAA Air Museum, Franklin, WI 7929 Curtiss Robin, fAA Air Museum, Franklin, WI 1937 Stinson SM8-A, fAA Air Museum, Franklin, WI 1928 Swallow Mailplane, United Airlines -J.. J ...... ~ __ ~ 'W> ..!. ---'---~~,~"" -' 1929 Star Cavalier replica, R, H. Si Meek, Lexena, KS 1931 Travel Air 12Q, AI Kelch, Mequon, WI 1929 Travel Air4000, Ceneand Mary Morris, Hampshire, IL 1931 DeHavilland Puss Moth, Skeeter Carlson, Spokane, WA (Photo by Dick Stouffer) 1931 Travel Air Mystery Ship replica, Jim Yonkin, Springdale, AR 1930 Stearman 4E, Dan Wine, Englewood, CO (photo by Dick Stouffer) 1')3 1 Waco ClCF, Curly Havelaar, Rapid Cit)', SO 1')35 Waco ZKC-S, A. J. and Cary Nogard, Ballston Spa, NY 1933 Corben Bab)' Ace, Dick and Mary Ceist, Wichita, KS 1936 Wa co EClC-6, Stan Comoll, Minneapolis, MN 7933 Waco U/e Clark C. Seaborn, Calgary, Alberta 194 1 Monocoupe, Harold Newman, Leawood, KS 1936 Stinson A, Eug ene and Roberta Coppock, Algonquin, IL 1937 Waco ZPF-7, AI Womack, Harahan, LA 193 6 Spartan Executive 7W, John Turgyan, Tr enton, N J 1937 Lockheed 12, EAA Air Museum 7937 Fairchild F-4 5, Bob H arbord, Federal Way, WA ·Ne · Q 2 S 3 ~ 1938 Fairchild 24K, Cleve Mason, Mora, MN 19.38 Curtiss Wright Falcon, Dick Durand, Albuquerqu e, N M 1938 Aeronca KCA, Bette Davis, H ayward, CA 1940 Cessna Airmaster C-165, Car Williams, Naperville, IL 1938 Ta ylorcrait BF, Sue Maule, Moultrie, CA 1940 Piper J4A Cub Coupe, AI Anderson, Crosse Isl e, MI - ...... - FA/. RULES FOR LICENSING AVIATORS A Album Applicants must pass the following three tests: A Two distance tests, each consisting in covering, without touching the ground, a closed circuit not less than five kilometers in length (measured as indicated below). By George Hardie, Jr. B. An altitude test consisting in rising to a minimum fAA Historian height of fifty meters above the starting point. C. The B test may be made at the same time as one of The successful experiments in developing his hydro by short straight runs without taking off. This outline the A tests. airplane during the early months of '1911 at North of the course was printed in the book "The Curtiss The course over which the aviator shall accomplish Island in San Diego, California led Glenn Curtiss to Aviation Book" published in '1912: the aforesaid two circuits must be indicated by two posts, again establish his winter quarters there for the season "The course is divided into six parts or stages: not more than 500 meters from each other. of 191 '1-1912. The popularity of the Curtiss machines 1st. Ground work with reduced power. To teach After each turn made around a post, the aviator will was attracting more would-be aviators who wanted to running in a straight line. change his direction so as to leave the other post on his cash in on the lucrative offers of promoters of aerial 2nd. Straightaway flights near the ground, just suf other side. The circuit will thus ,consist of an uninter rupted series of figure eights, each circle of the figures al exhibitions. During the summer of 191'1 Curtiss had ficient power to get off. ternately encircling one of the posts , The distance credited trained many aviators at his factory grounds in Ham 3rd. Straightaway flights off the ground at a distance over the course covered between two turns shall be the mondsport, New York, including Lt. John Towers of of ten or fifteen feet to teach the use of the rudder and distance separating the posts. the U.S. Navy and Lt. Paul Beck of the U.s. Army. Sev ailerons. For each of these tests the landing shall be made: eral civilian students went on to make a name for 4th . Right and left half circles and glides. 1. By stopping the motor not later than the time the themselves in exhibition work, such as Hugh Robin 5th. Circles. machine touches the ground. son, C. C. Witmer, Jimmy Ward and R. C. St. Henry. 6th. Figure eights, alti~ude flights and landings 2, At a distance of less than 50 meters from a point It is interesting to examine the training course fol without power and glides." designated by the applicant for the test. Landings must be made properly and the official ob lowed by Curtiss. It must be remembered that there Upon completion of the course the student was server shall indicate in his report the way in which they were no two-place airplanes for student and instructor expected to be ready to try for his pilot's license as were made, the issue of the license being always dis - that came later. The student took his seat at the con- issued by the Aero Club of America, representative cretionary, trois and proceeded to get the "feel" of the airplane of the international organization, the F.A.I. Official observers must be chosen from a list drawn uP . by the governing organization of each country, (Photo From Historical Collection Of Union Title Insurance And Trust Company, Sa n Diego, California) --f\\ ~ One of th e students in the 19 12 class was Julia Clark from Denver. She obtained her The Curtiss School machines lined up for the photographer in 1912. Glenn Curtiss is at th e lower left in the photo. license on May 19, 1912 and was killed at Springfield, Illinois on June 17 when she 20 hit a tree, Th e Nav y (fi ers es tablish ed th eir camp sep arate from th e Curtiss group in th e winter O ne of-the N avy students in training at th a t time wa s Ca ptain Holden C. Ri chardson, of 19 1 1- 19 12. H ere's th e ca mp aft er a windstorm had collap sed th eir tent h angar. later fam ous as flying boa t des igner. H ere's th e Navy's A - I after a bad landing by him. . .., I ~~. . =,'/~7P1t£ _1'; .S:-f.!:~;r;;p: _ _~~... ' ~ " A mong th e exp eriments tried at this time was placing an additional w ing surface H ere's th e h ydro w ith a third wing m ounted above th e usual two. Th e exp eriment on th e hydro. was not a success. 21 Advertisements for the " Winter Training Grounds of the Curtiss Aviation School at San Diego, California" began to appear in the aviation magazines in October, '1911 . Billed as "Undoubtedly the best ground for aeroplane flying in America , if not the world", the prospective student was further tempted by "Delightful and perfect climatic conditions" and " Tuition applies on purchase price of aeroplane". Urgency was emphasized by the statement " All classes filling rapidly". Among the applicants in December, 1911 who aspired to be included in the 191 2 class was John G. Kaminski, an 18-year-old youth from Milwaukee, Wis consin. On the third day after his arrival at the school he was making one of the "grass-cutting" trips across the field when the set screw on the foot throttle came loose and John suddenly found himself flying along about 50 feet above the ground. He calmly completed his hop and landed the machine without mishap. Curtiss came running out to see what had happened and was relieved to see that an accident had been avoided. That was Kaminski's first flight. Kaminski's qualifying flights were completed and on May 8, 1912 he was granted License No. 121 from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale through the Aero Club of America. He immediately contracted with the Curtiss Exhibition Co. to go on tour to make exhibition flights around the country, purchasing his airplane from proceeds from his flights. He named his airplane " Sweetheart" and the restored aircraft is now in the EAA Aviation Museum collection. John Kaminski with his mechanic " Frenchy". Here he is billed as " the youngest aviator in th e world". One oi th e Curtiss Classes of 191 2, Kaminski at left. Fourth hom right is J. Lansing John Kaminski in th e airplane h e med in qualii)'ing tor his licens e. H e was the only Callan, next is K. Takeishi of Japan , Mohan Singh hom India, and Captain Ca pi15ini student trained on the rotar)' engined pusher. from Creen.... 22 Kaminski in his "Sweetheart" . Note th e bamboo outriggers left on after removal Kaminski (rear) and Horace Kearney in a spectacular landing at an air meet at of the front eleva tor. Coronado, Ca lifornia in 191 2. Wreck of "Sweethearl " at Tomahawk, Wisconsin on July 4, 1914. Crosswinds caught Kaminski and his fair passenger at Cuyahoga Falls , Ohio on June 10, 191 3. Rides of Kaminski when he tried to take off from a city street. 5 to 10 minutes netted the aviator a $25.00 fee. 23 BORDEN'S AEROPLANE POSTERS Fairchild "22" By Lionel Salisbury 7 Harper Road Brampton, Ontario Canada LoW 2W3 FRO M THE 1930' S Article Number 9, Poster Number 9, Series Number' 24 I 32 ,," j I ' I __l_ .,. _____ I uN~__~ '\ fur ---.L14f___ 8'0 L .J r 7' 7" -, Ttl' ~ L ~ ~ 1'6" I , . ~ T co ~ r.: r/flJtI fAlROIIJ) "II" TWO $(Am SI'OIT PLANE 1VI A ltho ugh I personally have never seen o ne, th ere are still som e of th ese flying today. Performance: (With Cirrus engine). High sp eed , This is th e Fa irchild " 22 " , as illustrated in a 1936 DESCRIPTION OF FAIRCHILD "22" 118 miles p er ho ur . Landing sp eed , 46 mil es p er ho ur. g roup of posters, published by th e Bo rd en Company. Rate of climb , 750 feet p er minute. Se rvi ce ceiling, Made at Hagerstown , M aryl and , b y th e Kreider This is poster number nine, in th e first se ri es . Th e '13, 000 fee t. Radius, 315 miles . (With Rover engine). Reisner Aircraft Company, Division of Fairchild Avia posters ca m e printed in blac k and white, o n a stiff High speed, 105 miles p er ho ur. Landing sp eed, 43 ti on Corporati o n , this two sea ter sport and training card , 19" x 11 " . Young air enthusias ts of th e time, miles per ho ur. Rate of climb, 650 feet p er minute. ship is a w o nderful p erformer at its low cost. used to save th eir money to buy ca ns of malted milk Service ceiling , 12,000 feet. Radiu s, 320 miles. Specificatio'ns: Sp an , 32 feet 10 in ch es . Length bevera ge, so th ey could send away a coupo n and get Fu selage is w elded steel tubing covered with fab overall , 22 feet. H eight overall , 8 feet. Wing area, in a free pos ter. ri c. Th e one-piece wing is built up of spruce sp ars and cl uding ail ero ns, 175 square feet. M oto rs, Ameri ca n After all these yea rs, th ere is no record of h ow ribs, both intern ally and ex ternally braced . Ailerons Ci rrus " Hi-Drive" 95 hp at 2100 rpm ; Michigan Rover ma ny pos ters w ere printed and distributed . are all-metal construction and covering, hinged direct 75 hp at 1975 rpm . Pow er loa dings, 15.7 pounds p er Th e promoti o n must have been a success th ough , to main spars. Tail surfaces are of steel tubiAg, fab becau se th e compan y b r o u ght out two seri es of h o rsep ow er (Cirrus); 18.6 p o unds p er h o rsepower ri c covered . Airfoil-section is N22. (Rover). W ing loa dings , 8 .8 pounds p er square foot posters, for a total of nineteen pho tographs. Equipment includes o ildraulic sh ock absorbers, (Cirru s) ; 8.2 pounds p er square foot (Rover). Gross internal expanding brakes, full balloon tires, complete w eights, 1500 pounds (Cirrus); 1400 p o unds (Rover). NE XT MONTH - Th e Siko rsky Amphibian i nstru m ents, p arachu te type sea ts, dual contro ls. 25 1979 ANTIQUE JUDGES AT OSHKOSH NOTE: In Au gust w e ran the Antiqu e Judging Manual in Th e VINTAGE AIRPLANE. This mo nth w e're running the names and addresses of th e Antiqu e Judges so you ca n contact one of th em in yo ur regio n if you so LETTERS d es ire . If George Yo rk se nds in th e Class i c Judges list , w e'll run th ose too. Dear David, Pete Covingto n - P.O. Box 85, Spencer, Virgina 241 65 The Borden Airplane Poster in the July is Ken W illiams - 33 1 Eas t Franklin Stree t, Po rtage, Wis sue of Vintage Airplane featured the Ford Tri Motored Transport. In the notes that I had pre consin 53901 pared f or inclusion with this poster I drew at D o n Coleman - 2750 Broadw ay, Highland, Illino is tention to the ai rport in the background of the 62249 -' poster, and asked that if anyone knew which Gen e Morris - 24 Chandell e Drive, Hampshire, illi airport it was, I would be interested in hear ing from them. nois 60140 Two days after I received my copy of Vin Fr ed Pritchard - 400 E. Bo liva r , Milwaukee, Wiscon tage Airplane, I received a card from Glenn sin 53207 Buffington, EAA 1234, of Seattle, Washington. Classic owners! Fo rres t Lovely - 6905 Elliot Av enue, Ri chfi eld, M in He identified the airport as the Ford Airport , Dearborn. Michigan. The following day I re n es ota 554 23 ceived a letter from Mr. Frank H. Abar, the ~(UIt.'t q4 John Turgya n - 153 0 Ku se r Roa d , Trento n , New Jer , Manager of the Ford Integral Overdrive Trans sey 0861 9 mission Engineering Department, in Livonia, AI Kelch - 7018 W. Bo nniwell Road , M equon , Wi s Michigan. Mr. Abar writes as follows: " Reference: July 1979 EAA Vintage Airplane consin 53902 The Ford Trimotor 'Borden's Aeroplane Post Dale Gustafson - 7724 Shady Hills Drive , Indianapo ers from the 1930's' depicts the aircraft at the (' ~1~ 1"1 li s, Indiana 46278 - CHIEF ANTIQUE JUDGE Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan. The airport Cl aude Gray - 9635 Sylvia Avenu e, Northridge, Cali was built by the Ford Motor Company and was DOG adjacent to the site of the building where the fornia 91324 - CHIEF JUDGE - ANTI Q UE/CLAS SIC \ ~~ l ~~ ~) Ford Trimotors were built. The building, hangar DRESS DIVISION and runways are now part of Ford Motor Com pany Dearborn proving grounds. The building IT UP is now the experimental vehicles building. I\;}QJ WITH A NEW The poster shows buildi ngs i n the back ground which are the front of the Museum at Greenfield Village. The Vi llage and Museum are across Village Road from the airport site Il~ INTERIOR! CALENDAR and were built in the late 20's to the best of my knowledge. The airport was last used dur All Items READY-MADE fo r Ea ~y ing WW " as an outlying field for Navy pri mary trai ni ng at Grosse Isle Naval Ai r Sta DO·IT·YOURSELF INSTALLATION OF EVENTS tion. N2 's 'Yellow Perils' were a common sight at that time." Seat Upholstery - Wall Panels My thanks to both these gentlemen for their OCTOBER 12 & 13 - SYRACUSE , NEW YOR K - Th e North eas t Aero His information. Headliners - Carpets - etc, torians 15th Annual M eeting will be held October ;2 & 13 at th e Shera Yours truly, ton Inn. Spea kers, visual materi als, and static di sp lays feat uring ea rl y L. J. Sa lisbury Ceconite Envelopes and Dopes av iati on of th e area will be fea tured. Contact Jac k Perkins, 7971 Ver 7 Harper Road non Roa d , Clay, New York 13041 for details . Brampton, Ontario Send $1 .00 for Ca,alog and Fabrics Se lection Guide NOVEMBER 17 & 18 - MIAMI , FLORIDA - Antique, Class ic and Custom L6W 200 Built Fly·ln, November 17 & 18, at th e Fourth Annual Harves t - A Country Fa ir, sponso red by th e Hi stori ca l Associati on of Southern Fl orida at th e Dade County Youth Fairgrounds, Coral Way at 112 Avenu e ,4~ P~,!JIW. in Miami. Awa rds given for antique, classic and custom-built aircraft . 259 - 15 Lower Morrisville Rd. For further information, contact Ca pt. Ken Lifland of th e Ci vil Air Pa trol, Office (305) 552·3 '106 home after 6:00 P.M . (305) 25 1-5927 ; or Fallsington, Pa. 19054 Charles Lasher, Office (3 05) 873-7357, home after 6:30 (305) 821·8240. (215 ) 295 - 4115 26