1 town, Dave Andrews and Vincent Groh to document, disman- Welcome to The New PEGASUS tle and preserve the original 1920’s Kreider-Reisner Aircraft

It’s hard to believe that it’s been less than a year since the factory building, out of which grew Hagerstown’s aircraft Hagerstown Aviation Museum was officially founded, and manufacturing industry. I’m happy to say that the preliminary what a year it has been! After nearly a decade of working to work is complete on the Kreider-Reisner “ Little Green Shed” establish an aviation museum, this past year has been a defin- along Pennsylvania Ave. and we plan to have it taken down by ing one in the preservation of our local aviation history! spring. Once dismantled, it will be put in storage pending fu- Last July, after four months of hard work ture display in the museum. preparing the 2000 square foot facility and In addition to constantly being on the look- designing and constructing the displays, the out for artifacts and displays to enhance the museum opened its doors to the public in museum collection, we are actively seeking the Discovery Station at 101 West Washing- aircraft that played a role in Hagerstown’s ton Street in downtown Hagerstown. aviation history. Since these airplanes are be- Much has happened since our opening coming scarce, it is imperative that we locate and much more is in store! Over the next and acquire them for the museum. We have several months we will be adding to the mu- located several aircraft that should be in the seum displays and our much-anticipated museum and are currently exploring means to Hagerstown Aviation Museum offi- acquire them. And there are treasures out there interactive Cessna 150 will be arriving at cers: Left to right, John Seburn, Trea, the museum. Thanks to the generosity of to be found! In this newsletter you’ll see pho- Jack Seburn, Sec, Kurtis Meyers, Pres, tographs from our expedition to Georgia and donors, we have received some fascinating Tracey Potter, VP. Board member Joe donations. We have and will continue to Boyle not pictured. read a moment-by-moment account of the weave them into the displays or add them to finding of a real Georgia peach! our archives and research library, which already contain thou- As Hagerstown Aviation Museum activities expand, and sands of books, documents, photographs and memorabilia. especially as we acquire aircraft, the need for more members, Although the opening of the museum itself consumed much volunteers and donors grows enormously. We invite you to of our time throughout the year, we have also been involved in become involved in the museum’s effort to preserve Hagers- many other activities. For the past year we have been working town’s rich aviation heritage. with the Maryland Historic Trust, Preservation Maryland, the National Park Service’s Historic American Building Survey, Kurtis Meyers, President the Washington County Historical Society, the City of Hagers- Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc.

The Old & New PEGASUS Richard A. Henson 1911-2002 The Hagerstown Avia- tion Museum has titled its This, the Premier Issue public information publica- of the New Pegasus, is in tion “The New Pegasus”. memory of Richard A. While Bellanca, the Reis- (Dick) Henson. For many ners, Kreider, Custer and years it was our privilege others all made significant to work side by side with contributions to Hagers- Dick in creating the town’s aviation heritage, it Hagerstown Aviation was the city’s long associa- Museum. Even though he tion with Sherman Fair- is no longer with us, his child and his Fairchild Air- dedication to the cause craft Corporation that put continues to inspire us. Hagerstown on the aviation map. Dick Henson with the KR-31 Since the Fairchild Cor- Challanger he and Charlie poration’s public informa- Shue donated to the museum. July 1945 tion publication was the “Pegasus”, the museum felt it appropriate to continue this tra- dition in the “new” Pegasus. The museum dedicates “The Cover Photo: New Pegasus” to the many members of our aviation commu- Fairchild 24R9 in front of nity who played an active role in developing the aviation heri- the old brick hangar at tage we now honor. “The New Pegasus” is made possible the Hagerstown Airport. through the generous support of its advertising sponsors. 1939

See story on page 10

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome to The New PEGASUS……………………. Page 2

Hagerstown’s Aviation Past…………………………..Page 3

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. is a non- Premier Theater Showing of “Hagerstown: profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preser- Remembering Our Aviation Heritage”……………….Page 3 vation and promotion of the region’s more than 90 The Museum is Born!………………………………….Page 4 years of extraordinary aviation history. The Ribbon Is Cut! - Museum Opens………………...Page 5

Highlights of Hagerstown’s Aviation Past Documentary Broadcast on MD Public TV………….Page 5

1916-1920 Giuseppi Bellanca builds the “CD” and “ CE” biplanes for The Annual Fly-In & Fairchild Reunion...…………..Page 6 the Maryland Pressed Steel Company in the Pope Building located in Four Generations Honor Their Aviation Ancestor….Page 8 south Hagerstown. Finding the Fairchild UC-61C…………………….....Page 10 1921-1925 Lew & Henry Reisner operate an aircraft repair business and eventually partner with local shoe manufacturer Ammon Kreider to sell Saving the “Little Green Shed”……………………...Page 14 Waco Biplanes. The Museum Builds a Float…………………..……...Page 16

1926 The newly formed Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company designs and For Pilots to Be- builds the KRA Midget to participate in the 1926 National Air Race in Developing Interactive Aviation Exhibits……...……Page 17 Philadelphia. The Last Flying Fairchild C-82………...……………Page 18 1927-1929 Kreider-Reisner develops and produces the C-2, C-4 & C-6 Challenger Biplanes that gain them much acclaim. What’s in The Museum’s Future?…..………………Page 20

Museum Visitor Information...………………………Page 22 1929 Sherman Fairchild of Fairchild Aircraft Company, Long Island, NY purchases a majority stock interest in Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Museum Membership/Donations……..……………..Page 23 Company of Hagerstown.

1930s Fairchild Aircraft Company produces the F22, F24, F45, F46 and F92 Amphibian.

1931 Richard (Dick) Henson purchases the Hagerstown Airport and founds Henson Flying Service. Premier Theater Showing of

1933 Richard (Dick) Henson becomes Test Pilot for Fairchild Aircraft. “Hagerstown: Remembering

1939-1943 Fairchild develops and produces over 5000 PT19 Primary Our Aviation Heritage” trainers for the US Army and Navy as well as the AT-21 Gunnery Trainer and UC-61 Utility Cargo Aircraft. The former Colonial Theater in downtown Hagerstown was the setting for the premier theater showing on November 6, 1942-1948 Fairchild develops and produces over 200 of the first all metal cargo aircraft specifically designed for the task, the C82 Packet. 2004 of the 80 minute documentary “ Hagerstown: Remember- ing Our Aviation Heritage”. The theater, which now serves as 1949-1955 Fairchild develops and produces the C-119 Flying Boxcar of home for the Faith Chapel, hosted large viewing audiences dur- which over 1100 were produced. ing most of the years that aviation was a major contributor to life in and around Hagerstown. The theater retains much of its 1954-1958 Fairchild produces over 300 of the C123 Provider cargo earlier ambiance and was a most appropriate setting for view- aircraft. ing the documentary. Approximately 600 people, many of them former Fairchild 1954-1966 Fairchild helps to develop the Fokker designed F-27 Friend- employees, attended the showings. The theater lobby, which ship turbo-prop transport and produces over 200. was filled with local aviation memorabilia, saw many old ac-

1962-1983 Richard (Dick) Henson begins the “Hagerstown Commuter” quaintanceships renewed and heard many stories of the old which eventually becomes the Allegheny Commuter and Piedmont Re- days of Hagerstown aviation. A number of those attending ex- gional Airline. pressed their appreciation that their efforts and contributions had not been forgotten and that future generations would be 1965 Fairchild purchases Republic Aviation of Farmingdale, L.I., NY. able to look back at Hagerstown’s seventy years of aviation history. 1973-1983 Fairchild/Republic awarded A-10 Attack Aircraft contract The producers of the documentary were pleased that the and produces 713 for the United States Air Force. program was so well received by both those who lived the story and by those who wanted to learn about the story. It was clear 1984 Aircraft production ends in Hagerstown. that the Hagerstown community still has considerable interest in its aviation past.

3 Tracey Potter, John Seburn, and The Museum is Born! Jack Seburn, along with some helpers from Hagerstown Air- The number of people attending the November, 2004 premier craft Services, worked many showing of the documentary “ Hagerstown: Remembering Our long hours on repainting ceiling Aviation History”, their interest in local aviation topics and the and walls prior to new carpet desire to preserve local aviation history encouraged members of installation. the group working to establish a local aviation museum to work At the same time facility even harder to make such a museum a reality. renovation was in progress, mu- The search for a suitable facility for the museum was con- seum members were selecting tinuing when, in Febru- John Seburn paints wall. artifacts, organiz- ary, 2005, museum direc- ing memorabilia tor John Seburn received and developing a phone call from Marie exhibits. Our ef- Byers, Director of the forts were greatly Discovery Station sched- aided by Cathy uled to open in a few Allen, Director of months in downtown the College Park Hagerstown. Mrs. Byers Aviation Museum, asked if the museum who not only do- group would be interested in utilizing a large area of the second nated items for floor to set up a museum display consistent with the Discovery Cathy Allen assembles display panels. exhibits but also Station concept. Discovery Station states that one of its primary provided excellent advice, gained from her College Park experi- goals “is to create a hands-on center with interactive exhibits on ence, on museum organization and display. Prior to the mu- science, technology, and local history”. seum’s grand opening, Cathy came to Hagerstown and spent a Museum members visited the Discovery Station site, a large long day with mu- seum members arranging and completing exhib- its. Thanks also go to Dave Friedrich and staff at Na- tional Airviews for photo enlarge- ments and mount- ing. Much of the museum would not have been possible without Dave’s generous donation of time , talent and material. All of this effort came together by the evening of July 13, 2005, and not a moment too soon! On the morning of July 14, the Hagerstown Aviation Museum officially opened its doors to the public. The museum was born! Jack Seburn, Kurtis Meyers and Joe Boyle repair ceiling. marble and glass former bank building in downtown Hagers- town, and studied the area offered by Mrs. Byers. Since the 2,000 square foot museum area was available im- mediately, and since the goals of Discovery Station and the goals of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum were very similar, the decision was made to accept Mrs. Byers’ generous offer. Work began immedi- ately on the museum area. Mrs. Byers hoped that the museum would be progressing suffi- ciently by the April grand opening of Discov- ery Station to be included in the opening activities. Museum members Joe Boyle, Kurtis Myers, Joe Boyle spray paints ceiling .

4 ing Our Aviation History” and also the big annual fly-in and Fair- child Reunion hosted by Hagerstown Aircraft Services, Inc.

The Ribbon Is Cut! Hagerstown Aviation Museum Opens

On July 14, 2005 a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Documentary Broadcast on MPT officially launched the new Hagerstown Aviation Museum! Wielding the grand opening scissors were Allen Clopper, former Fairchild engineer; Kurtis Meyers, President of Hagerstown Avia- The July 14, 2005, grand opening of the Hagerstown Aviation tion Museum; Dori Nipps, County Commissioner; Donald Trump, Museum coincided with Maryland Public Television’s broadcast Mayor of Hagerstown and Marie Byers of Discovery Station. Also premier of the documentary, “ Hagerstown: Remembering Our in attendance were other local dignitaries, former Fairchild em- Aviation Heritage”. The program was shown on Maryland Public ployees, museum members and interested citizens. Television on July 12 at 10:00PM and again on July 15 at 11PM. The documentary was produced by Vintage Video Productions and the special broadcasts were sponsored by the Richard A. Henson Foundation, Inc. and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Maryland Public Television said in a news release: “ The unique and un- told story of Hagerstown’s aviation past unfolds in this new documentary film by Vintage Video Productions. With many never before re- leased images and an extensive collection of rare local film foot- age, this documentary is sure to pique the interest of Fairchild and Hagerstown aviation enthusiasts everywhere!” Tom Riford, President of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated, “We are very pleased to partner with the Henson Foundation to help bring this positive story to the television screen. To have this documentary shown on prime-time TV is a wonderful testament to the hard work of the movie’s production team who are also behind the new Hagers- town Aviation Museum.” Riford also said that thousands of peo- Hagerstown Aviation Museum President Kurtis Meyers said, ple will learn about Hagerstown’s aviation history, right before the “The museum’s collection came from dedicated people through- weekend of the big annual Fly-In and Fairchild Reunion set for out the community who have a strong desire to display memora- July 15-17. “ It’s an exciting event, the ribbon cutting, the movie’s bilia from Hagerstown’s aviation past. Our county was home to TV premier and the fly-in, all happening in the same week!” significant manufacturers including Bellanca, Kreider-Reisner, and Fairchild. Hagerstown was known for making world famous airplanes, and the new museum is a collection that will help sus- tain interest in the part that Hagerstown played in this industry. See page 22 to purchase this documentary We welcome people to visit the Hagerstown Aviation Museum and experience the pioneering achievements that for over seventy years made Hagerstown one of the nation’s leading centers of air- craft manufacturing”. Sharing the spotlight with the museum opening during this July week was the broadcast on Maryland Public Television of the Vintage Video produced documentary “ Hagerstown: Remember-

5 der-Reisner KR-31 biplane, as well as Fairchild and other air- The Annual Fly-In and Fairchild craft on display. The weather improved during the afternoon of the last day of the fly-in, permitting EAA members to conduct Reunion free flights for young people through their Young Eagles pro- gram. Using a bus provided by Tom Riford, President of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bu- reau, Kurtis Meyers conducted tours of aviation related sites in and around Hagerstown, including a stop at the new museum facility in downtown Hagerstown. Aviation enthusiasts com- mented on how interesting the tours were and local citizens were surprised that so much history had occurred in and around their neighborhoods. One tour participant stated that he had driven by “that old building many times but had no idea that so much his- tory had occurred there!’ Museum directors are discussing the possibility of placing descriptive signs at stops along the tour route and developing a map to make available for self-guided tours. The seventh annual Hagerstown Aircraft Services/EAA Fly- The 2006 Fly-In and Fairchild Reunion and will be scheduled In and Fairchild Reunion took place in Hagerstown on July 16 in late summer or early fall. Go to the museum website at and 17, 2005. Hagerstown Aircraft Services, Inc. was host for www.HagerstownAviationMuseum.org for more information. the fly-in with the local Experimental Aircraft Association chap- ter 36 and the Hagerstown Aviation Museum supporting the event. Mother Nature did not smile on us that weekend and fog, clouds and low ceiling prevented the participation of a number of aircraft. Some pilots did not want to miss the event so they drove, rather than flew, to Hagerstown.

Matthew, Andrew and Nicholas Potter check out the KR-31

Volunteers Bill and Betty Rinn greet visitors.

In spite of the weather, participants were busy meeting old friends, dining at the EAA food-stand , shopping at the vendors’ booths, viewing the documentary “ Hagerstown: Remembering Our Aviation Heritage” and inspecting the museum’s 1928 Krei-

6 Hagerstown Aviation Museum’s 1928 KR-31 Challenger

1940 Fairchild F-24W owned by Frank Gochenauer of Chambersburg, PA 7 Four Generations Honor Their Aviation Ancestor

On August 14, 2005, Stonebraker family members gathered at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum for a family reunion to honor their aviation ancestor, Hagerstown native William Paul Stonebraker. Stonebraker, an Army Air Corps test pilot during the World War I era, became test pilot for planes designed by W. Paul Stonebraker (left)with Giuseppi Bellanca. 1919

grandfather was featured in the new Hagerstown Aviation Mu- seum. Stonebraker came to Hagerstown for the museum opening

W. Paul Stonebraker in rear seat of Bellanca CD. 1919

Giuseppi Bellanca and built by Mary- land Pressed Steel Co. of Hagerstown. In 1921, shortly before Stonebraker planned to end his test pilot career, he and his presence added a real life touch to the museum’s exhibit. was killed in a plane crash in Ohio. Stonebraker contacted family members and a reunion at the Grandson W. Paul Stonebraker III, museum was planned. On August 14 seventeen members of four of Queenstown, Maryland, while generations of Stonebrakers gathered to honor their ancestor and watching the Vintage Video Production learn more about his involvement in early aviation. Members of “ Hagerstown: Remembering Our Avia- the family donated flying goggles, altimeter and other items tion Heritage” on Maryland Public used by Stonebraker. These items were placed on display with Television, learned that his test pilot his uniform, donated by the College Park Aviation Museum, and other memorabilia from his aviation career.

W. Paul Stonebraker, III 8 9 seconds testing my skill at automotive trivia, but with no conclu- sion. Suddenly it clicked! It couldn’t be anything else…it just had to be! I walked over, moved back the grimy housing-type- Our Georgia Peach thing, standing upright, so perfectly hiding the left side of the Finding the Fairchild UC-61C sign and to my jubilation I was right! The sign, now extracted from the pile, read, “Fairchild 1939 $7000”. By In an instant my day was both made and ended because for Kurtis Meyers me, the guy who has been collecting anything “Fairchild” for fifteen years and trying with others to start a museum for ten, My yearly trip to the American Antique Car Associa- there was now no thinking of anything else! After talking for tion (AACA) swap meet held in Hershey, Pennsylvania every about fifteen minutes with Mr. Simmons, whose booth it was, I October always gets my blood flowing! Upon the sight of it I found out that the airplane had been sitting in a shed in Georgia feel both the joy of living in a country that originally built and since the middle to late 1950s and it was a model 24. He was not now allows such hordes of industrial junk to be accumulated, as the owner, but he was trying to sell it for an elderly lady whose well as an overall inadequacy in my ability to traverse the acres upon acres of them. Although the meet lasts three days, I nor- mally have only one to devote and thus I find myself running through isle after isle scanning only the most obvious and, I’m sure, missing much in the process. For us junk hounds, the search for the nugget of worth beneath the piles of oddly shaped, rusted, otherwise dejected and for the most part unidentified car pieces beckons us back year after year, but seldom to any avail. But, much like this year has been different in many ways, so to was it different for me this year at the swap meet at Hershey. To call it destiny would perhaps be overdoing it, but whatever it was that had me look harder at that one particular booth with its rusted drive shafts, transmission casings and miscellaneous automotive hoo-ha, I’ll perhaps never know. But what I saw that day was not the normal and surely nothing that I had seen there before. In front of me stood a rickety, four-legged card table that dated from the early 1950s and looked as if it had survived both the rigors of a well used poker-playing home life as well as at least a decade of exposure to the rain and mud of this central Pennsylvania swap meet. Standing there precariously in all its bow-legged glory it held perhaps the greatest treasures to be had in this 10’x 15’ booth. Obviously weighted beyond its intended capacity, it held gears and casings, chrome pieces, car trim, speedometers and fuel gauges; all the great stuff for the individ- ual who possessed the varied knowledge to know what it was and where it went. Positioned not so strategically, and camou- flaging itself among the similarly colored rusted pieces of auto- motive history, stood a 10”x 14” piece of roughly-torn light- brown colored corrugated cardboard that read “ child 1939, $7000”. At first I found myself puzzled by this and for a few

10 husband had bought the airplane. All this stuff and the stories shoe molds and much more….a pack-rats dream! Along the far the lady had told him only added to my excitement and anticipa- wall we caught a glimpse of what we had come for; there stand- tion to find out more. I acquired the phone number of the ing idle for fifty-years was the 1939 F-24. The wings were off owner’s daughter, who was overseeing the selling of the air- and the engine had been taken out and put on a stand that sat up plane, and arranged for Mr. Simmons to call in two days to in- close to the back wall. The fuselage was sitting on tires that troduce me and to notify her of my interest. I called later that same day and she quickly told me many of the same stories and history that Mr. Simmons had already relayed to me. With little more information to give, she invited me down to take a look at the airplane which I was immediately persuaded to do. To look at an airplane that few people knew about and that had been in hibernation for nearly fifty years in an old shed….well, that just doesn’t happen anymore…..yeeha!!! A few weeks later John Seburn, who, I must say, was as equally excited about the prospect, and I started out on the twelve hour trip to Oxford, Georgia, just east of Atlanta. As you can well imagine, by putting two airplane loving dreamers in a car together for twelve hours, the conversation was filled with all kinds of hypothetical possibilities for what the airplane was going to be and its prospective meaning for the museum. A lengthy discussion of various restoration possibilities consumed at least four of the twelve hours and due to lack of information took us right back to where we had started….not knowing!! Oh well, twelve hours is a long time for just idle chit-chat, so we had to talk about something…why not that! We arrived on Saturday evening and went scouting immedi- ately for the place we were to meet Lynn the next day at 2:00pm. The anticipation was of course gnawing on us and our biggest worry was how we were going to use up those idle hours in the morning and early afternoon before our scheduled meet- ing. We decided to do some sight seeing around the area and found the near-by town of Covington to be very beautiful and restored in the antebellum fashion. The last two hours were the worst, but they eventually passed and we were finally on our way to Lynn’s house. We pulled in the drive and found a nice, large pre-Civil War white house to our left and a rather imposing looking black and white horse-size Great Dane to our right. Our hesitation quickly subsided when Lynn walked out of the house and told us that “Dog” or whatever his name was, was harmless; although both John and I would eventually find the land mines he left in the yard quite destructive to footwear. Lynn led us through a small yard, to a line of brush and low hadn’t held air for some time. The nose was pushed back in the trees. On the other side of them was a shed that was about sixty corner with one side of the fuselage pushed up against the wall. feet long and thirty feet deep. It was open on one side and had The airplane had been protected from most of the direct ele- steel panels on three sides and on the roof. It was packed with ments of nature, but it still had sat through fifty humid Georgia nearly everything known to man including piles of old furniture, summers. engines, machine shop tools, old suitcases filled with papers, At first sight it was not much to behold. The fabric covering

11 of any kind being a WWII military jeep, John is an expert in spotting olive drab. After looking over the airplane for a good two hours, I began the process of negotiation with Lynn. The initial offer was made and Lynn informed me that she needed to talk it over with her family and that she would contact me within a week, so John and I started the arduous twelve hour journey home. We had come with great expectations and were not disappointed. We left thinking that it was a rather unusual combination of a 1939 F-24 that had in some way been in the military for a while. Our trip home was filled with the speculation of the dreamers that we are and that little airplane in the shed gave us mile after mile of fan- tastic speculative fodder. Arriving home, we began scouring the museum archives and library for tidbits of information. In look- ing over the photographs of our trip and upon close examination of the instrument panel, a friend, Charlie Gallagher, noticed a rusty metal tag showing the military call number 70862, a num- ber that also doubled as the airplane’s serial number. Finding a had rotted and was rolling up like scrolls exposing the wooden book called “ C Planes ”, that covered all the airplanes given a slats that made up the airplane’s structural skeleton. The inside military cargo designation, we opened the book to the page de- still had its original seats and there were pieces of the headliner scribing the UC-61 and found our baby! Much to our surprise, still attached, but it quickly became obvious that many of the the very same serial/call numbers of the airplane we had just area’s native varmints called it home. Amazingly, however, looked at were listed, and it was described as being a 1939 Fair- upon closer inspection the wooden structure still looked good child 24 with a Ranger engine. The airplane had been impressed and the metal tubing that made up the frame did not appear to be by the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 and was given the designa- overly corroded or damaged. It had surely fallen far from its for- tion UC-61C, the one and only airplane ever to be given that mer glory, but it would be a great project for restoration of what- designation. ever kind! There were signs of the airplane being painted sev- Over the next few weeks the process of negotiation continued eral different colors and one color instantly got John’s attention. and a price was finally arrived at. A former Fairchild employee A military enthusiast from way back, with his very first vehicle and most generous donor committed to donate the funds for the airplane’s purchase. I’m very happy to say that after sixty-six years the one and only Fairchild UC-61C is coming home to Hagerstown!!

12 Fairchild UC-86 in WWII U.S. Army olive drab color and markings similar to the UC-61C during the war.

13 1928 Kreider-Reisner Aircraft advertisment

14 Kreider-Reisner to produce over 100 Challenger bi-planes in the late 1920’s. In the “ Little Green Shed” workers covered and doped wings, tails and fuselages of Kreider-Reisner aircraft. The museum’s KR-31 was built in this shed.

In the Nick of Time Saving the “Little Green Shed” Driving along the 800 block of Pennsylvania Ave. in Hagers- town, Maryland and looking across the railroad tracks to the rear of a vacant lot, one sees a weathered, neglected, decaying little building. Its roof is rusty, its siding is warped and its doors are sagging. Buildings in far better shape have come and gone, but, L to R: Richard Hughes, Josh Phillips, Mindy Marsden, Jack Seburn, for some reason, this little shed won’t give up. Is there some rea- Doug Reed, Kurtis Meyers son this little build- ing has survived? Richard Hughes of the Maryland Historic Trust, Josh Phillips Or is it simply a of Preservation Maryland and Mindy Marsden of the Washing- stroke of luck that ton County Historical Society realize the importance of this the shed, out of piece of Maryland’s industrial heritage and have provided advice which grew and support for the project. Christopher Marston, a National Hagerstown’s air- Park Service architect, has done an extensive documentation of craft manufacturing the building for the Historic American Building Survey. Doug industry, has with- Reed of Preservation Associates, Inc. is supervising and assist- stood the ravages ing in the dismantling of the building. of time, waiting to Some of the structure has rotted away but Doug believes be rescued? much can be saved. After examining the building and consider- The shed, which ing the dismantling options, Doug feels we should stabilize and Views of the Green Shed in the late 1920’s move sections rather than taking the build- ing apart a board at a time. Our goal is to preserve as much of the “ Little Green Shed” as possible. Vincent Groh, owner of the Fairchild fac- tory which replaced the shed, has donated space in the factory building to saftely store the shed until it becomes an exhibit in measures 16 by 30 feet, is actually two buildings moved to the the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. site and joined. The 1940 photograph clearly shows the deterio- The rescue began on a cold, snowy December day when three rating con- members of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum and Doug Reed dition of of Preservation Associates, Inc. began the dismantling of the the build- Kreider-Reisner “ Little Green Shed”. The first task was to re- ing sixty- move the large metal sheets covering one side of the building. five years These sheets were used to close up the side when the add-on ago. Be- sheds were removed many decades ago. From inside the build- hind the ing we could see that the sheets contained drawings which ap- shed can peared to be patterns. As the sheets came off they began to re- be seen the veal another significant event in Hagerstown’s aviation history! 1929 Fair- The story of the “Little Green Shed”, its metal panels and the Condition of the shed around 1940 child factory which replaced the collection of buildings used by treasures in its loft will be continued.

15 and his 30 foot trailer on which to construct the float displays. The Museum Builds a Float Since the float was to contain an aircraft and aircraft parts, Tracey’s expertise and equipment were invaluable. The experimental homebuilt aircraft designed and built by Dean Truax, local Experimental Aircraft Association member, was featured at the front of the float, piloted by Nicholas Potter and serviced by Matthew Potter. Depicting the role of women in the history of local aircraft manufacturing were Laura Seburn and Gena Rodriguez, two “Rosie the Riveters”, constructing an airplane wing. Background for the riveters was a huge photograph of the Fairchild C-82 as- sembly line. The rear of the float contained another large photo- graph showing the initial roll-out of the first Fairchild C-82. Each side of the float displayed photographs of many of the air- craft built in Hagerstown between 1916 and 1984. The float brought back memories for some former “ Rosie the Riveters” along the parade route as well as garnering some offers of volunteer help in the museum effort. 7:00 PM, Oct. 29, Tracey Potter releases the brake, steps on the gas and the Hagerstown Aviation Museum float begins its journey through the streets of Hagerstown Several months before the local Alsatia Mummers Halloween parade, museum members decided to build and enter a float in the parade. Since tens of thousands of people view the parade, members felt this would be another good way to get the museum name and mission before the public. Tracey Potter, museum board member and owner of Hagers- town Aircraft Services, Inc., offered his truck to pull the float

Matthew and Nicholas Potter Laura Seburn and Gena Rodriguez

16 For Pilots to Be Developing Interactive Aviation Exhibits

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum shares an impressive downtown Hagerstown building with Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc. A primary goal of Discovery Station is to cre- ate a hands-on center with interactive exhibits on science, tech- nology and local history. In keeping with this goal, the Hagers- town Aviation Museum is developing aviation related hands-on activities aimed at the young people who visit the museum. One such interactive activity is a flight simulator which takes would-be pilots through the real procedures of flying an air- plane. The simulator, donated through the College Park Aviation Museum by Mr. Volker Zinser, is a big hit with young aspiring pilots. A much anticipated interactive exhibit is the museum’s Cessna 150. Tracey Potter, museum member and President of Hagerstown Aircraft services, Inc., donated a Cessna 150 air- been covered or removed. The young pilots will take their turns at working the controls, checking the instruments and tuning the radio while listening to information and instructions from airport flight controllers. The complete Cessna aircraft, minus its tail because of space limitations, will be positioned in front of a large aerial view of the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Getting the completed Cessna into the museum will require considerable effort since there are no doors large enough to ac- commodate the airplane. Our plan is to remove the wings and landing gear and bring the fuselage through a large second floor window. If we measured everything correctly, and if Lady Luck smiles on us, we’ll get the Cessna into the museum without scratching the paint or damaging the window.

To keep informed on this special project you are invited to become a museum member. See page 23 for details.

Tracey Potter demonstrates knobs and buttons for children to use. craft and is providing the labor and materials to convert it to a museum ready, child friendly interactive exhibit. The plane was partially disassembled and then reassembled making sure that all aspects of the plane would be safe for young people to explore. The cabin is carpeted and any sharp or protruding edges have

17 Fairchild C-82 information sheet. 1945

18 The Last Flying Fairchild C-82 “Packet” Flying Boxcar

1945 Fairchild C-82A “Packet” N9701F Serial Number: 10184 USAF Serial number 45-57814

Above: After military service, this C-82A was used by TWA to Below: C-82A N9701F has been restored and preserved by Haw- fly aircraft engines to airports around the world to maintain its kins & Powers aviation of Grey Bull, WY. It is now available and fleet . The Fairchild J44 jet engine installed on this C-82 gave the Hagerstown Aviation Museum is seeking your financial assis- TWA the distinction of being the first U.S. airline to operate a tance to acquire this aircraft and return it to Hagerstown, MD for jet powered aircraft. It was owned by TWA from 1956 to 1972. display. Contact the museum to make a donation .

19 What’s in the Museum’s Future?

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum’s goal of preserving local aviation history is well under way. The downtown Hagerstown facility contains not only exhibits that chronicle the development of Hagerstown aviation but also serves as the collection site for research materials and local aviation memorabilia. While mu- seum members continue to develop exhibits, conduct research and collect memorabilia, they are also planning to identify and Fairchild UC-61C will look like this when restored. document aviation sites in and around Hagerstown. The museum will seek funding to develop and install interpretive signs at these sites and to design and print a self-guided tour map of the is also asking for your donations of PT-19 parts that can be used sites. to assemble a static display PT-19. Some parts have already been The museum is actively involved in locating aircraft, with the offered and several period vehicles are available to enhance a goal of acquiring at least one aircraft representative of each ma- WWII era display. If you know that you can donate an aircraft, jor development in local aviation history. This ongoing task will parts or funds, contact the museum. require much time, effort, funding and volunteer assistance.

Original Bellanca CE of 1918

Members of the museum are in contact with the owner of a Fairchild PT-19 Bellanca CE replica. The building of the plane was a labor of love, and the story of its construction adds immensely to the sig- And now to the BIG planes! The museum is currently in contact nificance of the plane. with owners of Fairchild’s largest aircraft: the C-82, C-119,

The museum’s 1928 KR-31 and restorer Charlie Shue. The museum owns a restored 1928 Kreider-Reisner Model 31. This aircraft was donated by Dick Henson, Hagerstown aviation pioneer, and Charles Shue, former owner and restorer of the aircraft. A former Fairchild employee donated a 1939 Fairchild F-24. The last flying Fairchild C-82 Packet is available. This aircraft was impressed by the US Army Air Corps in 1942, militarized and given the military designation UC-61C. The mu- C-123, and the F-27. While a few of these planes are still flying, seum plans to restore this aircraft to its military configuration most are not airworthy. An A-10 Thunderbolt II is available and will be looking for volunteers to assist. when the museum has a facility large enough to house it. The museum is seeking the donation of a Fairchild PT-19 and Donated aircraft are, of course, a major boost to the effort, but considerable cost is still involved in transporting the planes

20 The Vision for the Museum’s Outdoor Static Display Aircraft Park

Flying Fairchild C-119 used in the new “The Flight of the Phoenix” movie is available. Fairchild C-119 “Flying Boxcar” outdoor static display.

Fairchild C-123 is available.

Fairchild C-123 “Provider” outdoor walk-through static display.

Fairchild Republic A10 to Hagerstown. The museum’s goal is to have one of each of Fairchild C-82 “Packet” outdoor static display. these aircraft on display at the Hagerstown Regional Airport.

This is a huge undertaking, but the story of Hagerstown’s aviation heritage is not complete without these aircraft. These aircraft will be permanent monuments to the thousands of men and women who designed, built, flew and maintained them. With your assistance the museum can bring these aircraft home to Hagerstown to be preserved for generations to come! Contact the museum for more information on how you can help make this goal a reality.

Fairchild F27

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Contact Information: Hours of Operation Tuesday - Saturday Museum Display at Discovery Station: 10:00am - 4:00pm Hagerstown Aviation Museum 101 West Washington St Sunday Hagerstown MD 21740 1:00pm - 4:00pm (except July and August) Discovery Station phone: 301-790-0076 Closed: Mondays, Sundays during July and August, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Mailing address: Independence Day. Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. Admission 14235 Oak Springs Rd Individuals Hagerstown MD 21742 Children under 2 • Free Phone: 301-733-8717 please leave Ages 2-17 • $6.00 message if no answer Adults • $7.00 Fax: 717-597-1958 Seniors (55 and over) and Military • $5.00 Website: Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card accepted. www. HagerstownAviationMuseum .org Group Tours (minimum 10) School Children and Youth group members, 17 and under (each) • $2.00 Teachers and youth group leaders, no charge. Adult Group (each) • $4.00

Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc. For further information 101 West Washington Street Phone: 301-790-0076 Hagerstown, MD 21740 Toll Free: 877-790-0076 Fax: 301-790-0045

Your admission to Discovery Station contributes to the operating expenses of the facility which helps provide a space for the Hagers- town Aviation Museum display.

DVD 3 disk set. The docu- mentary, a DVD collection of Collectors Cap, original Fairchild films and a Companion book to the documen- Fairchild Aircraft logo. $10.00 Photo CD. $29.95 tary. 164 pages. $21.95

To order: Call 717-597-9695 or order online at www.vintagevideo.com (A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the museum)

22 The Museum Needs Your Help!

DONATIONS VOLUNTEERS You are invited to become a supporter of the Hagerstown A small group of dedicated volunteers has achieved much in Aviation Museum, an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit or- the past year and will continue its efforts in the future. As the ganization, by making a financial donation to the museum. Since museum grows and activities expand, the museum will need to the museum is staffed entirely by volunteers, your donation di- increase its volunteer staff. Whether you can donate an hour a rectly supports the operation and continuing activities of the mu- week or can completely restore an antique aircraft, no contribu- seum. Your financial donation will contribute to the preservation tion of time and effort is too small. It is the sum total of these of Hagerstown’s aviation heritage and ensure that future genera- contributions that will permit the museum to achieve its goals. tions will learn of the men and women who created that Check the box on the membership form to receive volunteer in- heritage. formation. Museum Membership! Support the Hagerstown Aviation Museum by becoming a member! Add your name to the membership list and gain the satisfaction of knowing that your commitment and support is helping to preserve Hagerstown’s aviation heritage.

------cut here or make a copy of this page, fill out form and mail ------Hagerstown Aviation Museum Membership Form

Name:______Company:______Street:______City:______State:_____ Zip:______Phone:______Email:______

My interest in Hagerstown’s aviation history is : Membership Levels ______Student $15.00 (per year) ______Individual $30.00 (per year) ______Contributing $50.00 (per year) ______Supporting $100.00 (per year) ______Patron $200.00 (per year)

Please send me information on becoming a Corporate $500.00 (per year) museum volunteer . ___

___ Lifetime $1000.00 (lifetime) Request “The New Pegasus” for a friend: Name______Make Check Payable to : HAGERSTOWN AVIATION MUSEUM Street______14235 Oak Springs Rd City______State___Zip______Hagerstown MD 21742

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