Editorial For The Vintage Airplane By Paul H. Poberezny President, EAA Fellow Antiquers and Classic Airmen, you will have we own a homebuilt, an antique, a warbird or a rotary to excuse our delay in getting Vintage Airman off on wing aircraft, or even a fac tory built aircraft, all of our schedule. It is quite challenging for the small staff here problems in using air space, airports, licensing fees, and at EAA Headquarters, especially at this time of the year, other costs are the same. If we expect to continue to to produce three publications for the Divisions plus our enjoy the freedom as we now know it, we must be united normal SPORT AVIATION. Many of us were very in­ and present good recommendations, suggesti ons and volved in putting together a most successful annual fly­ alternatives to government. The meetings that we have in at Oshkosh and as a result of so much aviation en­ held here a t EAA H eadquarters over the years, with thusiasm, we fell behind in some areas. representatives from our Divisions, other avia ti on groups There have been pro and con opinions as to why we and the FAA are proof that all of us being united can should have an An~ique/ Classic Division. Some feel that lessen government regulation a nd be heard on all mat­ it all should be included under one name, Sport Aviation, ters. Each of us attempting to do this alone, would not and under the parent organization, EAA. While others be as successful and I dare say we would not draw the would like their separate ide ntification, separate pub­ attention or catch the proper ears to be heard. lication and activities. The Divisions of EAA were formed When any group becomes large, it certainly becomes with the thought in mind that those within EAA, whose more effective, but with bigness comes problems. Opin­ interests were in a particular area of aviation could offer ions on what course to take will vary and even at fl y-ins a great deal to the EAA staff in handling the affairs of, or the annual Convention, logistical problems, people for example, the Warbird enthusiast, AntiquelClassic problems, etc. must all be looked at in a different light. enthusiast and the Aerobatic enthusiast. This was to be Many of us look back to the good old days - a less hec­ especially helpful at the annual Convention, when it tic pace - which all of us really desire, I am sure. On one seems birds of a feather flock together. This was proved hand we would like to see aviation even more successful over the years, with each of the Divisions taking care of and stronger, but this again involves more people. I parking of the aircraft of their interest, holding forums, would like to look at EAA as having assumed a natural judging, etc. This has lightened the load conSiderably on growth and if it has attracted a great many people then those of us whose responsibility it is to insure that the it must be a credit to all of those in EAA who believe in overall convention runs smoothly. However, in between its principles, philosophies and what it can do for all of times, we find that getting publications out and answer­ us. in g additional correspondence generated by Divisions Putting out a publication is not easy. It takes the help is a bit challenging and takes more manhours than was of many. I am personally appealing to each of you to anticipated. We would very much Like to have your opin­ help us make Vintage Airplane an interesting and educa­ ions and recommendations on how we keep our ident­ tional publication. Give us guidance and direction. Send ities of our particular love at the moment, and yet be us material. There has been so much printed on aviation successful as a business. We have made a number of that one wonders if there can be something new. steps in that direction for each of the Divisions are armed We will be looking forward to hearing from you and with their own patches, decals, pins, buttons, etc. How­ I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Of­ ever, we all must recognize that unity and numbers are ficers and Directors of the AntiquelClassic Division for certainly to be considered when it comes to dealing with their loyal support and unselfish giving, not only to EAA government matters pertaining to all of our welfare. If but to aviation as well. 2 VOLUME 3 ­ NUMBER 7 and 8 I~f ~ ~IAbf ARPlA~f JULY and AUGUST 1975 COVER PHOTOS . .. (Photo by Lee Fray) (Top Right) This beautiful American Eagle. owned by Ed Wegner of Plymouth. Wisconsin , was this year's Antique Grand Champion at Oshkosh. Nicknamed " Tempus Fugit" - or " time flies " in Latin - this aircraft is known to have been in the Milwaukee area since the mid-1930's. Flown by none other than EAA President Paul Poberezny, the aircraft was owned at that time by Paul's close friend. Fred Matson. who later lost his life ferrying an aircraft over the Atlantic in World War II. Ed Wegner obtained the aircraft in Tomah. Wisconsin and restored it to mint condition. (Lower Right) (Left) The Crites brothers (see Page 4) . Whittenbeck in the " Speedwing" (see Page 8) . TABLE OF CONTENTS Editoria l .. Paul H. Poberezny .. Barnstorming ... Edward D. Williams . 4 A Silver Eagle in Retirement . Robert G. Elliott . .... ... 8 The Bates Monoplane. 13 A Visit to Blakesburg . Paul H. Poberezny 14 Bringing Home the Ryan STM ... Mitch Mayborn . 15 The Saga of STM -S2 . 18 Downers Grove Squ adron .. Maj. Florence We st holm . 19 Air Currents . Buck Hilbert 21 It All Happened in July of '69 ... Norbert Binski . .... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. ...... 21 A H idden Haza rd . .. Buck Hilbert . ... .. ...... 22 Waco Aircraft Corrosion Inspec tion 23 Ford Tri-Motor Found in Jungle . ... .. , . 24 3rd Annual Cub Fly-In . .. Gar Williams . .. .... ...... ..... 25 Oshkosh Fl y-In Statistics. .... ... 27 That Same O ld Ques tions and a Tragic A nswer .. • . ... 27 Washington Offi cia ls Visit Oshkos h ........ • . 28 EAA Honors " Grea ts of Aviation" . ....... ... 29 CAP Cadets Help at Oshkosh . ... .. ..... .. .. 30 The Jaycees and EAA Do It' . ... 31 M ystery Airplanes. ....... .. .. .. 31 Aerobatic Co ntes t at Fond du Lac . 32 Minutes of Mee tings. 33 EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher ­ Paul H. Poberezny Ed itor ­ Jack Cox Assistant Ed itor ­ Gene Chase Assistant Editor - Golda Cox ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC DIVISION OFFICERS PRESIDENT ­ VICE PRESIDENT E. E. HILBERT J. R. NIELANDER . JR. 8102 LEECH RD . P O BOX 2464 UNION. ILLINOIS 60180 FT . LAUDERDALE . FLA . 33303 SECRETARY TREASURER RI CHARD WAGNER GAR W. WILLIAMS, JR. BOX 181 g S 135 AERO DR .. RT. 1 LYONS. WIS . 53148 NAPERVILLE , ILL. 60540 DIRECTORS EVANDER BRITT JIM HORNE MORTON LESTER KELLY VIETS P. O. Box 458 3850 Coronation Rd. P. O. Box 3747 RR 1, Box 151 Lumberton, N. C. 28358 Eagan, Minn. 55122 Martinsville, Va. 24112 Stilwell , Kansas 66085 CLAUDE L. GRAY, JR. AL KELCH GEORGE STUBBS JACK WINTHROP 9635 Sylvia Ave. 7018 W. Bonniwell Rd. Box 113 3536 Whitehall Dr. Northridge, Calif. 91324 Mequon, Wisc. 53092 Braunsburg, Ind. 46112 Dallas, Texas 75229 DIVISION EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DOROTHY CHASE . EAA HEADQUARTERS THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE is owned exclusively by Antique Classic Ai rcraft, Inc. and is published monthly at Hales Corners, Wisconsin 53130. Second Class Postage paid at Hales Corners Post Office, Hales Corners. Wisconsin 53130 and Random Lake Post Office, Random Lake, Wisconsin 53075. Membership rates for Antique ClassiC Aircraft, Inc. are $10.00 per 12 month period of which $7.00 is for the subSCription to THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE. Membership is open 10 all who are interested in aviation. Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Antique Classic Aircraft, Inc., Box 229, Hales Corners. Wisconsin 53130 Copyright © 1975 Anlique Classic Aircraft, Inc. All Rights Reserved . 3 De::ran~~0~~:~~cir7t:; ~tl~s b!1~;:~~ n;~i~;~~J~~n;a~~ kesha, WisconSIn. SA HSTD M!HG Since last May, the 68-year-old Crites twins have been n n selling rides in a 1928 Waco ASO at Waukesha County Airport in just about the same way they did almost 40 By Edward D. Williams (EAA 51010) years ago. And they have found that the rides, at a bar­ 713 Eastman Drive gain rate of $5 a person, have stirred tremendous inter­ Mt. Prospect, Illinois 60056 est and are more popular now than they were in the late 1930s when they flew passengers in two Waco ASOs at the same airport. But their barnstorming days go back fa rther than that - to 1928, in fact, when they were numbered among the few pilots in the whole state of Wisconsin. Dean and Dale can be seen with their beautifully restored Waco almost every weekend at the airport from 9 A.M. until evening. On occasions they take the three­ place, open cockpit biplane to other Wisconsin cities and into Illinois for fairs and fly-ins, and it was one of the attractions at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual fly-in at Oshkosh July 29 - August 4. The ASO, in fact, was awarded a large plaque at Osh­ kosh as category champion for the Golden Age era of 1923-1932. Dale also won the category champion award for the Wright Brothers era for his replica of a 1911 Cur­ tiss Pusher. Dale is well known to EAA members for restoring and then flying an original 1911 Curtiss Pusher named "Sweet­ heart", which was a familiar sight at air shows until Dale donated it to the EAA Air Education Museum at Frank­ lin, Wisconsin five years ago.