The Membership Newsletter for The Military Aviation Museum Spring 2012 2012 Over the Beach Join us for the Annual Warbirds Over the Beach Air Travel to the warmth of Virginia Beach, alongside Show May 19 & 20 at the Virginia Beach Airport. the bright sunshine of the Atlantic shoreline, where The Museum’s aircraft from the 1940’s and earlier, German submarines once hunted merchant ships in which are all meticulously restored to fl ying condi- the Gulfstream waters. Look up in the sky, where you tion will be on display and fl ying maneuvers. Plus, will see fi ghters and bombers of our armed forces pa- more aircraft will be on display from other museums trol the countryside to protect our homeland from the and personal collections from AxisA forces. If you are coming from all around the country. You outo of town, stay at the historic Cava- will truly feel like you have lierli Hotel overlooking the ocean, stepped back in time with Military Aviation Museum hundreds of re-enactors on wherew you will get the Warbirds Over theth Beach Special Rate. www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org site representing all facets of World War Two troops with Virginia Beach Airport continuous musical entertain- LookL to the sky and see WWII Air- borneb Demonstration Team with their www.VBairport.com ment from the 1940’s. Begin- ning Saturday morning, this roundr parachutes, the Museum’s B- 17G1 Flying Fortress “Chuckie” along Fighter Factory event runs throughout both days. For ticket prices and withw one of the only two fl ying Lan- www.FighterFactory.com packages, please visit our casterc Bombers in the world, which website www.VBairshow. is just part of the impressive line-up com. Enjoy the re-enactors ofo vintage aircraft that will be on dis- set up encampments, watch playp and soaring above. The P-51 the visiting warplanes arrive, MustangM and Corsair will also be and explore all our Museum headliningh the extensive list of World has to offer Friday, May 18 War II aircraft.  for the Admission price of the Museum aircraft overfl ying wartime London Inside this Issue: Museum.

Spitfi re the Cat 2

Messerschmidt 2 The Flying Proms are Back! The Flying Proms are back! , courtesy of the Vir- Ely to the Aerie 3 The Symphonic Air Show giniag Arts Festival and the Military TG-4 Glider 4 Spectacular with Virginia AviationA Museum. Picnic on your Symphony Orchestra at the owno blanket or chairs, or reserve Get to Know: Captain museum will be held on Satur- VIPV seating. To reserve a picnic Walter Ohlrich 4 day, May 5, 2012 basketb from Taste Unlimited ahead AD Skyraider 5 ofo time, you may call (757) 425- In England, “The Flying 1858.1 There will be beer, wine and Messerschmidtt Proms” is a beloved tradition othero food vendors to make this Me 262 5 that showcases the beauty of eveninge one to remember! Gates Hangar Happenings 6-7 vintage aircraft fl ying ma- openo at 3:00 PM; Concert begins neuvers accompanied by live ata 7:00 PM. Tickets, $45-VIP Seat- Event Calendar 8 music performed by a sym- ing,in $35- Lawn, Students under phony orchestra, ending with 25,2 $15 Lawn. Don’t forget your a grand fi nale of fi reworks. camera,c small binoculars and your This unique show comes to the patrioticp fl ags and tiki torches for afafter dark.  PAGE 2 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 Spitfire the Cat The part of Spitfi re the cat will be played by Nelson Eskey Then: The Fighter Factory would cease to said: “Skydive Suffolk”. Well, go ahead, dark back there anyway. Back on the function if it were not for the presence of its I’ll watch! And “hotels” like you’ve never ground they opened the access panel most skilled and knowledgeable mechanic seen, the Spitfi re (my favorite), Tri-Plane, and I heard someone say; what was that and manager, Spitfi re the Cat. Spitfi re came Hurricane, Tiger Moth (it never growled orange streak that just fl ew by? Boy, did to us in the spring of 2001, limping into the at me) to name a few. I get some bragging time with felines hangar bedraggled, frightened and hungry. after that! We fed the poor kitten food from our lunch- One day they were working on the Hur- es and gave her a place to sleep. She imme- ricane and had an access panel behind Well, now I’m in my new “digs,” the new diately adopted us. Her name comes from the cockpit off. I thought, what a neat Fighter Factory in Virginia Beach. And the plane, of course, but not because “we” place for a nap, so I jumped in. Well, I I’ve been checking out the new “hotels” liked it - she would sleep in its cockpit every woke up when they started the engine here! One’s really the “cats meow”, night. The association was natural. and the panel was back on. I fi gured our new B-17, and what a classy joint, they’re just going to run the engine up with its skylights and picture windows. Fast Forward 11 years: Yep, that was so I lay back down. Next thing I know Then there’s the N3N (my “perch for me, 11 years ago. Time fl ies (literally we’re on take-off roll! Then it hits me pictures”), the FW44 and FW190. Deci- around here!) when you’re having fun. - “Test Flight”- I’ve heard about those, sions, decisions! At my old Fighter Factory OOh’ “Litter Box”! in Suffolk, Va. I could chase LLet’s see, cats have Well, we’ve had some new mechan- the mice out of the hangar 9 lives and there ics come aboard since we moved over then stop and watch these ggoes 1, 2, and 3! I here so I’d better go check them out and crazy people jump out of a ccouldn’t tell if we make sure they know who’s boss! Got perfectly good airplanes and wwere right-side-up to keep these humans in line, ya know. fl oat down to a two-point oor up-side-down. I I think I’ll go climb in the Spitfi re and or sometimes a “cat-like” wwould have closed take a little nap fi rst though. Try to keep four-point landing. The sign Spitfi re and the Mig 3 my eyes but it was the noise down.  Messerschmidt: On Cooking Pots and Three Wheelers By Michael Kuhnert After the ashes of World War Two had worked for Messerschmitt settled, German factories and its infrastruc- on the design of the Me-262 Messerschmitt realized ture were destroyed. In 1946, Willy Mess- landing gear, began the de- the shortcomings of the erschmitt, famed aircraft manufacturer re- sign and production of the design. The drawings sponsible for designing the Me-109, served three-wheel vehicles for war were not detailed enough a two-year-sentence for employing forced invalids. These single-seaters for large scale industrial labor at his factories during the war. During sold well, bringing Fend’s production and the seg- his imprisonment, the Bavarian provisional little fi rm to the limits of its mented plexiglass can- government took temporary control of his production capability. He opy was unsuitable for factories. Due to allied forces law, when was in serious need of either mass production. To re- Messerschmitt took control again of his more capital or a licensed fi ne the design, a team of factories, he was unable to manufacture air- manufacturer. Fend needed Messerschmitt engineers craft, so began production of cooking uten- a large industrial factory, and tried to implement major The KR-200 currently on sils, prefabricated houses and electric power Messerschmitt needed prod- changes before produc- display at the museum supply masts. Messerschmitt also opened a uct for his factory. tion started. Working un- design bureau in Munich where he de- der severe time restraints, signed two types of training aircraft for the early KR-175 had numerous the Spanish: the HA-100 and the jet- fl aws. Messerschmitt himself ac- powered HA-200. By 1953, the com- tively redesigned several items. pany had also begun the production of a modern sewing machine and signed an In the process, relationships be- agreement to manufacture Fritz Fend’s tween Fend and Messerschmitt had Kabinenroller three-wheel microcar. become strained, with the former being more of a technical tinkerer Since this remarkable vehicle falsely and Messerschmitt thinking in the went into history books as a Messer- dimensions of a large scale indus- schmitt invention, clarifi cation is in trialist. order. In 1946, Fritz Fend, who had The KR-200 factory in Regensburg, Continued on page 7 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3

Ely to the Aerie: When the Newest is the Oldest by Bob Coolbaugh Dateline Sunday, April Fools’ Day: The sun scale to the originals. However, it is spe- are all drawn to the plane because there are so is slipping into the cypress and oaks of the cifi cally modifi ed to conform to the one few in existence. They are drawn to it as well Great Dismal Swamp. From the Southwest, Curtiss Pusher that Eugene B Ely fl ew on because it is the only one of its kind to have the drone and then the crackle of airplane January 18, 1911 when he became the fi rst fl own the places it has. This Curtiss was in- exhaust. It approaches, the sound reverberat- to make an arrested landing aboard a ship. tentionally built to fl y cross-country from air ing among the trees for quite a while before This was a joint experiment sponsored by show to air show, stopping every hour or so an apparition drifts into view, fl ying at 400 the US Navy and successfully completed at America’s small airports, bringing a bit of feet, straight for the runway. The pilot, Mark by the plane’s manufacturer, Glenn Curtiss, aviation history to some very enthusiastic air- Holliday, wastes no time, running before the and his test pilot, Eugene Ely. It was built port locals. To accomplish this dream, a few twilight. His objective, delivering the new- over a three year period with the fi rst test concessions were made, including a more est addition to the rapidly expanding col- modern and reliable engine, radios, brakes lection at the Military Aviation Museum. aandn a slightly beefed-up structure. Still, the He is greeted by one lone mechanic. ssize,iz look and fl ying qualities are true to the Together, they push the aircraft into its 11000 year old original. And that leads to an- spot inside the WWI hangar just as dark- ootherth message about this Curtiss. ness falls. The doors roll closed with the plane’s exhaust stacks still ticking from TTheh one question most often repeated was the hour’s run to Pungo from the fuel stop “D“Did you fl y this airplane here?” Everyone in NC. That ends a six-day, 1200 mile ad- wwee met was certain the plane was trucked venture, the delivery fl ight of NX44VY, to each event. All were certain there was no a replica of a 1911 Curtiss Pusher, from ppossibilityo that the bamboo, steel and wood NAS Pensacola, Florida. The successful Mark Holliday fl ying the Curtiss Pusher bbefore them could survive the journey. This completion of this journey also marks the skepticism led us into a tale of the road less completion of a much longer odyssey; an fl ights in October of 2010, just in time to travelled, a story about pilot skills and deter- aerial adventure which covered over 5000 join the air show circuit as part of the 2011 mination, high mountains, dense forests and air miles, retraced one hundred years of Na- Centennial of Naval Aviation Celebrations. swamps, rocks and rivers, the cold and heat val Aviation’s legacy and touched the lives Over the next 15 months, this airplane and of the seasons, sitting out in the elements. It of many thousands of air show audiences. the Curtiss Crew successfully and safely is a story of the ability and enthusiasm of the completed 16 Centennial events, fl ying over entire Curtiss Crew, driving chase with the The completed chapters of the adventurers 140 hours and 5000 air miles, with stops at support vehicle, camping beside the plane with the Curtiss Crew and the 1911 Curtiss nearly a hundred small airports and grass at shows and on the road, standing for days Pusher are chronicled at www.elycurtis- fi elds enroute. in the sun, beside the airplane and in 1910’s spusher.com for those interested, compress- costume, patiently explaining the history of ing 4 years of research, construction and At each event, the Curtiss and its Crew the plane and its role in the Centennial Cel- Centennial of Naval Aviation legacy fl ying brought several messages to the audiences. ebrations to the thousands of people drawn into a few words and photos. The primary story is the legacy: Glenn Curtiss, to the most unique airplane on the ramp. Captain Washington Irving Chambers and Eu- For the Curtiss Crew, it was a diffi cult 15 This 1911 Ely-Curtiss Pusher is purposely gene B Ely working together to prove the fea- months on the road, challenging, dangerous built to replicate just one aircraft. Yes, it is sibility of aircraft operations aboard ship. The and unbelievably rewarding. At fi rst there a Curtiss Pusher, vintage 1911, built from arrested landing Ely made that day in 1911, on were two pilots only, then there were three. copies of factory drawings and faithful in a wooden deck constructed over the aft gun At fi rst there was just the builder, but soon mounts of a battle cruiser, was the fi rst link in the Curtiss Crew grew to about a dozen who every subsequent carrier pilot’s DNA. That shouldered the burdens of the odyssey and landing and future experiments led to the com- shared in the joys and successes. Behind us missioning of the fi rst carrier, USS Langley, all, the families at home, wondering when in 1922. Having this fl ying example allowed we would make the next destination. audiences of today a glimpse back 100 years, to touch, hear, watch and understand exactly In the end, we could say, “Mission Accom- how primitive the technology and how large plished” and sit on our laurels with the Cur- the challenge these men undertook. tiss safely tucked in a hangar at home, fl own only in calm air and clear skies. However, A second message is the tale of a modern enter Jerry Yagen, founder of the Military dreamer and the actual construction of this Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA. unique replica. Aircraft and model builders, Jerry had another vision for the 1911 Cur- The Curtiss Pusher over aviation historians and pioneer aviation buffs the Statue of Liberty Continued on page 4 PAGE 4 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

TG-4 Glider Get to Know: Captain Walter Ohlrich, USN Retired by “Boom” Powell As the son of an Air Force aviator, Walt was ident. The term “Warbirds” is now famous exposed to aviation very early in life. While worldwide, a name Walt coined for Vintage Over the past three years visitors to the living in Oklahoma he soloed his own PT-17 and Military aircraft. Even today, his name MAM have already seen the very latest ad- at the age of 17. Realizing his true passion is listed on the contents page of the EAA dition to our collection... if they looked up for fl ying, he joined the Navy after graduation Warbirds magazine page as “ One.” while in the Army Hangar. from high school in 1946 and was designat- Post retirement, Walt co-authored a book ed a Naval Aviator in 1950. Walt’s 33 years about the SNJ/AT-6 Texan entitled “Pilot The blue and yellow glider suspended over- Navy service encompassed tours as a Flight Maker” a comprehensive story and history head is a US Army Air Corps TG-4. TG Instructor, Test Pilot and Skyhawk Project Of- of the famous trainer. One of his fi rst jobs stands for Training Glider. 4 means it is the fi cer with the Douglas Company plus an as- after retiring was fl y- fourth type of glider accepted for military ser- signment at the Pentagon. He ining for the famous vice. When the USA began a glider program, served with a Fighter Squadron ““Skytypers”, a fl ight the obvious solution for glider trainers was and three A-4 Skyhawk Squad- teteam out of New to adapt civil models already in production. rons. Walt fl ew one combat YYork. He fl ew for The TG-4 was built by the Laister-Kaufmann tour from the USS Intrepid in ththis group for four Company which called it the L-K10. Vietnam and was awarded the yyears touring the Distinguished Flying Cross, UU.S. doing air shows. fi ve Air Medals, Navy Com- WWalt and his wife, mendation Medal with Combat JJeanne, were also ac- “V’ and the Meritorious Service Ohlrich back in the day tive fl ying their SNJ- Medal. Later, he commanded 5 around the country collecting awards and Attack Squadron 95 aboard the USS Shangri- trophies. In addition, they offi ciated for 25 La. In 1978 Captain Ohlrich retired as Com- years at the Reno Air Races. mander of the Nuclear Weapons Training The TG-4 on display Group Atlantic in Norfolk. In November 1995 Walt was inducted into the EAA Warbirds of America Hall MAM’s TG-4 was beautifully restored by Though still in the of Fame in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and the late Joe Mathias. After enlisting early in Navy, Walt was very in November 2006 was inducted into World War 2, Joe was assigned to fl y gliders. active in civil aviation. the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in After earning his “G” wings, he was sent to He owned several air- Richmond, Virginia. Europe and was the pilot of a massive CG-4 planes and in 1964 transport glider carrying 13 men and muni- began racing in the Currently, Walt and Jeanne are active tions seven miles behind the German lines Reno Air Races in his in the Military Aviation Museum in as part of Operation Varsity, the airborne as- beautiful F8 Bearcat. Virginia Beach and fi nding it a very sault that crossed the Rhine River into Ger- He also performed ac- great and worthwhile endeavor. Walt many. In an interview years later, Joe said, robatics in many air started fl ying for the museum in early ““That glider fl ew like a truck. We went in at shows throughout Cali- 2000 training future volunteer pilots. His favorite planes to fl y being the 400 feet, and I could hear the bullets pierc- fornia. In the spring of FG-iD Corsair, the P-40E Kittyhawk ing the plywood wings.” 1965, Walt founded the “Warbirds of America” and the AD-4 Skyraider. serving as its First Pres- Joe had done much of his fl ight training in Walt’s motto…”KEEP-EM FLYING.”  TG-4’s and some 60 years after last fl ying one, he closed the circle by restoring and Curtiss..Continued from page 3 Laister-Kaufmann built 156 TG-4/L-K10’s. fl ying the TG-4 now on display. His later tiss, looking to the future and a long tour of The wingspan is 50 feet and it weighs 475 career was with Piedmont as captain of jet duty in the air and on display with the World pounds empty. For folks who speak Glider, airliners. He was also instrumental in found- War One and Pioneer Aircraft in the Muse- ing the local EAA chapter of airplane home- L/D Max is 22 at 55 mph. Laister’s earlier design which competed in the 1939 Paris um’s collection. Discussions followed and builders and restorers and the Tidewater the 1911 Curtiss Pusher now rests in a won- Soaring Society. international glider aerobatic contest was red, white and blue and named “Yankee derful new home, ready to provide years of Doodle”, hence the “Yankee audiences with the sight and sound of fl ight Doodle II” on MAM’s TG-4. a century past. When the glider is back in the The Curtiss Crew closes one chapter in a air it will be only the second one very lucky odyssey, only to open another fl ying in the world.  with Jerry Yagen and his pilots and crew at the Military Aviation Museum. Join us all in the future as we take you far into aviation’s The TG-4 gliding into the airport past.  VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5 The Museum’s AD Skyraider by “Boom” Powell The design requirements for the Douglas AD same ashore or at sea. When the plane captain tailwheel lock. All are where they should be Skyraider were conceived during WW2. Al- has completed them, he throws a salute and and you give a thumbs up. The launch offi cer though not ready for that confl ict, the airplane passes you to a yellow-shirted director who clinches one fi st-hold your brakes-and twirls made up for it by becoming a major factor in signals “chocks out” and fans his hands in a his other hand over his head-go to full power. both Korea and Vietnam. The “Able Dog’s” “come ahead” gesture. You move the throttle You push the throttle all the way up and check (from the old phonetic alphabet) ability to car- just a bit and ten tons of airplane begin to roll. RPM, MAP, Temperatures and Torque gauge. ry huge amounts of ordnance and remain over You tap the wheel brakes to make sure they All are OK and you throw a salute before put- a target or supporting troops, which jets could work and continue moving, steering by step- ting your hand back on the control stick. The not do, kept the type fl ying from US Navy car- ping on left or right brake until you are posi- launch offi cer returns the salute and sweeps riers until 1970. his arm toward the bow. Taking a deep breath, you release the brakes and start pushing hard In Korea, the typical air wing was evenly on the right rudder to overcome the spiraling divided between props and jets, but by Viet- prop blast and torque of the four 13 foot long nam the propeller, conventional radial engine propeller blades. The tail comes up and the Skyraider was in the minority and required AD feels light on its wheels. A glance at the special handling. For one, the 3,000 horse- airspeed indicator for fl ying speed, ease back power R-3350 engines needed time to warm on the stick and push more rudder as P-fac- up which jets do not. Listen to pre-launch an- tor adds its effect to prop-blast and torque. A nouncements of the time and you will hear the small bounce and you are airborne... and there Air Boss call, “Start the props,” ten minutes The Skyraider on the deck of a ship is still deck below you. before, “Start the jets.” Another big difference between jets and props like the AD is the prop Raise the landing gear, raise the fl aps, make a airplanes can fl y off the deck without the cata- tioned in the landing area and pointed at the clearing turn, reset the throttle and RPM and pults the jets need. bow with 500 feet of deck in front of you. It head out on your mission; which during the looks awfully short. Cold War could be 10 hours long and never What is it like to make a deck run in a Sky- above 500 feet. raider? Engine start up is normal, (as normal On your right, the launching offi cer gives as getting a R-3350 running on all 18 cylinders an inquiring thumbs up. You quickly check Next time: how to land a Skyraider on a ship. ever is). The prefl ight checks likewise are the fl aps, trim settings and the most important Messerschmidtt Me 262 The was the world’s peller driven Allied fi ghters, when utilized Allied pilots soon found the only reliable fi rst operational jet-powered fi ghter aircraft. properly, the Me 262 was very effective in its way of dealing with the jets was to attack Although known as a late-war weapon, de- role intercepting Allied bombers. In March of them on the ground and during takeoff or signs for the Me 262 actually began prior to 1945, 37 Me 262s intercepted a force of 1,221 landing. airfi elds identifi ed as WWII in 1939. Problems with the engines Allied bombers and 632 fi ghter escorts. The jet bases were frequently bombed by Allied prevented the aircraft from attaining op- German force shot down 12 bombers and 1 bombers and Allied fi ghters patrolled over erational status with the German Luftwaffe fi ghter while losing only 3 Me 262s. Too fast the fi elds to attack jets trying to land. The until mid-1944. One of the most techno- to catch, Me 262 pilots were relatively safe Luftwaffe countered by installing extensive logically advanced aviation designs in use from Allied fi ghters, as long as they avoided fl ak alleys of anti-aircraft guns along the ap- during the war, the Me 262 was used in two low-speed turning contests and saved their proach lines in order to protect the Me 262s primary roles. The Me 262 A-1 Schwalbe maneuvering for higher speeds. from the ground. They also provided top (Swallow) was designed as a defensive in- cover during the jet’s takeoff and landing terceptor while the Me 262 A-2 Sturmvogel Although a 4:1 kill ratio was exactly what with the most advanced Luftwaffe single- (Stormbird) served as a fi ghter/bomber. the Luftwaffe would have needed to make an engine fi ghters, the Focke Wulf Fw-190D. While lacking the maneuverability of pro- impact on the war, the absolute scale of their Nevertheless, in March–April 1945, Allied susuccess was minor, as it repre- fi ghter patrol patterns over Me 262 airfi elds ssented only one per cent of the resulted in numerous losses of jets and seri- aattacking force. In 1943 and ous attrition of the force. eearly 1944, the USAAF had bbeen able to keep up offensive Due to its late introduction, limited produc- ooperations despite loss ra- tion numbers, maintenance problems and a titios of 5% and more, and the lack of fuel during the deteriorating late-war fefew available Me 262s could situation, the overall impact of the Me 262 nnot infl ict suffi cient losses to was negligible in Germany’s war effort. Museum’s Me 262 on test fl ight with Mt. Rainier hhamper their operations. Continued on page 6 PAGE 6 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 Hangar Happenings Blue Star Memorial by Jacey Byrne ON March 15, in a poignant ceremony at the WWII veterans, Korean War veterans, opportunity to thank them made our cer- Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Vietnam War veterans, the Tidewater Tidal emony even more meaningful. the TDVFGC (Tidewater District Virgin- Waves, VFW 392, National Sojourners, ia Federation of Garden Clubs) dedicated Cape Henry Chapter 424, DAV Chapter The TDVFCG President, Judy Binns, re- a Blue Star Memorial By-way Marker to 41, and the Filipino American Veterans of lated the history of the Blue Star National honor our Armed Forces, past, . Garden Club Program. Charlie Montgom- present and future. The Fleet ery, the chairman of the Mayor's Veteran's Forces Ceremonial Band, the We were honored to host a for- Committee and the new Commanding Of- ODU Army ROTC, the USN mer Vietnam POW and his wife. fi cer of , Captain Chaplain Corps, the wonderful Also in attendance, were the Robert Geis delivered remarks. Captain volunteers of the TDVFGC and warriors of today represented by Geis deployed in support of Operation Des- the Council of Garden Clubs of the brave men of the 2nd Squad- ert Storm and Southern Watch. Virginia Beach and the effi cient ron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment Our guest speaker was Amy Waters Yarsin- staff of the museum generously of the Virginia National Guard. ske , an award-winning author and market- supported the event. All of whom were veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and ing coach. Her book titles include “Wings of Over 100 people attended the Operation New Dawn. Since Valor,” “Wings of Gold-An Illustrated His- ceremony including the fol- 9-11 they have made 17 deploy- tory of U.S. Naval Aviation” and “No One lowing organizations/groups: A veteran taking a ments. Their presence and the Left Behind; The Lt. Commander Michael photo of the memorial Scott Speicher Story.” 

Me 262..Continued from page 5 Valentine’s Day Hangar Dance Wild Turkey Federation by Jacey Byrne The museum’s Me 262 was reconstructed The Military Aviation Museum hosted it’s by Legend Flyers of Seattle, Washington. It The Wild Turkey Federation (WTF) had 4th Annual Hangar Dance on February 11. completed its test fl ight last fall and was fer- their annual fund raising event here at the ried cross country in October. It is powered Museum. About 300 people gathered for As snow started to fl oat around outside, by modern General Electric jet engines that raffl es, bidding and Wild Turkey! It was a music, balloons, red bows and hearts are the same as in Lear jets. The airframe great night and they raised a record breaking adorned inside the Navy Hangar as the can be converted from a tandem two seat amount for their foundation. WACO, Dragon Rapide, and several other trainer to a single seat fi ghter. aircraft hovered near by. The WTF are sportsmen, women and children It is located at the Fighter Factory facility who care deeply about natural resources and This year was no disappoint on the folks at the nearby Suffolk Municipal airport.  the wild places they love to hunt.  who came our dressed up in their 1940’s at- tire, Echoes of Time had a hard time judging the “Best Dressed” winners! Terry Ches- Answers from last son Orchestra outdid themselves with music newsletter’s crossword fi lled the air, from the WWII era. Virginia Swing and several others impressed every- one with their moves on the dance fl oor while Cuisine and company served up tasty Valentines Day treats all through the night. The night appropriately ended with choco- late fountains and an array of desserts for dipping. We’re looking forward to making next year’s even bigger and better. Make sure and get your tickets at the end of the year - we always sell out!  VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 PAGE 7 Hangar Happenings

Museum Invasion by Landstown Middle School by David Hunt On March 14th, the museum had a mass minutes from 6 stations around the 90,000 Knights of the Air-WWI aircraft types, aircraft invasion by the Landstown Middle School. sq. ft. of museum hangars. The curriculum technology changes and geometric shapes. The 7th grade fi eld trip totaled over 500 covered Science, Math and History with Day of Infamy-Pearl Harbor attack, com- visitors including teachers and parents all each station being managed by several of munications and instrument reading. eagerly anticipating the program that had the museum’s Docents. Strategic Bombing-The War in Europe, been prepared for them. gauging distance. The Field trip was titled; “Aircraft of Two - Island in the Storm, sur- Ken Reichert, one of the school’s teach- World Wars” and the 6 stations covered a face and wing effi ciency, fallen countries of ers and organizers, put together an amaz- selection of SOL’s (Standards of Learning) Poland, Belgium and . ing program rotating 80 students every 25 including: Midway-The Turning Point of the Pacifi c, B29 and how it changed the war, a costly battle for both sides. Nordhausen-Vengeance weapons of the Holocaust, Nordhausen rocket facility, plotting a fi ght path, V-2 fi rst capability of fl ying into space. We would like to thank the many Docents, friendly staff and the well-behaved 7th grad- ers for making it a very rewarding day. 

Messerschmidt..Continued from page 2 Hangar Talk Events Bring Aviation History to Life When the KR-200 made its debut in 1955 it by Ed Dillingham The Military Aviation Museum is proud of famed Navy aircraft car- was simple, fast, fuel effi cient, reliable, with to host a series of “Living History” Han- rrierie USS Enterprise, that at- a comfortable suspension and great handling. gar Talk events that highlight the contri- ttackedac the Japanese fl eet at butions of the men and women of avia- theth battle of Midway, and When West Germany rearmed and joined tion to our country. ultimatelyult went on to earn NATO in 1955, reinstating some form of 2020 battle stars during WWII. German aviation industry became a pos- In February, the museum was honored sibility. Messerschmitt applied for more to host CMsgt Grant Williams USAF ForFo the second half of March, cheap government reconstruction loans, (ret) and former Sgt Harold Quinton, theth museum was host to for- and on grounds of his company’s uncertain both original members of the famed merm WWII Luftwaffe ME- fi nancial footing was initially turned down. WWII Tuskegee Airmen. Both CMsgt 10910 pilot Hans Meyer, who He was told he would have to get rid of his Williams and Sgt Quinton discussed enthralleden our guests with company’s fi nancially-draining divisions in not only their experiences during the WWII pilot, il his stories of combat over order to get the requested fi nancial backing. war, but the social issues that they faced Hans Meyer the Russian Front during the during their wartime service. last years of the war. Hans Fend, with axle manufacturer Valentin Knott and the co-author of his book, Lar Stampe, as partner, bought the three-wheeler division, signed copies of his autobiography and posed for pictures with our guests. streamlined the assembly line, which made production of the KR-200 profi table. In 1957, April featured USAF Lt- he even introduced a four-wheel “Super Col. Don “Buzz” Wagner, SSportp Kabinenroller,” the TG-500 Tiger, who fl ew 43 combat mis- wwithi over twice the horsepower. But time sions in a B-25 ground at- fofor microcars was running out, as larger WWII Tuskegee Tuskegee Airmen, Airmen CMsgt tack aircraft in the Pacifi c ppost-waro vehicles entered the used-car Grant Williams USAF (ret) and theater. His squadron, the mmarket. By 1964, production had stopped former Sgt Harold Quinton 500th Bomb Squadron, at- fofor good. tacked the Japanese during In March, the museum hosted the fi rst of the Philippines and Oki- MMesserschmitt went on to larger things, its “Double Feature” of hangar talks. We nawa campaigns. Col Wag- iincludingn building Fiats His company were delighted to host noted naval avia- ner transitioned to fi ghter wwouldo eventually merge with the aircraft tion historian and author Mr. Barrett Till- planes following the war, USAF LtColLtCol. Don divdivision at Blohm and Voss shipyard. man. Mr. Tillman discussed his new hit and ended up fl ying the ad- “Buzz” Wagner Today, the Military Aviation Museum has book, “Enterprise, the Fightingest Ship in vanced F-104 before retir- a 1960 KR200 on display.  the Navy”. The book features the story ing in 1966.  PAGE 8 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

Get your newsletter faster Event Calendar MAY than a speeding Warbird SEPTEMBER Did you know you now have the option of receiving your 5 – Flying Proms concert Prop Noise newsletter via e-mail? Why wait for snail mail, 12 - ROTC Day 14-15 – NAS Oceana Air- when you can be the fi rst to get your copy in glorious full 18-20 – Warbirds Over the show color? Share each issue with your family and friends and Beach Airshow 21-23 – WWI Airshow 29 – Wings & Wheels have a paperless archive for future reference. If you are JUNE interested, stop by the gift shop the next time you’re in or OCTOBER send your request to: [email protected]. 2 – Crime Solvers 8-10 – Event RC Airplanes 20 – Speaker - TBD WWII 16- Speaker NOVEMBER 16 – Movie Night 3 -Porsche Car Show LOCAL VOLUNTEER JULY 11 – Bus Veteran’s Day Pa- WEBMASTER IS NEEDED rade 21 – Speaker 17- Speaker Do you like airplanes and people? 28 – Boy Scout Merit Badge 23-25 – Trains & Planes Learn the history of these amaz- Program ing aircrafts & share stories with DECEMBER others. Contact (757) 721-7767. AUGUST 15 – Speaker 6-10- Summer Camp 18- Speaker

20-24 -Summer Camp

latest addition to the museum the to addition latest

The Messerschmidtt Me 262, the 262, Me Messerschmidtt The

9:00 am - 5:00 pm 5:00 - am 9:00

Open Daily Open

(757) 721-PROP (757)

Virginia Beach, VA 23457 VA Beach, Virginia

1341 Princess Anne Road Anne Princess 1341

Return service requested service Return

The Military Aviation Museum Aviation Military The

Membership Newsletter for for Newsletter Membership

PERMIT NO. 235 NO. PERMIT

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA BEACH, VIRGINIA

PAID

U.S. POSTAGE U.S. NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT