1 Welcome to the Fall 2006 issue of museum for your inspection. The museum give young and old alike the thrill and skill has also acquired through donation a collec- needed to fly Fairchild airplanes. the New Pegasus magazine. It seems only a tion of WWII era airplane gauges, radios and short time since our Premier issue was sent navigation equipment and they are also being The most exciting event to date in pre- out, but summer has come and gone and fall added to the overall display. serving Hagerstown’s aviation heritage hap- is upon us. The spring and summer were pened in the desert of Wyoming at the end of filled with many accomplishments for the A grant from the Washington County August. Donors throughout the community museum, perhaps the greatest of which was Gaming Commission has been received that of Hagerstown and across the country came the completion of several key documents for provides funding for the acquisition of five together to help purchase and thus secure the guiding our future. The board, with the help last of the flying Fairchild C-82 “Flying of several gracious advisors in our commu- Boxcars”. In this issue you will be able to nity, worked diligently on the museum’s ride along with John Seburn and myself in Strategic Plan and Organizational Guide. the article, “Airplane Auction Anxiety-Bid Both of these documents are of vital impor- for the Boxcar”. You can experience the tance to our organization’s overall health and emotional roller coaster ride of the trip as growth and I am pleased to say that the docu- well as those few nail-biting seconds before ments are now completed and are serving as the auction hammer fell and Hagerstown had the guiding outline for our steps forward. her prize.

Planning has also been started for our As you can tell, the Hagerstown Aviation eventual building near the airport and, al- Museum’s activities are expanding at a very though the particulars are not yet ready to Hagerstown Aviation Museum officers: Left to fast rate. As we acquire more artifacts, and present to the public, steps are being taken right, John Seburn, Trea, Jack Seburn, Sec, especially aircraft, the need for more mem- on a daily basis to secure a suitable facility to Kurtis Meyers, Pres, Tracey Potter, VP. bers, volunteers and donors grows enor- preserve all of the museum’s artifacts from mously. We invite you to become involved Hagerstown’s aviation past. in the museum’s effort to preserve Hagers- televisions and DVD players. These will be town’s rich aviation heritage. The museum’s display at Discovery Sta- strategically placed throughout the museum

tion is, as we speak, undergoing a face-lift display. Each will be playing actual film Kurtis Meyers, President with several new exhibits under construction. footage from the era they are representing Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. One of the exhibits relates directly to an arti- and adding visual motion to the static exhib-

cle in this issue on the dismantling of the its. Also, a portion of the money from the Check out the new museum website at: Kreider-Reisner Little Green Shed and the Gaming Commission will go toward an inter-

exciting artifacts found in its attic. A collec- active Flight Simulator machine that will www.HagerstownAviationMuseum.org tion of these artifacts is now on display in the The Old & New PEGASUS Richard A. Henson 1911-2002 The Hagerstown Avia- tion Museum has titled its The New Pegasus public information publica- magazine is in memory tion The New Pegasus. of Richard A. Henson. While Bellanca, the Reis- For many years it was ners, Kreider, Custer and our privilege to work side others all made significant by side with Dick in cre- contributions to Hagers- ating the Hagerstown town’s aviation heritage, it Aviation Museum. Even was the city’s long associa- though he is no longer tion with Sherman Fair- with us, his dedication to child and his Fairchild Air- the cause continues to craft Corporation that put 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- Cover Photo: dition in the The New Pegasus . The museum dedicates The New Pegasus to the many members of our aviation commu- C-82 at sunset in Greybull, WY nity who played an active role in developing the aviation heri- August 24, 2006 tage we now honor. The New Pegasus is made possible Photo by: Steve Christiano through the generous support of its advertising sponsors. See story on page 4

2 The New Pegasus Fall 2006 - Volume 1 Number 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. is a non- Hagerstown’s Aviation Past……….....………………..Page 3 profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preser- Museum Contact Information………..……………….Page 3 vation and promotion of the region’s more than 90 Bid For The Boxcar……………...…………………….Page 4 years of extraordinary aviation history. Engineering The Packet……………………………….Page 8 Highlights of Hagerstown’s Aviation Past Fairchild UC-61C Comes Home……….………….....Page 23 1916-1920 Giuseppi Bellanca builds the “CD” and “CE” biplanes for What’s in The Museum’s Future?…..………………Page 24 the Maryland Pressed Steel Company in the Pope Building located in south Hagerstown. “Little Green Shed” is Saved!……...………………...Page 25

1921-1925 Lew & Henry Reisner operate an aircraft repair business and Help Bring Home the C-82………...…...……………Page 30 eventually partner with local shoe manufacturer Ammon Kreider to sell Waco Biplanes. Museum Membership/Donations……..……………..Page 31

1926 The newly formed Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company designs and builds the KRA Midget to participate in the 1926 National Air Race in Philadelphia.

1927-1929 Kreider-Reisner develops and produces the C-2, C-4 & C-6 Challenger Biplanes that gain them much acclaim.

1929 Sherman Fairchild of Fairchild Aircraft Company, Long Island, NY purchases a majority stock interest in Kreider-Reisner Aircraft 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.

1933 Richard (Dick) Henson becomes Test Pilot for Fairchild Aircraft.

1939-1943 Fairchild develops and produces over 5000 PT19 Primary trainers for the US Army and Navy as well as the AT-21 Gunnery Trainer and UC-61 Utility Cargo Aircraft. Contact Information: 1942-1948 Fairchild develops and produces over 200 of the first all metal cargo aircraft specifically designed for the task, the C82 Packet. Museum Display at Discovery Station: 1949-1955 Fairchild develops and produces the C-119 Flying Boxcar of which over 1100 were produced. Hagerstown Aviation Museum 101 West Washington St 1954-1958 Fairchild produces over 300 of the C123 Provider cargo Hagerstown MD 21740 aircraft. Discovery Station phone: 301-790-0076

1954-1966 Fairchild helps to develop the Fokker designed F-27 Friend- Mailing address: ship turbo-prop transport and produces over 200. Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. 1962-1983 Richard (Dick) Henson begins the “Hagerstown Commuter” 14235 Oak Springs Rd which eventually becomes the Allegheny Commuter and Piedmont Re- Hagerstown MD 21742 gional Airline. Phone: 301-733-8717

1965 Fairchild purchases Republic Aviation of Farmingdale, L.I., NY. please leave message if no answer Or call: 717-377-3030 1973-1983 Fairchild/Republic awarded A-10 Attack Aircraft contract Website: and produces 713 for the United States Air Force. www. HagerstownAviationMuseum .org

1984 Aircraft production ends in Hagerstown. 3 Airplane Auction Anxiety $130,000, a truly remarkable achievement Suddenly we found ourselves sporting for the volunteers and donors. Still, how- about in a nearly new gray Chrysler 300. Bid for the Boxcar ever, we were unsure whether this would A massive looking car, it hardly fit the By: Kurtis Meyers be enough to capture the high bid of what impression of limited-budget museum we so desperately desired - the last of people, but it was admittedly quite com- The hotel accommodation that first four, and the only flyable Fairchild C-82 fortable and John, the designated driver, evening of our journey to Greybull, Wyo- Flying Boxcar. was a quick “learn” behind its space-age ming was small and in direct contrast to The trip to Denver on the Boeing 777 control panel. the three men of slightly over-average was uneventful and actually quite pleas- As John turned the ignition, the en- girth that set about to occupy it for the ant. Upon our arrival we met up with gine revved as if running on nitro and we night. On any other evening the narrow Steve, grabbed some quick mini vittles were off. As we left the airport and the aisle of this Virginia hotel room that al- and got to our gate a few minutes before home of Buffalo Bill behind us, our final lowed little more than a person with spar- boarding. The de Havilland Dash 7 that destination was now within reach. Sixty row legs to pass by the massive laminated was to be our transportation to Cody miles was all that stood between us and particle board entertainment center on the quickly emptied my mind of any pleasant Greybull, Wyoming, the Mecca of radial left and the foot board of the overly puffy, thoughts of the former flight. Seat 13A engine airplanes. With our “hot rod” engorged bed to the right would have was little more than a five person bench Chrysler 300 we could cover the distance drawn a sarcastic comment, but that eve- seat. With me being the unfortunate pas- in no time! ning was different. Our minds were pre- senger who sat in it, I literally brought up The sparse beauty of the Wyoming occupied, and little concern was being the rear of the airplane and was privy to desert is beyond compare and our drive to placed on our own comfort. Time was, in all the noise of the turbo-prop engines and Greybull gave us miles of beautiful dry effect, standing still as we rested in prepa- liver rattling jolts of every conceivable riverbeds, plateaus and rock outcroppings. ration for our trip to Greybull the next day meandering air pocket. Accentuating the With a few stops along the way for Steve where we were certain we would find a problem were the mountains below us and to capture the scenery on video, there was much-anticipated vintage airplane nir- that day’s turbulent weather patterns. really nothing else between Cody and vana. The two-hour time difference from Greybull to stop for. Nearing the end of Morning came but unfortunately it Dulles airport put us in Cody just after our trip, we began to watch for the scene arrived three hours after we had already lunch on August 21. Cody, a town of that many had told us about, but we our- risen, the product, I believe of late flight around 9000 with a tiny adjoining airport, selves had never seen - row after row of booking and cheap airplane seats. Steve sits on the edge of the Rocky Mountains massive, spire-like airplane tails. Christiano, officially the museum’s first with majestic splendor confronting the We had been told in Cody that the for- volunteer, had graciously agreed to go visitor in every direction. mer Hawkins & Powers Aircraft company along and film the event. His flight left at As Steve and I watched for the lug- was on the west side of Greybull, the very the predawn hour of 6:30am enroute to gage to emerge from the single conveyer side that we would be entering. As we Denver. John Seburn and I would catch belt baggage claim, John was busy work- began to see the town come into focus in the 8:45 to Denver, meet up with Steve ing out the details of our rental car. Even the distance, John, who should have been there and fly on to Cody, Wyoming. though our reservations had been con- watching the road, suddenly proclaimed, Sitting in the waiting area at Dulles firmed for a mid-size GM Grand Prix or “There’s an airplane tail!”, and within Airport, John and I watched Steve board equivalent, the unforeseen demand on the airplane, hoping the gods would look rental vehicles in Cody that day had al- favorably upon our venture. In a four- ready tied up all the equivalents and the week campaign the museum’s acquisition rental company was forced to upgrade us. account had gone from zero dollars to

4 and pieces. There ing still had what appeared to be the origi- were easily one nal upholstery and the entire machine was hundred and fifty still very presentable. We had learned or more radial en- from Brent a few days earlier that no one gines of various had expressed any interest in the airplane sizes and designa- and that it would probably bring no more tions, many still in than scrap price or about eight to ten their original cans thousand dollars. This would definitely be awaiting a willing an option if we were to fail in our bigger buyer to use them plans. or a smiling scrap As we emerged from the F-27, we metal dealer to cut looked to the left and saw the unmistak- them to pieces. I able stance of the C-82 Flying Boxcar. quickly got the Lined up from left to right were the three impression that no Fairchild beauties of highest interest to one could look at us, the C-82, the Canadian C-119 and the seconds, many airplane tails appeared…. everything that was here and not be C-119 used in the most recent Flight of we had arrived! amazed. It was truly a mind-numbing Oh, what to do! It was only 3:00pm scene as we looked around from the car and there were so many airplanes to see. that first day. It was T-minus one day to The questions continued to roll. Should go before the auction and almost no one we check into our motel or stop first and was in sight! look at airplanes, or should we grab food We parked the car and began our first since our three micro pretzel lunch search for Brent, asking one person who was wearing quite thin? But, like drug told us that his office was on the other addicts on heroin or alcoholics on a binge, side of the airport and that he was proba- we all answered in unison, “Airplanes, bly there. As we walked out onto the tar- definitely, we need to look at airplanes”. mac, we were suddenly confronted with Pulling into the airport, there were an amazing scene. Lined up like a car four airplanes immediately greeting us dealer’s latest models were the crème-de- that belonged to the Museum of Flight la-crème of the great vintage airplane sale the Phoenix movie. Although I had never and Aerial Fire Fighting - two Fairchild in Greybull, Wyoming. actually seen a real C-82, the aircraft C-119s, a Neptune and a Beech 18. They Directly in front of us was a Douglas looked much as I had imagined, although were all in what appeared to be ok condi- A-26, a Boeing KC-97 and a Fairchild F- its size seemed much larger in real life than in photographs. From the outside she was a sight to behold! Her bulbous body was so amazingly ungainly but at the same time so beautifully curvaceous. Every line appeared to have a purpose and was designed with some predeter- mined use in mind. Hers was a body

tion and, although none of them was part 27. All of them looked as if they of the upcoming auction, they gave us a had been tenderly cared for and, taste of what we had come so far to see. with their doors open, inviting all For the past several months leading up to hop on board. John and I had to the auction, John had developed a tele- been devising our wish list for phone relationship with Brent Hoben who several weeks and, although there works for Zenith Aviation, the company was no question that our top-pick in charge of trying to sell off the assets was the C-82, the F-27 was also prior to any auction. With the auction date one of interest. Although it had not set, he now was assisting the Great been flown for nearly fifteen years and unlike any other, both purpose-built and American Auction Co. in lining up the needed some costly work done before it unarguably majestic. From that first lots and promoting attendance. could fly, the F-27 looked cosmetically in glance I was smitten! As we pulled in to look for Brent, we very nice original condition. It had some Since our time was short that first day drove past row after row of airplane parts slight paint peeling, but the interior seat- and the one hundred degree heat was ob-

5 viously beginning to take its effect, we lifelong dream, so you must forgive me choices, the loss of that bid would leave quickly walked over and looked around for a few childish flashbacks. Although us no other options. Unsure how to han- the C-82 and both C-119s. About an- we thought of staging a couple mock dle the situation and exhausted beyond other five hundred feet got us into the air parachute jumps we restrained ourselves comprehension, we decided to head to the conditioning of a small office building and did not, but we did, however, manage hotel. We made arrangements to later just in time to hydrate ourselves and to to open the clamshell doors to let the light meet up with Brent and Bob at Lisa’s, the finally meet up with Brent. in. What we saw was a beautiful, seem- only watering hole of note in Greybull, We introduced ourselves to Brent, ingly original zinc-chromate covered inte- for much needed sustenance. who took a few minutes away from an- rior in much of the cargo area. We could Greybull was a typical small western other auction attendee to talk with us and only speculate that due to the airplane’s town. Since no Wal-Mart had arrived yet, to introduce us to his boss, Bob Stanford, long service with TWA that it was saved Main Street was lined on either side with the President of Zenith Aviation. Both from the harsh conditions to which most a hardware store, a clothing store, a phar- Brent and Bob instantly put us at ease and other C-82’s had succumbed. macy, a café and a Chinese Restaurant. we got the feeling from the beginning that Content that the C-82 was the airplane The small mom and pop stores of pre- they were one hundred percent behind our for us, we began our search for what super center days made the downtown attempts to secure the last C-82 Boxcar would be our second choice. We looked look more like 1956 than 2006. On the for Hagerstown. over the Canadian C-119 #140 as well as west side of town Ron’s farm market After relaxing for about an hour in the the movie airplane in a similar exhaustive served as the place for local groceries and office building, Brent had finished with study as we had with the C-82. Both were on the east side the farmer’s co-op sold his client and both Bob and Brent took us quite nice, but the more original of the lumber and feed and about everything else on a trip around the airport to look over two was the Canadian one and that is the a small town might need. the items of interest to us. We began with one that peaked our interest the most. Our accommodations for our five opening up the C-82, climbing all through However, as we looked over the prelimi- nights in Greybull were along Main Street it and photographing and videotaping nary auction list, it became evident that a at the Yellowstone Motel, which appeared every nook and cranny. I personally second choice may be irrelevant. The auc- to be well kept. As an advertising feature, climbed in the cockpit, sat in the pilot’s tion line up listed the Fairchild F-27 sold the motel promoted itself as being the mo- seat and made every attempt not to allow first, the Canadian C-119 second, the C- tel farthest from the rattle of the railroad “ptptptptptpt” propeller noises to leave 119 movie plane third, and, lastly, our yard and, accordingly, the quietest. A my lips, but, between you and me, I was first choice, the C-82, in that order. Since solid looking building built in the archi- not successful. It felt like a natural fit to a the C-82 was sold after all the other tectural style of the mid –1960’s, it

6 Continues on page 20... 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ...continued from page 6 sported the crimson red brick and bright at least the next half hour, all of us sat and both of the C-119s as well. We were con- white mortar of the time, all covered with listened while Bob talked of his memories tent now to leave our problem in Bob’s a gray tarpaper roof. and visits with Mr. Henson and of his capable hands. As John and I walked into the office of enormous admiration for him. Wow! What We now made our way to the the hotel to check in, a very outgoing and are these odds? Even though Dick Henson rows of parts in the front field that we had friendly receptionist instantly welcomed us is no longer with us, I know that he is passed the first day. The first row we to the Yellowstone. Our reservations were smiling down on us and has a guiding looked at had several boxes marked C-82 on file and there was no problem checking hand in returning his Flying Boxcars back and TWA that immediately caught our in- in so we retired to our mini suite. Since home. Mr. Henson, your seat on the Mu- terest. Two other long rows had approxi- there were three of us we had opted for the seum Board will always be open, feel free mately 100 or more wing and control sur- two-bedroom “suite” which in this case to drop by anytime. faces for the C-82 and C-119. These were was a bit of an over statement. Yes, there As the eleventh hour came, the natural obviously spares with several still in the were two rooms and a bathroom, but the need for downtime made itself ever more original boxes directly from the Fairchild concrete block interior walls and other ac- known. We excused ourselves and headed factory in Hagerstown some fifty years coutrements put me in the state of mind of back to the room, knowing that we would ago. All of this stuff would be great to staying over night in a relative’s basement. have a full day for more talk tomorrow. have, but it would all depend on the money There was something about the shag carpet And, we slept! situation when the auction hammer fell on covering the floors, pre-Nixon Administra- It was not the sound of birds chirp- the flyable C-82. tion furniture and the ever-present mean- ing outside the window that aroused me, With the items of interest noted on our dering smell of old mildewed shoes that but instead the mechanical rattling of the list, we met up with Bob and Brent again made me think…I just don’t want to stay Fedders window unit air conditioner. and made our way to the outer field where here! Well, ok, first impressions aren’t Chirping birds would have been a more row upon row of non-flyable airplanes everything and I really learned to like the pleasant arouser, but the Fedders irritating place. The two air conditioners and one rattling was much more effective. Finally, window kept the place cool and comfort- we were all up and around and made our able and, I must admit, every night I slept way to the Greybull Café just before the like a baby. breakfast cutoff time of 11:00am. The Conveniently, the best food in town Café became the site of our morning brief- was directly across the street from the Yel- ings where we would go over what we lowstone Motel. Lisa’s Restaurant must hoped to accomplish on each given day. have been a star in the Greybull commu- On that first morning we planned to final- nity. The food was fantastic and verged ize our list and include any parts, pieces, closer toward gourmet than rough-and- engines, etc that we may have an interest tumble Wyoming rustic. As we were fin- in for future display in the museum. We ishing up, Brent and Bob were just coming had decided that a major emphasis of our in for the evening and we joined them for museum would be on the design and some random airplane chatting. We asked manufacturing of airplanes. We realized rested. There were five C-119s, six or so all of the normal paranoid questions such from the very beginning that this sale of- Boeing KC-97s, a bunch of Neptunes and as what they believed our chances of win- fered a unique opportunity to purchase several others in various stages of deterio- many of the materials that would be ration, as well as two C-82 fuselages needed to help create such a museum. which were of greatest interest to us. Both Breakfast was filling and we made our had been used in the harsh conditions of way to the Greybull airport and a day Alaska and had been transported by train looking at parts in the hot desert sun. With to Greybull about a decade ago. At least another quick look at our dream planes, one of these would be great to have, but, the C-82 and the pair of flyable C-119s, once again, we would have to see how the we had decided to confront Bob with our money held out. dilemma concerning the order of the sale. Tuesday seemed to come and go The reality of the situation was that if we quickly and within no time we found our- were unable to get this changed and we selves back at Lisa’s Restaurant enjoying a lost the bid on the C-82, we would go relaxing meal. Before we left, Bob had home without any flyable airplanes. When come over and indicated that he believed we explained our dilemma to Bob, he in- that the order of sale situation had been ning the C-82 were, how much they stantly saw the problem for us as well as worked out but he would know for certain thought it would bring, and on and on ad the benefit for all involved if the order of in the morning. Knowing that the next day nauseam. John mentioned that Dick sale were to be changed. He offered to would be a stressful one and attempting to Henson had been one of our first Board bring the situation up to the Vice President ignore the anticipation that had been swell- members and Bob lit up like a light bulb. It of Great American and tell him that it was ing up in us all day, we turned in early. turned out that Bob had sold Mr. Henson definitely in their favor to change the order Morning came at the now familiar his first Lear Jet back in the 1980s and the since we would first be bidding on the C- clanging sound of the Fedders and I arose two had developed a close friendship. For 82 and, if unsuccessful, bidding on one or bright eyed and eagerly anticipating the

20 events of the day. It was, after all, the first web bids was positioned to the left of the utes later beaming from ear-to-ear and auction day! auctioneer on the auctioneer’s stand. pronouncing, “We have another After a hurried breakfast at the Café, John and I had positioned ourselves $10,000!” we set out on our two-mile car trip to the down the middle to the right about two- Now, with just over $140,000 in the airport. As we got to the edge of town and thirds of the way back. As we sat and bank, lot number 79, our C-82, was about within two hundred feet of the forty-five waited for the 11:00am start time, Bob to be sold. The first complete airplane of mile per hour sign, the sound of a siren came over and said that everything had comparison was lot 73, the Douglas A-26, halted our progress and officer “B. Jolly” been worked out and the order of sale had and it quickly reached $90,000, hung had us in his snare. It would appear that been changed. The order would now be there for a little while and then proceeded our designated driver, lead-foot John, was the F-27 first, then the C-82 and then the to a final bid of $112,500. The Fairchild going forty-two in a thirty and we were two flyable C-119s. Everything seemed F-27 had an opening bid of $5000 and busted! Hoping for a warning, but sadly now to be in place and in another five ended up much higher than we had ever disappointed, we were eventually set free minutes the sale would start! anticipated with a closing bid of $27,500. to continue our journey and within less The auctioneer set a pace of one lot With the hammer falling on the F-27, then a minute we were at the airport. per minute from the beginning and con- the auctioneer made the announcement The parking lot had about fifty cars tinued through the first fifty lots in what that the order of sale had been changed around 9:30am when we arrived and by seemed a short time. That same time, and that lot 79 would be the next and the auction time, 11:00am, about twice that however, was full of anxiety for John and two C-119s after that. As the auctioneer many. There were several people who me and was painstaking and taxing to sit began the call for bids on the C-82, the

flew in for the day and a few who stayed through. About twenty minutes before the opening call was first for $150,000 then overnight to take in both days. The auc- C-82 was to be auctioned, as we sat there $100,000, then $50,000 and finally tion was to be held in an 8000 square foot stone faced, not uttering a word for fear $40,000. A bidder in the room jumped on metal hanger that the auction company of jinxing something, John got up and at $40,000 and the game was started. I had outfitted with large, portable air con- walked outside for a few minutes. When had been chosen as the designated bidder, ditioning units, making it quite comfort- he returned, his fear was evident and he but instead of jumping on the bid at that able. They had set up approximately 200 informed me that he felt we did not have time, I held off to see if anyone else in the metal folding chairs with 100 in each sec- enough money. He also said that he had room would bid. Suddenly, off to my left, tion and an aisle running back through the just called a friend who was to call back, another bidder jumped on and the two ran middle. The auctioneer’s stand was di- hopefully, soon. As the minutes passed rectly in front with the clerk’s table to the and the sale of the C-82 drew nearer it right and the picture screen to the right of became obvious that John was worried that. The auction was also to be web cast that the call may not come in time. Just and available for bidders all over the then the phone rang and John quickly left world. The person in charge of taking the room again. He returned several min-

21 up the bid to $65,000 with the initial bid- first time, were able to truly reflect upon William A. Guenon der eventually bowing out. With a slight what had happened. I believe for all three Jacques G. Hager lull in the bidding, I raised my hand and of us the one week we spent in Greybull, Donis B Hamilton began the museum’s bid, not knowing Wyoming tying to secure for Hagerstown Jerome K. Harness where it would lead or where its end the last available Fairchild C-82 will for- Audrey W. Harrell would be. We went back and forth in in- ever stand out as one of the highlights of Lloyd & Evelyn Hayner crements of $10,000 and $5000 with a our lives. It was not until that one defin- William D. Heckman final call for $90,000 at which time our ing moment in the cockpit the evening C.F. & M.B Heefner in-room competitor dropped out. For a after the sale that everything seemed to Eugene R. Hornbaker brief few seconds it appeared that we may come together. In that moment we knew Ricky & Debra Hose have won the bid, but that was not to be. that the grand old plane would be flying William Hubbell Abruptly, and seemingly from nowhere, home. Shelly H. Kampe appeared a tiny head on the auctioneer’s Jack King flat panel computer screen and a much George Knode Jr. feared Internet bidder made himself Wayne & Mary Ann Kriner known. Back and forth it went this time in C-82 Contributors Franklin & Virginia Leiter $5000 and $2500 increments to $100,000. The Board of Directors of the J. Carl Llewellyn Then it climbed to 105, 110, 115, 117,500 Hagerstown Aviation Museum thanks Leroy & Shirley Logue and on until it reached $127,500. Al- each of the following donors to the Donald & Virginia Lucas though we had a little over $140,000 in “Save the C-82” fundraising cam- Edward & Nancy Manuel the bank, thanks to our last minute friend paign. Without their generous support Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc. donating $10,000, we had to figure an- the purchase of the last flying Fair- Maryland Cracker Barrel other 10% on the top of any bid price due child C-82 would not have been pos- James A. Matus to the buyer’s premium. Some quick math sible and Hagerstown would have lost Jaye & Linda Meyers meant that the very highest that we could forever this significant piece of its Stanley & Velena Miller bid was $127,500 and, indeed, that’s aviation heritage. Robert & Norma Morelli where we were. As the auctioneer contin- Eugene & Bernice Nabors ued to call for any further bidding and Scott R. Paddack waited for the Internet bidder to pop his David & Grace Andrews Dominick & Ann Pellegreno head back on the screen and bid, the sec- John & Virginia Barger Pete’s Tavern onds seemed like minutes and the antici- Thomas & Sylvia Barnhart Jack M. Phillips Sr. pation of the moment was unbearable. Ted Bauer Eleanora E. Poffenberger But, quickly, the last call was made, the C Richard & Mary Jane Baumbaugh Creighton R. Propps hammer fell and the Hagerstown Aviation J.M. Benchoff Douglass C. Reed & Mary Jo Clemens Museum owned the last flying Fairchild Charles & Charlotte Bert Howard W. Reynolds C-82! The auction for us had ended. Edward S. Bishop Jr. Connie & Donald Richardson John and I sat there in the crowd un- Donald M. & Jone Bowman Albert A. Roberts, Jr. able to fully grasp the monumental event Carole S. Brake Steven C. Roth of the past few minutes. With so much Linda Reisner Bracey Nick & Susan Rotondo emotion and effort expended for that sin- Lester & Betty Ann Burger Dale & Carolyn Seburn gle moment, it would take a few hours to David & Barbara Churchill Eloise T. Shaffer reflect before the reality would begin to Charles & Barbara Clopper Nevin A. Short set in. Completely exhausted, we returned J. Allen Clopper Ella & James Showers to the motel for a few hours of much Arnold & Constance Cramer Catherine A. Skaggs needed rest. In the early evening, John, Catherine Crider Samuel V. Smith Steve and I returned to the airport, Stan & Cecilia Crippen Louise C. Snurr climbed up into the cockpit, sat there for Joe L Denest Wayne & Mary Sours some time and then slowly focused on Steve Diedrich Tom Stonebraker each feature of the old workhorse. For the Allen & Judith Ditto Joseph St. Georges Steve & Ann Drager Charlene E. Stoner Mildred I Duke Armand J. Thieblot Jr. John W. Easton Robert J. Thieblot Marie & Charles Ebersole John L Taylor Jr. John H Fix Sr. F. Dean Truax Pauline L. Fogle John M. Waltersdorf Lawrence M French Paul Warfield Charles I. Gallagher Martin & Ruth Weller Wayne J. Gleason Wayne & Irene Wentz Eugene & Mildred Goetz William E Wright John & Patricia Gratz Vincent R. Groh

22 RARE 1939 FAIRCHILD UC-61C COMES HOME

The museum’s 1939 Fairchild F-24/UC61C is home safe and sound. Tracey Potter, museum V.P., graciously loaned his aircraft recovery truck and trailer for the January, 2006, trip to Georgia. The crew consisted of museum board members Joe Boyle, Jack Se- burn, John Seburn & Kurtis Meyers as well as museum Volunteers Dean Timmons and Andy Moody. Only days before the trip, the museum had received the military history on this aircraft from Air Force records and found out this very airplane that they were soon to pick up was signed over to Howard Hughes for four months in 1942. More research is needed to determine what it was used for, but definitely it’s an exciting twist to an already historically significant airplane! More news will be coming in the next New Pega- sus. ( To read the previous article on this aircraft from the last New Pegasus go to www.HagerstownAviationMuseum.org)

23 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 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 sites. The museum is actively involved in locating aircraft, with the goal of acquiring at least one aircraft representative of each ma- jor development in local aviation history. This ongoing task will require much time, effort, funding and volunteer assistance. Fairchild PT-19 is also asking for your donations of PT-19 parts that can be used to assemble a static display PT-19. Some parts have already been offered and several period vehicles are available to enhance a WWII era display. If you know that you can donate an aircraft, parts or funds, contact the museum.

And now to the BIG planes! The museum recently acquired a Fairchild C-82 and a C-119 is being donated. The museum is currently looking for a C-123 and F-27. While a few of these planes are still flying, many are not airworthy. An A-10 Thun- derbolt II should be available when the museum has a facility large enough to house it.

Donated aircraft are, of course, a major boost to the effort, but Original Bellanca CE of 1918 considerable cost is still involved in transporting the planes to Hagerstown. The museum’s goal is to have one of each of these Members of the museum are in contact with the owner of a aircraft on display at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Bellanca CE replica. The building of the plane was a labor of love, and the story of its construction adds immensely to the sig- This is a huge undertaking, but the story of Hagerstown’s nificance of the plane. aviation heritage is not complete without these aircraft. These The museum owns a restored 1928 Kreider-Reisner Model 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.

The museum’s 1928 KR-31 and restorer Charlie Shue.

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. This aircraft was impressed by the US Army Air Corps in 1942, militarized and given the military designation UC-61C. The mu- seum plans to restore this aircraft to its military configuration and will be looking for volunteers to assist. The museum is seeking the donation of a Fairchild PT-19 and Fairchild Republic A10 24 engines. In addition, painting the Chal- THE “LITTLE GREEN SHED”, lenger bi-planes produced much silver and blue paint dust that settled on and AND WHAT IT CONTAINED, IS SAVED mingled with the railroad steam engine soot. The “Little Green Shed” article in the an engineering drawing and manufactur- It was not going to be a pleasant job, last issue of The New Pegasus provides ing pattern for the first Fairchild C-82 but what we had seen in the flashlight the historical background of the building, Packet! The drawing was in remarkably beam spurred us on. We photographed describes the dismantling plan and pic- good condition considering the use that tures the first step – removing the large would have been made of it initially fol- metal panels that covered one side of the lowed by many decades of keeping the building. (If you did not receive the first weather out of the Little Green Shed. issue of The New Pegasus you can find it Now that we knew what was on the on the museum website at www. back of each metal panel we were even HagerstownAviationMuseum.org.) more careful removing them, made all the The day the panels came off was cold more difficult by our ever colder and and snowy. Since we had seen some sort stiffening fingers. But, eventually, the top of drawing or pattern on the inside of the panels were removed and the last of the panel, we very carefully removed each lower panels was dug loose from the fro- nail that fastened the panel to the wall so zen earth. As we surveyed the results of our efforts, we recognized many familiar curves and angles and shapes of an air- plane so familiar to us. We moved the panels to a safe storage area and began planning our strategy for exploring the loft of the Little Green Shed. Removing a trap door in the ceiling and shining a flashlight across the loft, we saw dust and wooden airplane parts and

and documented each artifact as we moved from one ceiling joist space to the next. Some items we could identify, some maybe and some not. After days of prob- ing dust we worked from one end of the loft to the other and were satisfied that not one item had escaped being located and secured. After all the artifacts are cleaned and identified, we will include a sampling as not to damage whatever was on the of them in a future New Pegasus. other side. This was made all the more dust and wire control cables and dust and difficult by the thick gloves we were old newspapers and dust and large, skinny wearing to protect our hands as we airplane tires and dust and dust and dust. worked with the very cold metal. This was going to be as demanding a task But, eventually, the first panel came as getting the metal panels off. down. We turned it over and the first Since Doug Reed wasn’t sure how thing that we saw was its identifying in- structurally sound the ceiling was, we in- formation. What we had in our hands was stalled support posts before going up through the trap door to begin our archeo- logical dig in the dust. Before becoming the Kreider-Reisner airplane factory, the building was a shoe shop located beside a number of railroad tracks. It had already accumulated significant railroad soot be- With the panels off and the artifacts in fore the Reisner brothers had it moved to the loft removed, we began shoring up the this site, which is also beside a number of building and stabilizing wall and ceiling railroad tracks. So, for much of its life it sections prior to cutting them apart. We collected black soot from railroad steam first removed roof sections, then gables,

25 Paul Warfield William E Wright

CONTRIBUTING Thomas & Sylvia Barnhart C Richard & Mary Jane Baumbaugh Lester & Betty Ann Burger Arnold & Constance Cramer New Members Catherine Crider Joe L Denest LIFETIME Frances M. Diehl J.M. Benchoff Steve & Ann Drager Donald M. & Jone Bowman John H Fix Sr. Linda Reisner Bracey C.F. & M.B Heefner J. Allen Clopper Alan Henninger followed by ceiling sections and finally Pauline L. Fogle Eugene R. Hornbaker wall sections. Doug’s dismantling plan was Dave Friedrich William Hubbell a success! Hagerstown Aircraft Services Vincent R. Groh Harold Martin James A. Matus donated a truck and trailer to load and Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc. Jaye & Linda Meyers Thomas A. Paradis transport the sections around the block for Eleanora E. Poffenberger Pete’s Tavern storage in the former Fairchild factory Dale & Carolyn Seburn Creighton R. Propps building that replaced the Little Green Eloise T. Shaffer William & Betty Rinn Robert Stanford Nick & Susan Rotondo Armand J. Thieblot Jr. Louise C. Snurr Robert J. Thieblot Tom Stonebraker John M. Waltersdorf Landis Whitsel

PREMIER INDIVIDUAL Wayne J. Gleason David & Grace Andrews David & Barbara Churchill John & Virginia Barger Douglass C. Reed & Mary Jo Clemens Norman Birzer Carl Busey PATRON Gerald E. Cohen Michael Coraggio Charles & Charlotte Bert Nedson Crawford Edward S. Bishop Jr. James E. Crockett Stan & Cecilia Crippen Richard W. Currie John W. Easton William M. Curtis III Charles I. Gallagher Frances R. Davies Shed. Shelly H. Kampe Marie & Charles Ebersole Vincent Groh, present owner of the J. Carl Llewellyn Eugene & Mildred Goetz Edward & Nancy Manuel Oliver R. Goetz Fairchild Plant One building, has gener- Scott R. Paddack ously donated secure storage space for the John & Patricia Gratz William A. Guenon Little Green Shed as well as storage space SUPPORTING Donis B Hamilton for the C-82 and C-119 parts that were pur- Davis L. Baughman Richard Hawley chased at the Greybull, Wyoming auction. Ted Bauer Lloyd & Evelyn Hayner The museum greatly appreciates Vincent’s Carole S. Brake William D. Heckman Charles & Barbara Clopper John R. Herrera support in the effort to preserve Hagers- Steve Diedrich Ricky & Debra Hose town’s aviation heritage. Allen & Judith Ditto Mike Kelly The museum also owes many thanks to Exp. Air. Assn. Jack King the following for their participation in sav- Lawrence M French Larry Knechtel Jacques G. Hager George Knode Jr. ing the Little Green Shed: Dave Andrews, Jerome K. Harness James M. Landis, Jr. donor of the Little Green Shed; Richard Audrey W. Harrell Franklin & Virginia Leiter Hughes, Maryland Historic Trust; Josh Brent Hoben Leroy & Shirley Logue Phillips, Preservation Maryland; Mindy Wayne & Mary Ann Kriner Donald & Virginia Lucas Maryland Cracker Barrel Eugene & Bernice Nabors Marsden, Washington County Historical Stanley & Velena Miller Maxine M. Palmer Society, Chris Marston, National Park Ser- Robert & Norma Morelli Dominick & Ann Pellegreno vice; Doug Reed, Preservation Associates; Jack M. Phillips Sr. Everett Potter Hagerstown Aircraft Services, Inc.; Dean Carol Raffaniello Louise Rider Howard W. Reynolds Albert A. Roberts, Jr. Timmons from Hagerstown Aircraft Ser- Connie & Donald Richardson Nevin A. Short vices, Gavin Lambert and John Thompson Steven C. Roth Catherine A. Skaggs volunteers; and museum members Mike Ella & James Showers Doris Stonebraker Coraggio, Kurtis Meyers, Tracey Potter, Samuel V. Smith Robert L. Taylor Susan Snyder F. Dean Truax John Seburn and Jack Seburn. Wayne & Mary Sours Edward C. Wegner One day the Little Green Shed and the Alan Stonebraker Martin & Ruth Weller contents of its loft will become features in Joseph St. Georges Wayne & Irene Wentz the indoor exhibit at the Hagerstown Avia- Charlene E. Stoner Charles Wolfe John L. Taylor, Jr. Don E. Wolford tion Museum. Nelson Tillou

26 27 DVD 3 disk set. The documen- tary, a DVD collection of original Collectors Cap, Fairchild films and a Photo CD. Companion book to the docu- Fairchild Aircraft logo. $10.00 $29.95 mentary. 164 pages. $21.95

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

28 Hours of Operation Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 1:00pm - 4:00pm (except July and August) Closed: Mondays, Sundays during July and August, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Independence Day. Admission Individuals Children under 2 • Free Ages 2-17 • $6.00 Adults • $7.00 Seniors (55 and over) and Military • $5.00 Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card accepted. 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 For information: at Hagerstown, Inc. Phone: 301-790-0076 101 West Washington St. Toll Free: 877-790-0076 Hagerstown, MD 21740 Fax: 301-790-0045

29 Your Help is Needed to Bring Home the C-82!

The C-82 is being prepared for its flight back to Hagers- town. Engines and landing gear have been inspected and ser- viced and are operating well. Because it has been parked out- doors since its last flight in 2000, many of the control surfaces need to be completely recovered rather than repaired, as first thought. This is an unforeseen development and the recover- ing is a time consuming and costly process. This develop- ment has, of course, delayed the return of the C-82 to Hagers- town, but is critical to safely flying the aircraft. Your support is once again needed to help prepare the C-82 for its flight home.

Send your contribution to: Hagerstown Aviation Museum, C-82 Fund 14235 Oak Springs Rd Hagerstown MD 21742

For more information call: 717-377-3030

30 The Museum Needs Your Help!

DONATIONS VOLUNTEERS You are invited to become a supporter of the Hagerstown A small group of museum volunteers has achieved much in Aviation Museum, an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit or- the past year and a half and will continue its efforts in the future. ganization, by making a financial donation to the museum.. Your As the museum grows and activities expand, the museum will donation directly supports the operation and continuing activities need to increase its volunteer staff. Whether you can donate an of the museum. hour a week or can completely restore an antique aircraft, no Your financial donation will contribute to the preservation of contribution of time and effort is too small. It is the sum total of Hagerstown’s aviation heritage and ensure that future genera- these contributions that will permit the museum to achieve its tions will learn of the men and women who created that goals. Check the box on the membership form to receive volun- heritage. teer information. 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) ______Premier $500.00 (per year) ______Lifetime $1000.00 (lifetime)

Please send me information on becoming a museum volunteer .

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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