February 2002 and Now, for Something Not from the President Meeting Date and Completely Different

Volume 36 Number 2 Website: http://www.aerohistorian.com February 2002 And now, for something not From the President Meeting Date and completely different.... By Steve Erickson Next month is the big month. We all Happy President's day. Remember Location have anticipate the change of newsletter edi- our current President was a pilot as Changed! torship with dread, except for Dave was his father. Well thats the only tie I Pluth and Jim Kaltenhauser who lately could think of between February and We will be meeting at have been going around humming airplanes Januarys meeting at Fleming Fleming Field “Born Free”. But all good things end... field went well, the attendance was on Saturday February 16th. Dave’s editing, and my pretense of good in spite of changing sites, so some of you must read the news letter. building kits. To help ease the pain of Fleming Field is located in the south- transition for all of us (though I’m par- We were supposed to meet at Ameri- can Wings in Blaine for February, but ernmost extremity of the city of South ticularly concerned about me) a few St. Paul on the bluffs above the Missis- words about the new maladministra- thats been changed. Due to my schedule and American Wings reduced win- sippi River, south of Highway 494, tion. I will introduce changes only re- west of Concord Street, and East of luctantly and slowly. I intend to provide ter hours I was unable to reconfirm our reservation in time for the newsletters Highway 52. It is most easily accessed you “Classic Newsletter” not “New from Highway 494. Coke”. I’ll announce a change in pro- publication. So the officers decided at the business meeting to cancel. Ameri- cedure when and if one becomes nec- If coming from west Twin Cities on essary. I will not announce changes in can wings has always been a great host but we were worried about getting eastbound 494 quality, and will hope they will go unno- · Exit at the 7th and 5th Ave exit (Exit ticed. in with their reduced hours and it takes No. 65) Of course there is one major more work to get 50 or members to- · Turn right (South) on 7th Ave and change that will take place immediately gether since we went mobile. So we go approximately .6 miles to a 4- upon publication of this issue. Where will be meeting the third weekend in way Stop sign. This is South St. W. you send your materials. All materials February "2-16-02" instead at Fleming To your left front there will be a should be sent: Field. Ken Hornby meet with the civil McDonald’s; to your right front Via e-mail to: Air Patrol and they kindly offered to there will be a Walgreen’s. Via snail mail: switich weekends with us starting in · Turn left (East) at the 4-way Stop George Mellinger March. So keep your eye on the news ATTN: TCAH Newsletter letter and web site for further info. The onto South St. W. and go approxi- 5212 West 47 Street, Apt. 2 library was never a permanent site . Its mately .6 miles. Along the way you Sioux Falls, SD 57106 reserved on a monthly basis, and not will encounter three more Stop Sorry, but I have only a single available for Feb. or March. Its also signs - the third Stop sign (Henry phone line and no FAX machine, so closed during the summer. Ave) will be a “T” intersection. At faxing will not work. Remember the Banquet as of the “T” intersection on your left will Text documents should bee sent in 1-25-2002 we had 37 dinners sold we be private homes, on your right either MS Word, or WordPerfect, or . are obligated to pay for 50. we have there will be softball fields. RTF formats, ASCII as a last resort. If about two weeks left so send your · Turn right (south) onto Henry Ave. you have to use some obscure format, checks to Tom Norrbohm. Dave has and go approximately .2 miles to- check with me and allow extra time in promised food this year and since his ward the Fleming Field airport ter- case it doesn’t work. Graphic materi- wife has helped him I sure of it. See minal building. als preferably should be sent in .JPG you 2-16-02 at Fleming. format. If coming from east Twin Cities on Of course good-old-fashioned hard westbound 494 Zumbro Valley Scale Modelers th th copy can be sent as test, photograph · Exit at the 5 and 7 Ave exit (Exit or drawing. If you mail me a photo or Model Contest No. 65) th other graphic work for inclusion, be Saturday February 16th · Turn left (South) on 5 Ave and go sure to let me know whether or not you approximately .6 miles to a 4-way want the original returned to you. For more information contact Stop sign. This is South St. W. To And yes, submission deadlines remain Barry Brown your left front there will be a small unchanged, the 22nd of each month. [email protected] strip mall; to your right front there 507-281-3843 -George Mellinger, Newsletter Editor (Continued on page 2)

Page 1 TCAH Officers craft Treasurer’s Report *** by Tom Norrbohm President, Steve Erickson September TBD—“Flying billboards” I'm Baaaack! After a two year hiatus, 763-521-9948 Commercial airliners October TBD and being a glutton for punishment, I Vice-President, Pat Butler *** have taken the reins of this job once 612-915-1569 November TBD—Club Auction. No again. I want to thank Pat Butler for his Secretary, Ken Sallman Theme. two years of service as 'Holder of the 763-753-3783 *** Cash' and for not skipping town with Treasurer, Tom Norrbohm December TBD—“Linebacker II-30 the funds! Thanks Pat! 612-881-5763 year Anniversary”. Vietnam era aircraft Now down to business...... As of Historian, Tom Norrbohm *** January 21st, we have 72 members 952-881-5763 Do you have something to include on paid up for the year 2002. By the time the club calendar? Please let us know you read this, I hope a few more will have renewed. I hope to have a new (Directions —Continued from page 1) club roster ready by the March meet- Newsletter Info will be an Amoco gas station. ing. Our club balance as of January Article Submission Deadline: 22nd of · Turn left (East) at the 4-way Stop 21st is $6,483.02. This figure includes each month. onto South St. W. and go approxi- $900.00 of banquet reservation money mately .4 miles. Along the way you paid by the membership. As of this Editors will encounter two more Stop date also, we have 36 paid persons for George Mellinger ([email protected]) signs - the second Stop sign the Club Banquet on February 23rd. 5212 W. 47 Street (Henry Ave) will be a “T” intersec- We need a minimum of 50 attendees, Apt 2 tion. At the “T” intersection on your so you have until Feb. 9th to pay up! Sioux Falls, SD 57106 left will be private homes, on your Cost is 25.00 per person, N.Y. Steak or right there will be softball fields. Chicken Marsala. Make checks pay- Distribution Editor · Turn right (south) onto Henry Ave. able to TCAH and send them to me at: Bernard A. Kugel and go approximately .2 miles to- 9936 Columbus Ave. So., Mpls., MN 2080 Ivy Ave. E. ward the Fleming Field airport ter- 55420. Any questions call me at: (952) St. Paul, MN 55119 minal building. 881-5763. The terminal is on the right with a

40+ space parking lot in front. There is TCAH Memories Send articles to: also more parking available to the left by Tom Norrbohm Via E-mail: [email protected] near the line of hangers across the

Via Snail-mail: street. FEBRUARY 1992: Club celebrates its George Mellinger ([email protected]) Because the streets you will be trav- 25th year at the club banquet with 76 5212 W. 47 Street elling on form inter-city boundaries be- in attendance at Steak & Ale in Bloom- Apt 2 tween South St. Paul and Inver Grove ington. At the club meeting, President Sioux Falls, SD 57106 Heights, it is not advisable to attempt Mark Copeland thanked Dave to navigate by street names as the Galbraith for his outstanding work on names change at the corners where the club's 25th Annivers ary History. TCAH Calendar & you will be turning. Don Soderlund, Contest Committee Events of Interest Chairman, gave an update on the up- February 16th at Fleming Field —“Red IN MEMORY...... coming club contest in April. Ed Kuep- Torches’, Soviet Jets pers mentioned that a TCAH Silver An- *** Former Club member Bob Lemm niversary mug will be available. Resto- March TBD—“Coming out of the passed away on News Years day after ration of the recently acquired A-12 by Closet”, Other hobby interest a long illness. Bob first joined the club the MNANG Museum would begin by *** in 1977 and was Vice President in the end of February, with a dedication April TBD- Club Contest (tentative) 1979 and President in 1981. He was possibly in May. Mark also will organ- *** also co-editor with Ed Kueppers in ize an event to remember the passing May TBD—“Weekend Warriors”. ANG 1982, 83, 87 and 88. One of Bob's of Custom Model Hobbies. and Reserve Aircraft hobbies was aviation art that he en- *** joyed doing in ink and other media. He Officer's: President - Mark Copeland; June TBD—“Floats”. Float planes and supplied artwork for many of the club Vice President- Don Soderlund; Secre- amphibians newsletters in the form of cover art and tary- Bill Halverson; Treasurer- John *** filler. He also supplied artwork for the Roll; Editor- John Valo. July TBD—“Olive Garden Specials”. front and back covers of the book 'The Italian aircraft Long Campaign' The History of the *** 15th Fighter Group in WWII, by John August TBD- “P.O.Ws”. Captured air- W. Lambert.

Page 2 General Meeting Minutes ings on the second Saturday volunteer of the museum to confirm our January 19, 2002 of the month. meeting date and time for the February By Ken Sallman · Tom Norbohm will be the 9th meeting. Messages were left and IPMS representative replacing none returned so far. As this could The first meeting of the new year was Jack Mugan. pose a problem for future meeting held at Flemming Field in South St. · Terry Love is the AAHS repre- dates, we decided to move on, and Paul. This is one of several sites sentative. Dave Pluth made a motion to hold u-f which will be evaluated; next month’s · Steve Hustad announced that ture club meetings at Fleming Field, meeting will be held at the American Jack Bruno (Regional IPMS making this our new home. He further Wings facility at Anoka Regional Air- rep) is looking for a site for the amended this motion that we do this port on 9 February 2002. Check the 2003 R5 contest. He sug- only if we can switch with the Civil Air newsletter and web site for directions. gested that since we already Patrol guys to the 2nd weekend of have a 1-day event (Nordicon) every month. John Bernier seconded There were no new members or guest scheduled in September of the motion and all were in favor with at the meeting. each year, an offer should be one member abstaining. We discussed made to Jack for TCAH to the possibility of doing something for Old Business: host the 2003 (almost as good the C.A.P. guys such as buying pizza · Axel Kornfeuhrer announced as a National) R5 providing or something to that effect for making his book company (Periodical the September date is accept- the switch with us. Exchange Germania) is cele- able to Jack. This information Tom Norrbohm would post the Flem- brating its 25th anniversary! has been presented to Bruno ing Field decision on the TCAH Groups · Banquet is scheduled for 23 and the issue as to whether or that night. If all works out the club will February. 32 of the necessary not R5 make a formal bid to have to only meet on one more 3rd 50 tickets have been sold. be discussed and voted upon Saturday in February then be back to This will be the last banquet at the January Business meet- its normal schedule of the 2nd Satur- until 2007 as it was decided to ing. day, beginning in March. Meeting ad- hold the banquet every 5 years · The January Business Meet- journed. rather than annually. ing will be held at Pat Butler’s · Newsletter: George Mellinger home on Friday, 25 February at 7:00 PM. Call Pat for direc- Web Sites of the Month will resume editorial responsi- By Terry Love bilities for the Aerohistorian. tions if you didn’t pick up a map. He can accept articles and no- This month's theme will be the U S Air tices for the newsletter in any Force. Here are some web sites about format. George does not have Business Meeting Minutes the USAF- a fax and therefore the articles WWW.NASM.SI.EDU must be sent by either email January 25th., 2002 By Tom Norrbohm This is the official web site for the (preferred) or snail mail. National Air and Space Museum in · Luftwaffe SIG will be held at Hosted by Patrick Butler. In attendance: Dave Pluth, Tom Norrbohm, Washington, DC. of the Smithsonian 7:00 PM on the first Friday in Institute. February (1 February) at the Steve Erickson, Jim Kaltenhauser, John Roll and John Bernier. Meeting WWW.AF.MIL.SITES home of Jeff Frieze. Call Jeff This web sites connects you to all of for directions. called to order by Steve Erickson. Sub- ject of club banquet brought up and the AF Bases world wide. Not a bad · Tom Norbohm announced that site. this was the last month for notified by Treasurer Tom Norrbohm that 37 people have paid, with 13 to go WWW.AIRFORCEHISTORY.HQ.AF. dues. If not paid by the end of MIL January, your name will be de- to reach the 50 minimum. Door prizes are being collected and gift certificates This is the official page of the U S Air leted from the roster. You Force History office, you could spent have until February 9 to pay will be handed out to the ladies. Tom informed us that we are now hours here, so beware!! for the banquet tickets. WWW.AU.AF.MIL/AU/AFHRA current with IPMS with our chapter dues. Payment was delayed in that our This web site connects you to the U New Business: S Air Force historical research office at club chapter contact, Jack Mugan, had moved to Florida. Maxwell AFB, Alabama. · George Mellinger brought in a WWW.REFDESK.COM/AIR.HTML CD with photos from Russian Trophy Packages for IPMS Fort Crook and Great Plains chapters was This is the U S Air Force on the inter- aircraft and military museums. net using the virtual reference desk. These will be added to the discussed and $30.00 will be donated to each chapter. This site has great links to all things web site. related to the USAF. · Ken Hornby announced that if Discussion of our February meeting place at American Wings in Anoka was There are lots of other USAF sites the Flemming Field facility is that you can connect to from the above selected, we could hold meet- brought up. Steve Erickson has been having a hard time reaching the head web sites.

Page 3 Mini-Contest Rage Continues time experiences, both of them, like he might have surpassed Pokryshkin T-6/SNJ/Harvard/Wirraway/ this one, translated by James and Kozhedub. He was also the color- Gebhardt. This book shares with those ful pilot known for his dog Kitti (from Boomerang earlier books a common theme. Loza Kittyhawk, which he flew briefly), and John Higgins and Mark Krumrey fought his war in Valentine and for his beard which gave him his call- have stepped up to the plate and taken Sherman tanks. He was an inoma- sign. To my surprise and delight, I the mound to pitch the latest in the rochnik, one of those stigmatized for learned the identities of several minor “Mini-Contest” rage. As you know, this having fought with lend-lease equip- aces, previously unknown to me, men started a few years back with the out of ment. After the war, he and Aleksandr such as Captain Aleksandr Rumm with the box contest, and has progressed to Pokryshkin became friends while 8 individual and 1 group victories. Of a “no holds barred” sort of “Battle studying together at the Frunze Military course we do not learn as much about Royal.” The only stipulation is there Academy, and Pokryshkin spoke bit- these men, but previously they “did will be a referee and the model has to terly that they were unable to proclaim not even exist” in any catalog of aces. be finished this year. (2002) Initially it their deeds or speak of the equipment But the accounts of the aces and was proposed that the Boomerang not they had used. The common theme of their combat careers is not all. Less be allowed, but the championship com- Loza’s books is the use of lend-lease thrilling, but even more important are mitted voted on allowing this foreigner weapons. In researching it he used the chapters about ground support. to participate, so dig out your boomer- not only the major memoirs, and mili- Though oft taken for granted, it is when angs. This should be fun; how many tary histories, familiar to those who can this infrastructure collapses that an air boomerangs have been entered in any read Russian, but also interviews with force is grounded. Sergeants study display as of late? There is a rumor Mikhail Petrov, a 16 victory Hero, and tactics, and lieutenants dream of strat- rife in modeldom right now, that there others, and also was able to make use egy, while the colonels study may be a “Phantom” entrant of a T-6 of previously unavailable unit records “command, communication, and con- converted to a Zero! Holy Hinamarus in the archives. Colonel Loza died in trol”; but the field marshals busy them- Herr Fledermaus!! Moscow in May leaving behind an in- selves with logistics. And Loza’s chap- So…..add all the goodies you want; complete manuscript for his next book, ters on VVS logistics and maintenance PE, Resin, etc., and the scale of your on the Douglas A-20. There is reason procedures are the first serious attempt choice. There are a lot of models of to hope it will be completed by his in English to address these vital mat- the SNJ/T6, and a few of the Boomer- friend and translator. Major James ters. In fact, Loza’s account is the ang and Wirraway, with no shortage of Gebhardt, retd. is a former infantryman clearest treatment of this obscure and decals for that most esoteric model. in Vietnam, tank commander, and So- difficult topic which I have yet found in Let your creative juices flow. The viet military specialist, all of whose pre- either language. Equally good are his categories will be: 1st Place; 2nd Place, rd vious writing concerned the ground chapters on navigation and command 3 Place, and Peoples Choice. Awards forces. The background of both men is and control. Navigation is important by “Bloomington Sign” a fact which magnifies their accom- because this was one of the matters in plishment and mitigates the few mis- which the Russian pilots were gener- takes. I should mention that Jim ally most inadequately trained, and Free Russian SIGnals Gebhardt is also my friend, and I re- each unit, from squadron to division By George Mellinger ceived a complimentary copy of this had an individual designated as the Last month I reviewed Wings, book. I do not believe that has influ- navigator, who knew the subject better Women & War, Soviet Airwomen in ended my judgement. and was responsible for the other pi- World War II Combat, which I judged a While this book’s title suggests a lots. Command and control of course flawed book containing some worth- general review of Soviet Airacobra use, describes, among other things, the while information. This month the actually it focuses exclusively on the system of forward observers and early situation is almost the opposite. Attack 16, 100, and 104 Guards Fighter Regi- warning systems, and the eventual in- of the Airacobras, Soviet aces, Ameri- ments (GIAP), which comprised the 9 troduction of radar systems. The first can P-39s & the Air War Against Ger- Guards Fighter Division (GIAD). This entry in the notes section at the back is many, by Dmitrii Loza, HSU, translated division was the VVS equivalent of JG an extended discussion of how victo- by Jim Gebhardt is an outstanding 52 or the USAAC 56 Fighter Group, ries were scored and confirmed, how book with a number of minor flaws. containing a widely disproportionate records were kept in the air units, and But then no book is perfect. share of the top Soviet aces including reported to higher headquarters, and “Airacobras” is a remarkable book in Pokryshkin, Grigorii Rechkalov, the awards nominated. Skipping this sec- a number of respects, not least being Glinka brothers, and others, and from tion would be a serious mistake; for the the background of its author who was early 1943 till the end of the war flew historian by itself it justifies the cost of neither an aviator nor an enthusiast. the P-39. Of course we meet the ma- the book. Dmitrii Loza was a tankist. During the jor aces, but also the secondary ones, For all these topics, Attack of the war he was awarded the Hero of the men such as Vadim Fadeev, who flew Airacobras would be a significant book. Soviet Union and rose to command a the P-39 only a few weeks in 1943 be- But for me, perhaps the most signifi- tank brigade, fighting against both the fore being killed in a battle evoking cant virtue is the quality of the transla- Germans and the Japanese. Previ- Werner Voss. But his record in that tion itself. This book reads like a Rus- ously he has written two books for the short time suggested that had he lived, American market about his own war- (Continued on page 5) Page 4 (Continued from page 4) Gebhardt no way to weed out pilots sian book, except in English. By now who transferred to other units before status. (Actually the result of serious I’ve read dozens of memoirs in Rus- arrival of the P-39. The result is that wounds received in air combat the pre- sian, and I find there is a particular the list includes a number of pilots vious autumn.) Likewise there is only common style and feel which Gebhardt (Bashkirov, Galchenko, Matsievich, a single early mention of friction be- manages to capture admirably. Little Semenov, Shchirov) are included erro- tween Pokryshkin and Grigorii Rechka- details help. He gives a literal transla- neously, while quite a number of other lov, due to Rechkalov’s lack of formation of “fuel cells” instead of fuel tanks, pilots are omitted, such as Vasilii tion discipline and his tendency to ig- which does not detract from the under- Adonkin, Vasilii Bondarenko, Nikolai nore command responsibilities in favor standing, but adds to the sense of Rus- Iskrin and Ivan Likhobabin, some of of increasing his personal score. in the sianness. Otherwise, there is the ten- whom were actually profiled in the text. spring of 1944, when Pokryshkin as- dency to draw lessons from air battles In fairness, this was a difficult task, and sumed command of the 9 GIAD, described, a sometimes ardent and in- the list includes the names of three Rechkalov succeeded him in command spirational tone, and overt patriotism. aces (Kobyletskii, Melnikov, Timofeev), of he 16 GIAP, but after only a few There is a strong tendency to glide well-know to me, whom I inexcusably weeks, had to be removed form com- over problems and to emphasize ac- failed to include in the list from my mand. Then when his replacement, complishments, balanced by evocation Airacobra Aces book. Gebhardt has a Boris Glinka, was shot down, Rechka- of the particularly heroic or poignant legitimate excuse, I have none. lov was given another turn as com- losses. The main deviation in this re- One further mistake was the mis- mander, but shortly removed from gard was at the publisher’s insistence identification of the UTI-4 fighter trainer command a second time. The circum- that names be given in the usual west- as a two-seat modification of the P-39. stances surrounding these incidents ern - first & last - style, instead of the Actually that was the two seat version are kept hidden away. Likewise, a Russian manner of giving either the full of the I-16. But that is minor. number of other controversies and first name and patronymic, or just the Another difficulty cannot be held problems, hinted at elsewhere, are initials. Thus we get Aleksandr Pok- against the translator, but reflects a pe- carefully ignored. Once again, this is ryshkin instead of A. I. Pokryshkin, or culiarity of Russian writing. During the entirely within the Soviet tradition, Aleksandr Ivanovich. While the pub- early chapters there were repeated ref- though some of the new Russian histo- lisher is wrong to believe that western- erences to the 42 and 57 fighter regi- rians have been probing these “dark ers can’t learn to handle the Russian ments which were assigned to the divi- corners”. But it is not only the Soviet style, it is not a major distraction. So sion for a while in early 1943 - except approach. In the Luftwaffe literature it for all who are curious to read a Rus- that the 42 regiment was flying on the is very similar. All focus on a few great sian view of the air war, this book is the Northwest Front and the 57 regiment names, Galland, Hartmann, Bär, and answer. An English translation of Igor did not exist. Then I remembered the no mention of the gefreiter pilots who Kaberov’s Swastika in the Gunsight is old trap. Russian authors often neglect got shot down before scoring a single the only other option, but that transla- to include mention of “Guards” when victory. And no almost mention of any- tion not only puts the Russian into Brit- they presume the reader will know. thing controversial - beyond scape- ish colloquial, but is also shot through Much the way an American author goating Göring for everything since with significant omissions and gross might presume that when he writes he's both a convicted war criminal and mistakes which often reverse the about the 1st Division his reader will long dead. Nothing such as Gollob be- meaning of the original book, and giv- understand whether Infantry, Armor, ing a nasty martinet on the ground, or ing a very inadequate result. Cavalry or Marine is meant. And yes - that somebody else was a real Nazi, As I found that the best part of last the 42 Guards and 57 Guards regi- and a third known to steal victory cred- month’s book was the appendix, that ments were right where Loza indicated. its from others. (Only now is a little of is where I found most of the disap- Actually, this adds to the “Russian this sort of information starting to leak pointments in “Airacobras”. I really had character” of the book, though it will be out.) In fact only now are we even hoped for serious information in the lost on the average reader. hearing about Werner Mölders’ pro- form of comprehensive unit rosters list- Another disappointment for me is tests against Nazi atrocities on the ing all the pilots, with information about that Loza failed to explore the Eastern Front, and how he ceased the dates of their service, victory “awkward parts’ of the story. In spite of wearing his awards in protest, or the scores, rank, etc., and specifying the the successes of the 9 Guards Division allegations that he was not killed in the changes in regiment and squadron as a whole and of its individual regi- bomber crash as publicly announced, command. Or at least a list of pilots ments, one might say they were not a but actually was "Rommeled" for pro- who scored victories. Instead, we got completely happy family. During early testing. And you have to hang out a list of Soviet aces who flew the P-39 1943 there was serious personal con- around aviation historians for some and scored 15 or more victories. Un- flict between Pokryshkin and his regi- time and listen very attentively before fortunately, this list was abstracted ment commander, who tried to send hearing the private gossip and innu- from a Russian book by Bodrikhin, by him before a military tribunal. The rea- endo that some of our own great he- selecting out those names associated sons for this conflict are unclear, and roes were also great assholes. So I with Airacobra regiments. Unfortu- Loza only hints even at its existence, cannot judge Loza too harshly for this, nately, that book was also incomplete, suggesting it might have had some- even if I had desired otherwise. Only and the technique gave Loza and thing to do with Col. Isaev’s non-flying (Continued on page 6)

Page 5 (Continued from page 5) were components of the all scrapped in 1972. The one or two specialists, such as myself AN/MLQ-29, while the passive seg- last CRAZY CAT mission was on will know the difference. Even for the ment consisted basically of RACAL re- March 31, 1972. experts this book has enough new in- ceivers. In November of 1966, Standard missions carried a crew of 13 formation to make it mandatory read- Convair of San Diego began to convert or 14 men. Missions were usually up ing. For everyone else, there is more the aircraft. They were finished in June North (DMZ, over the Ho than enough reason to rush out and of 1967, and were Chi Minh Trail, etc.). Actual on-station get Attack of the Airacobras. It is ar- deployed to Vietnam in September of time was around 8 or 9 hours at alti- guably the most significant aviation 1967. The CV -2 Caribou would proba- tudes of 8,500 feet to 11,000 book of the past year. bly have worked very well, but feet, mostly around 10,000 feet, so no the Air Force was already strenuously oxygen was needed. Radio call sign U S Army Reconnaissance objecting for the removal of all Cari- was "Cats Paw." On April 14, Aircraft in Vietnam - Part 2 bous from the Army inventory. 1968, aircraft 131531 took a hit from a byTerry M .Love It seemed pointless to extensively 37mm AA round behind the left engine. modify an aircraft that would, in all It returned to base, and In part one of this series, we discov- probability, soon have to be handed landed safely. By mid-1970, the 1st ered most of the regular or standard over to the USAF. Radio Research Company’s AP-2E Army reconnaissance or monitoring It appears that the name CRAZY CAT Neptunes had accumulated 46,500 systems utilized in Vietnam. Now, we comes from the call sign of the 1st Ra- accident - free flight hours. will discover the rotary-wing systems, dio Research Company - The designation of these aircraft has and some of the most bizarre and the unit that operated the Neptunes. been confusing. Originally they were highly classified systems that the Army Originally there were five aircraft au- designated as RP - 2Es. In used, with the assistance of the Navy. thorized. They were taken out of 1969, the designation was changed to The most unusual unclassified storage from Davis-Monthan AFB, near AP-2Es. This AP-2E designation did fixed-wing reconnaissance system of Tucson, Arizona. All of the ASW gear not conform to the post-1962 Army aircraft, and far and away, the was removed, and all of Tri-Service aircraft designations, since largest, most involved system, was the "special" equipment installed. The the letter A would indicate "Attack," CEFLEIN LION or also called CRAZY Navy Bureau of Aeronautics numbers and these were CAT. Early in 1966, ASA proposed an were 131485, 131531, Reconnaissance aircraft and not Attack airborne/ground communication jam- 131526, 131429, and 131496. Num- aircraft. The Army insisted that the "A" ming system for use in Southeast Asia. bers 131429, 131526, and 131531 stood for "Army." It is The initial system, was so large that it were operated by VP-5 previously. probable that this was done to help dis- would not fit into any current existing Neptunes 131485, 131531, and guise their true function or mission, Army aircraft, so the Army was 131526 were configured for jamming avoid upsetting the Air Force, "loaned" some Lockheed P2 Neptunes. only, active EW, while 131429 and, for deception purposes as the U S The system included three jammer air- and 131496 were capable of intercept Navy operated a squadron (VAH-21) of craft, two control aircraft and one operations only, passive EW. All had AP- 2H attack Neptunes, ground communications command and their glass nose replaced with which happened to be stationed at control aircraft. On August 29, 1966 a black fibreglass radome. Also there Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam until 1972. the program was approved by the Joint was an extended black fibreglass ra- Therefore, the 1st Radio Research Chiefs of Staff. Also approved at the dome added to the wingtip fuel Company was stationed there also. It same time, was a follow on program tanks with a six-foot rigid-type antenna. is probable that the Army wished to called CRAZY DOG, that was to be in- The aircraft had about 20 to 25 addi- hide the reconnaissance stalled in Army RU-21 aircraft. This tional various type of antenna missions of the aircraft. All other Army program was so important, and all over, but mainly on the belly. Later, aircraft wore the "R" designator at the classified, that the ASA mission was a sixth Neptune, 131492, was added. time - Ru- 1A, RU- 6A, RU- wavered by the USAF/Army agreement This sixth Neptune retained 8D, RU- 21A, etc. about the operation of fixed-wing air- its ventral radar dome and glass nose. However, there were some rotary-wing craft. CV-2 Caribous went to the USAF This aircraft was, apparently, used for systems, also. They were called LEFT as C-7s, and the armaments were re- flight proficiency training. BANK. On February 5, moved from OV- 1 Mohawks All six aircraft carried personal "nose 1967, ASA advised the EWL that five (supposedly), although some Mohawk art." Aircraft 485 was called "The Bur- heliborne HF DF systems would be re- units were VERY slow at doing this. bank Boomerang," 492 was quired using the code name The CRAZY CAT aircraft were the called "The Hog," and the others were LEFT BANK. These systems would in- largest, and heaviest Army fixed-wing called "Ole Faithful," "The Birmingham tercept the 1 to 30 MHz frequency aircraft to that date. They Bounce," "Miss ranges and DF in the 3 to 8 MHz were ex-U S Navy SP-2E Neptune Carriage," and "miss Conception." "The region. The system would also be ca- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) air- Burbank Boomerang" (131485) is pres- pable of radio "fingerprinting" using a craft, that were refurbished and ently on display at the system originally known as equipped with extensive electronics. Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, SHORT SKIRT but later changed to The principal elements of the aircraft Alabama. The other five aircraft were (Continued on page 7) Page 6 (Continued from page 6) vember 29, 1969 near LZ eighty. This consisted of 18 RU-6As, LEFAIR KNEE. Five Bell UH-1D air- Buttons. All Crew members were lost. 38 RU-8Ds, 16 RU-21Ds, 6 Rp-2Es, craft were configured to LEFT They were from the 371st RR Com- and 2 RU- 1As. The LEFT BANK specifications by EWL. They pany. RU-6A, 53-3724, of the BANK helicopters were OPCON to the were the first helicopters to be used for 156th Aviation Company (RR) collided 371st and the 374th Aviation Compa- this purpose and they were with a VNAF UH-1H near Can Tho on nies (RR). Which were utilized extensively in Vietnam. Three November 24, 1970. All attached to, but not assigned to the 1st of the UH-1D aircraft (66-16344, 66- were killed. LEFT JAB U-21A, 67- Cavalry Division (An Khe), and the 4th 16335, and 66- 16336) were 18065, from the 138th Aviation Com- Infantry Division (Pleiku) assigned to the 371st Radio Research pany (RR) was shot down by a from 1967 on. Company in July of 1967. These three SAM over North Vietnam on March 4, Far and away, the most unusual recon- aircraft had nose- art on 1971. All five crew members were naissance missions flown by the Army them. They were called "The Good," killed. was FARM TEAM. "The Bad," and "The Ugly." They sup- Although not strictly Army recon- FARM TEAM was a TELINT system ported the 1st Cavalry naissance aircraft, the 1st Signal Bri- manned by Army personnel from ASA. Division. In 1969, these systems were gade (author flew with the 1st They were members of the put into newer airframes. Two were Signal Brigade) operated four EU-21As 1st Special Activities Detachment Bell UH-1H (68-15246 and 69- (67-18000, 67-18013, 67-18027, and (SAD). They were attached to the U S 15684), and they were both later shot 67- 18058). They were used Navy’s Fleet Air Reconnaissance down, resulting in eight deaths. The as radio relay aircraft. In addition, the Squadron One (VQ-1). This was one other two LEFT BANK Hueys Brigade also operated at least two nor- very special unit! The special missions (66-16489 and 66-16491) were as- mal U- 21A aircraft. of SAD- 1 were, and still are signed to the 374th Radio Research The 3rd Radio Research Unit evolved classified. The detachment composed Company supporting the 4th Infantry into the 509th Radio Research Group of about 20 Army personnel attached Division. The system worked very well. and the 224th Aviation to VQ- 1. VQ- 1 provided the No unique aircraft designator was ever Battalion (RR). The 224th had four crews and flight equipment - the Doug- applied to these Aviation Companies (RR) - the 138th las EA-3B Skywarrior reconnaissance/ helicopters. These aircraft monitored at DaNang (call sign Lonely attack/bomber aircraft and identified various NVA and VC Ringer), the 144th at Nha Trang, the reconfigured into a one-of-a-kind spe- units that were targeted for B- 146th at Tan Son Nhut, and the 156th cial reconnaissance aircraft. It was Bu- 52 ARC LIGHT missions. at Can Tho. All ASA fixed- reau number 146449 (code PR- LEFT BAK II was a replacement wing assets in Vietnam were assigned 9, later PR-16). Later EA-3B BuNo system for LEFT BANK. Bell Aircraft to the 224th Aviation Battalion (RR). 142673 (code PR-13) was added. It built some specific UH- 1s for However, the 1st Radio had a very "unique" antenna array his mission, but the withdrawal from Research Company had their huge on them. Usually there were four Army Vietnam began before this system RP-2Es. They reported directly to personnel aboard monitoring and run- could be deployed. Therefore, this MACV. The 156th Aviation ning the electronic project was terminated. The LEFT Company (RR) flew over 16,000 mis- equipment. SAD-1 was based at Atsugi BANK II equipment was used to de- sions and accumulated more than NAS, Japan, but very few missions velop TRAILBLAZER systems and 60,000 flight hours. RU-6A, 58- were conducted from there. later the QUICK FIX systems. 2012, had "Kazac" nose art on the They were gone for about six weeks at These were dangerous missions that cowling, RU-6A, 56-0380, had a time, and flew ""around Asia and the these Army reconnaissance aircraft "Weakened Warrior" (not "weekend’) Pacific." operated over Vietnam and on the cowl. Another RU-6A Beaver They were a bunch of Army "intel- other Southeast Asia countries. They had "Vicky Lea" on the nose. The unit types" flying Navy jets around Asia, usually operated alone, and unarmed stood down on April 27, and operating highly classified and unescorted. Therefore, we 1972. All flight crew members of ASA missions. One of the hardest things for did loose a few of them, however, we aircraft had to have Top Secret/Crypto the Navy people, was that Army people lost surprisingly few. An RU-6A from security clearances to fly. could not say anything the 138th Aviation Company Some RU-1As had the cabin roof about their missions, and that they (Radio Research) disappeared on No- painted white for cooling, and at least called "two bar" officers Captain. The vember 15, 1966. A WINEBOTTLE one RU- 1A had ram air Army people earned Navy RU- 8D, also from the 138th cooling scoops for the Doppler. Some Aircrew member wings, and that raised Aviation Company (RR), crashed near of the U-21As of the 1st Signal Brigade a lot of questions, but they were valid DaNang on December 29, 1967. also had white tops that awards. LAFFING OTTER or CAFÉ extended down to the windows on the It is not known how many SAD air- GIRL RU-1A, 55-3271, from the 146th side of the aircraft - all for cooling of craft that there were, but each one was Aviation Company (RR) was shot down electronic gear and personnel. very unique. There were over Cambodia on In June of 1969, the 224th Aviation only 25 Douglas A3D-2Q aircraft built, February 12, 1969. LEFT BANK UH- Battalion (RR) reached it peak in terms and there were SAD detachments with 1H, 68-15226, was shot down on No- of aircraft assigned to it - (Continued on page 8) Page 7 (Continued from page 7) Albatross and Fokker designs, but top The second letter indicates the com- VQ- 1 in the Pacific and speed for the initial Benz Bz.III pow- pany that was responsible for the origi- VQ-2 in the Atlantic. The FARM TEAM ered models was low, about 114 mph. nal design of the aircraft. The company project stood down in November of The speed problem was improved with designations were as follows: 1974. They were activated in the D.VIb, which was equipped with the 1963-64 time frame, even though the ‘high compression’ Benz Bz. IIIau A - Aichi Army personnel had been setting in of 200 HP, producing a higher climb B - Boeing ELINT positions in VQ aircraft rate, a better service ceiling, and a top C - Consolidated since 1958. One interesting character- speed of 122 mph, although the later D - Douglas istic of the early monitoring equipment, engine had a tendency to overheat. G - Hitachi was that to get a Signal Of About 350 D.VI’s were built, arriving at H - Hiro Interest (SOI), you had to fly directly the front starting in May 1918. The D. He - Heinkel toward the signal source! It did not take VI flew in lower intensity sectors of J - Nihon Kogata long for "the opposition" to the front, with some navy as well as K - Kawanishi figure that one out! army units, until the end of the war, M - Mitsubishi Today’s Army SEMA aircraft are equipping Jastas 23b ,32b, 33, 35b N - Nakajima mostly developments of the systems and making up some of the equipment P - Nihon used in Vietnam. For example, of Jastas 30 and 34b. S - Sasebo the present day GUARDRAIL I, II, III, Si - Showa IV, V, etc. are all derived from the RU- Japanese Naming Conventions V - Voght-Sikorsky 21 LEFT FOOT equipment. Presently, Navy Short Designation System W - Watanabe RC-12 aircraft are being used. These By Dave Pluth Y - Yokosuka are upgraded and larger aircraft in the Z - Mizuno U-21/C-12 series of aircraft built by So what do the letter and numbers Beech. Also today, there are a few EH- mean that are associated with Japa- Example: The D3A1 was a Carrier 1 and EH- 60 helicopters nese Navy aircraft? Actually, it's really bomber (type D), the third in the carrier operating various QUICK FIX systems. quite simple. bomber series, made by Aichi. Due to advancements of computers and electronic equipment in The short designation was a combina- The final number indicates the model the last few years, the current capabil- tion of letters and numbers that helped of the aircraft. This number changes ity of Army reconnaissance aircraft are to designate the type of aircraft, the with each major change (engine, air- many time so more capable, model, manufacturer etc. frame etc), a small letter such as the faster, and more compact and efficient "c" in A6M5c was than the systems mentioned above. The first Capital letter indicated the used to designate a minor change in function of the aircraft. the aircraft. These minor changes were generally related to armament and “A Viking Ship With Wings” A - Carrier fighter weaponry. By Merrill Anderson B - Carrier attack bomber C - Reconnaissance Plane Additional letters were added to the The LFG Roland D.VI was one of D - Carrier Bomber end of some aircraft. The -K designa- the late war fighters that was beaten E - Reconnaissance Seaplane tion in aircraft such as the A6M2-K out by the Fokker D.VII in 1918. Al- F - Observation Seaplane meant that the aircraft was modified to though a good design, and reportedly G - Attack Bomber be a trainer more maneuverable and easier to fly H - Flying Boat aircraft. than the Fokker D.VII, it was relegated J - Land Based Fighter to second line service, and equipped K - Trainer References: with a second line engine, the trouble- L - Transport 1) Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War some Benz Bz.III. M - Special Floatplane by Rene' J. Francillon. Putnam Aero- The Roland D.VI had a unique type MX - Special Purpose Aircraft nautical Books, 1970 of construction for its fuselage, the N - Fighter Seaplane “klinkerrumpf” method, which used P - Bomber laminated wood strips, producing an Q - Patrol Plane extremely strong and light structure R - Land Based Reconnaissance with a “planked” look. (Thus the Viking S - Night Fighter ship quote). Roland had always been an innovator in design and assembly The first number indicates how many techniques, introducing the fabric/ different model aircraft of this function plywood lamination system used in the have been made. For example, the C II, and later Roland D types, and A6M2 was the sixth in the Carrier used by Pfalz in their D III and D XII. Fighter series. The D.VI had a good rate of climb , and could be dived harder than

Page 8 Japanese Army Naming (you gotta buy this book!) Contest Calendar Conventions 2-16-02 IPMS/Zumbro Valley By Dave Pluth Ki-61 Designation of the project and prototypes. "Rochester Contest 02 The Japanese Army used a combi- Dept of Public Safety nation of methods in their naming of Ki-61-Ia First production version of the Rochester, MN aircraft. The system consisted of a Ki- first model. Contact: Barry Brown Ki-61-Ib Second production version of 507-281-3843 tai or airframe numbering system that [email protected] began in 1932 and remained in use the first model. throughout the war. Also some of the Ki-61-I KAIc Third production version 3-2-2002 IPMS/Ft. Crook American Legion Hall aircraft received a "popular name". Re- of the first model. Ki-61-I KAId Fourth production version Millard, NE search aircraft, gliders and rotary wing Contact: [email protected] aircraft were given special designa- of the first model. 3-23-2002 IPMS Great Plains tions. Also, any aircraft that was built Ki-61-II Prototypes of the second model. KC CON 2002 previous to 1932, but still in service at Holiday Inn Express the time of implementation of the new Ki-61-II KAI Modified prototypes of the Overland Park, KS Kitai system were also included in the second model. Ed Bjes [email protected] Ki-61-II KAIa First production version airframe numbering system. These Ki- 4-13-2002 IPMS/Plastic Surgeons tai numbers were assigned in numeri- of the second model. Contact: Greg Metge cal order until 1944 when the Japa- Ki-61-II KAIb Second production ver- 817 Grand Avenue West Des Moines, IA nese tried to confuse allied intelligence sion of the second model. Ki-61-III Projected third model. 50265 by assigning numbers in a less se- [email protected] quential order. 5-3–2002 IPMS R5CON Models with the same airframe kept Gliders initially worked under this system, but were later moved to Guraida thru Hosted by IPMS/Gateway the same Ki number and were differen- 5-4-2002 May Community Center tiated by a roman numeral to show a (Ku) numbers. DePaul Hospital change in model. Different versions of Bridgeton, MO. References: Mike George the same models received an addi- [email protected] tional Japanese characters. These 1) Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War consisted of Ko, Hei, Otsu and some- by Rene' J. Francillon. Putnam Aero- 9-7-2002 Nordicon nautical Books, 1970 Thunderbird Hotel & Conven- times supplemented by a Kaizo or Kai. tion Center An example of the Ki-61 Tony, taken Bloomington, MN from Rene' Francillon's book called Contact: Steve Hustad Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War

TCAH Banquet Registration

The annual TCAH banquet is February 23, 2003 at the Hilton Garden Inn (Eagan). Cost is $25. Social hour will begin at 6 pm with dinner being served at 7 pm. Registration deadline is February 9th.

Choices Number of Dinners Both entrees include: Mixed green New York Strip Steak salad, choice of potato or rice pilaf ______seasonal vegetable, rolls and butter, coffee or iced tea. Chicken Marsala ______Total ______

Your Name: ______

Guest Name: ______

Return this form and your check (made out to Twin Cities Aerohistorians) to: Tom Norrbohm TCAH Banquet 9936 Columbus Ave. S. Bloomington, MN 55420

Page 9 Support those shops that support us!

The Aero Historian is published montly Twin City Aero Historian by the Twin City Aero Historians, Inc., a Atten: Tom Norrbohm joint chapter of the American Aviation 9936 Columbus Ave. S. Historical Society and International Bloomington, MN 55420 Plastic Modelsers Society/USA, for Return address requested members and readers as part of their annual dues or fees.

The group is open to aviation enthusiasts from teenagers on up who are interested in aviation modeling, photography, collecting, art and writing. For more information contact Steve Erickson at (763) 521-9948

The Twin Cities Aero Historians (TCAH) meet the second Saturday of every month at 1:30pm.

See above for the new meeting locations and directions.

Mail Newsletter material and address changes to the editor.

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