www.gphistorical.com Next meeting May 21, 2015 11:00AM at the Historical Organization building 1516 West Main Grand Prairie, TX 75050 May Speaker Cathie Barrington is a native Texan and grew up in Midland, TX. Moved to Grand Prairie and pursued a career in Finance at LTV/Vought/Lockheed Martin (the name kept changing), retiring after 35 years. While working, she completed a BBS in Accounting at University of Texas at Arlington and a MBA in Corporate Finance at University of Dallas. Currently serves on the Board of Vought Heritage Foundation as Financial Manager. She is active as an AARP Tax Counselor for Senior Citizens and Office Manager of a Family church camp. Cathie enjoys traveling with friends and in her RV. 2014-2015 Officers President: Stephanie Jumper Moreno; [email protected] Secretary: Alice Ernst; [email protected] Treasurer: (temp) Kathy Ritterhouse; [email protected] Historian: Kathy Ritterhouse; [email protected] Past President: Janette Skrasek; [email protected] Facebook.com/GPHistorical Our Replica of the 1918 VE-7 The Chance Vought Company 1917-1930 The company was formed in early 1917 as Lewis and Vought. Vought was the engineering and management expert while Birdseye B. Lewis contributed to the financing of the venture. Lewis died in France in mid-1917 as a member of the Army Air Service and Vought went on to build the company. Vought remained the Consulting Engineer and Chairman of the Board until 1922, when the company was succeeded by the one bearing his name. He was President, Chief Engineer and the key marketer. Chance Vought Aircraft is the second oldest aircraft manufacturer in the country. For 96 years, Vought aircraft and products have been part of US and foreign military throughout the world. From 1918 thru 2014, our aircraft have been in continuous service. The final operation flights were flown by the Greek Air Force A-7H Corsair II’s in September 2012. The A-7H was retired in October 2014. Vought aircraft are some of the most recognizable in the world. Names such as “Corsair”, “Crusader”, “Kingfisher” and “Flying Pancake” are synonymous with Vought. Vought’s VE-7 was the first aircraft to take off from a US aircraft carrier. Its F-4U “Corsair”, known as the “Whistling Death” was instrumental in winning the war in the Pacific in WWII. A young John Glenn set a land speed record in an F-8 “Crusader”. Vought’s Regulus Missiles were some of the first to be deployed on US submarines. Since its inception Vought has produced over 75 different types of aircraft and missiles. In total, Vought built approximately 16,000 aircraft and missiles, primarily at its locations in Connecticut and since 1948 at its Jefferson Street Dallas location. Vought has a long and proud heritage! More about the company can be found on our website at http://www.vought.org/years/html/17-30.html. This heritage is being maintained by The Vought Heritage Foundation through a major website, a world-class archive, and restoration of Vought aircraft for aviation museums throughout the United States. All of this is being accomplished by members of the Vought Retiree Club. Restored 1939 V-173 Vought Heritage Foundation In 1996 the Vought Retiree Club was formed, primarily for social activities. Shortly after, the role was expanded to include “Special Projects”, which led to development of a Historical Archive, Website, Aircraft Restoration Projects, and organization of VHF. Archives - In late 1997, a former Vought executive contacted company management and gained permission to review Vought archive files that were due for destruction and to acquire the material (document files, photographs, microfilm, motion picture film, and other items. The Archive was born. Website - Recognizing the value of the Internet in carrying on the name of Vought, a Website was authorized in early 1998. Over 100 Vought Retirees worked for 2 years to develop the full history of the company which was aired in January 2000 as www.vought.org. It is constantly upgraded with new historical finds. It is viewed by aviation enthusiast thru out the world. Aircraft Restoration – Aircraft restoration was of interest from our inception. In 1998, the retirees approached company management about starting restoration activities on Vought artifacts. The company agreed to allow the retirees to use the hanger facilities in Building 76 rent free. The company also provided “seed” money to help defray some of the material and transportation costs. The first artifact, an A-7 Corsair was acquired from the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, was delivered to Building 76 in July 1999. Forming of the Vought Heritage Foundation Soon the retirees realized that to acquire, restore or build some of the older Vought artifacts they would have to be able to generate more money than the company would commit. So, in 2005 the retirees, with the help of the company, formed Vought Heritage Foundation (VHF), a 501(c)(3) not for profit entity, so that we could solicit funds, and like kind contributions, from others to support its ongoing operations. The Stated Mission of VHF is to continue to work to preserve Vought’s name and heritage as long as it has people, money and facilities to do so. VHF is comprised of all volunteers. No one gets paid. In addition, everyone is encouraged to work on whatever they want. We generally work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At any one time, we have from 20 to 30 people working on all aspects of our mission. VHF currently supports its operations through donations, grants and the sale of our “built from scratch” items. Restored F4U Current Status Website - Our initial website, was dedicated to allowing the casual visitor or most ardent fan to browse through information gathered about Vought products; as well as information about its roots, founder, key executives, and reminisces by those associated with Vought. It is regularly maintained and, periodically, new sections are added to its ever expanding pages. It has been previously sponsored in turn by Vought, Northrop Grumman and Triumph and now has been transferred to VHF management as www.Vought.org. Archive - We are in the process of identifying and sending this material to the University Of Texas at Dallas to become part of its world class aerospace collection. To date, we have obtained and/or identified over 1.2 million articles. Once the material is identified and properly catalogued it is shipped to UTD, where it is incorporated into their collection and can be viewed by going to the Internet. A key aspect of archive activity is providing data to the restoration projects in the form of engineering drawings, photographs, etc. Aircraft Restoration - Since 1999, VAHF has restored, or built from scratch, 8 museum quality aircraft and missiles, which are on display at museums throughout the country. We are currently working on two more Vought products. An F-7U “Cutlass”, circa 1950’s, is on loan from the USS Midway museum in San Diego, which will be returned to them upon completion. Our second current project is a built from scratch replica of a 1930’s vintage O3U Corsair biplane fabricated of wood, cloth and metal. We hope to place this aircraft in the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Mini-Corsair: One of Vought’s acquisitions was a one-half scale F4U Corsair aircraft. It was built to fly but the owner decided it would have a better home at VHF. It has been the center of attention at scores of events in the DFW area. Baby Corsair has been a Star ever since she came to VHF. Vought Heritage Foundation Retiree Club PO Box 532794, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-2794 817-478-1571 hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf Lunch for the May 21 meeting is $10.00. PLEASE RSVP to Stephanie Moreno 214-738-6444 for your reservation BEFORE Monday, May 18th. Space could be limited for this meeting. hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf JUNE BUS TRIP June 25th 10:00AM Join us as we tour more of Grand Prairie’s historical sites. Last year, there was a WONDERFUL response. We were only able to see some of the many historical markers and sites in our city. Cost is $25.00 person Please join us for tour #2 on June 25th. The bus will leave the GP Organization Historical Building promptly at 10:00AM. RSVP no later than Thursday, June 18 to make sure you have a seat. Stephanie Moreno 214-738-6444 hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf hf Nominating Committee The nominating committee will be calling on our members to volunteer for an office for the 2015-2016 year. We hope you’ll support GPHO as we continue to march forward into the future. Committee members are: Angela Giessner, Cheryl Dover and Alice Ernst PLEASE SAY YES WHEN THEY CALL FOR YOUR HELP. THANK YOU BYLAWS CHANGE NOTICE The Executive Committee is recommending the following change to the Bylaws: As written - Article VII - Rules of Order and Amendments to By-laws, Section 2, 2. Election Meeting: Biennial – In (MAY) November of the odd number years. The change would be - Article VII: Rules of Order and Amendments to By-laws, Section 2, 2. Election Meeting: Annually in November. The reason for the change: When a person is elected as President-elect this becomes a four year commitment. They must serve two years as President-elect and two years as President. In our ever-changing society, this limits the pool of candidates for fear of the length of service.