STRAIGHT & LEVEL Espie "Butch"Joyce 2 AlC NEWS 4 AEROMAIL 5 BULLETS FOR ALIGNMENT Bud Oliver 6 GRIMES AIRPORT FLY-IN Andrew King 8 AIRCRAFT STROBE LIGHTS Dick Hill 10 MYSTERY PLANE H. G. Frautschy 12 PLENTY OF GLASS TO WATCH THE WORLD GO BY H. G. Frautschy 17 A FLYING FLEET ON FLOATS Norm Petersen 21 A. SCOTT BERG'S LINDBERGH John Underwood 25 PASS IT TO BUCK E.E. "Buck" Hilbert 27 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 28 MEMBERSHIP INFO/CLASSIFIED ADS 32 VINTAGE MERCHANDISE Publisher TOM POBEREZNY Editor-in-Chief JACK COX Editor HENRY G. FRAUTSCHY Mallaging Editor GOLDA COX Contributing Editor JOHN UNDERWOOD Computer Graphic Specialists BETH BLANCK OLIVIA L. PHILLIP PIERRE KOTZE Photography Staff JIM KOEPNICK LEEANN ABRAMS KEN LICHTENBERG MARK SCHAIBLE AdveriisinglEditorial Assistant ISABELLE WISKE SEE PAGE 30 FOR FURTHER VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION INFORMATION by ESPIE "BUTCH " JOYCE PRESIDENT, VINTAGE AIRCRAR ASSOCIATION The Future When you make a decision to change something you've been do­ sion to land in the same direction he departed. New information was ing the same way for a long time, how can you be sure change is for used to arrive at a proper decision. the best? Additional information is what your Board has been mulling While thinking about this, an incident at my dad 's airport in the over for some time. Starting now, we've got a new look for the late fifties came to mind. A number of good old country boys were EAA Vintage Aircraft Association. What's that, you ask? It's the learning to fly in J-3s and J-5s. One new pilot named C.D. chose to new name ofthe EAA Antique/Classic Division. Your Officers, Di­ carry a passenger named Shag for his first airplane ride. A big thun­ rectors. Advisors, and the EAA staff have been working hard over derstorm was building off to the south. When warned about the the past couple of years to create a name that better defines our danger, he said it would be okay. He just wanted to fly over and take group of aircraft and the enthusiasts who enjoy vintage aircraft. You a look at it. By the time he returned, the wind direction shifted and will be proud to display the new logo on your aircraft and clothing. was now blowing very strongly out of the opposite direction from It has a feel for the style and excitement of the first half of this cen­ which he took off. Have you ever seen anyone try to land a J-3 with tury. Under the umbrella ofthe "Vintage Aircraft Association," the a 40 knot tailwind? various judging categories we currently enjoy - Antique, Classic Several passes were made and we could hear C.D and Shag and Contemporary - will be maintained. shouting at each other. In the meantime, my dad had taken off in the When renewing your membership, you will receive a member­ Tri-Pacer. He circled them to get their attention, then landed into the ship card reflecting the "Vintage Aircraft Association" name and wind. C.D followed suit and landed safely. rlater asked C.D. what logo . We're pleased to announce it will be a high quality "credit all of the shouting was about. He said Shag told him that on the next card" style card, the same weight and feel as the new EAA card landing attempt, ifhe ever got that close to the ground again, he was which has been included in EAA membership mailings since De­ going to jump. C.D. also told me that he told Shag it he ever got that cember. We're confident you'll enjoy the new look and name . close again he was going to jump too! one we feel more properly reflects the diverse interests of the nearly Fortunately, C.D . never had to decide to jump, since my father 10,000 VAA members worldwide. had presented him with new information, namely, the change in Lets all pull in the same direction for the good of aviation. Re­ wi nd direction. Using that information, he revised his initial dec i­ member we are better together. Join us and have it all! ...... INSIGHT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF EAA tage aircraft movement, which has been reflected through the name of your magazine for years. The EAA Antique/Classic Division has represented EAA mem­ The Vintage Aircraft Association, as a part ofEAA, will con­ bers who love vintage airplanes for years. Your Board, staff, tinue to serve members who preserve and upgrade an important volunteers and members have done a superb job of organizing ac­ segment of the aviation community. Currently, there are 62,000 tivities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and other fly-ins around the aircraft that are classified as Antiques, Classics or Contempo­ country, as well as presenting this excellent monthly pUblication ... raries. With over 9,000 members, the Vintage Aircraft VINTAGE AIRPLANE. Association represents a rela­ A number of years ago, you expanded your outreach to in­ tively small segment of the clude Contemporary aircraft (January 1, 1956 through December total group . The owners in 31 , 1960). As time has passed, more and more aircraft have be­ this group of aircraft have come part of this category, joining the group we call vintage expanding needs that are no airplanes. These unique airplanes that we restore and fly, repre­ longer confined to mainte­ sent our love of flight as well as the history of aviation. nance and operation, but also The growing cadre of enthusiasts who preserve our aviation include re storation and heritage, while keeping them flying, make it appropriate to en­ preservation. hance the scope and change the name of your organization to the The name of your organi­ Vintage Aircraft Association. This "banner" encompasses the An­ zation has changed, along with tique, Classic and Contemporary aircraft that continue to serve the logo and identity, but the each of us. contents and services remain The focus of the organization hasn't changed. Rather the name as strong as ever. represents the wide and varied interests that are a part of the vin­ Tom Poberezny VINTAGE AIRPLANE 1 compiled by H.G. Frautschy VINTAGE AIRPLANE NOTES During the work to move the Divi­ sion 's name to one that more completely defined the areas of interest for the entire group , we took the op­ The EAA Aviation Foundation is seek­ tired couple with the abilities to work portunity to refine the look and feel of ing an Air Academy Lodge Host Couple. with Academy Staff and participants Vintage Airplane. The Lodge Host Couple positions offer an while ensuring a safe, comfortable living First, you'll notice a new look for the opportunity to share in shaping aviation's environment and quality food service for Contents page, with more photos and future. In exchange for a furnished apart­ program participants and staff. bolder type to make it easier to find ment in the Lodge and part-time Send your resume and references to: your favorite column or feature. compensation, this couple will support Experimental Aircraft Association The information you may need to EAA's Resident Youth and Education Human Resources - Host Couple contact the EAA Vintage Aircraft As­ programs by their operating and maintain­ P.O. Box 3086 sociation and its officers and directors ing the Lodge and its kitchen. Ideally, the Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 has been compiled on one page. It will hosts are a traditional early or newly re­ or E-mail: [email protected] always be within the last four pages of the magazine, and conta ins phone numbers, E-mail addresses and web tage Aircraft Association member has by the end of 2003. site addresses for EAA and its di vi­ benefits that go well beyo nd the re­ More than 460,000 Young Eagles sions. Need to know about the AUA/ ceipt of a magazine each month, and have now been flown since July 1992, V AA insurance program? The phone we invite you to enjoy them all. The when the program was introduced at number is there. How about the web Membership Services Directory on the EAA Fly-In Convention (now site address for EAA AirVenture? It's page 30 can point you to just the infor­ EAA AirVenture) in Oshkosh. Those there as well. Being an EAA and Vi n- mation you need to enhance your yo un g people have been flown by recreational aviation experience. more than 22,000 volunteer pilots on We've also taken the oppOitunity to six continents. A large number of the "loosen up" some of the page layouts, fl ights were made in vintage aircraft making them a bit easier on the eyes by members of the EAA Vintage Air­ FRONT COVER .. Surrounding Randy by not having quite as much type on craft Association. Briscoe is 33 square feet of plexiglass each page. We're confident you'll find "The past year has been the most as he sits in the aft seat of the Lus­ the changes helpful, and if you have successful 12 months in the hi story of combe T-8F owned by him and Brice any comments or requests, feel free to the Young Eagles Program," EAA A vi­ Newberry of Kingfisher, OK. This T-8F write the Editor at the address li sted in ation Foundation President Tom was originally built as a Crop Master the Membership Ser­ model , and came complete with a crop vices Directory. Bob Lumley, EAA Vintage Aircraft Association Director (right), dusting outfit and a pair of 30 gallon enjoys a laugh with Paul Bellingham after flying in Bob's Aeronca wing mounted spray tanks .