The Flyer September 2013

The Home Stretch

Photo by John Mccullagh

2013 AirPower History Tour winding down (but not over yet! – see inside)

September 2013

B-29/B-24 Squadron Officer & Staff Listing Position

Name

Telephone

E-mail

Squadron Leader

Neils Agather

817-946-9950

vnagather@agathertx.com

Executive Officer

Tom Travis

972-241-8102

TomTravis@aol.com

Adjutant & Personnel Officer

Debbie Travis King

469-688-1709

Squadadjutant@gmail.com

Crew Chief

Rick Garvis

972-380-8800

rgarvis@cafhq.org

Finance Officer

Gerald Oliver

312-953-0357

goliver@behringerharvard.com

Maintenance Officer

Don Obreiter

580-471-3048

obreiter@cableone.net

Operations Officer & B-29 Tour Coordinator

David Oliver

630-853-9624

B29ops@gmail.com

Public Information Officer

Kim Pardon

432-413-4100

kmpardon@yahoo.com

Ride Captain

Jon Oliver

312-925-6184

jake8350@gmail.com

Safety & Training Officer B-29 Scheduling Officer

John Flynn

717-632-4497

jnaflynn@embarqmail.com

B-24 Scheduling Officer

Chuck Burton

972-243-1316

charlesdburton@msn.com

Facility Manager

Jim Neill

972-306-1051

jakat2@verizon.net

Appearance Captain

Henry Bordelon

972-406-0644

pixiee@sbcglobal.net

Docent Emeritus

Jack Bradshaw

214-987-1963

jackbradshaw@sbcglobal.net

Webmaster

Rick Greer

The Flyer Editor

Konley Kelley

rgreer4@gmail.com

214-995-5184

konartist@verizon.net

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In this Issue:

History made again! September 2, 2013 First all female back-end crew on FIFI. L-R: Erin Hardesty, Caren Landis and Sarah Elizabeth

• AirPower History Tour Schedule • AirPower EXPO McKinney Poster • Officer Reports “Keep FIFI Flying” Fundraiser & Website • Diamond Lil B-24 Go Team Report • “Keep Diamond Lil Flying” Fundraiser & Website • Member News • Crew 713 Fundraiser Event • Volunteer Spotlight “Rocky Smith” • Feature Story: “My First Flight as Loadmaster “ by Angie Whitney • Tour Photo Album • Editor’s Corner • Squadron Contact Information Congratulations to Angie Whitney on being qualified as Loadmaster on the B-24. She joins just one other qualified female Loadmaster, Peggy Stojkov (based on available info at the time of the newsletter printing)

In this issue: “My First Flight as Loadmaster”

by Angie Whitney Photos by Kevin Hong

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Fall Events Lancaster, TX Fayetteville, AR

Aug 31 Sep 19 – 22

Lake Charles, LA McKinney, TX Midland, TX Houston, TX

Sep 26-28 Oct 3 – 6 Oct 11 – 13 Oct 25 – 27

B-24 “Warbirds on Parade” B-29 / B-24 / B-25 / P-51 / C-45 / T-6 Bikers, Blues, BarBQ and Bombers B-29 Chennault Airshow B-29 / B-24 / B-17 / B-25 / P-51 / C-45 / T-6 + many more B-29 / B-24 / CAF fleet of aircraft: CAF AirSho B-29 / B-24 / P-51 / C-45 / T-6 Airshow

Red/Bold indicates both bombers appearing together

Please check www.AirPowerTour.org for the latest schedule

Photo by John Mccullagh

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Squadron Report I would like to dedicate my Flyer contribution to the subject of the proposed move of CAF HQ from Midland. As you have heard, after careful consideration, the General Staff has narrowed the list of cities vying for the CAF National Airbase to all Texas cities. The future of the Commemorative Air Force lies in Texas, as it has for more than fifty-five years. Though the locations in Olathe, Kan. and Smyrna, Ten., were very appealing candidates, the General Staff has been pleased with the interest expressed by the Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio officials in being the home of the CAF National Airbase. The remaining finalist locations are (alphabetical by airport): • • • • • •

Alliance Airport, Fort Worth Collin County Airport, McKinney (Dallas Metropolitan) Dallas Executive Airport, Dallas Ellington Field Airport, Houston Lackland/Kelly Airport, San Antonio North Texas Regional Airport, Sherman/Dennison, (Dallas Metropolitan)

The narrowed list will allow the CAF Board of Directors (General Staff) to focus more on these specific cities and dedicate their time in working with each community to determine the best location for the future of the organization.

Over the last few months, you have seen articles in Dispatch and On the Fly regarding the relocation of CAF Headquarters and the reasons the moving forward now is critical to the future of the organization. It seems like with every big announcement comes confusion, concern and unfortunately a lot of rumors.

As you know, in May of 2013 the CAF announced its intent to create a CAF National Airbase that will serve as our premier location and Headquarters. Your vote FOR the amendment will give your General Staff the one time authority to select the final location from among the aforementioned three Texas cities.

Rumors can be alarming so I want to address what is happening in Midland since the announcement. Initially Steve Brown met with the Mayor, City Manager, Airport Director and City Attorney to explain, in detail, the plans for the future of the CAF nationally and the continued CAF presence in Midland. The City of Midland officials had initially been supportive of the plans to renovate the CAF Airpower Museum. The City of Odessa officials have been like-minded, understanding the need for national growth of the CAF and happy to learn of the plans for the Midland campus.

However, one official in the Texas House of Representatives has chosen an adversarial stance on the relocation.

Moreover, he is pressuring local officials and local CAF members to try and block this opportunity to create a CAF National Airbase. For years, Rep. Tom Craddick has been a supporter and advocate for the CAF Airpower Museum; however, despite numerous attempts to explain the CAF’s intent for the Midland Campus, Mr. Craddick has refused to accept the relocation of Headquarters staff, citing the museum will be abandoned. Let me assure you, the CAF Airpower Museum is NOT closing its doors or being stripped of artifacts and displays for the new CAF National Airbase. The truth is quite the opposite: The plans are to renovate the Midland museum and campus to bring it in line with the airbase requirements, which means top-notch displays and facilities. It is our hope that Mr. Craddick will change his stance and appreciate our intent to improve the Midland facility, not destroy it, when he sees for himself the changes already happening here. What is important to know is that the

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museum improvements were planned before the General Staff proposed the relocation of Headquarters and will be completed regardless of the election outcome in October. The CAF Airpower Museum is a great asset to the CAF membership and we are committed to continuing its mission of education so long as the state and local funding and support continues.

Many have asked “why we need to create a CAF National Airbase when we have the Midland based campus still in operation” and “how could the CAF manage both the Midland museum and a new national facility?” The answer is simple; we do it every day. Through your leadership and dedication, the CAF operates more than 70 units and sponsor groups. The Midland location will be no different. The CAF Airpower Museum will take on greater ownership of the facilities and continue operations. AIRSHO will also continue at Midland International Airport under the leadership of the CAF Airpower Museum and High Sky Wing. Most of you know that this is very little change, as the AIRSHO has been member-volunteer driven since the early days. Gena Linebarger, the current High Sky Wing leader, has served as AIRSHO Chairman for the last four years and plans to continue in that role. The CAF Headquarters staff will work closely with the Museum staff and High Sky Wing during the transition and support AIRSHO, even after establishing the CAF National Airbase.

But why transition now? Because the CAF is poised to become the most influential organization in General Aviation! Over the last six years, the CAF brand has become one of the most recognizable in aviation. We have become a leader in not only the warbird industry, but in General Aviation through the leadership of our Colonels and staff. We have become part of the efforts to protect the rights and interests of General Aviation pilots and enthusiasts and made connections with other organizations throughout the country. Now is the time for us to have a physical location that makes us more accessible to the general public and allows for us to reach a broader audience with our education efforts.

The CAF Mission is “education such that Americans will value and support the contributions of military aviation in assuring our nation’s freedom.” To achieve that mission, it is critical that the CAF National Airbase be at an airport in a community of at least one million people that is easily accessible to tourists and visitors. This relocation will allow the CAF to create an aviation attraction with educational displays, entertaining activities and an annual airshow. We will also make efforts to partner with other leading innovative, historical, education and entertainment-based organizations to accomplish this mission.

The establishment of a CAF National Airbase is positive for the CAF in many ways, but it is also positive for YOU, the Colonels. Being in a major metropolitan area will mean less time and expense traveling to reach it.

It allows us to offer you more support and participation opportunities as the organization continues to grow.

Member Dues and ANUAC will NOT be raised to fund the CAF National Airbase. In the past six years, we have increased our fundraising and revenue generating activities, which allows these two things to remain unchanged.

Also, we expect the increase in business operations at the new location will increase the bottom line for the CAF. So how are we going to fund the new facility? The General Staff is negotiating with the cities for economic incentives for us to establish or build the new CAF National Airbase, and based on the information I have, several of the locations are coming up with very good incentives. Since we don’t know what the final tally will be, it is hard to give you an idea of the cost. Depending on the incentives we receive – we will scale and phase the facilities accordingly. But, we already have internal financial strength in the CAF Foundation and we will pursue fundraising aggressively with the local constituents and foundations in the new location. One of the requirements of the new location is a large population base that we can tap into for fundraising and support. The General Staff will not saddle you, the membership, with any type of financial assessment. It is the goal of the General Staff to continue to diversify our fundraising efforts.

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The process of working with potential locations has begun and it is critical that you vote FOR the amendment to give your General Staff this one time authority to select a location that will be an asset to the growth of the CAF. If this amendment fails, there will be no opportunity to relocate the CAF in the near future, as bidding locations will not take us seriously. We are at the prime opportunity in the life of our organization to make the leap for a successful future.

Your vote to give the authority to the General Staff to choose among these three Texas cities is critical to the success of the CAF. As you can imagine, the pushback from the former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives has created a great amount of concern and negative feelings among certain groups of members in West Texas who may vote against this amendment. For each no vote, we need to have three YES votes for this move to happen. Yes votes are crucial if you want the CAF to be able to move forward by relocating to Dallas, San Antonio or Houston.

Neils at the B-29/B-24 Squadron meeting in September

It is critical that you request an absentee ballot today, even if you plan to attend the General Membership Meeting at AIRSHO this October. This will ensure you are able to vote in case inclement weather, delayed flights or other interruptions keep you from the meeting at the last minute. So please, request your absentee ballot today by e-mailing Keith Lawrence at klawrence@cafhq.org or by printing a request from the CAF Members Only website.

Neils Agather Squadron Leader

Photo by Brian Audette

Photo by Konley Kelley

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Executive Officer Report If you’ve been out on tour the past couple of years, you’ve met Chuck Gardner. Chuck flies the Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s P-51 Mustang, The Brat III. Chuck was in Colorado Springs with us recently and headed back to Texas. Cruising at 9,500 feet over eastern New Mexico, he noticed his engine’s coolant temperature* climbing toward the redline. Not a good thing in a Mustang. He had just passed over some rugged terrain and was over relatively flat ranchland.

Chuck and a passenger in The Brat III in 2012

Realizing a forced landing was in his future, Chuck asked Albuquerque Center for a vector to the nearest suitable airport. After an initial heading in the wrong direction, the controller corrected his mistake and gave Chuck a better heading to fly to an airport. Very quickly, Chuck realized no airport was within reach so he selected a rancher’s pasture, shut the engine down and set up for a forced landing. A combination of skill and experience gave Chuck the edge he needed and he made a nice landing without so much as a scratch on a beautiful airplane.

Chuck admits there was some luck involved because the initial faulty heading put him in a position to be over the right spot. The rancher and his wife, Delton and Mary Caye Judd, were very gracious people and not only helped Chuck tow the airplane up near the house and secure it, but put him up for a couple of nights while the maintenance crew drove out to retrieve the airplane.

Coincidentally, Mary Caye’s Dad flew B-29s from Tinian in WWII. Next time you see Chuck, congratulate him on a job well done.

Debbie Travis King and Tom Travis aboard Diamond Lil

Tom Travis Executive Officer *It was a water pump failure in the P-51 and she’ll be back in the air in no time.

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Flight Operations Report Fall Schedule: This fall is a great opportunity for those who want to volunteer for weekend trips to get on board and travel with us. Many trips this fall are weekend trips which leave on Friday and return on Sunday night. Please check the members website area for an updated schedule. If you are interested, please contact John Flynn to include yourself on the crew. Positions sometime fill fast so the sooner the better. John's contact information is below.

John Flynn 717-632-4497 jnaflynn@embarqmail.com Members Website: I have heard good feedback about the new Squadron website. If your looking to get into the members section please remember that there is one generic password: superfortress You can view our archive of wonderful Squadron newsletters in addition to the Squadron roster and flight manuals. I work hard to keep the tour schedule up to date with detailed information for crew members and try to include any other pertinent information for the squadron. Any feedback or areas of improvement about the site are welcome.

Be sure to also visit our tour website at www.airpowertour.org Volunteers needed for McKinney AirPower EXPO: I need to recruit volunteers to help us put up temporary fencing for the AirPower EXPO. We will be working Tuesday and Wednesday Oct. 1 & 2 to drive in the temporary posts and orange construction fencing. If your interested in helping with construction please contact David Oliver at b29ops@gmail.com or 630-853-9624. We will also be needing help with various other positions and roles during the weekend.

Thanks, David Oliver Flight Operations Officer

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Training & Safety Report Our long and successful summer tour season is behind us.

We had a safe and productive season and our squadron members who participated, can be very proud of their accomplishments. Now, for those who could not get away to help out on the longer summer tours, we are headed out in September on some weekend, out and back tour stops.

These stops include Drake Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Chennault Field in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Let’s all work together to continue this good safety record during our September weekend stops and the remainder of the year.

John Flynn Safety Officer

REMEMBER: IF THE JOB IS DONE RIGHT, IT IS SAFE!

Photo by John Mccullagh

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PIO Report Greetings from Fayetteville, Arkansas where we are kicking off the Fall Tour (I'm calling it the "home stretch" of what has been a great touring season). The B-29, B-24, Bucket and SB2C are visiting the Arkansas Air and Military Museum for Bikes, Blues and BBQ. Over 350,000 visitors are expected in Fayetteville this weekend -- that's a lot of people AND bikes. We had great advance press here and plenty of news cameras on the ramp when we arrived. All good.

My time is currently consumed by the upcoming Dallas AirPower EXPO in McKinney. We have received outstanding help from the McKinney community promoting this event. For starters, we will be doing media flights with World War II Veterans on Thursday morning (October 3) followed by an early morning live remote with WBAP from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Friday. We are hoping for beautiful weather and a huge crowd all weekend long.

Heaviest on my mind is the upcoming election at the general membership meeting during AirSho in Midland. CAF Colonels will be voting on one of the most important issues ever in the history of the CAF. If you haven't requested your absentee ballot from Keith Lawrence at HQ, please email him today (klawrence@cafhq.org) and do so. The CAF has made great progress over the past few years becoming one of the most successful general aviation organizations and one of the most influential warbird organizations in the industry. I hope every CAF Colonel will put aside any egocentric interest and vote for what is best for the Commemorative Air Force and its long term mission.

Kim Pardon PIO

Kim at the Ride Desk

Photo by John Mccullagh

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Financial Report

By Gerald Oliver, Finance Officer Thanks to all the Tour Leaders and Tour Crew for their great work so far in 2013. The financial results are positive. The Officers are beginning to plan to reserve funds for the future needs of the planes.

AirPower EXPO in McKinney All Squadron members are invited to attend the CAF AirPower EXPO in McKinney on Oct 3 -6. This event, sponsored by our Squadron, will feature over 25 warbirds and historic planes. There will be cockpit tours, veterans events, a Big Band concert, plus much more. You can see all the details online at www.AirPowerExpo.org .

We will need volunteers for the event. Primarily we need help at the gate, flight line safety and set up. We especially need volunteers to set up the grounds on Wed, Oct 2 and tear down Sunday night. Please email me if you can help at goliver@behringerharvard.com .

Best Regards, Gerald Oliver Finance Officer

Photo by Scott Slocum

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www.keepfififlying.org

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B-24 Go Team Report Diamond Lil completed the "Summer B Tour" with flying colors. Crew Chief Rick Garvis, with Don Thurston and Ben Powers have done a great job. Operations included some high elevation airports in Colorado, and a very successful event in New Century, KS with the Mid-America Wing. Hot weather was a feature at all of these events, but aircraft and crew performed well. A special Thank You to Jim Neill, who was Loadmaster - and much more - though the entire six week tour.

After a short stop in Addison, Lil flew to Lancaster, TX on August 31st for the DFW Wing "Warbirds on Parade". It was also HOT, but many local volunteers came along for the ride, some Loadmaster & FE training and to assist with aircraft tours. We flew two ride flights, and then back to Addison. Bob Kirby, Mike Schmit and David Oliver put in some late hours tracking down electronics gremlins.

The "Planes & Pontiacs Fly Day" at Cavanaugh Museum on September 7 & 8th was another weekend opportunity for local volunteers, who were a big help in staffing the aircraft tours and two ride flights.

Again, the Texas summer was in evidence! Thanks to Jim Neill, Konley Kelley, Angie Whitney, Joel Kimmel, Steve Rabroker, Jack Bradshaw, Bill Hickox and Larry Jeffus. I am also overdue to acknowledge the many hours that Henry Bordelon dedicated to making Lil look "clean & shiny" after months in the hangar - Thank you Henry!

It's time to look north for the next event - Fayetteville, AR on September 19-22nd, for Bikes, Blues, BBQ & Bombers. FIFI, BOB and other Warbirds will also be there.

The Dallas AirPower EXPO at McKinney, October 3 - 6th is shaping up to be a signature event for our Squadron. But, we will need all the help we can get! This is another opportunity for our local members to be involved. Also, keep in mind AOPA Summit at Ft Worth Meacham on Oct 9-11th, Midland Airsho Oct 11-13th and Wings Over Houston on Oct 25-27th.

With Lil now as part of the AirPower Tour, the original goals of the B-24 Go Team have been completed. After a discussion with the Squadron, it was decided to keep the B-24 Go Team active, with a focus on activities for the next year. I ask that we remain mindful that work toward improving Diamond Lil is just part of the bigger picture of supporting the entire B-29/B-24 Squadron - let's work as ONE! Thanks!

Al Benzing B-24 Go Team Leader Photo by Paul Brayman

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www.KeepDiamondLILFlying.org.

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Member News September, 2013

In August, the Squadron welcomed the following new members: Cindy Armour, Murfreesborough, TN Chad Beattie, Farmers Branch, TX Eric Murdoch, Greenwood, SC Brian Ebert, Kannapolis, NC Cheryl Hilvert, Montgomery, OH Samantha Shulz, Oregon, WI Alma Smith, Dallas, TX Robert Hogan, Lubbock ,TX Rich Studer, Dallas, TX If you have any membership questions, please feel free to contact me at: squadadjutant@gmail.com

Squadron Docent Emeritus, Jack Bradshaw, returned to help with cockpit tours of Diamond Lil in Lancaster. It was great to see Jack!

Dues and new member applications can be mailed to: Debbie King 13562 Braemar Drive Dallas, Texas 75234 B29/B24 Squadron Adjutant 469-688-1709 Officers Up For Elections / Two Year Term: Adjutant Officer / Elected 2011 Maintenance Officer / Elected 2011 Safety Officer / Elected 2011 Nominating Committee: Mary Roz Torcoletti: torcs@thetorcs.com Paul Torcoletti Jon Oliver : joliver@onesourcepower.com Please contact the Torcoletti's or Jon Oliver with nominees. The election will be held at the November meeting.

Squadron Flight Ops Officer, David Oliver, was featured in this video “Warbirds Salute to Veterans.” David is an alumni of Southern Illinois Unversity in Carbondale, IL. Also featured are the Squadron’s three SIU interns, Jake Baldwin, Michael Szemplinski and Kyle Householder.

http://watch.wsiu.org/video/2365063524/

No Squadron monthly meeting in October.

See you at the AirPower EXPO in McKinney!

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CREW 713 Fundraiser In the June issue of THE FLYER, Alex Mena, a documentary filmmaker was interviewed. Alex is developing a documentary entitled CREW 713: THE MEN WHO FLEW THE IRISHMAN’S SHANTY. On September 12th the CAF hangar, with Diamond Lil as a backdrop, was the scene of a fundraiser for Alex’ project. We asked Alex how it went.

Photos by Dave Shafer Photography

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness about the project and to raise funds and identify potential donors.

Afterwards Alex said they did OK. His team is making follow-up calls and sending e-mails to the attendees and others.

Alex was especially proud of his producers, Fiona Hall and Kelly McNichol for the outstanding job they did preparing for the event. It was a highlight to see his team deliver a sales pitch before a live audience and to conduct a Q&A about the project.

Alex said, “The cooperation of the CAF B29/B24 Squadron in helping us to put on this event was outstanding. A special mention to Al Benzing, Konley Kelley and Joel Kimmel for the cockpit tours. Also thanks to Jim Neill, Angie Whitney, David Oliver, Rick Garvis, Gerald Oliver, Neils Agather and the rest of the Squadron for their help. A shout out to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum for their cooperation and support as well.”

Pre-production planning for the project is currently underway for a scheduled November shoot with Diamond Lil for CREW 713 re-enactments. Keep checking www.crew713.com and Facebook for updates.

Alex and the CREW 713 team will be supporting the AirPower EXPO in McKinney. Be sure and stop by their display to say hello and learn more about the project.

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Volunteer Spotlight Rocky Smith

by Konley Kelley A few weeks ago, Leah Block at CAF HQ posted a message on Facebook asking for members to share stories about great Px Officers in CAF units. This prompted me to contact our Px Officer, Rocky Smith.

Rocky is not only a great Px Officer, he is a valued member of our Squadron who actively helps with maintenance and crew duties on both our aircraft.

Rocky is our September Volunteer Spotlight.

Rocky was born and raised in Dayton, OH. He was the youngest of five children (two brothers, two sisters). Rocky’s Dad served in the Army in WWII. He drove in a trucking outfit like the “Red Ball Express.” Rocky’s Mom ran a beauty shop.

After high school, Rocky enlisted in the Air Force.

He did his basic at Lackland AFB and technical training at Chanute AFB. Rocky was classified as an Airframe Repair Specialist. He worked with a variety of materials with sheet metal being the most often task. As he said, “If it’s made out of wood, metal, or fiberglass he could fix it or, if he can’t fix it, he’d make you a new one.”

Rocky and his wife, Alma

Rocky later transferred to Little Rock AFB and the 314th Tactical Aircraft Wing. There he maintained C-130s and saw temporary duty at Mildenhall AFB in England in 1975 and 1977.

Rocky said these pics were taken within a few days of each other.

Rocky was honorably discharged from the Air Force with the rank of Sergeant E-4 on July 31, 1978.

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Rocky returned to Little Rock and built Falcon jets. He went to night school at the University of Arkansas. In 1979, he moved back to Dayton, OH and attended the Ohio Institute of Photography. He double-majored in Portrait and Commercial Photography. Rocky’s next 20 years were in commercial photography. He moved to Dallas in 1983. In 2000, a fellow photographer at the studio asked Rocky if he could help with a magazine cover for an aviation story about the Tuskegee Airmen. Rocky met original Tuskegee pilot, Major William V. Francis.

This chance encounter made Rocky think about his Air Force days. Rocky had dreams of being a pilot. He wasn’t allowed to pursue pilot training in the Air Force. Rocky was determined to change that and got his private pilot’s license in 2001.

Although he could fly, Rocky realized he didn’t have many friends who were interested in aviation. He decided he needed to hang out at air shows - and find a reason to hang out at air shows.

This launched his new business as an air show vendor selling t-shirts, hats and other crowd-pleasing items. In 2002, Rocky and his wife, Alma, went to three air shows. By 2011, they were selling goods at 30 air shows a year.

Sample of Rocky’s photography

Things came full circle when Rocky joined the CAF. His dreams as a kid to be in the midst of legendary WWII fighters and bombers became a full-time passion. Rocky and Alma now tour with the CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron. Everyday on tour with the CAF he witnesses amazing things. Asking him to tell one story is almost impossible – there are so many. In Mesa, AZ this year, Rocky saw the family of a B-29 bombardier chip in to buy this man a ride. The man wore his original uniform and boarded FIFI to get in his old seat. Three generations of family members shouted out to him as he taxied away. When FIFI returned the CAF crew held back the crowds so the family could spend time with their patriarch privately as he got out of the plane. Smiles and tears were everywhere.

These days Rocky sells a wide variety of Px items. I asked him what his most precious personal Px item is. It seems, right after he learned to print shirts, he created a Tuskegee Airmen t-shirt.

He and Alma have been collecting signatures on this shirt from Tuskegee Airmen for many years. It is priceless to them.

Rocky is looking forward to touring with FIFI and Diamond Lil for many more air show seasons. Rocky’s RV and trailer filled with his Px items, sewing equipment and digital photography equipment made every stop with the CAF B-29/B-24 unit except for Fargo (due to his RV needing maintenance). He also has a personal goal for next year. He wants to get back in the sky and fly again.

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Don’t forget Christmas will be here before you know it. Rocky would be glad to help you with your shopping list and Squadron members get a discount on merchandise. He is always thinking about new products he can offer. With some downtime coming up this winter, he is going to work on some new items for our Px. Rocky will be at the AirPower EXPO in McKinney. Please stop by and thank he and Alma for the great job they do. Rocky and Alma – you are the best!

Rocky and Alma with friends in front of the Px

B-29 / B-24 Squadron PX http://www.b24b29px.org Find us on

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“My First Flight as Loadmaster”

By Angie Whitney

WOO HOO!! OMG!! What else can I say???

Joining this Squadron has given me the opportunity to do things most people in the world only dream about! A couple of years ago I asked the question “What do you do when real life starts catching up to all of your dreams?”

(Stolen from the movie “The Newsroom”) The answer…you write new dreams. So I did.

On July 11, 2013, I took my first flight on Diamond Lil, I had to overcome a lot of my airplane fears. Understand, I am used to the emergency row on a jetliner and none of my family members have ever flown in a bomber.

The flight was phenomenal. The experience was fantastic. The way the plane smells, the noise, the way it feels, it is so visceral. I thought of all the men I have seen in photographs who had flown on board similar planes and the jobs they were assigned. These men knew that they were not setting out to do something fun, exciting maybe, but not fun. For us on Diamond Lil in this century it is a lot different.

Jim Neill is an amazing trainer. He walked me through the duties of the loadmaster in the hanger, step-bystep, realizing that nothing trains you like actually doing it; also realizing that I was about to be overwhelmed as I started out on my first training flight.

On one of my training flights, we were fortunate enough to get 4+ plus hours on board as four pilots were getting reacquainted with the plane after 15 months of a Lil’s “facelift”. At one point, we had Debbie Travis at the helm and myself heading up the back of the back plane, two females, one in front and one in back. I wonder if the original flyers on this plane ever imagined women would be running the show on a B-24?

Fast forward to Sunday, September 8, 2013, Cavanaugh Air Show, Addison, TX… Finally the temperature had dropped to under 100 degrees in North Texas, so it started as a great day!! The plane was on display and ready to go when we arrived at 9am at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. We set up the signs and the visitors started coming by to check out the ol’ girl. We had a few riders sign up to fly.

Then about 11am, Irvin Gratch a 90-year old B-24 Navigator who flew on the B-24 Let 'Er Rip, came by and signed up to fly and share the experience with his grandson. When visitors found out a WWII B-24 Navigator was flying, they signed up to share the experience. (Check out the next issue for a full piece on Irv!) The flight sold out.

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I did the pre-flight with the passengers. So many things to remember: chocks, fire extinguisher, wet/dry signals, seatbelts, guns, radio, earplugs, barf bags “wait where are they…we won’t need them, we’re fine” - manifest, guns (wait I said that already), close the door, make sure the door is closed, is the door locked, hand signals, landing gear, watch the runway, make sure passengers are seated, do not let them know it is your first solo….it was intense, it was hot…and the wheels went up!

I am up, out of my seat “OK time to let the passengers move around the plane, get the gun in place, do not let it hit the side of the plane, do not let go of the gun, one at a time, let them go put their “butt in the sling” (get it???) one at a time, everyone wants their picture taken firing at the clouds, wow…wait…my face hurts from smiling!” All the sudden, I am completely overwhelmed as I look at the passengers and I can see in their faces that they too are each having their own private experiences, their own moments.

Some passengers were there to better understand the stories their family members shared about the War, others were there for the experience, another chose to fly to overcome a fear, and Irv, he shared this experience with his grandson. I looked at his grandson and there it was, that moment when it all hit!

WOW! It seemed like time stood still until our pilot, David Oliver, tells me to go ahead and seat the passengers, I cannot believe this flight, my first solo flight, is winding down. I look up and oh no, one of our passengers needs a “barf” bag, now I wish I had found the “barf” bags…thank goodness our flight engineer Don Obreiter was on it and he saved the day or at least the clean up!

We landed back in Addison. First one off the plane was Irv. He flew in the Navigator’s seat and took pictures with all the passengers in the cockpit. When asked how the flight was, he responded with “I stood the whole flight; it was just like old times!” For those 30 minutes he was 19 again. All the passengers gave Irv a round of applause and I saw many of them go over and shake his hand. It was an honor to have Irv aboard Diamond Lil and a big honor for me for my first solo to have a veteran to represent the Greatest Generation! Thank you Irv! Back on the ground, we tucked Diamond Lil back into the hanger, we got the oil pans under the engines and we headed home. Needless to say, it was a day that will live on and on with me. A day that no one can ever take away from me.

I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in taking this historic plane on the road and to fly aboard. Thank you to Jim Neill for the incredible training, and please keep sharing your knowledge with all of us.

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History Tour

Photos by John Mccullagh

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History Tour

Photos above by Kevin Hong Photos below by Raymond Jeffcoat

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Editor’s Corner “Rosie the Riveter” takes a ride on Diamond Lil

“Rosie the Riveter,” aka Lisa Foster, joined the Squadron for Warbirds on Parade in Lancaster. She loved her flight on Diamond Lil and stood by in case she was needed for maintenance. Great news! “Rosie” will be joining us at the AirPower EXPO in McKinney, too.

Photos by Raymond Jeffcoat

This Month in History: Japanese surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri Teaching kids true history can challenging thanks to Hollywood. Konley Kelley uses this example in his presentations for local schools. On September 2, 1945 the Japanese signed the instrument of surrender aboard the USS Missouri, BB-63. No hostile aliens from outer space were present.

Historically accurate Not historically accurate

THE FLYER WANTS YOU! You are welcome to contribute a story, photographs and artwork for this decades-old newsletter.

If you are a veteran, please tell us your story. Squadron members continually meet veterans at the hangar, on tour and in everyday life – let us know their stories. We’re also looking for contributors for “This Month in History” and news spotlighting our aircraft and members.

Thank you and “Keep ‘em Flying!”

Konley Kelley THE FLYER editor konartist@verizon.net

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B-29 / B-24 Squadron Addison Airport 4730 George Haddaway Drive Addison, Texas 75001 www.cafb29b24.org 972-387-2924 (Hangar) 432-413-4100 (Ride Desk) 28