VA-Vol-3-No-910-Sept-Oct-1975

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1975

EDITORIAL FOR VINTAGE AIRPLANE We have received seve ral comments regard ing o ur last iss ue of Vin tage Airp/ane , and we were please d that they were favorable a nd that we are able to continue to produce favorable res ults. H owever, in organizations such as ours, with our man y and va ried interests which range from the homebuilt, antiqu e, classic, rotary wing and warbird aircraft, many times we find it very difficul t to gather the enthusiasm for the overall movement which is necessary to ensure our total success.

We must assure that we have among us, both workers and a great deal of wisdom to meet the challenges that face sport/general aviation. In my many trave ls aro und the country I am privileged to talk to m an y who are involved in various phases of aviation . Across my d esk each day come many letters expressing unha ppin ess with aviation, in one way or another. How does one, in my position, meet these challenges of attempting to reduce taxa tion , ward off the continuing growth of restrictions on use of airports or this vast ocean of air above us . All too often one believes that he or she can join an organization a nd that the dues will do the rest.

I must admit that I too at one time believed this same thing, but it did not take me long to learn that this is not the solution to our problems. The solution is to develop a strong, reputable, hard working force. One that is not made up of emotion, but is understanding and knowledgeable of the problems that we all face - regardless of the type of aircraft we fl y. I am sure that in the last few yea rs, for example, many of you are concerned with the inability to use your own public airport as was possible in the pas t; that you cannot drive, in many cases, to yo ur hangar, or to load and unl oad your airplane on th e ra mp; tha t yo u cannot sca le ten a nd twelve foot fences in so me areas to ge t to the FAA Flig ht Service Station; that yo u cannot use the lavatory in the terminal building; that yo u cannot walk across so me ra mps to request fuel for your airplane.

You have been concerned with the increasing number of control towers that spring up across the country, and the inconveniences quite often caused by th e m . You frequ en tl y la s h out blindl y at a three le tter word as being the cause of all our proble ms - FAA. It is like sayin g Uncle Sam is all bad . Within any organization or group, a nd in our governme nt there are many divisions, departments and chiefs who make decisio ns that affect our lives. Whe n a particular decision does have a major effect on our life, would it not be best that we prepare o urselves kn ow ledge-w ise , to speak a uth oritatively on the par ticular subject, whether it be TCAs, airp ort security, poss ibly th e need for better a nd improved wea ther se~vice , rather tha n to las h out at the three letter word a nd accomplish nothing, but possibly lose the cooperation of many d edicated people in FAA? True, there are those in FAA who perhaps are not as qualified or have the e nthusia sm that one would expect.

We too, in our organization, have the same problem . It ma y be a chapter preSident, an EAA membe r, or a n officer who at one time or another does not represe nt the true spirit of what we are trying to accomplish.

Oshkosh time is a good example of that spirit. The great many FAA people who come there to work - a working vacation for them as well as for man y EAA members. They all serve the multitude and quite often, though tired and exhausted, are expected to perform perfectly or respond patiently to an individual or group of individuals who have recently arrived and are fresh and enthusiastic.

Paul H. Poberezny President

At the prese nt time we have three Divisions within EAA - the Wa rbird s, the Interna tional Aerobatic Club, and the Antique/Classic Division . The purpose in foundin g th ese o rga ni za ti o n s, under th e leadershi p a nd umbrella of EAA, was to ga th er within our membership, those w h o had a par ticul ar interes t in ass istin g EAA Headquarters by h elping at o ur a nnu a l convention in providing forums, prog ra m s , parking ass is ta n ce , judgin g, award presentations, and many of the other tas ks so necessary to have a grea t event.

Throughout the yea r, they sh ould aid Headquarters by in s tillin g a s pirit of coo p e ra tion in th e Division members; and by providing leadership a nd ide ntification for the group's specific interests. All too often this responsibili ty falls back on this office, and with the limited number of hours in the d ay, I find that we too, receive criticism for not being more tha n we would like to be.

So few can only do so much.

This is wh y EAA and yo ur divi sio ns need loyalty and support, and unders ta nding that dues a re just not enough. Many expect to receive a publication th e size of SPORT AV/A TIO N devoted solely to a ntiqu e and classic aircraft, warbirds or aerobatics. However, with only 4,000 members in the Divisions, the numbers are not large enough to cover th e costs of printing, publishing and mailing a publication that ca n onl y be increased in size through incr ease d m e mb ership and funds . Many times I wonder if we are not in competition with ourselves, when we must put out three ex tra publications. Perhaps there is a better way to go, and yet have the identification of each group with the leaders to he lp us, not only throughout the year but in convention planning and at convention time.

I would like to know your idea s and thoughts so that I can present them to the Directors of the various Divis ion s. I can remember when we started with th e Antique/Class ic Division - for the first year we did not charge dues and very few joined. When a dues structure was set up, th en people began to join.

I kn ow th at m os t of you are proud to wear the pa tches of the groups yo u belong to, and this is as it s hould be - whether it is an EAA Division, the Antique Airplane Association, th e Professional Race Pilots Association, Soa rin g Society of America, Confederate Air Force or others. This identificatio n of yo ur interests and e nthus ias m is see n on jacke ts everywhere. I take m y hat off to all of those who belong to the many organizations , and not only support them through membership du es, but through personal dedica tion and enthusiasm.

We must also use the sa me philosophy with the FAA to inspire those who ma y not be close to the problem or see the reality of the situation, to take a better and deeper look before making decisions. In my opinion, the day that FAA is separated from the Department of Transportation and the President of the United States sees fit to find and a ppoint a qualified Administrator of thi s important functi on, the better off we will all be.

I~f ~ ~IAbf ARPlA~f COVER PHOTOS

VOLUME 3 足 NUMBER 9 and 10 SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER 1975

(Top Right) (Joseph W. Naphas Photo) Chuck LeMaster's Ford Trimotor add s pure nostalgia to the Annual EM Convention at Oshkosh . Thi s grand old lady was formerly owned by Captain John Louck , and over the years has carried many thousands of passengers at fly-ins around the country.

(Lower Right) (Photo fro m Si Meek Collection) Walter Beech on the left and Art Goebel with the famou s " Woolaroc ". Picture taken at the Travel Air Field in Wichita, Kansas in 1927.

(Left) (Gene R. Chase Photo) Smiling Bob Taylor , founder and president of AM , stands in front of the Hamilton " Metalplane " .

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial . .. by Paul H. Poberezny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

The Sto ry of Annabelle .. . by Herman J. Skok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

EAA's Oshkos h '75 .. . by Morton Lester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Badger Boei ng ... by Doug Pfundheller . . ... .. . . ... . ..... . . . . .. .... . .... . . ... .

Antiqu e Ai rmen, Inc. . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . .. . .. .. ... . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. .. .

Douglas 0-46-A To Air Force Museu m ... . . . . . . . .. . .... . .... . .. . . .. . . . .. ... . .. . .

Photos Fro m The Collection of Si Meek . . . .. .... . . . ... ...... . . . .... .. . ... .... . .

Chris's Cra ft . .... . .. ........ . ..... ... .. . .. ... . . . .. .. . .. . ..... . .. . ... . .. . . " .. , Reminiscing With Big Nick ... by Nick Rezich ... ... ...... . . . . . . .. . . . ... .. . . ...

AAA-APM Na tional Fl y-In At Blakesburg, Iowa . . . by Gene R. Chase . ..... .. . . .

Letters to th e Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher & Editor 足 Paul H. Poberezny Assistant Editor 足 Gene Chase

Assistant Editor 足 Assistant Editor -

2 4 6 11 13 16 17 19 20 24 28

Jack Cox Golda Cox

ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC DIVISION OFFICERS PRESIDENT E. E. H ILBER T 8102 LE EC H RD .

U NI O N . ILLI N OIS 60180

VICE PRESIDENT J . R. N IELANDER . J R. P O . B O X 2464 FT LAUDERDA LE . FLA

SECRETARY R IC HAR D WA G N ER BOX 181 LYO N S . W IS . 531 48

TREASURER GAR W . WILLIAMS . JR . g S 13 5 AERO DR .. RT. 1 NAPERVILLE . ILL . 60540

33303

DIRECTORS EVANDER BRITT P. O. Box 458 Lumberton , N. C. 28358

JIM HORNE 3850 Coronation Rd .

Eagan , Minn . 551 22

MORTON LESTER P. O. Box 3747 Martinsville, Va . 2411 2

KELLY VIETS RR1 , Box1 51 Stilwell . Kansas 66085

CLAUDE L. GRAY, JR. 9635 Sylvia Ave. Northridge, Calif. 91324

AL KELCH 7018 W. Bonniwell Rd .

Mequ on, Wisc . 53092

GEORGE STUBB S Box 11 3 Braun sburg , Ind . 4611 2

JACK WINTHROP 3536 Whiteh all Dr. Dallas, Texas 75229

DIVISION EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DO ROTHY CHA S E. EAA HEAD O U ARTER S THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE is owned exclusively by Antique Classi C Aircraft. Inc . and is publi s hed monthly at Hales Corners. Wisconsin 53130. Second Class Postage paid at Hales Corners Pos t Office, Hales Corners, Wisc onsi n 53130 and Random Lake Post Offi ce. Random Lake. Wisco nsi n 53075.

Membership rates for Ant ique Classi c Aircraft , Inc . are $10.00 per 12 month period of wh ich $7.00 is for the subscri ption to THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE . Membership is open to all who are interested i n aviation .

Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Antique Classic Aircraft, Inc., Box 229, Hales Corners. Wisconsin 53130 Copyright

@

1975 Antique Classic Aircraft , Inc. All Rights Reserved .

3

THE STORY OF ANNABELLE

By Herman J. Skok 2831 N. Mason Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60634 Phone (312) 237-9712

Annabelle has been with me for more than 16 years.

Annabelle is my Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser. When I took flying lesso ns 21 years ago, I started in a Piper J3 Cub as so many people did at that time . Later on I changed to a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser and thought it was a very de­ lightful airplane to fly and still think so. When the time came to think about buying a flying machine of my own, my thoughts were hovering around the Super Cruiser.

"It's too bad," I thought, "that they don't make a four place Cruiser." Then I found out there is a four place Cruiser called the Family Cruiser and decided that was what I wanted. But I also found out so did everyone else and they just were not to be had.

I saw my first Family Cruiser at Chicago's Pal-Waukee airport with its proud owner, Harry Guenther of Pal­ Waukee's shop. After he showed it off to me I was just going to tell him that I would like to have first choice if he ever wanted to sell it, but then he said that he would keep it for a long, long time so I thought there is not a chance.

Not too much later I saw an ad in the newspaper ad­ vertising a PA-14 and since it had a Wheeling phone numb er I thought it might be at Pa l-Waukee airport.

Much to my surprise it was Harry Guenther's Cruiser.

At that time the snow was two feet high at the tiedown area so a demonstration flight was out of the question, but when I sat in the left front seat it made me feel like I sat on a comfortable chair and someone built an air­ plane around me. I knew it was the airplane for me. It was love at first sight.

On the 24th day of February, 1958 she became my air­ plane and still is today. I think all airplanes should have a name so when I was trying to find a good name for her, my current girl friend said, "why don't you call her my middle name , Annabelle?". Annabelle, she ha s been ever since.

She has taken me to Las Vegas , Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver and many other places. She is very active in Pal-Waukee squadron of the Civil Air Patrol flying search and rescue missions and SARCAP missions and CAP cadet flight s. I also use her on photo flights .

I almost lost Annabelle once, in a tornado at Pal­ Waukee airport in 1966. Almost all the airp lanes there were damaged or destroyed so the waiting list to have her repaired was very long. I could not wait so I took off the wings and fastened the tail in the trunk of a car and towed her down Milwaukee Avenue to Chicagoland air­ port. Four months later Annabelle was in the air again.

It cost me enough money to buy another airplane, but not an Annabelle . She has been at Chicagoland ever since.

In September of 1973 Annabelle had her first and only complete engine major overhaul at Schneck at Greater Rockford airport, and in March of '74 the air­ frame was completely restored by Maintain-A-Plane at Wag Aero airpOlt . The tubing was sandblasted and coat­ 4

ed with epoxy primer and covered with Stits fabric. She is painted with Aerothane and has Whelen wingtip strobes and what not. She is a new airplane.

I am always getting letters from people who want to buy her but Annabelle is not for sale. People keep tel­ ling me that some day some one will offer me so much for her that I just won't be able to turn it dow n. Maybe that is so, but all I can say is I hope it will not happen .

(Ted Koston Photo)

Interior of the Family Cruiser.

AN NABELLE PIPER PA-14 FAMILY C RUI SER -

1948

Engine .. ........ ........ . . ... Lycoming 0-235-C1 HP - RPM .. .. .......... . ........ 115 at 2800 rpm Gross Weight .................. . ....... 1850 Ibs. Empty Weight ..... . ..... . ...... . ...... 1025 lbs.

Wing Span ... . . . . ... . . .... . .... .... 35 ft. 51/2 in.

Wing Area .................... .. .... 179.3 sq. ft .

Power Loading .. .. ....... ... . ... . . . . 17.1 Ibs. hp Wing Loading . .... . ......... . ... " 10.3 Ibs ./sq. ft.

Overall Length ......... . ............... 23 1/2 ft.

Overall Height ......... .. ... . . . .. . ... . .... 77 in.

Propeller . ... ..... . .... Sensenich Sky Blade 74 in.

2 s peed prop.

Top Speed .. ........ ... .. .. .... ...... . . 123 mph Cruising Speed . .. ............ ..... ... .. 110 mph Stalling Speed, Flaps Down ...... .. .. . ... 46 mph Take Off Run ................. .... . . . .. .. 720 ft .

Landing Roll . . . .... ... . . . . . .. .... . .... ... 470 ft.

Absolute Ceiling ...... . ........ .... . . .. 14,500 ft.

Fuel Consumption ............ . . ... . . . 6 to 7 gph Fuel Capacity .. .. ....................... 35 gals.

Performance figures all are with fully loaded air­ plane. 523 Family Cruisers built in 1948 & 1949.

Cost when new $4,000.

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'75

By Morton Lester (EAA 55178)

P. O. Box 3747

Martinsville, Virginia 24112

What's your bag? Homebuilts - Antique - Classic ­ Rotary Wing - Soaring - Aerobatics - Sky Diving - War­ . .. birds - or just plain girl watching.

It wa s all at Oshkosh . Beautiful, glonous , magmfl­ cent and friendly Oshkosh, Wisconsin, located on t~e shore of serene and tranquil Lake Winnebago . This IS the home of the Experimental Aircraft Association's an­ nual fly-in. This past July marked its twenty-third Inter­ national Convention.

What is EAA? EAA is an organization founded by Paul Poberezny in Hales Corners, Wisconsin (a suburb of Milwaukee) in 1953 along with a number of local aVia­ tion enthusiasts whose prime interest was in homebuilt or experimental aircraft.

Today, EAA has emerged as the leader and spokes­ man of all phases of sport aviation , and now compnses more than 45,000 members from 53 countries around the world. One can readily see that it is an international organization.

Consider for a moment how fortunate we truly are, for nowhere else in the world would it be possible for such an organization to be founded, grow and flourish along with the cooperation and goodwill of .all layer~ of government. In many, ~any foreign c~untnes the n~ht to construct your own aircraft and fly It has been legis­ lated and regulated out of existence. Thank goodness for America.

The highlights of this year's convention were many.

There was a total of 8,000 aircraft attending throughout the week including 1338 show aircraft competing for trophies. The Oshkosh Fly-In is famous for its forums which provide a wealth of information for the new­ comer or the veteran . FAA's acting director, James Dow, spoke to the convention and commented on the excel­ lent job EAA is doing in promoting aviation and offered his compliments to the Association and its leaders.

Three Congressmen also attended the convention.

These were Representatives Dale Milford of. Texas, Gene Snyder of Kentucky and Jim Lloyd of California .. AIl were impressed with EAA and spoke well of the thll1gs that the Association stands for.

Another outstanding highlight was this year's "Greats of Aviation Day". This group of 36 men and women were the guests of EAA and were recognized for their signifi­ 6

(Photo by Dick Stouffer)

During the Convention many aviation enthusiasts pass through these portals, many of whom are not author­ ized to be on the flight line. In '76 the security system will be improved to stop the offenders who wait for the right moment to Slip past the guards.

(Photo by Ted Kaston)

Oshkosh 1975 saw three antique Ducks on the field.

The J2F6 pictured here was donated to the EAA flying Museum by EAAer and Warbird member Carl Mies of West Bend, Wisconsin, complete with a fresh-majored engine. Also in attendance with their Ducks were Frank Tallman of Palos Verdes, California, EAA member 78, and John Seidel, EAA member 17379 of Sugar Grove, Illinois. Bill Ross of Chicago has a fourth Duck under restoration.

cant contributions to the developing of aviation prior to WW II. Never before had so many of our "Aviation Greats" been gathered at one place to receive the heart足 fel t tributes they so richly deserved.

The days were pleasantly spent browsing through the displays in the commercial exhibit building which com足 prised 197 exhibitors . I could not have been more pleased to see one of the booths occupied by the Virginia Divi足 sion of Aeronautics and ably manned by Jim G unter and his staff. This one visit to Oshkosh by this Aero nautica l Commission created immeasurable good will among the more than 275,000 people attending the convention, and well bought tourist attention to historical Virginia. It couldn' t have been better timed with the Bicentennial just around the corner.

Try as one might, it was almost impossible to get around to seeing all the handsome show aircraft, con足 sisting of antiques, classics, warbirds, custom built and rotary wing. The broad range of exotic aircraft spanning from vintage to ultra-futuristic was enough to blow one's mind.

(Photo by Dick Stouffer)

Tom Camp of San Francisco, California , a Warbird Director, can classify his P-40E as an antique. He and his lovely wife, Julie, spent many, many hours restoring this famous airplane, and have flown many hours in it to EAA and Warbird gatherings. This aircraft previously was owned by Gil Macy. It was flown in the movie 'Tora , Tora , Tora ' and was on display in the EAA Air Museum for several months.

(Photo by Dick Stouffer)

The good ole days - Yes , we had a wet day at Oshkosh in 1975. If it were not for the modern aircraft in the background, one could say this was 1911, Dale Crites ' Curtiss Pusher and all . . . or did ladies dress that way then?

(Photo by Ted Koston)

Dick Bach, a long time avid antiquer, also likes a little variety. He came to Oshkosh with his BD-5 Jet, but you can be sure his heart is still with the antiques.

(Photo by Dick Stouffer)

Not many fly-in goers recognized this truly rare antique, a 1929 Alliance Argo , restored by owner James Browder of Peoria, Illinois . Only 3 are on FAA 's books. The Argo was built by the Alliance Aircraft Corporation of Alli­ ance, Ohio , which also produced the engine, a 7 cylin ­ der Hess Warrier of 115 hp. Alliance folded in the early 30 's as did so many light aircraft companies , but the plant was later taken over by C. G. Taylor to build his Taylorcraft series .

Th e demo ns tra tions a nd fl y-bys of so ma ny va ried a ir­ craft defy d escriptio n . Tim e w as se t asid e ea ch a ft e r­ noo n esp ec iall y for the Wa rbird fl y- bys. P-47' s, P-63's, P-40's, P-51's, J2F6' s, F6Fs, FSF s, FM-2's, F4U' s, A-26's, 8 -25's, T-2S's, T-6's, P-3S's a nd the lis t goes on a nd o n .

As th e Wa rb irds thun dered by o n low passes in flig hts of two's and three's with the high pitch ed w hine of the 51's, th e shrill w histle of the P-3S's a nd the throa ty g rowl of the big radials , I could not help but notice ma ny a n old pil ot unas hame dl y wip e a tea r fro m his eye.

I overh ea d o ne ge ntle ma n say that h e had served as a n in fan tryma n during WW n. H e a d vised that his ba t­ ta lion often fo und it necessary to ca ll in air suppo rt, a nd th ey re p ea tedly receiv ed it from a Thund e rb o lt o utfit.

With m o ist eye s h e excl a imed, " Tha t deep rumbl e of th e P-47 is still the mos t bea utiful sound in the w o rld ."

Dur ing th e full week of the fly- in , O s hkos h is the wo rld's bus iest airp ort w ith aircraft movem ents number­

(Photo by Ted Koston)

Ed Wegner (EAA 33887) , 10 Stafford St., Plymouth , Wisconsin 53073 , his American Eagle and his 1975 Grand Champion Antique trophy.

(Photo by Ted Koston)

Gene Morris , left, of Dundee, Illinois adjusts the Szekely engine of his American Eaglet. Gene's wife, Mary, and son , Ken , also fly the little ultra light.

S

(Photo by Ted Koston)

Another rare Waco model, a YPF -7 with a sliding hatch and a Jacobs 245 for power.

(Photo by Lee Fray)

EAAer Bill Turner presents the " Aviation Greats" to the members in the meeting hall at Oshkosh . A detailed story about these famous guests at the Convention will appear in SPORT A VIA TlON. The response to the re­ ception given these wonderful men and women of aviation has been very heart warming. A special thanks is due Steve and Dorothy Wittman for the fine lawn party they hosted at their home in honor of these pio­ neers .

(Photo by Dick Stouffer)

A small section of the homebuilt line with the Antique/ Classic area in the background.

ing 67,314. And speakin g of impressive things, the EAA Air Education Museum, owned by the EAA membership, h as grow n to the point tha t it is now recognized as the wo rld's largest priva tely owned aircraft museum . When yo u n ext find yo urself in the Milwaukee area, plan to s pe nd a minimum of a d ay in the museum. You will be delighted and pleased that yo u did.

Oshkosh is a famil y affair with excellent camping facilities and activities planned for every member. The evenings are filled with programs equall y rich in enter­ tainm ent and informa tion for all ages. One could not as k for a greater blessing than to sp end a week in th e relaxed wholesome atmosphere, being among old friends, creating new friendships, a nd joining and s har­ in g in our common interest and bond of aviation - past, present a nd future.

But I has ten to pOint out tha t the EAA Oshkosh Con­ ve ntion is more than just airplanes. It's people, it' s ac­ tivities , it's a meeting place, it's educational, it' s excite­ ment, it's e ntertainment, it's the dawn of a brig ht new refres hing day - and it's for you .

Such are the great things of which Oshkosh is made .

One of our "Aviation Greats" expressed himself so ap tly when he said, "EAA m e mbers represent the last of the pioneers, th e last trul y ind e p e nde nt innovators. EAA symbolizes the American Dream."

(Photo by Lee Fray)

Steve and Dorothy Wittman , Carl Guell of the Wiscon­ sin Aeronautics Commission , and Blair Conrad, Mana­ ger of Wittman Field, stand next to the Wisconsin His ­ torial Marker honoring Steve for his great contribution to aviation for the years 1924 to present. The dedica­ tion was attended by the " Aviation Greats" and many other dignitaries. The marker is located on the north side of the airport near the hangar where much of St€!ve 's experimental and design work was conducted.

9

(Photo by Lee Fray)

Wittman Field, Oshkosh 1975. Shown is only a fraction of the great expanse of airplanes and people. Each year 's growth poses a gigantic task for the Convention planners. Some people say it is too big, but most say it 's wonderful. How would one go about making it smaller, keeping in mind that the non-aviation public in attendance represents only about 10% of those attending, and then only on the weekend or during the evening precision flight demonstrations?

10

(Photo by Lee Fray)

President Paul Poberezny in " Red 1" about ready to leave for a circuit of the Oshkosh Fly-In grounds with acting FAA Administrator Jimmie Dow. Also seated in the modified (EXPERIMENTAL) VW, is Mr. Dow's Executive Assistant and Frank Gomes , President of EAA Chapter 184 in Hawaii. Tom Poberezny standing.

By Doug Pfundheller (EAA 74734)

103 E. Wilson

Stoughton, Wisconsin 53589

Honey, I'm going down to the bowling alley. Through the winter months this must be a common statement in many American homes after supper, however in Stough­ ton, a town of 6000 just south of Madison, Wisconsin, it probably doesn't mean 3 lines, a 202 game, or a few beers with the boys. For the three of us it means the fac­ tory is about to open at Badger Boeing.

The three of us are Bill Amundson, an insurance ad­ juster, Dick Peterson, a welder, and myself, a church furniture salesman. We have been friends since school days, about 28 years, but the past few years our mutual passion has been building and restoring airplanes.

Now about the bowling alley business; you home­ builders know you can start a pair of wings in the living room or the fuselage in the basement, but eventually you have to put it together and that takes room. We have found that the work goes better with several pairs of hands so we work together and together we are working on a Starduster Too, restoring a Waco UPF7, and a Piper Vagabond, all at the same time. We needed lots of space.

The biggest basement in our town that seemed availa­ ble was under the Badger Bowl on Main St. Lucky for us the owner is Dan Herbeck and better still, Dan is a pilot and part owner of a Tri Pacer. We got together with Dan and he OKed the idea and gave each of us a key to the back basement door. Now we were in business.

In a small town like ours everyone knows everyone elses business so it wasn't long before our basement projects were well known up and down Main St. and the basement of the Badger Bowl became known as Badger Boeing.

This past winter we should have kept a guest registry book at the door of the shop, and this winter we will.

Visitors on Saturdays and Sundays numbered about 300 and from as far away as Australia. Sometimes it slows the work but we feel it's half the fun and we welcome one and all.

Over the past 4 years the crew at Badger Boeing had been fairly productive. The first plane was a Taylorcraft, N43538 that was totally rebuilt and converted from a model BC12D to a model 19. This one is owned by Bill, Irv Melaas, and sure enough our landlord Dan Herbeck.

Next was Dick Peterson's lovely Vagabond N4469H. This one looked like a hopeless basket case after a wind storm.

The tail section was broken off, the wings bent over and in general a real mess, but now it flys like a dream. Dale Detert, an A&I from Madison, Wisconsin supervised the

The basement of this bowling alley on Main Street in Stoughton, Wisconsin, is the location of "Badger Boe­ ing" where much aircraft construction and restoration takes place.

Dick Peterson working on the Waco UPF-7 lower right wing.

Bill Amundson, Doug Pfundheller and Dick Peterson restoring the Waco UPF-7 wing. Man behind the Coke carton is unidentified.

11

work on the Vag. and Rog Amundson, a local A&P, the Taylorcraft.

At present the Starduster Too is moving along on schedule. The wings and tail feathers are covered and the fuselage is about ready to cover. This coming spring should see N12DP in the air, the second Vagabond will also fly late next summer. The Waco will take at least another year, however the wings have been rebuilt and this winter work will start on the fuselage. After the Waco ??? well, who knows. We are having too much fun to quit.

If you happen to be going through Stoughton on a weekend , stop in at the Badger Bowl. The coffee pot is always on and where else can you bowl a few games and take a look at three airplanes in the works in the same building!

Doug Pfundheller admires the Starduster Too project.

17 year old Ron Peterson is mighty proud of his newly足 restored Piper Vagabond.

ANTIQUE AIRMEN, INC. 8900 North Lavergne Ave. Skokie, IL 60076 (Photos by Dick Stouffer)

Antique Airmen is a group of aviation buffs dedicated

to the preservation, restoration, and display of antique,

classic and Warbird aircraft. Their annual convention is

held over the Labor Day weekend at the Ottumwa, Iowa,

Industrial Airport.

The current officers are Bud Curtright, president;

Dana Russell, vice president; Dale Gustafson, vice presi足

dent; and Secretary-Treasurer Mrs . Jerry (Carol) Stur足

wold.

Dick Stouffer of Lake Zurich, Illinois, took the fol足

lowing photos of AA member's planes.

The Ryan line at Ottumwa.

Brad Larson's shiny Ryan, SCW.

Bill Ross arrives at Ottumwa in his beautiful P-38.

Norman Kleman's lovely Spartan Executive.

George Stubbs' Grand Champion Stinson SR-10G lands at Herrmann 's Pea Patch, near Ottumwa.

L -_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Bob McDaniels presents Max Strunk with the Courier Cup for his outstanding efforts to further Antique Air足 men 's goals.

John Glatz poses in front of his Monocoupe 110 Special.

Jim Leahy taxis in in his Stearman PT-17, another prize winner.

Members' planes during a visit at Herrmann's Pea Patch , located about 12 miles southeast of Ottumwa, Iowa .

14

Jerry Haggerty's unique Cirigliano. A 1930 Homebuilt.

Doc Packard ' s well maintained Waco IBA , a n ice addi ti on to any show.

Ed Erma tinger with his winning Swift, a real beauty!

prize

EAA MUSEUM ACQUIRES TRAVEL AIR 16-E (Photo by Lee Fray)

Ruth and Wellie Ropp are all smiles because they had just found a new home in the EAA flying museum for their J -6-5 powered Travel Air 16 E, NC 12380, Ser. No .

3520. Each year, these dedicated EAAers arrive at Oshkosh early and stay late to help in any way they can .

Thanks , Ruth and Well ie, for the donation of your rare antique aircraft, and for the many hours of work you have contributed at Oshkosh .

\ j j

•

(Photo by Lee Fray)

Retired Airline Captain and avid aviation enthusiast, Wellie Ropp , presents the log book for Travel Air 16E NC12380 to Tom Poberezny.

15

DOUGLAS 0-46-A TO AIR FORCE MUSEUM West Lafayette, India na . .. A Purdue University professor' s love for fl ying and th e mac hines making it possible has put the third Purdu e- res tored aircraft into the Air Force Mu seum in Dayton , Ohio.

The lates t, installed in aviation's shrine in May, 1975, is an 0-46-A, an observa tion plane built by Doug la s which flew in the mid-1930s. It is the only model remaining of the 88 cons tructed for the old Army Air Corps.

The plane, model 35-179, came to Purdue in crates in 1972 . As near as its history can be reconstructed, th e plane landed down-wind in Ha rlinge n, Texas, in 1942, flipped over and was left th ere for some time.

Later, it was acquired by the Antique Airplane Associa tion of Ottumwa, Iowa, a nd " put in storage". The Air Force Museum traded a fl ya ble plane for it and, in 1972, asked E. R. Bla tc hley, professor of aviatio n technology, if he and his students would take on the job of restorin g it to its original shape .

Blatchley already had in the muse u m two other planes, showing hi s and hi s stud ents' ha ndiwork - a P6E Curti ss Hawk r es tored in 1963, a nd a PT22 Ryan, reb u ilt to a n airworth y co nditi on at th e Purdue Airport facility.

An a uth ority in airframe a nd power plant mecha nics, Blatc hley designed the airframe maintenance course in

(Pu rdue University Photo)

Douglas 0-46-A, U.S. Army Air Corps observation p la ne.

the School of Techn ology and ha s accepted 25 aircraft over the yea rs as laboratory projects.

Th e course is self- s us taining - when res tored, the p lanes (except the three museum craft) are flown a nd even tuall y sold with the proceeds used to acquire aircraft for addi tional projects.

Robert H . Ha nson, EAA 11465 of Chicago, s ubmitted these 2 photos wi th a notation tha t he took them with his box Brownie as a kid at the old Checkerboard Field, Maywood, Illinois.

This Curtiss " Carrier Pigeo n" Model 1 was s hip number 7 as operated by ational Air Transpor t.

These aircraft were first prod uced in 1925 and powered with the 12 cylinder Liberty engine. Th ey were equipped for night flyin g . . . note th e la rge la ndin g light on the upper surface of the lower wing, and the naviga tion lights .

Little is known about the Yackey Sport pictured in th e open door of the hanga r. Close exami nation of the photo indicates ano ther Yackey Sport pa rked further back in the hangar. Can anyone fu rnish information on these single-place biplanes?

(Robert Hanson Ph oto)

1925 Curtiss " Carrier Pigeon " Model 1.

(Robert Hanson Photo)

Yackey Sport, manufactured by the Yackey Air craft Company.

16

Giant Keystone "Patrician" photographed at Bartlesville, Oklahoma on January 26, 1929. These majestic transports were the largest and fastest trimotors of the period.

Records indicate that only 3 were built. This example appears to be powered with 3 P & W Hornets of 525 hp each .

Monocoupe Model 70 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1928.

This is Phoebe Omlie's " Chiggers " of Ford Tour fame.

Photos From The Collection Of Si Meek The following photos were sent in by R. H. "Si" Meek, EAA 58319, of 3510 Gladstone Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64123.

In 1930-31 Si worked in the Arrow Sport factory at Havelock, Nebraska, and would like to hear from any of his fellow employees. He would also be pleased to learn the identity of the fellows shown in the accompanying photo.

Arrow Sport factory employees circa 1930-31. Si Meek is fourth from right. On his left is Mr. Ward, the engineer.

Next 2 men are Piccolo Pete and "Frenchie" .

One of the original Arrow Sports is X595V. Interior of the Arrow Sport factory at Havelock, Nebraska .

17

Si Meek's Collection

The 1927 Travel Air Model 5000 with which Art Goebel won the Dole Pineapple Derby in August of that year.

This aircraft is on display in the Woolaroc Museum on the Frank Phillips ranch about 10 miles southwest of Bartles­ ville, Oklahoma.

Art Goebel with a Travel Air Model 5000 in Wichita, circa 1927. Note the differences in the pilot enclosure and engine exhaust installation between this aircraft and the Woolaroc.

Walter Beech on the left and Art Goebel with the famous "Woolaroc· '. Picture taken at the Travel Air Field in Wichita, Kansas in 1927.

18

A Model 5000 Travel Air operated by National Air Trans­ port in 1927 at Wichita. Picture taken at Travel Air Field.

Can someone identify the gentleman for us?

Could that be a barnstormer in an open-cockpit Stearman biplane, a mint condition aircraft painted in the old Army Air Corps blue and gold? Possibly, though the pilot wears a modern air force helmet. But on the helmet is painted a witch, the same symbol that's paint­ ed on the aircraft fuselage: A witch on a broomstick and the words "Chris's Craft" .

A modem Waldo Pepper type? A reckless fly-by-the­ seat-of-your-pants pilot? Not on your life. The pilot is a woman, Chris Winzer, and she is a Federal Aviation Administration accident prevention specialist, the only woman in FAA to fill this vital role . Mrs . Winzer is assigned to FAA's General Aviation District Office No.3 at DuPage County Airport, west of Chicago, where she is responsible for accident prevention duties in northern Illinois.

As her district has the greatest volume of pilots and aircraft of any GADO area in the U.S., Mrs. Winzer's job is a big one. Clinics for pilots, symposiums and seminars for flight instructors, talks to students, speeches before civic groups , showing aviation films, narrating slide shows, conducting biennial flight reviews, organizing safety programs - these are her jobs and all are in the interest of improving safety in general aviation. Even though FAA's Great Lakes region, in which GADO No . 3 is located, has the lowest accident rate in the country, "the lowest can become lower", according to Mrs . Win­ zer.

Oddly enough , considering her proficiency as a pilot and instructor, Mrs. Winzer began to fly because she was afraid of it. "After 10 hours of instruction I had learned enough about aerodynamics and aircraft operation to lose my fear," she said. Obviously no longer afraid, she holds certificates as pilot of single and multiengine air­ craft, as an airplane and instrument flight instructor, and as a commercial glider pilot. She is one of fewer than 100 women to hold an airline transport pilot rating: hers is for the classic DC-3. Mrs . Winzer has logged 2,800 hours as an instructor in more than 50 types of single engine aircraft and more than 10 types of twin engine models . Her more than 5,000 hours of flight time include 45 minutes as pilot of a blimp.

If and when time permits, Mrs . Winzer is looking for­ ward to completing her flight-instructor-glider and sea­ plane ratings, as well as upgrading her ATP to turbo­ props . "My goal since I first started flying has been to aid in improving aviation safety," Mrs. Winzer said.

"As accident prevention specialist, I will continue to learn and become more proficient as a pilot, as well as help others to do so."

The new accident prevention specialist took her first flying lessons in Danbury, Connecticut, where she worked as an executive secretary to pay for further instruction. She wears the gold Amelia Earhart medal of the Zonta Clubs, which awarded her a scholarship for more study. She has been chief flight instructor at Ohio State University, at Manchester, New Hampshire, and at Grosse lie, Michigan. And she has "barnstormed" through the Middle West and New England in her Stear­ man. In one recent year she flew the Stearman for 10,000

(FAA Photo)

Christine Winzer, FAA Accident Prevention Specialist.

miles. She joined FAA as a flight inspector and examiner.

Mrs. Winzer's son, Dr. Stephen Winzer, learned to fly before he could drive an automobile . He is a research scientist for the Martin-Marietta Company in Columbia, Maryland, where he builds and flies radio-controlled model airplanes and gliders . Her daughter, Janis, temporarily has given up flying lessons to return to the University of Rochester, where her major is labor rela­ tions .

Mrs . Winzer is a member of the Ninety-Nines, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the International Aerobatic Club , the Soaring Society of America, the Antique Airmen, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associa­ tion, Zonta and the International Management Council.

19

11.:

REMINISCING WITH BIG NICK Nick Rezich (EAA 225) 4213 Centerville Rd. Rockford, III . 61102

THE ALL-AMERICAN AIR MANEUVERS Part I

The recent announcement of the Second Annual Mid足 Winter Sun 'N Fun Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida reminds me of the good old All-American Air Maneuvers held in Miami from 1928 'til 1941. I did not attend the 1928 show but by 1938 I accumulated enough money and experience (thanks to Howard Aircraft) to attend every year thereafter.

One of the highlights of the Miami Races from 1938 on was the Light Airplane Cavalcade to Miami. Better known as the "Gulf Oil Tour" . I believe that this was the greatest single contribution to sport flying in American aviation history.

It was also sometimes called "The Cavalcade of Cubs. " It was co-sponsored by Aeronca, Taylor-Young Aircraft, Piper Aircraft and the Aviation Department of Gulf Oil Company with Gulf picking up the tab for all the gasoline and oil. The tour was divided into three divisions - Eastern, Central and Southwestern.

The Eastern Division started in New York from Roosevelt Field, Central Division originated from Bow足 man Field, Louisville, Kentucky and the Southwestern Division started from Dallas, Texas. Each Division had sub-divisions that joined them along the way which then became a caravan.

The original plans were that all the Divisions fly to Orlando, Florida where the entire group would assemble for a massed flight to Miami on the opening day of the races. The idea was great, but somebody forgot to inform the weatherman about the plans.

The reason I think it was the greatest thing that happened to sport flying was all one had to do to par足 ticipate was to fill out an entry form giving your airport of origin, type of airplane, engine, some personal history and agree to display the Gulf Oil decal on your airplane.

20

(Nick Rezich Photo)

" Ted and our taxi driver at Valdosta , Georgia."

It was as simple as that. In return, you received a packet

which included a very detailed flight plan listing the airports and the Gulf Oil dealers along your route; also included were the dates and cities where your division caravan originated and the caravan route. A book of gas and oil tickets was issued for the round trip which you used to pay for your gas and oil. They allowed quite a bit for getting lost - as most everyone had tickets left over after reaching home.

We also received listings of available overnight park足 ing, list of hotels at special rates, overnight stops that had planned entertainment and passes to the races.

The first year of the Cavalcade some 210 light planes participated but after the word was out that Gulf Oil

(Courtesy Big Nick)

" This is your captain speaking. I have some good news and some bad news. First, the good news: We have a tailwind and are making good time. Now for the bad news - we 're on a mountain top somewhere in Tennes­ see." was picking up the tab for all the gas and oil, the figure rose to over 1000.

In 1939 during a press conference Mr. Claude Pullen, president of the Miami All-American Air Maneu­ vers, announced that on the morning of January 5, 1940 would mark the birth of a new day in American aviation history when over 1200 airplanes or 10% of all the pri­ vate airplanes in the USA would be on the Miami Municipal Airport. Well, when that big fat Moon Over Miami gave way to a bright sunny dawn on January 5, there indeed were over 1200 airplanes in Miami for the races, thanks to the Gulf Oil Company a nd the Light Plane Cavalcade.

Wouldn't it be great if some young enterprising P.R. Directors for Gulf Oil and Piper Aircraft announced a similar program for the coming Sun 'N Fun Fly-In? The tour that I had the most fun on was when I was t[lit\ated into the Alligator Club.

My flying partner for the tour was Ted Linnert, one of the original engineers for Howard Aircraft, who owned the Lycoming powered T-Craft we flew.

Accompanying us was another original Howard engineer, Ted Patecell, flying a Continental 50 Cub and two of my buddies from Harlem Airport, Bruno Gramont and Jimmy Merrick, flying Jimmy's new Cub Coupe. Ted and I left from Rubinkam Airport on Chicago's far south side and the others from Harlem Airport. Our first stop was Indianapolis where we topped off the tank and were joined by several Cubs and T-Crafts en route to Louis­ ville to join the Caravan and our first overnight stop. Our first taste of southern hos pitality came about after our landing a t Bowman Field where it was s till overcoat weather but a big improvement over the 2° above zero we left behind in Chicago . We shut down in front of the Gulf gasoline pump and before you could say "willy whiskers" two linemen grabbed our bags and led us into the warm office and notified us that they would top off the tank, ch eck the oil, clean the inside and put the air­ plane in the hangar for the night.

In the meantime a shapely young beauty informed us that our tra ns portation was on the way and that she would call the hotel and notify them of our arrival ­ Wow!! All this and free gasoline!

Arriving at the hotel, we m et a bunch on their way to dinner who informed us of the party to follow and sug­ gested Bishops as a good place to ea t. After dinner at Bishops, it was back to the hotel to get rid of the over­ coats and hats and join the party. During the introduc­ tions at the party, we met another Chicagoan from Ash­ burn Field fl yi ng a 50 hp Aeronca Chief . . . who's sole purpose for going on the tour was to party! And party we did, all the way to Miami! 9 years later Mr. Party, Jack Woods, became my co-pilot on a DC-3 fl yi ng for the nonsked s.

The next morni ng, hangovers p erm itting, we were off for Bowling Green, Nashville and Chattanooga, our 2nd scheduled overnight stop. Our departure from Louis­ ville was in dear, cold weather and the trip to Nashville was pleasant and un eve ntful. At Nashville we were advised that there were low ceilings between Nashville and Chattanooga and that it wo uld be advisable to sit in Nashville until the weather moved through Chatta­ nooga.

While sitting on the ground for a couple of hours and still wearing that damn overcoat, I decided to exercise my knowledge of mountain flying - Why no t? - I'd flown this route before and didn' t have an y problems ­ no sweat!!

I procee ded to give Ted a snow job about pushing on, but Ted was not quite ready to buy my line of bull.

We sat fo r another hour and by then I was really getting antsy. I checked the new Chattanooga wea ther and it was better, in fact it was good. I put the arm on Ted

(Nick Rezich Photo)

Ted Linnert in the bridal suite at Valdosta , Georgia.

Note the portable Lea Radio on the night stand.

again and this time he knuckled under and agreed to go.

Yep!! yo u guessed it - 30 minutes out and the clouds were pus hing us down . I dropped down about 1000' where the visibility improved quite a bit. For the next 30 minutes I kept going lower and the terrain ke pt getting higher until we were into the mountains. As the visibility deteriorated, I kept turning trying to keep sight of the mountain tops and the horizon. Next thing I knew, mountain tops and clouds were now one.

Ted was busy with the map trying to trace all my turns with one eye while keeping a lookout for trees with the other. A suggestion was made about this time, that we turn back and land at an airport that Ted spotted in the lower terrain, to which I replied in classic form, "Don't worry, Ted, I'll fly along the ridge, pick up a road 21

and follow it over to the other side." We continued blindly for about another 10 minutes when I spotted a saddle in the ridge. I turned and we squeaked through only to find total obscuration .

As I made a turn to parallel the ridge, I said to my­ in your mess kit!" self, "Nick, I think you just Ted was not saying a word but I knew what he was think­ ing.

The next 5 minutes convinced me that this flight was going to terminate in the boondocks, when suddenly I spotted a field out the left window that looked like an Iowa hay field . I chopped the throttle and with a nose high turning slip was on the ground in seconds - narry a ripple.

As I taxied up to the fence - or did we roll out to the fence? - I turned to Ted very assuringly and said, "See!! I told you I knew these mountains." As we shut down and got out, Ted handed me the map and said, "Show me where we are!!"

My 25,000 word vocabulary shrunk to - "Ah!!

Ummm!! Ah!!"

We spent the next hour or two exploring the moun­ tain top trying to figure out a way of spending the night without freezing to death. By then the weather kept improving until we could see the mountain tops clearly.

(NiCk Rezich Photo)

Ted Linnert tying down the T-Craft at Miami. Holding Ted's head is another Howard Aircraft engineer, Ted Patecell, who is now a captain for Pan American. After World War II, Ted fixed up a DGA-15 to look like Mr. Mulligan, including the original NR-273Y registration number. He also was the first sales representative for Lear Jet aircraft sales. Jim Merrick's Cub Coupe is in the background.

(Nick Rezich Photo)

Ted Linnert and the T-Craft somewhere on a mountain top along the Walden Ridge in the Crabapple Mountains northwest of Chattanooga. Ted, a former engineer for Howard Aircraft, is now with the A.L.P.A. Safety Board.

(Big Nick)

"Airport manager at the mountain top airport in Tennessee collecting his landing fee" ­

We agreed that we had enough fllel and Ciaylight to make Chattanooga, if we were where we thought we were. I climbed back into the left seat and Ted gave the prop a twist and we were off into a brisk northwest wind with a run of only about 300 feet. We made a climb­ ing turn and rolled out on a southeast heading and in 22

about 20 minutes we were past the last ridge .. . there was the Tennessee River and Chattanooga dead ahead.

The landing at Chattanooga was routine, and again the southern hospitality and the very fine Gulf Oil service was quite evident with two' line · men greeting us and treating us like we were VIPs. The evening was spent partying and meeting about 30 or 40 tour pilots from Ohio and Kentucky who were joining the Caravan.

The cold front we had been chasing was now lying across Atlanta, so we spent the following day sight­ seeing. I spent the morning rooting around in all the hangars where the find of the day was the 1930 Thompson

trophy winning Laird Solution being used as a skywriter for 7-Up. The next day we planned for a take-off at dawn in hopes of reaching Orlando, Florida by night fall . The next morning some 50 plus light planes lifted off the run­ way at Chattanooga headed for the land of the sun .

All went well until reaching Valdosta, Georgia. Land­ ing at Valdosta, we learned that the cold front was now a warm front that covered all of North Florida with ceil­ ings varying from 0 to 200 feet, with drizzle and fog and no improvement until the next day .

I again tried my sales pitch on Ted, telling him about my previous experiences along this route and the bit about no mountains, just flat ground and plenty of air­ ports. He took one look at me and said , " Nick-O-Louse, this is not a race and I know all about your experiences and I don't care to spend the night in the swamps with the alligators!!"

By sundown every square foot of the Valdosta Air­ port was covered with airplanes . And every motel and the hotel were full. We managed to squeeze into a

single room in the town's only hotel, while many of the others camped out with their airplanes. Georgia laws didn't permit much partying so it was a hamburger and off to bed .

The next morning the weather had cleared and we all were off for Orlando.

Arriving at Orlando, it looked like Oshkosh '75 ­ there must have been 200 airplanes on the ground and another 50 in the pattern.

After landing we were quickly guided to our tiedown area where we were met by a chauffeur driven limou­ sine collecting people for the trip to the hotel.

At the hotel the driver announced that he would re­ turn at 6:30 to pick up all those going to the Alligator Club initiation at the Country Club - Wow!! What ser­ vice . This is the best tour of all!

Next Month

"JAWS" The Alligator Club Initiation

(Co u rtesy Big Nick)

O.K., you sharp-eyed antiquers, what is it?

23

AAA-APM National Fly-In At Blakesburg, Iowa

By Gene R. Chase (Photos by author unless otherwise noted)

Th e Fifth An n ual Na tio nal Fly-In s p o nso red jointl y by th e A ntique Airpla ne Associa tio n a nd the Airpowe r Museum was held August 24 thro ugh September 1, 1975 at Antique Airfield, Bla kesb urg, Iowa. A record numbe r 355 pla nes attend ed a nd if bad wea the r, particul a rl y to the north , h ad not pers isted , this numbe r wo ul d have been grea ter.

This is an in vitational fl y-in o pen onl y to AAA memb e rs a nd th eir gu es ts a nd thi s yea r th ese d e di ca te d p eo pl e cam e fr o m th ro u g h o ut th e U nited S ta tes a nd so me pa rts of Ca nada . Many EAAe rs a re also members o f AAA a nd th eir prese nce a t th e Fl y- in was obv io us beca use of the many "white ca ps" in evid ence.

T he th ree ca tego ri es fo r judg in g purposes are a n tiqu e, class ic, a nd uniqu e, th e la tte r bein g th e h o meb uilts. As always th ere we re ma ny outs tanding exa mpl es of fin e wo rkmanship a nd also some very rare aircra ft.

On e pla ne in p articul ar which co mbined both of these qu alities was a n immac ula te ly res to red 1929 Ha milto n " Me ta lpl a n e". Th e ow n e r a nd pi lo t, Jac k Lys d a le o f South St. Paul , Minnesota, res tored the craft in the colo rs of th e old No rthwes t Airways, Inc., th e pred ecesso r of orth wes t Airlines. It is a big pl a ne, with a wing s pa n of 54'5" a nd was trul y th e " hit of th e show" . The H a mil to n was vo ted the Grand Cha mpion of the Fly-In a nd it also received four other awa rds.

The runn e rup w hich received th e Sweepsta kes Tro phy was a bea utiful Chall enger- powered Curtiss Robin fl ow n to Bl a kesburg by its ow ner, John Bowde n of Lampasas,

17 year old Susan Oacy and her Stearman wh ich she flew from her home in Harvard , Illinois . The pair teamed up to win 4 awards at Blakesburg .

Texas. This aircraft received fi ve awards, including the Sweeps takes.

Th ere we re ma ny mo re awa rd winnin g aircraft in atte nda nce and some of th ese will be described in a mo re de ta il e d a rticle cove rin g th e Fl y- In in th e Nove mbe r, 1975 iss ue of SPORT AVIATION. Bob Taylor, the ma n w ho s tarted th e A ntiq ue Airpla ne Associa tion in 1953, is to be congratulated fo r his efforts in making pOSSibl e, this popular Fly-In each La bor Day weekend . For ma ny d evoted AAA mem bers , th e annual trek to Bla kesburg is a way of life.

The Grand Champion of the Fly-in , this 1929 Hamilton " Metalplane " owned and flown by Jack Lysdale of South St. Paul, Minnesota .

I

"

Dick Hill, Burlington , Wisconsin , and his 1930 Taylor E-2 Cub, NC13179 . Dick has loaned this plane to the Air Power Museum where it can be seen throughout the year.

This bazaar is managed by the gals, who accumulate items throughout the year for sale at the Annual Fly-In. This profitable venture brought in $2500 for the Air足 power Museum .

1937 Welch OW-8M, N17117 owned by John Schildberg, Greenfield, Iowa, and flown by C. C. Cannon . Behind the plane is the pilots ' lounge , a favorite evening gathering place at Antique Airfield.

1931 American Eaglet with a 35 hp Szekely up front, owned by Gene Morris, Dundee, Illinois, and flown to Blakesburg by his son Ken .

25

Jack Rose with one of his creations, the diminutive Rose Parakeet . Judy Lindquist of Prairie Village, Kansas , owns this aircraft.

Everyone knows Sam Burgess of Honolulu, Hawaii, pictured here with his Pitts Special. Sam was one of the aerobatic pilots who performed at Blakesburg .

The pilots' compartment of the Hamilton" Metalplane".

26

Dwaine Trenton , Enid, Oklahoma, and the new Great Lakes in which he performs an outstanding aerobatic routine .

John Bowden, Lampasas, Texas , props his " Sweep足 stakes Award" winning 1928 Challenger-powered Cur足 tiss Robin .

Captain Doug Rounds, founder of BTB Airlines, proudly unfurls his home state flag . Doug is from Zebulon, Georgia.

27

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Paul, A friend of mine has a Liberty V12 aircraft engine with about 20 hours on it, and is want­ ing to sell it. As far as I know, it is fairly com­ plete, with cooling system, etc. His name is: David Hudson Route 1 Box 970 Laveen, Arizona 85339 602-276-5972 If anyone is interested in it, please have them contact David Hudson directly.

Sincerely, Carl Schmieder, EAA 84886 537 W. Kaler Phoenix, AZ 85021

Dear Paul, Reference your letter of June 11 , 1975, in respect to the aircraft a Mrs. Griffith has here in the jalopy jungle. The aircraft is a severely damaged Stinson 108-1, which was torn up in a wind storm some 8-10 years ago and all that is left is a skeleton for a fuselage and a pair of badly torn up and crushed wings. I don 't be­ lieve it to be worth taking home for a distance of 15 miles, let alone out your way.

Have my QCF under restoration and hope to grace the EAA Fly-In grounds in the near fu­ ture. The ship has an interesting past since it is the prototype F-2 originally manufactured in early 1931, and was purchased by the Con­ tinental Aircraft Engine Company of Detroit, Michigan, and used as the test bed for the then new Continental R-670. Many famous early pilots flew this aircraft as a factory demo.

My main interest has always been the "Golden Era" , and so little is recorded com­ pared to the war periods and military activity.

I was elated to see the representation of the Antique/Classic aircraft by the EAA. The grand aircraft of this time period disappeared from the scene almost unnoticed, and now we see basket cases as prizes and replicas a com­ mon sight in order to reclaim what was almost lost.

If we can be of further assistance please call on us again .

Marvin H. Havelaar, EAA 47909 RR 1 Box 133-A Rapid City, SD 57701

Prototype Waco QCF, NC11241, Ser. No. 3453, mfd. 5/12/31. Photo was taken at Mines Field in 1932 and the proud "pilot" was the gas boy who wanted to sit in this new airplane. This aircraft is currently owned by Marvin Havelaar. Photo is from the collection of Henri De­ Estogat (now deceased) .

28

BTB Airlines personnel and friends relaxing at the end of the flying day under the wing of one of the flagships, a 1928 Stinson SM-2. Left to right: Doug Rounds , Bob Brown, Carl " Wing Low" Francis, Eddie Ratliff, Doug Rounds, Jr., Bob Jenkins, Connie Dake, Steve Carroll, Nathan Rounds, Virginia Morman , Dorothy Chase and Charlie Morman.

Dear Paul, We are pleased to enclose a colour photo of my restored 1937 Fleet Model 21 M CF-DLC for use in SPORT AVIATION. The aircraft, to our knowledge, is the only aircraft of this model left in the world and is shown in flight over the Niagara River. Occu­ pants in this photo are the writer and 15 year­ old son, as co-pilot.

The 330 hp Jacobs-powered aircraft is based at our plant in Fort Erie, Ontario, and is used for public relations and advertising use. En­ closed is a copy of an old specification/data sheet on this aircraft and a copy of our present general facilities brochure which outlines our present activities.

Best regards, H. Bruce MacRitchie EAA 69435 Sales Manager, FLEET INDUSTRIES P.O. Box 400 Fort Erie, CANADA L2A 5N3

EDITORS NOTE Fleet Industries, a division of Ronyx Corpora­ tion Limited was established in Canada in 1930 to design and manufacture aircraft for the world civilian , transport and military markets.

During the years 1939 to 1945 several hundred military aircraft were produced in Fort Erie and delivered from the company's 2400 foot airstrip.

Today the company no longer produces complete aircraft but fabricates major air­ craft components for the prime Canadian and United States manufacturers of airline equip­ ment.

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• A unique and special edition artistic masterpiece with attractive investment potential!

• Available for $750.

Yes . . . you are invited to be among the very few fortunate people in the entire world who will proudly own this magnificent exact replica of the Wright Brothers' first machine-powered aeroplane, the Flyer. The replicas will be completely handcrafted by expert silversmiths, whose uncompromising perfection in the old-world art of silver craftsmanship is still a matter of special pride.

SEND FOR FREE COLORFUL BROCHURE The limited edition Wright Brothers aeroplane replicas are available exclusively through Paramount Classics, a Division of Paramount International Coin Corporation, on a first­ come, first-served basis. No more than 1,000 replicas will ever be produced! Each will be sequentially numbered, curated and registered in the owner's name to assure the originality and integrity of this limited edition collector's item.

For an exquisite and incomparable showpiece, a trea· sured heirloom, or the ultimate gift - this is a once-in·a-life­ time opportunity for you! See that you are among the first to receive our beautiful brochure, containing complete descriptive and ordering details concerning the sterling silver Wright Brothers aeroplane replica. Mail the attached information form immediately!

Please rush to me the information-packed Wright Brothers aeroplane replica brochure .

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Name ______________________________________ Address ___________________________________ City -:::~========~S~ta~t.".e==~Z~i::'.P====; Send to:

PARAMOUNT CLASSICS

2?~~g'~ PARAMOUNT BUILDING

ENGLEWOOD, OHIO 45322

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NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! Beautiful Tie Tac/Lapel Pin and charms with the official Antique/Classic Emblem. Blue with silver or gold.

Charm - Silver Charm - Gold Tie Tac/Lapel Pin (Gold Only)

$3.25 $3.50 $4.00

Above prices include postage.

Send orders to: Antique/Classic Division P. O. Box 229 Hales Corners, WI 53130

FLORIDA SPORT AVIATION ACTIVITIES - The very act ive Florida Sport Aviation Antique and Classic Association has a fly-in somewhere in the state almost every month. The decision on the location of the next fly-in is usually made on too short notice for inclusion in The Vintage Airplane, so we recommend to all planning a Florida vacation that they contact FSAACA President Ed Escallon , 335 Mil ford Drive, Merritt Island , Florida 32925 for fly-in details . Join the fun!

JANUARY 19-25- LAKELAND, FLORIDA-2nd Annual Mid-Winter Sun ' n Fun Fly-In . Contact Martin Jones, 1061 New Tampa Hwy., Lakeland , Fla. (813)682-0204.

JULY31-AUGUST8-0SHKOSH, WISCONSIN-24th Annual EAA International Fly-In Convention. Start making your plans NOW!

Back Issues Of The Vintage Airplane Limited numbers of back issues of THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE are available at $1 .00 each . Copies s till on hand at EAA Headquarters are:

1973 - MARCH , APRIL , MAY, JU NE , JULY , AUGUST , SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER , OVEMBER, DECEMBER 1974 - JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH , APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JUL Y, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1975 - JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, MA Y,JUNE, JULY-AUGUST 30

CLASSIFIEDS

WA NTED - 1940 Piper J4-A Coupe pa rts. Front s truts, jury struts w h eel p a nts, nose cowl , nose cow l grills and "Coupe" na me pl ates for cowlin g . Please call or w rite: James R. Bentch, Rt. 1, Box 162, Broad way, Va. 22815, Ph one 703/896-2363 .

WANTED - 2 each , 12 volt strobes for fu selage mounti ng (top a nd bo tto m) for an Ercoupe 415C. Please give full particulars firs t letter. Fred Sa mpson, 35 Allman Pl ace, New H artford, N. Y. 13413 .

AERONCA ENGINE OWNERS - Se nd your present and anticipated future requi re ments for plain insert- type con rod bea rin gs a lo ng w ith cra nkpin dia me ter, if kn ow n, to: Tom Trai nor, 4604 Briar.wood , Royal O ak, Mich iga n 48073 .

RANGER AIRCRAFT ENGINE, mod el 6-440-C5 (200 HP) 443 TT, O SMOH, long term preserva tion, 1946, not mainta in ed , m ags, logs, bes t offer . RANGER AIR CRAFT ENGINE , m o d e l V-770 (52 0 HP), n o t p re served , no logs, sa lvagea ble p arts. Best offer. W. B. Nixo n, 609/452-5111. Please s ubmit bids to Princeton U n ive rs ity, Box 33, Prin ce to n , Ne w Je rsey 08540.

A ttn : Philip Krier, Assis tant Director o f PurchaSing .

TRADE - Metal sp ar J-3 wings . Need little work before covering. No t for sa le but will trade for G OOD wood sp a r wings for earl y '38 J-3. Will consid e r later mod el wood s pa r wi n gs for )-3 if in rea lly goo d s h a pe .

Woul d also like an engine cowl fo r a 40 hp )-3 or )-2.

Dave Workman, Za ne Auto Top , 400 South St. , Za nesville, Ohio 43701 .

WANTED TO BUY - G ull Wing S tinson SR- 7 th rou gh S R-10, V-77 & A t-19 for res tora ti o n p rojec t. E. W. Brockman, N o. 1469, 14320 Joy Rd., Detroit, MI 48228.

FOR SALE OR TRADE - Co ntin ental R- 975-46, Se rial 101592. Comp o r~ tio 6.3: 1. For sa le or trade towa rds an 10-360 Lycomin g. No logs . Overhaul ed and tested 1-11-63 at P e nsacola NAS. On o rig in a l p all e t a nd s tored in school. Ma ke offer. Bud Rogers, La follette High Sch ool, Madiso n, Wisc . ph one 608/222-3652.

WANTED - Ol d CO TINE TAL A-40-4 Aircra ft Engine compl ete, also la ter Model Cont. 65 H .P., Wha t have yo u? Pl ease give full pa rticulars, price - firs t letter Ch as. Opalac k, 1138 Indus trial Ave. , Potts tow n, PA 19464.

FOR SALE - 1938 Arrow Spo rt, Model "M" . 125 Me nasco, 204 TT. Airfra me 200 TT, recovered in 1973 with S tits fa b r ic a nd fini s h es . Onl y exa mp le built b y fac tory a nd is id entica l to Ford V-8 " F" except fo r engin e. Cruises 100, s tall 35, cl imb 1000 fpm . $5000 firm . David C1eav in ger, 18611 Mapl ewood , Livonia, Michigan 48152. Phone 313/477-7121.

WANTED - For Laird Super Solu tion p roject. The Florida S p o rt Av ia tio n A ntiqu e a nd Class ic Associa ti o n is res toring this his toric racing aircra ft and they need a p ro p ell er. Th e pl a n e was fitte d w ith a H a milto n Sta ndard , groun d adj us table, desig n no. 21 Al -7 SI 36382 - 36385. Please contac t Ed Escallon, 335 Milford Dri ve, Merritt Isla nd , Fl orid a 32952 (305) 4530481.

WANTED - Blackface Cub altim eter, Szekely engi ne o r pa rts or ma nuals. Phil Michme rhui ze n, 186 Su nse t Dr. , Holla nd , Mi. 49423 .

WANTED - A n airworth y p rop elle r for 200 hp Ra nge r fo r my Fokker DVII w hich is nea rl y rea dy to fl y. Dr. Stanl ey R. Morel, 812 E. Park Row , Arling ton , TX 76010.

WANTED - Left a nd right fu el tanks for Bellanca Mod el 14-13, Louis S. Casey, 3909 Ingo ma r St. NW, Washin gton DC, 20015 . AC 202/537-1991 .

WANTED - Pip e r C ub )-3 abo ut 1938-39-40 Mode ls, complete or in p arts . Need a 1939 )-3 Cub FUSELAGE mostly for on e p roject, will also bu y a Taylorcraft and Aero nca co mpl e te airp la n e nee din g r es to ra ti o n for a noth er project. G ive FULL d e tails in yo u r firs t letters please a nd fa ir p rices, if yo u ac tu all y wa nt to se ll.

C has . O p alack, 1138 Ind us trial Ave., Potts town, PA 19464.

FOR SALE - H a milto n Standa rd p ro pelle r - 2B20-220 (6135A -1 5) a nd governor & la rge spinn er from Cess n a 190 . 4 h rs . sin ce overh a ul a nd p oli sh : w/tags . $695.00 or trad e fo r C urtiss-Reed 96x71 in like conditio n . Also Cessn a 190 cowl a nd engine moun t: $150.00 each . Ca rburetor for W670-23 Cont. $125 .00 . Dennis K. Owens, 140 Second St. , De posit, NY 13754.

WANTED - PA-7A Pitcairn Ma il wing Wheels needed fo r a S mith so ni a n Res to ra ti o n . Th e aircra ft h as to go bac k to th e Smithsonian by ea rl y 1976. Joe Toth a nd Ch a rl es Las h e r of M ia mi a re re buildi ng thi s one .

Co ntac t Ch arli e Las h er if yo u kn ow w here th ey can obtain a set of w heels a t: Southern Aero nautical Co. , 14100 Lake Ca n d lewood Ct. , Mia mi La kes, Fla. 33014.

WANTED - A p air of origin al J-3 w heel pa nts. Howa rd C. H olma n, Sky Ran ch , Way ne, Ma ine 04284.

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