Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
N E
2005
CONTENTS
1
VAA News
Aeromail
by Nick Rezich
12
T-Hangar Treasure
Getting excited about a contemporary airplane
by Budd Davisson
18
Frank Clark
Movie Stunt Pilot
by Madeleine Kimotek
26
Pass it to Buck
Winter ops
by Buck Hilbert
28
30
Mystery Plane
by H.G. Frautschy
31
Calendar
31
Classified Ads
STAFF
Publisher
Editor-in-Chief
Executive Director/Editor
Administrative Assistant
Managing Editor
News Editor
Photography
Advertising Coordinator
Classified Ad Manager
Copy Editor
Tom Poberezny
Scott Spangler
H.G. Frautschy
Jennifer Lehl
Kathleen Witman
Ric Reynolds
Jim Koepnick
Bonnie Bartel
Sue Anderson
Isabelle Wiske
Colleen Walsh
Director of Advertising
Katrina Bradshaw
GEOFF ROBISON
PRESIDENT, VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION
Author unknown
We gotta get rid ofthose turbines, they're
ruining aviation and our hearing . ..
A turbine is too simple minded, it has
no mystery. The air travels through it in
a straight line and doesn 't pick up any of
the pungent fragrance ofengine oil or pilot
sweat. Anybody can start a turbine. You
just need to move a switch from "OFF"
to "START" and then remember to move
it back to "ON" after a while. My PC
is harder to start. Cranking a round en
gine requires skill, finesse, and style. You
have to seduce it into starting. On some
planes, the pilots aren't even allowed to
do it. .. Turbines start by whining for a
while, then give a lady-like poofand start
whining a little louder. Round engines
give a satisfying rattle-rattle, click-click,
BANG, more rattles, another BANG, a
big macho fart or two, more clicks, a lot
more smoke, and finally a serious low
pitched roar. We like that. It's a GUY
thing . .. When you start a round en
gine, your mind is engaged, and you can
concentrate on the flight ahead. Starting
a turbine is like flicking on a ceiling fan:
useful, but hardly exciting. When you
have started his round engine success
fully, your crew chief looks up at you like
he'd let you kiss his girl, too! Turbines
don't break or catch fire often enough,
leading to aircrew boredom, compla
cency, and inattention. A round engine at
speed looks and sounds like it's going to
blow any minute. This helps concentrate
the mind! Turbines don't have enough
control levers or gauges to keep a pilot'S
continued on page 29
VINTAGE AIRPLANE
EAA President Tom Poberezny with Scott Crossfield at the Countdown to Kitty Hawk
celebration in North Carolina on December 17, 2003.
NOVEMBER 2005
Intemet Notes
JOIN TODAY!
800-322-241 2
Access to
Volunteer
Center
Speci al
FORB
Badge
Two Passes
toVM
Volunteer
Party
Special
FORB
Cap
Name Listed:
Vintage , Web
& Sign at
Red Barn
Donor
Appreciation
Certificate
Diamond , $1 ,000
Platinum, $750
Breakfast
at Tall Pines
Cafe
Tri-Motor
Ride
Certificate
Two Tickets
toVM
Picnic
Close Auto
Parking
2 People/Full Wk
2 Tickets
Full Week
2 People/Full Wk
2 Tickets
2 Days
1 Person/Full Wk
1 Ticket
Gold, $500
Silver, $250
Bronze , $100
Loyal Supporter,
$99 & Under
*Do you or your spouse work for a matching gift company? If so, this gift may qualify for ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '
a matching donation. Please ask your Human Resources department for th e appropriate form.
NameofCompany~~~----~~~~~--~~--~~~~~--~~~~~~~
The Vintage Aircraft Association is a non-profit educational organization under IRS SO h3 rttles , Under Federal Law, the dedu ction from Federal Incollle tax (or
charitable contributions is limited to the amount by which any money (and the value ofany property other than money) contributed exceeds the value ofthe goods or
services provided in exchange (or the contribution. An appropriate receipt acknowledging your gift will be sent ta you (ar IRS gift reporting reasons.
4
NOVEMBER 2005
AIR/FLEX INDUSTRIES
Who Dat?
The person in the middle of this
photograph is my grandfather. I
don't know who the men are or
what the airplane is; it was taken
at Ford Field in 1928. I would like
to know if anyone can tell me any
more about the picture, identify
the airplane and tell us who is in
the photo. I had a friend whom I
work with here at Ford Motor Com
pany tell me that the man with
the hat could possibly be William
Stout, but they were not sure. Any
thing that you can tell me would be
greatly appreciated, or maybe you
can point me in the right direction
to someone who might know.
Regards,
Paul E. Ostrander
Ford Motor Company
We directed Paul to the Waco His
torical Society in Troy, Ohio, and iden
tified the airplane to him as a Waco
10, but we couldn't help with the peo
ple identification. Think you know
who is standing to the left and right
of Paul's grandfather? We've enlarged
that portion of the photo (see inset) so
Old Beacons
I was wondering if you might
be able to point me to a source for
information on old airway bea
cons and their routes. I am looking
for specifics on the Donner bea
con light, which is located west of
Truckee, California, on the Reno to
San Francisco route. This is a mostly
complete tower, which I would
imagine is one of only a few re
maining. I know that the light was
damaged in a blasting accident, and
the buildings are now gone, but the
tower is still in its original configu
ration. Currently the tower is be
ing used as a radio site in support of
search and rescue communications
in Placer County, California.
Any information would be ap
preciated.
Thanks,
Eric Struble
We pointed Eric toward a couple of
sites we found:
Tel. 909-392-8474
http://oldbeacon.com/beacon/
airway_beacons.htm
.www.centennialofflight.gov/
essay /Government_Role/
navigation/P0L13 .htm
www.navfltsm.addr.com/
howitbegan.htm
If you have any other books or web
sites you think would help Eric, please
drop us a note at vintageaircraft@eaa.
org and we'll forward it on to him ........
If you have a comment, ques
tion, or wish to contact us re
garding the content of Vintage
Airplane or the activities of the
Vintage Aircraft Association,
you're invited to send us a letter
via regular mail or e-mail. Send
your letters to:
Oshkosh WI 54903-3086
E-mail: vintageaircra(t@eaa.org
VINTAGE AIRPLAN E
NOVEMBER 2005
NOVEMBER 2005
NOVEMBER 2005
AERO CLASSIC
"COLLECTOR SERIES"
Vintage Tires
New USA Production
Show off your pride and joy with a
fresh set of Vintage Rubber. These
newly minted tires are FAA-TSO'd
and speed rated to 120 MPH. Some
things are better left the way they
were, and in the 40's and 50's, these tires were perfectly in
tune to the exciting times in aviation.
Not only do these tires set your vintage plane apart from
the rest, but also look exceptional on all General Aviation
aircraft. Deep 8/32nd tread depth offers above average
tread life and UV treated rubber resists aging.
First impressions last a lifetime, so put these
bring back the good times .....
New General Aviation Sizes Available:
500 x 5, 600
6, 700
Telephone: 800-247-8473 or
323-721-4900 FAX: 323-721-7888
6900 Acco 51. , Montebello, CA 90640
3400 Chelsea Ave, Memphis, TN 38106
www.desser.com
~
~~
VINTAGE AIRPLANE
11
12
NOVEMBER 2005
of misunderstanding. We figured
it needed over $2,000 worth of
work, and we thought the seller
had agreed to reduce the price that
much, but that turned out not to
be the case."
Randy picks up the story, "The
owner called his wife and they
wouldn't budge, but we wanted
that airplane. We were right up
against the wall financially, and
Naomi finally told him we'd pay
it, but we'd have to take the money
out of her daughter's savings, at
which point her daughter broke
into tears and started sobbing. It
was as if we had planned it because
he relented."
They started flying the wings off
VINTAGE AIRPLANE
13
NOVEMBER 2005
Naomi and Randy 5t. Julian, proud owners of N4815L, winner of an Outstanding
Piper PA-28 Cherokee plaque in the Contemporary judging category.
15
Your Name
Address
State
Ck#
Amou nt
Zip
Frank Clarke
Madeleine Kimotek
The release of The Great Waldo
Pepper with Robert Redford, a movie
based on the exploits of a 1920s air
circus pilot, brings a renewed inter
est in that now legendary figure, the
barnstormer, as well as in air epics.
I thought the members of the An
tique and Classic Division might be
interested in knowing a little of the
story of the man I think was the king
of barnstormers and stunt pilots,
Frank Clarke. He also was the chief
pilot responsible for the aerial foot
age of one of the greatest air epics of
all time-Hell's Angels, produced by
Howard Hughes in 1927. I certainly
NOVEMBER 2005
capital in the 1920s. Because he could moving passenger train. But Hell's An
be counted on to provide authentic, gels was his greatest assignment.)
Jim Barton left me many photo
heart-stopping stunts that were just
what the director ordered, he began graphs taken during the making of
to accrue a list of screen credits that Hell's Angels, and I have included
eventually led to his being chosen as some of them here in the hopes that
the sinister Lt. von Bruen in Hell's An the members will recognize them.
During World War II, Frank Clarke
gels and as chief pilot in charge of the
air sequences. (In 1920, in the film served with the Celluloid Comman
Stranger Than Fiction, which starred dos, a motion picture group, as he
Katherine MacDonald, Frank flew a was now considered too old to be a
Jenny off a downtown Los Angeles of fighter pilot. Naturally, his first choice
fice building. He was known, too, for had been the Flying Tigers. I know
his plane-to-plane changes sans a rope he would have been a good one! On
ladder. In the 1927 Pathe serial Eagle of June II, 1948, he was killed in a BT
the Night, he landed and took off on a 15 crash that occurred in Isabella
"SPOOKS" CLARKE
Midst annals of aviation fame
Surpassing all living and dead
Immortalized "Spooks" one syllable name
Eternally blazed at the head.
Hater of gravity-Master of Wings
Nonpareil on the fly
Artist of stick-he tenaciously clings
To his loved Shangri-la of the sky.
Idol of kiwis-God of all flyers
King of stunt pilots unsung
19
NOVEMBER 2005
21
NOVEMBER 2005
to carryon.
Everyone in our squadron was
a flying enthusiast, including Ben
Lyon and Howard Hughes. It didn't
really seem like a motion-picture
troupe at all.
One afternoon Ben decided he
would fly from the field back to town
with one of the boys.
Hughes got the idea that Ben
and Jimmy Hall were already taking
enough risks riding each day in the
creaky old German bomber.
"Now, look here, Ben," he said, "I
don't want you to do any unneces
sary flying. Cut it out!"
"I'll tell you, Howard," said Ben,
laughing, "1'11 make you a proposi
tion. I'll stop flying if you will. If I
get killed, you can hire another actor
and retake my scenes, but if you get
killed, we all stop getting paid."
"Nonsense!" snorted Hughes. lilt's
different with me. In fact, I think I'll
fly one of those old war crates just to
see how it goes."
Hughes had just recently obtained
his pilot's license, and purchased his
new Waco with a Whirlwind motor,
but he had never tried to fly one of
the old jobs.
Immediately all the pilots tried to
dissuade him. But he was stubborn
ness personified. He ordered an old
Thomas Morse with a Le Rhone ro
tary motor wheeled out of the han
gar. The boys crowded around, giv
ing him all sorts of advice on how to
handle it.
I didn't butt in, as I figured he al
ready had enough advice to last him
for months.
It seemed, however, that they had
continued on page 29
Walt Kessler
Hampshire, Il
"We are extremely happy with your prompt service and expertise.
You have insured both of my aircraft for many years and I would
highly recommend that anyone looking for aviation insurance
check out AUA. You understand vintage aircraft ownership and
that reflects in your low cost insurance coverage."
- Walt Kessler
AUA is Vintage Aircraft Association approved. To become a member of VAA call 80084336J2.
AUA'.lxc'u.1ve EAA VI....... Aircraft Aaociaffon 'n.urance PrograM Lower liability and hull premiums
Medical payments included - Fleet discounts for multiple aircraft carrying all risk coveragts - No hor",,"~irI9 eJl(cI~,siQO -
pbtlts
I8newals
OSHKOSH
be there!
Decorate your hangar, garage, or office walls with one or more of these clas
sic opinions about flying. Great way to display your inspiration.
Oshkosh, Be There! 6" High
V05519 $16.95
Fly Vintage Airplanes 4" High
V05520 $19.95
Oshkosh 4" High (BLUE)
V03547 $15.95
Oshkosh 4" High (RED)
V03548 $15.95
~~_.....
$26.95
Copper Logo
Corduroy Hats
V05118 $10.99
Fanny pack (use belt loops) or shoulder purse,
this bag is just right for a casual, fun day at the
hangar. Embossed VAA logo and airplanes on a
front pocket give it style. Aprox size 8 x 8 inches.
24
NOVEMBER 2005
For a distinctive VAA look, ese caps will stand out in the
crowd. The VAA logo is displayed beautifully in copper on
your favorite color. Also available with brass logo.
Navy
V03518
Forest Green V03519
Burgundy
V03520
Biplane Pins
Accent any outfit with one or more
stylish biplane pins. Available in
silver or gold tone. Pins have 1
inch wing span
Gold
V02845 $11.99
Silver
V02844 $11.99
Denim Tote
V00250 $17.95
Ann Clark Ltd.
This washable denim tote will come
Cookie Cutter Baking Kit in handy. Use it for groceries,change
V04677 $13.95 of clothes or any travel essential. Ap
For any occasion or just for fun, prox. 14x19
seNe up a batch of delicious cook
ies. Kit includes aviation shaped
cutters and recipes which are
packaged up from the cookie
ter people from
Clark Ltd.
V03496 $9.99
Copper and black create a striking mug for
"on the go" flyers . A real class act for enjoy
ing your favorite refreshment.
Travel Mug
V03496 $9.99
110z marblized dark blue mug is such a clas
sic that you will want a set of four or maybe
and a stand.
E AIRPLANE
25
Winter ops
The fall colors are beautiful, the
leaves are turning, and wouldn 't
you know it, the winter words of
warning are out.
GAMA, NBA, and NATA are all tell
ing their members to take the usual
precautions for winter flying.
The same precautions apply to our
antique and classic airplanes.
We may not have those slippery
Lear or Citation wings that are af
fected even by little bugs impinged
on the leading edge, but our airfoils
and control surfaces are just as impor
tant to our flying. Maybe even more
so, because we normally don't have
heated hangars and a crew of mainte
nance people to look after our safety.
I'm not going into preaching to the
choir stuff. There is so much informa
tion available out there that one can
become oversaturated just trying to
assimilate all of it. So commit some
of it to memory and put together a
mental checklist of precautions to be
taken before winter flying.
Winter flying can be a rewarding
experience, once you get your footsies
and your pinkies warmed up. But it's
what you do before you do the warm
up that counts.
Fortunately, with the multigrade
oils available today, it isn't like the
old days when we drained the oil and
took it home where it was kept warm,
actually heating it on the stove or the
steam radiator and then pouring it
into the engine before starting it. I
could never understand how that did
any good. I can imagine the oil hit
ting the cold engine and beginning to
gel. Did it really work?
The engine preheaters available
26
NOVEMBER 2005
Come or t e wee en
HOMEBUILDER WORKSHOP
SCHEDULE
Nov. 4-6
Frederick, MD
Nov. 18-20
Griffin, GA
TIC Welding
(Atlanta Area)
Dec. 2-3
Corona, CA
Dec. 3-4
RV Assembly
(LA Area)
jan. 6-8
jan. 20-22
Indianapolis, IN
Griffin,GA
TIC Welding
(Atlanta Area)
Denver, CO
jan. 27-29
(Westwood College)
Oshkosh, WI
EAA SportAir
Sponsors:
KLEIN
TOOLS.
www.klelntools.com
Composite Construction
Fabric Covering Sheet Metal Basics
Electrical Systems & Avionics
Introduction to Aircraft Building
Cas Welding
Test Flying Your Project
Ea .:e;ca
A i r c r a ft Coatings
www.polyfiber.com
www.alrcraftspruce.com
1-800-WORKSHOP
WORKSHOPS
1-800-967-~746
___ ~,
www.sportalr.com
EAA!.
27
DOUG STEWART
Weather notes
The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) recently released a report
sent to Marion Blakey, the adminis
trator of the Federal Aviation Admin
istration, detailing the conclusions it
had come to after undertaking a safety
study titled Risk Factors Associated with
NOVEMBER 2005
STRAIGHT
&
LEVEL
29
BY
H.G. FRAUTSCHY
AUGUST ' S
N OVEMB E R 200 5
MYSTERY
ANSW E R
was retired by 1927. Many were burned.
Some fN-6Hs were converted by in
dividual units for ambulance duties.
The first fenny ambulance seems to
go back to late 1917, but had an open
cockpit for the patient. Later, a hinged
cover was added for protection. Other
aircraft converted to ambulances in
cluded the Fokker C-2 and C-15, the
Ford C-9, DH-4 Amb, and the Cur
tiss EagLe. The Cox-Klemin A-I and
the Atlantic (Fokker) A-2 were built as
ambulances from the outset. The win
ter 1999 and spring 2000 Journal of
www.aviation-giftshop.com
A Website with the Pilot in Mind
(and those who love airplanes)
Warner engines. Two 165s, one fresh
O.H ., one low time on Fairchild 24
mount with all accessories . Also
Helton Lark and Aeronca C-3 project.
Find my name and address in the
Officers and Directors listing and call
evenings. E. E. "Buck" Hilbert.
For Sale 1939 Spartan Executive,
3500TT, 10 SMOH. 214-354-6418,
www.lpjetservices.com
Mid-asIern FIy-In
September30October 1, 2006
Petersburg, VA (PTB)
www.vaeaa.org
Marion , OH (MNN)
Airplane T-Shirts
150 Different Airplanes Available
WE PROBABLY HAVE
YOUR AIRPLANE!
www.airplanetshirts.com
1-800-645-7739
Flying wires available. 1994 pricing.
Visit www.flyingwires.com or call
800-517-9278.
A&P I.A.: Annual, 100 hr. inspections.
Wayne Forshey 740-472-1481
Ohio - statewide.
31
Membershi~ Services
VINTAGE
AIRCRAFT
stnes@deskmedin.com
Vi ce Presicient
George Daubner
2448 Lough Lane
Hartford, W I 53027
262-673-5885
vClo/1ybo;@msn.com
Treasurer
Charles W. Harris
72 15 East 46th SI.
Tulsa, OK 74147
9 18-622-8400
cwh@hv5u. co m
DIRECTORS
Jeannie Hill
Steve Bender
85 Brush Hill Road
Sherborn, MA 01770
508-653-7557
sst JO@comcast.1'Iet
dillSlwu@owc. net
David Be nne tt
PO. Box 11 88
Roseville, CA 95678
916-645-8:170
ontiqller@iflreach. com
John Berendt
Steve Krog
Hartford, WI 53027
262-966-7627
sskrog@aol.cOlll
mjb{clild@rcoll l lfCl.cu/ll
Dave Clark
635 Vesta l Lan e
Plainfield, IN 46168
:117-839-4500
davt'cpd(tN qllest .lIet
John S. Co peland
Gene Morris
lA Deaco n St reet
Northborough, MA 0 1532
508-393-4 775
817-491-9110
genel1lurris@clwrter.net
Phil Coulson
28415 Springbrook Dr.
L1wton, M I 49065
269-624-6490
Stoughton, Wl 53589
608-877-8485
rcoli/soI1516@cs.com
dn r@ap rilaire.coln
Dale A. Gustafson
7724 Shady Hills Dr.
Indianapo lis, IN 46278
3 17-293-4430
dale(aye(!tmslI. com
Dean Ri chardson
Gene Chase
Oshkosh, WI 54904
920-231-5002
GRCHA @Charler.llet
blac@mc.m:'l
Honald C. Fritz
15401 Sparta Ave.
Kent City, M I 49330
6 16-678-50 J 2
rFritz@patlllvaynet.cum
- Merchandise sales
- Gift memberships
- EAA Scholarships
920-426-6864
920-426-6801
920-426-6847
920-426-4848
920-426-6112
920-426-6864
877-806-8902
Benefits
AU A Vintage Insurance Plan. 800-727-3823
EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan . 866-647-4322
Term Life and Accidental .... 800-241-6103
Death Insurance (Harvey Watt & Company)
Edito rial ... ... . ... . . .. . .. 920-426-4825
Vintage .. . .. .... .. .. . FAX 920-426-6865
- Submitting articl e/photo
- Advertising info rmation
EAA Aviation Foundation
Artifact Donations ... . .. . . 920-426-4877
Fin ancial Support ...... ... . 800-236-1 025
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
EAA
Membership in the Experimental Aircraft
Association, Inc. is $40 for one year, includ
ing 12 issues of SPORT AVIATION. Family
membership is an additional $10 annually.
Junior Membership (under 19 years of age)
is available at $23 annually. All maj or credit
cards accepted for membership. (Add $16 for
Foreign Postage.)
DIRECTORS
EMERITUS
Directory
lAC
WARBIRDS
Current EAA members may join the EAA
Warbirds of America Division and receive
WARBIRDS magazine for an additional $40
per year.
EAA Membership, WARBIRDS maga
zine and one year membership in the
Warbirds Division is available for $50 per
year (SPORT AVIATION magazine not in
cluded) . (Add $7 for Foreign Postage.)
FOREIGN MEMBERSHIPS
Please submit your remittance with a
check or draft drawn on a Un ited States
bank payable in United States dollars. Add
required Foreign Postage amount for each
membership.
Membership dues to EAA and its divisions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions
Copyrighl 2OO5 by the EM Vintage Aircraft Association
All rights reserved.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE (USPS 062-750; ISSN 0091-6943) 0; published and owned exclusively by Ihe EM Vintage Aircraft Association of the Experimental Aircraft Association and is published monthly at EM
Aviation Center, 3000 Poberezny Ad" PO Box 3086, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903 ~3086, e-mail: vintageaircraft@eaa.org. Periodicals Postage paid at Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 and at additional mailing offices. POST
MASTER: Send address changes to Vintage Airplane, PO Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. PM 40032445 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to World Dislribution Services, Station A. PO Box 54, Windsor,
ON N9A 6J5, e-mail: cpcretumS@wdsmail.com. FOREIGN AND APD ADDRESSES - Please allow at least two months for delivery of VINTAGE AIRPLANE to foreign and APO addresses via surtace mail. ADVERTIS
ING - Vintage Aircraft Association does not guarantee or endorse any product offered through the advertising. We invite constructive criticism and welcome any report of inferior merchandise obtained through our
advertising so that corrective measures can be taken.
EDITORIAL POLICY; Readers are encouraged to submit stories and photographs. Policy opinions expressed in articles are solely those of the authors. Responsibility for accuracy in reporting rests entirely with
the contributor. No remuneration is made. Malerial should be senl lo: Edrtor, VINTAGE AIRPLANE, PD Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. Phone 920-426-4800.
EM and EM SPORT AVIATION, the EM Logo and Aeronautica ' " are registered trademarks, trademarks, and service marks of the EXperimental Aircraft Association, Inc. The use of these trademarks and
service marks without the permission of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. is strictly prohibited.
32
NOVEMBER 2005
av
EAA members SAVE HUNDREDS,
on your next vehicle
Ford Motor Company, in association with EAA, is proud to offer their
purchase or lease from one of their family of brands - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Land Rover
Jaguar vehicles. In more ways than one, it pays to be an EAA member. Take advantage of the Ford Pa
Recognition Vehicle Purchase Plan. The simple way to save money on your next vehicle purchase.