SCHAF Newsletter for December 2017-
Reminder: The next SCHAF Open House will take place Saturday, December 9, 2017. 10am-1pm at Hangar Y-1 Hamilton/Owens Airport.
Foundation Happenings-
Greetings to the members and friends of the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation. After a busy and active October, November was a quieter month but one where we still accomplished things and continued to lay the groundwork for bigger things in the coming months. Without further ado let’s see what went on in November and what’s shaping up for the future.
A small but enjoyable open house as members of SCHAF and visitors gathered on Saturday, November 11th to mark Veterans Day and honor the contributions of America’s servicemen and servicewomen. We only had a few visitors but the ones we had were very interested and enthusiastic about the work being carried out by SCHAF to preserve and promote the Palmetto State’s aviation history and heritage. SCHAF members present were Ken Berry, David McIntosh, Mary McIntosh, Katherine Cuddy, Ron Skipper, Ron Shelton, Niall McLaughlin, John Tokaz, Terri Tokaz and Alton Blanks. Special kudos go out to
Niall McLaughlin who did an outstanding job meeting with visitors and sharing the SCHAF story with them. It was also a pleasure to see John Tokaz. I spent most of the morning with him discussing various aspects of South Carolina’s aviation history.
The Board of Directors of the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation held their monthly meeting that same morning. Board members present were Ken Berry, Ron Shelton, David McIntosh, Katherine Cuddy and Ron Skipper. SCHAF members present were Mary McIntosh and Niall McLaughlin. Ron Skipper reported that the restoration crew is near completion of the bombardier’s section on GF-2 and that preliminary work has started in the navigator’s section. He also said that guidelines should be developed for the restoration crew pending completion of the bombardier’s section and the cockpit of the foundation’s B-25C. Skipper said that the restoration team is examining what will be involved to begin work on constructing bomb bay doors for GF-2 and the possibility of finding a set of bomb doors that can be copied so that they can be fabricated. Skipper said when constructed he would like the bomb bay doors to be operational.
There was also discussion about finding speakers and developing a series of programs regarding aviation history for the membership of SCHAF and the public. One of the areas mentioned was hosting a program for Women’s History Month in 2018.
Niall McLaughlin meeting with visitors. Third picture shows Niall and John Tokaz.
On Thursday, November 2, 2017, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Kershaw County Golden Club in Camden about the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation. Great bunch of folks who all seemed very interested in SCHAF and impressed by the work we’re carrying in preserving and promoting the Palmetto State’s aviation heritage. Got to meet a lot of nice people and ran into some old friends. Really enjoyed it.
On Wednesday, November 8, 2017 SCHAF members Katherine Cuddy, Edwin Scott and Chris Gilliam presented a program about SCHAF and the restoration of GF-2 to the folks at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia. Word is that the folks at Shandon Presbyterian really enjoyed learning more about the work of SCHAF.
I had mentioned in the previous newsletter about donations from the Forest Acres Merchants Association and Jack Oliver Pools to SCHAF- donations that are greatly appreciated. Businesses that donate to SCHAF above a certain level receive a certificate of appreciation from SCHAF. Thought folks would like to see what the certificate looks like.
Here’s an upcoming SCHAF event that will be taking place in January. Retired Brigadier General and author Anthony Tatawill be speaking at Hamilton-Owens Airport on Saturday, January6, 2018 at 10am at the SCHAF hangar. He will be speaking about his latest book Direct Fire, the latest in his best-selling series of Jake Mahegan thrillers. He will speak about his books, his career in the U.S. Army and career since then in education and public service. After retiring from the army General Tata served as Chief Operations Officer of the Washington, D.C. Public Schools and as Superintendent of the Wake County School District in North Carolina and most recently as the North Carolina Secretary of Transportation. Direct Fire has received very good reviews and has been praised for its realism. Would love to have a good turnout in January to welcome General Tata to Columbia.
Historical Notes-
This year marks the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 by the forces of Imperial Japan, an event that drew the United States into the Second World War. Here are some good links regarding the “Day of Infamy.” First off a timeline of events that day: . Secondly, a short history of Pearl Harbor before December 7th: . Also, an interesting article dealing with underwater archaeology at Pearl Harbor:
. Finally, I know I’m always recommending books, but then again I’m a believer that people who read a lot enjoy richer and fuller lives’; here’s a book about December of 1941 and the way the world was. It’s Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War December 1941 by Stanley Weintraub. Well, worth reading. A review of a new book on Pearl Harbor: .
I’m sure many of you saw the movie Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan, a great movie that tells the story of the “miracle of Dunkirk” in 1940 from a personal viewpoint. The film features what are possibly the best aerial scenes ever featured in a movie. Here’s a link to a YouTube video of most of the aerial scenes. You’ll see what I mean: . Here’s more about how the aerial scenes were filmed: and and . It’s out later this month on DVD and Blu-Ray. Again, a great movie with fantastic aerial scenes.
An interesting article from the AvGeekery website about the U.S. Navy’s first jet fighter, the McDonnell FH: .
The story of a bomber that went missing, the “Lady Be Good”: .
An article about Ray Hanna, the low-flying legend. Give a man a Spitfire and its amazing the things he’ll try and do: .
Hope you were one of the lucky folks who were able to see the visit of the Liberty Foundation’s B-17 earlier this year at Hamilton-Owens Airport. Want to know more about the fabled B-17 Flying Fortress, follow this link: .
Cool, members of the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds take a flight in a B-25: .
Here’s something for British aviation enthusiasts. When you talk about British aircraft there is some confusion when mention of the Westland Whirlwind comes up. Most people think of the license built version of an American Sikorsky helicopter; however the original Whirlwind was a twin engine fighter in World War II, one that held great potential but was eventually done in by a poor choice of engines. Anyway, here’s some info on a project in the UK to reconstruct a display replica of a Whirlwind fighter: .
This is sort of a heads up about an event being planned for March of next year. In March of 1943 the first mass airborne drop in the United States took place in Kershaw County where the Invista plant is now located. Plans are being made to commemorate that event. Major General Julian Burns (U.S. Army, retired) is spearheading things. Julian is very active in promoting the interests of America’s veterans and also a good friend of SCHAF. Planning is still in the early stages but just wanted to let folks know. Will keep everyone posted in future newsletters.
If you haven’t visited Patriots Point in Charleston then why not? It’s a great place; a chance to visit a truly historic warship which features a collection of historic airplanes as well as other military displays. Here’s a link to a documentary from World War II starring the “Fighting Lady: . Another link on the same subject: .
Another good documentary, this one dealing with the historic aircraft, including the B-25 Mitchell bomber, of North American Aviation: .
A news item from earlier this year; a gentleman in Australia wants to solve the mystery of some buried Spitfires: .
This final historical note. Here’s the story of the RAF pilot who introduced the French to fried eggs on toast: .
Good Reads-
This month’s good read is a truly inspirational book. Devotion by Adam Makos is the story of two men from radically different backgrounds who become best of friends; both naval aviators, one a white New Englander from a country club background, the other, the first African-American aviator in the U.S. Navy who hailed from a hardscrabble youth in Mississippi during the era of Jim Crow. Both would become best of friends during the Korean War, flying F4U Corsairs on dangerous missions to attack the communists seeking to extend their control over all of Korea. One would risk his life to save the other. A truly inspirational book about the bond between two individuals from different backgrounds who transcended the boundaries of that time and were willing to risk all for their fellow man. Makos is the author of an earlier good read in the SCHAF newsletter A Higher Call. This one is just as good, if not better. Belongs on your bookshelf.
Odds and Ends-
Last month’s trivia question had to do with a particular brand of chewing favored by pilots. Remember the line in the movie The Right Stuff when Chuck Yeager asks fellow air force officer Jackie Ridley if he has stick of….. The answer is Beemans. “Hey, Ridley, you got a stick of Beemans. I’ll pay you back later.” Beemans also serves as a plot element in the movie The Rocketeer, another one of my favorites and a movie that has never received the recognition it was due. Many pilots considered a stick of Beemans good luck before a flight. The real reason it may have been so popular among flyers is its antacid properties due to pepsin, one of its ingredients. Here’s a link to an article about Chuck Yeager’s flight in which he broke the sound barrier with the help of a stick of Beemans: .
Again, I thought I was being clever with my trivia question but again the readership showed I’m not as clever as I thought. A number of people came up with right answer. Congratulations go out to Fred Knudsen, John Tokaz, Ron Skipper, Henry Kyle and Anna Amick for all coming up with the right answer.
Now, here’s this month’s trivia question. I’m looking for the name of a pilot. He was the only P-51 Mustang pilot to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the European Theatre of Operations during World War II. Here’s a hint; he started out his flying career as a naval aviator. Who am I looking for? Find out next month.
Something for the geeks among you (don’t take offense, I’m probably a bit of geek too); here’s the science behind how massive airplanes take off and stay aloft: .
Here’s a great story in the news recently; a father/daughter team of airline pilots share their last flight together.Dad’s retiring: .
It’s a Christmas tradition in Canada and given that over the past years I’ve always included this link I guess it’s become a SCHAF newsletter Christmas tradition. The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth is a true classic and a gem. It’s become a Yuletide tradition in Canada with the reading of the book on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation by the late Al Maitland. As I’ve said in the past years it’s the story of a young pilot in the RAF facing death but gettinga second chance. Again, in the SCHAF newsletter The Shepherd: .
Speaking of Christmas here’s an absolutely charming holiday commercial for London Heathrow Airport. Has some great historic footage that includes a Vickers VC-10 of BOAC. Again, a truly charming commercial: .
Aviation from the Wall Street viewpoint; an investor’s guide to the top fighters in the world: .
What’s it like to fly on the world’s busiest airline route? Follow this link and find out: .
Something of interest to modelers and fans of the B-25. Airfix, the British manufacturer of some of the best model kits around will be releasing a new model of the B-25C/D variants: .
Some items from the news. First off it seems that many are predicting the end of the Airbus 380, the world’s biggest airliner:
. And, United Airlines retires it’s last Boeing 747, the aircraft once crowned “Queen of the Skies”: .
Something from the world of materials development with a goal of making flying a bit quieter: .
In Closing-
Well, that wraps up this month’s SCHAF newsletter. A closing note. You might have asked the question “are donations, contributions and membership dues tax deductible? Well, the answer is yes they are. SCHAF is a 501(c)3 organization and with tax time starting to be on everyone’s mind remember your support of SCHAF not only supports a worthwhile organization but can help on your tax return. So remember you can support SCHAF and get a tax break at the same time.
We hope you will have a happy and joyous Christmas surrounded by your loved ones. As we all close out the year here is looking forward to an even better and more prosperous new year. As this year draws to a close and a new one approaches think about either becoming involved or more involved with the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation. We’ve accomplished a lot this last year but with more people on board we can accomplish so much more. You’ll have fun and you’ll also be contributing to something very important and valuable, the education of future generations about the importance of aviation and the Palmetto State’s aviation heritage. Again, Merry Christmas and Joyous Noel from everyone at the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation.
If you have something you would like to share please e-mailme or any of the board members for inclusion in future newsletters. Oh, and by the way, if you have not renewed your membership, do so at your earliest convenience. Go to the SCHAF membership page on the foundation’s website. We’ve already received a number of renewals from our first membership mailing a few months ago and another mailing will be going out in the near future. We can’t continue the work of SCHAF without the enthusiastic support folks like you. Your support of SCHAF is greatly appreciated
Dave McIntosh ( )
South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation 803 731 3254
3100 Devine St, Columbia, SC29205
Merry Christmas to everyone from the folks at SCHAF