Maintaining a Taildragger

Transcription

1 April 2016 The Official Monthly Newsletter of the Old Dominion Squadron, Commemorative Air Force Maintaining a Taildragger Fairchild J2K-2 Forwarder Miss Cherie II Stinson OY-1 Sentinel Nasty Break V Old Dominion Squadron Franklin Municipal John Beverly Rose Drive Franklin, Virginia OldDominionSquadron@yahoo.com On the Web: Photography: CAF Col Bob Collette CAF Cols Buck Barrett, Bob Collette, Bob Fryer, Art Gould and Allen Karst work on Fairchild J2K-2 Forwarder during a February work party with focus on the aircraft s tailwheel assembly

2 April 2016 Taildragger Page 2 Inside This Issue Events and Operations Old Dominion Squadron 2016 Operations Old Dominion Squadron, EAA Chapter 339 Cook Up Monthly Pancake Breakfasts Member News and Information On Safety 5 PX Reminder; March Birthdays; CAF/ March Anniversaries; Charitable Planning; 2016 Saturday Membership Meeting Schedule 2016 Adopt A Hangar Program February Pancake Breakfast and a Bake Sale Meeting News and Information Meeting Minutes/ March 12, Curtiss P Contact/Officer Listing Membership Application The Old Dominion Squadron s initial 2016 Operations schedule is listed at right. Events and dates are subject to change as the year progresses. See future issues of Taildragger for Operations additions and updates. Squadron members who are aware of or have additional information about other 2016 air shows or similar events within about a 150 mile radius of Franklin Municipal are encouraged to contact Operations Officer, CAF Col Michael Kuhnert, as soon as possible. CAF Col Kuhnert will follow up and negotiate aircraft, turret and PX appearances with those events offering the most potential for the Squadron. The Old Dominion Squadron will also need several volunteers to attend each 2016 event to help support aircraft, turret, PX setup and sales activities as well as Squadron recruiting efforts. Contact CAF Col Kuhnert for more information and to sign up for specific events of interest. CAF Col Michael Kuhnert Operations Officer Old Dominio 2016 EVENT FRI-SUN APRIL SAT MAY 7 FRI-SUN MAY FRI-SUN MAY FRI-SUN JUNE 3-5 MON JULY 4 SAT JULY 9 SAT-SUN AUG SAT-SUN SEPT SAT SEPT 10 THURS-SAT SEPT SAT SEPT 24 WED-SAT OCT 5-8 SAT OCT 8 SAT OCT 29 Airpower Over Hampton Roads Wings, Wheels and Crafts Warbirds Over the Beach Shaw Air Expo World War II Weekend Fourth of July Flyover Class of 43 Gathering of WWII Aircraft New Garden Air Show NAS Oceana Air Show Fly-In Let Freedom Ring Air Show Wings and Wheels NIFA Region X SAFECON Virginia Festival of Flight Open House

3 April 2016 Taildragger Page 3 n Squadron 2016 Operations LOCATION Langley Air Force Base Mecklenburg- Brunswick Regional Military Aviation Museum CITY/STATE Hampton, FAIRCHILD J2K-2 FORWARDER STINSON OY-1 SENTINEL GLENN L. MARTIN DORSAL GUN TURRET TRAVELING PX Virginia South Hill, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia Status Shaw AFB Reading Regional Sumpter, South Carolina Reading, Pennsylvania Williamsburg- Jamestown New Garden Naval Air Station Oceana Yorktown, Gloucester Point, Virginia Williamsburg, Virginia Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania Virginia Beach, Virginia Tappahannock Municipal Lonesome Pine Hummel Field Tappahannock, Virginia Wise, Virginia Topping, Virginia Franklin Municipal Suffolk Municipal USCG Air Station Franklin, Virginia Suffolk, Virginia Elizabeth City, North Carolina

4 April 2016 Taildragger Page 4 Old Dominion Squadron, EAA Chapter 339 Cook Up Monthly Pancake Breakfasts The Commemorative Air Force s Old Dominion Squadron and EAA Chapter 339 of Chesapeake, Virginia cook up pancake breakfasts once again in 2016 on the fourth Saturday of each month (except December). Each pancake breakfast takes place in the Old Dominion Squadron s hangar at Franklin Municipal (FKN) in Franklin, Virginia. Breakfast is served from 8:30 to 10:30 AM. The cost per person is a $7.00 donation. Pancake breakfasts are jointly prepared by the Old Dominion Squadron and EAA Chapter 339. Both organizations will need volunteers at the Squadron s hangar each month to assist March 26 April 23 May 28 June 25 July 23 August 27 September 24 October 22 November 26

5 April 2016 Taildragger Page 5 On Safety Representing at CAF s February Wing Staff Conference at Dallas, Texas CAF Col Tom Swartzlander, Jr. Safety Officer With CAF s Consolidated B-24, Diamond Lil A look at the future of CAF National AirBase Dallas... Photography: CAF Col Tom Swartzlander, Jr. Ryan PT-22, Miss Cherie, at her new home

6 April 2016 Taildragger Page 6 PX Reminder March Birthdays CAF Col John Kirkland Lanham, Maryland March 14 CAF Col Ray W. Roberts Apex, North Carolina March 17 Charitable Planning An easy way to make a planned gift is by including a bequest in your will. Through a bequest, you can make your wishes known today without relinquishing needed assets during your lifetime. Both large and small bequests can play a major role in the Squadron's development. CAF Col Karen Stout PX Officer The Old Dominion Squadron is looking for several volunteers to attend each air show and other scheduled events throughout the 2016 tour season. volunteers will be needed to help transport and setup the PX as well as support PX sales activities during these events. Contact CAF Col Karen Stout, PX Officer, for more volunteer information as well as to sign up for specific shows of interest throughout the coming year. Also see future issues of Taildragger for 2016 Operations event additions and updates. CAF Col Art Gould Carrsville, Virginia March 18 CAF Col Ken Laird Lemoyne, Pennsylvania March 25 CAF/ March Anniversaries CAF Col Michael Kuhnert Topping, Virginia 5 Years A bequest to the Squadron can be included in the body of your Last Will and Testament or in an addition to it through a codicil. To name the Squadron as the beneficiary, please use its legal name, "CAF Old Dominion Squadron." As with lifetime gifts, a specific purpose may be designated for the use of your bequest. If this is your desire, you or your lawyer should contact to make sure the language used in your will correctly states the restrictions. Testamentary gifts to the Squadron are typically deductible for estate tax purposes and may be made in several ways Saturday Membership Meeting Schedule April FKN May FKN June FKN July FKN October FKN November PVG FKN: Franklin Municipal, Franklin, Virginia August FKN September PVG: Hampton Roads Executive, Chesapeake, Virginia

7 April 2016 Taildragger Page Adopt A Hangar Program JANUARY 2016 APRIL 2015 Anonymous* *Full Month JULY 2015 ** CAF Col Bob Collette* ** *Full Month **Full Month Over Year OCTOBER 2015 CAF Col Bob Collette* *Full Month FEBRUARY 2016 CAF Col Bob Collette* *Full Month MAY 2015 AUGUST 2015 CAF Col Allen Karst CAF Col Tom Swartzlander, Jr. NOVEMBER 2015 MARCH 2015 JUNE 2015 CAF Col Marion Cecconi* CAF Col Carroll Keeter CAF Col Ben Wainwright* *Full Month SEPTEMBER 2015 DECEMBER 2015 CAF Col Todd Fisher Finance Officer The Old Dominion Squadron s Adopt A Hangar program continues in To adopt the Squadron s Franklin Municipal hangar in Franklin, Virginia, an member or any other interested individual agrees to contribute as much as they can toward one or more months rent. Current monthly rent is $650. Anyone contributing to one month's rent, at one time or over a period of several months, is eligible for a ride in one of the Squadron s aircraft. For more Old Dominion Squadron Adopt A Hangar information and contribution opportunities, contact CAF Col Todd Fisher, Finance Officer or CAF Col Bob Collette, Unit Leader/Adjutant. Make your checks payable to the CAF Old Dominion Squadron and mail them to either Squadron officer.

8 April 2016 Taildragger Page 8 February Pancake Breakfast and a Bake Sale CAF Col Merle Bingham, Jr. s Stinson 108 Voyager Photography: CAF Col Bob Collette CAF Col Karen Stout oversees the Old Dominion Squadron s bake sale

9 April 2016 Taildragger Page 9 Meeting Minutes/March 12, 2016 CAF Col Bob Collette Squadron Leader/Adjutant STAFF REPORTS Unit Leader, CAF Col Bob Collette, opened the meeting and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Eight colonels and one guest (Duckie Wainwright) were present. Minutes from February's meeting were accepted as entered into the record. Administration: Executive Officer, CAF Col Larry Stout, had nothing in particular to report Hold Harmless forms were distributed to all members present. Financial: CAF Col Collette reported on behalf of CAF Col Todd Fisher. He noted that revenues on hand in the business checking account and credit card account, along with receivables pending, amount to $6,920. Accounts payable are $6,425. The Minimum Cost Recovery Program (MCRP) funds available for the Squadron's OY-1/L-5 reflect a balance of $5,540. MCRP for the J2K-2/UC-61 is currently reported to be $7,812. Operations: CAF Col Michael Kuhnert reported on the proposed air show event schedule for Air shows currently under negotiation include: April Airpower Over Hampton Roads, Langley AFB, Virginia (PX, turret, J2K-2, OY-1); May 7 Wings, Wheels and Crafts, Mecklenburg- Brunswick Regional, South Hill, Virginia (PX, turret, J2K-2, OY-1), May Warbirds Over the Beach, Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Virginia (PX, turret, J2K-2); May Shaw Air Expo, Shaw AFB, Sumpter, South Carolina (OY-1); June 3-5 World War II Weekend, Reading Regional, Reading, Pennsylvania (J2K-2 or OY-1); July 4 Fourth of July Fly-Over, Yorktown and Gloucester Point, Virginia (J2K-2 and/or OY-1); July 9 Class of '43 Gathering of World War II Aircraft, Hummel Field or Williamsburg, Virginia (PX); August New Garden Air Show, Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania (J2K-2); September NAS Oceana Air Show, Virginia Beach, Virginia (PX, turret, OY-1,); September 10 Fly-In, Tappahannock, Virginia (J2K-2); September Let Freedom Ring Air Show, Lonesome Pine, Wise, Virginia (J2K-2); September 24 Wings and Wheels, Hummel Field, Topping Virginia (PX, turret, J2K-2 and OY-1); October 5-8 NIFA Region X SAFECON, hangar, Franklin Municipal, Franklin, Virginia; October 8 Virginia Festival of Flight, Suffolk Municipal, Suffolk, Virginia (PX, turret, J2K-2, OY-1); October 29 Open House, USCG Air Station, Elizabeth City, North Carolina (PX, J2K-2, OY-1). Maintenance: CAF Col Al Karst indicated that, to date, the Squadron has expended approximately $690 for parts for the two aircraft from MCRP funds. The new tachometer that CAF Col Kuhnert had obtained for the J2K-2 turned out to be unacceptable and was returned. He is still trying to obtain a suitable model. CAF Col Collette emphasized the necessity to return both aircraft to flyable status by Photography: CAF Col Bob Collette (Continued on page 10)

10 April 2016 Taildragger Page 10 National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region X SAFECON (2011) scheduled to repeat at Franklin Municipal this fall Photography: Ernie Rogers (Liberty University) April 1 to ensure time for new pilot check-out prior to the early start of the air show season. Safety: No report was given as CAF Col Tom Swartzlander was not present. COMMITTEE/PROJECTS Taildragger: CAF Col Collette reported for CAF Col Jim Euverard who had nothing to bring up. Public Affairs/ Communications: CAF Col Collette reported for CAF Col Jim Euverard who had nothing to bring up. PX: CAF Col Karen Stout noted that she and CAF Col Fisher took inventory of PX stocks February 20. The PX is currently well stocked for the coming air show season. She requested that members, when restowing supplies in the PX trailer, try to stow them nicely for ease of control. She agreed to label the plastic containers so that it would be easier to know what kind of supplies should be packed in each container. Recruiting: CAF Col Collette noted that he had been in contact with a potential recruit (already in the CAF) who has expressed an interest in joining the Squadron. Fund Raising: CAF Col Collette talked about the need for the Squadron to possibly conduct a one-time pledge drive to bolster the Squadron's operating fund for the coming air show season. Social Report: CAF Col Larry Stout had nothing in particular to report. Sunshine Committee: CAF Col Collette, speaking on behalf of CAF Col John Friesz, had nothing in particular to report. /EAA Pancake Breakfast: CAF Col Collette reported on behalf of CAF Col Friesz and advised that February's Pancake Breakfast resulted in sales of $197 for meals and a further $100 as a result of the bakery sale. CAF Col Kuhnert brought several containers of cookies (made by his mother) for sale at the next the Pancake Breakfast later this month. UNFINISHED BUSINESS The Squadron's "Gone West" wall plaque has been picked up and was displayed for the members present. Charles and Martha Knight will be added to the roster of names already on it. CAF Col Collette advised that CAF Col Euverard has picked up a new metal sign for the J2K-2 and similar sized vinyl signs (with grommets for hanging from the propeller) for the OY-1 and J2K-2 from Banner Express. The cost was $130 plus sales tax. CAF Col Larry Stout paid for one of the vinyl signs. In an effort to entice more pilots to join the Old Dominion Squadron, CAF Col Swartzlander will propose to potential pilot recruits that one aircraft, the Fairchild J2K-2 Forwarder, can be kept insured during the customary winter stand-down period if they are willing to bear that cost. CAF Col Collette will be contacting the Camp Foundation in Franklin to see if they will agree to sponsor Old Dominion Squadron aircraft or otherwise provide us with financial assistance. NEW BUSINESS CAF Col Collette requested that CAF Col Fisher advise CAF Headquarters to reinstate flight insurance on both our aircraft effective April 1 so that they will be ready for pilot checkouts and attendance at air shows. CAF Col Collette requested that all Old Dominion Squadron members who are pilots to make arrangements with CAF Col Kuhnert as soon as possible to get checked out in one or both of our aircraft before the start of the air show season. The next CAF Old Dominion Squadron meeting will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday April 9, 2016 in the conference room of Franklin Municipal 's operations building.

11 April 2016 Taildragger Page 11 Meanwhile the R.A.F. Tomahawks were far from being outdone in aerial combat; and although outclassed by the Bf 109, the Tomahawk more than held its own in the hands of such pilots as Neville Duke. Of course much of its opposition was provided by obsolescent fighter biplanes, and underpowered, lightly armed fighter monoplanes, of the Regia Aeronautica. Wing-Commander Clive "Killer" Caldwell, R.A.A.F., scored more than twenty victories while flying the P-40 in the Middle East. Towards the end of 1941 the Tomahawk did its share of strafing the retreating Axis troops in North Africa, where its ability to absorb punishment became almost legendary. R.A.F. variants of the P-40B included the Tomahawk IIA with British radio, and the IIB with U.S. equipment, and these operated with Nos. 2, 26, 73, 112, 136, 168, 239, 241, 250, 403, 414, 430 and 616 Squadrons. In the United Kingdom it was used principally for tactical support duties at low altitudes. Minor production changes in 1941, including improved self-sealing Curtiss P-40 Part II of III fuel tanks and revised internal equipment, resulted in the P-40C which had a gross weight of 8,058 lb. and a maximum speed of only 340 m.p.h. One hundred and ninety-three of these fighters were built. The first major change in design came with the development of the P-40D, the Curtiss Model H-87-A2. This had the 1,150 h.p. Allison V (F3R) engine. The external spur airscrew reduction gear of this unit shortened the engine and raised the thrust line, enabling the overall length to be reduced by six inches, the cross-section of the fuselage reduced and the undercarriage shortened. The radiator was increased in size and moved forward, and the fuselage guns were removed, wing armament being increased to four 0.5-in. calibre machine-guns with new hydraulic chargers. Provision was made for a ventral drop-tank or a 500-lb. bomb, and for small bomb-racks under the wings. Gross weight of the D-model was increased to 8,670 Ib., and the official maximum speed became 260 m.p.h., but the climb rate and ceiling remained poor. Only twenty-two P-40Ds were supplied to the U.S.A.A.F., but 560 were ordered for the R.A.F., By whom it was designated Kittyhawk I as its external appearance differed considerably from that of the Tomahawk. This variant paved the way for the first major production model, the P-40E, or Curtiss Model H-87-A3. Generally similar to the D-model, and known in the R.A.F. as the Kittyhawk IA, the P-40E had two additional 0.5-in. wing guns, bringing the total to six, with 281 rounds per gun, and a further increase in gross weight to 8,840 Ib., bringing the maximum speed down to 354 m.p.h. Two thousand three hundred and twenty were built, including a number of P-40E-ls with minor modifications. At this stage in its development the P-40 had a maximum fuel capacity of 201 U.S. gallons (167 Imp. gals.), including a 52-gallon drop-tank, and could carry a bomb load of up to 700 Ib., although there were no wing racks on early production aircraft. A few P-40Es were converted as two-seat trainers by the removal of a fuselage fuel tank and the installation of a second seat, while at least one "E" was fitted with an additional belly shackle permitting two 500-lb. bombs to be carried in tandem. Both the Flying Tigers in China and the R.A.F. squadrons in the Middle East had their P-40Bs replaced by P-40Es. The American Volunteer Group, after continuous operation, was down to some twenty P-40Bs by March 1942, when some thirty (Continued on page 12)

12 April 2016 Taildragger Page 12 P-40Es were ferried to China by air from Accra, in Africa. The improved performance offered by these more potent P-40s was found to be extremely valuable against the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen fighters which, first introduced in the Chinese theatre in 1940, were becoming increasingly numerous. The ground-attack potential of the P-40E was also much superior. The A.V.G. pilots had resorted to carrying 30-lb. incendiary and fragmentation bombs in the flare chutes of their P-40Bs, but it was questionable whether this was not more hazardous to the attackers than to the attacked. But some indication of the P-40's capabilities in resolute hands is given by the fact that from its inception in December 1941 until July 4, 1942, when it was absorbed by the U.S.A.A.F., the A.V.G. was officially credited with the destruction of 286 Japanese aircraft for the loss of eight pilots killed in action, two pilots and one crew chief killed during ground attack, and four pilots missing. The top-scoring A.V.G. pilot, Robert H. Neale, was credited with the destruction of sixteen enemy aircraft while flying the P-40, and eight other pilots claimed ten or more victories. The P-40s continued operating with the U.S.A.A.F. in the Far East, where Colonel David "Tex" Hill claimed eighteen Japanese aircraft destroyed while flying P-40s, and R.A.F. Kittyhawks spearheaded the attack against Rommel's Afrika Korps in the Western Desert, participating in the combat until the last German forces had been cleared from the tip of Cape Bon, then proceeding to Sicily and, eventually, Italy. In these battles they operated alongside similarly equipped squadrons of the U.S.A.A.F., four of which took part in the massacre of German transport aircraft off Cape Bon. Other P-40-equipped squadrons in the Middle Eastern theatre were Nos. 2, 4, and 5 Squadrons of the S.A.A.F. Elsewhere these aircraft were being operated by the R.C.A.F., the R.N.Z.A.F. and the Soviet Air Force. Source: Green, William. Famous Fighters of the Second World War. London. Macdonald & Co., Ltd., Old Dominion Squadron Franklin Municipal John Beverly Rose Drive Franklin, Virginia OldDominionSquadron@yahoo.com On the Web: UNIT OFFICERS Squadron Leader/ Adjutant/Recruiting CAF Col Bob Collette rlcollette@yahoo.com Executive Officer CAF Col Larry Stout Finance CAF Col Todd Fisher Fund Raising Coordinator CAF Col Tom Swartzlander, Jr. Maintenance CAF Col Allen Karst Operations CAF Col Michael Kuhnert Public Information/ Newsletter Editor/Web CAF Col Jim Euverard PX CAF Col Karen Stout Safety CAF Col Tom Swartzlander, Jr.

13 April 2016 Taildragger Page 13 NAME MAILING ADDRESS Old Dominion Squadron Membership Application (CITY) (STATE) (ZIP) HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE CELL FAX PROFESSION IF RETIRED, PAST PROFESSION COMPANY & TITLE COMPANY DATE OF BIRTH MARRIED? IF YES, SPOUSE S NAME CAF COLONEL ID NUMBER LIFE MEMBER? DATE JOINED ARE YOU A PILOT? Student Private Commercial ATR WHAT SQUADRON ACTIVITIES ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN? Flying Maintenance Restoration Social/Historical WHAT SKILLS WOULD YOU BRING TO THE SQUADRON? Computing Maintenance Photography Salesmanship Technical/Creative Writing Woodworking Other I have enclosed my first year dues. I also understand that I must be a CAF Colonel in good standing or have sent my Colonel application to Commemorative Air Force HQ prior to joining the Old Dominion Squadron or Carolinas Wing. $50.00 per unit (if joining in October, November or December), $35.00 per unit (if joining in January, February or March), $25.00 per unit (if joining in April, May or June), $15.00 per unit (if joining in July, August or September). Make all checks payable to: Old Dominion Squadron, CAF. Mail application and payment to: CAF Col Bob Collette Squadron Leader/Adjutant/Recruiting 4707Jolliff Woods Drive Chesapeake, Virginia SIGNATURE DATE