They came, they saw, they ate

Take today for example.  The weather was perfect for flying and the fact that many working folks had the day off for the July 4th holiday set the stage for record attendance. Sixty-six airplanes and one helicopter arrived over a 90-minute span. These 67 aircraft set a record for Friday arrivals, but only by a few. Many others – myself and wife, Rose, included – arrived by ground vehicle.

Some of the planes at today's lunch

Pilots who arrive early become judges after landing and parking. Listen closely; you can overhear them as they comment on the style and technique of each landing. Olympic judges might be easier to please! Others walk from one airplane to the next, lingering at those that hold a special attraction.

The aircraft mix was diverse - a large collection of Cessna 150s and 172s, a gaggle of Piper Cherokees, and a Mooney. The homebuilts, also large in number, included two Sonex models, several Kitfox, and at least three RVs. Antique and classic aircraft were represented by an early model Cessna 170, a couple of Stinson Station Wagons, a trio of Ercoupes, and a real pretty Piper Pacer among many others.

Bill Kinsman, President, Central County Airport Association

Lunch is served promptly at 12:00 - or when the food is ready. About 200 sat down to lunch today. You must be a member of the Central County Flyers Association to buy lunch. Memberships are available at the door. Price for lunch is a very reasonable $6.99. Bill does all the cooking and collects the money as diners move through the line. Six volunteers, the unsung heroes, assist Bill by handling all the other details that must be attended to during meal service.

There are 715 members in the association as of today. They come from all over the US, from Montana to Florida, from California to New York. Bill is as surprised at the growth of his effort as anyone. He admits, “I could never have planned anything like this.” Rose and I saw lots of familiar faces, said hi to many, and spent some quality time with a few. It is this fellowship that satisfies Bill the most.

Jet fly-bys are a rare treat and we experienced one today. A Canadair Challenger made a low pass that brought oohs and aahs from the crowd. You would have thought we were at a fireworks show. I guess we were – a show for aviators.

First to fly in Australia – 99 years ago today

A paddock outside Diggers Rest, a village 20 miles northwest of Melbourne, was the site of a race – a race to determine who would be the first to fly in Australia. The winner grew up in Wisconsin.

While some of the minor details surrounding the event are somewhat clouded, the facts are known, if not widely. Harry Houdini was the first to fly a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft in controlled flight in Australia. Houdini made aviation history on March 18, 1910, in his Voisin aircraft. His first flight lasted barely a minute, traversed a complete circle, and was witnessed by a dozen or so onlookers. That flight was followed by two others. The second ended in a nose-first landing after covering a distance of nearly two miles. The third flight lasted about three and a half minutes, flew a circular path of greater than two miles distance and reached an altitude of 100 feet.

We also know that another hangar tent was located at the same paddock outside Digger’s Rest. Inside the tent rested the remains of a Wright aircraft. Some reports state the Wright and a Bleriot model were imported by Mr. L. A. Anderson to achieve the goal of first to fly in Australia. Pilot Ralph Banks, in an attempt to beat Houdini, took off on a windy March 1. The aircraft cleared the launch rail, struggled to about 12 feet, and crashed back to earth. Banks was hurt only slightly, the aircraft was less fortunate.

As with the Wright brothers’ flights much discussion (and disagreement) focuses on what constitutes a successful flight. Numerous attempts were made by various pilots, each with questionable success. All of the attempts were international in makeup. Houdini, an American, who first flew in Germany, succeeded in a French aircraft. Banks (possibly Australian, English, or American) attempted with an American aircraft. Englishman Colin Defries had made an attempt in Anderson’s Wright on December 9, 1909, in Sydney. He made a second attempt in the Bleriot (French) on December 18. These attempts resulted in some damage to each aircraft. Another Bleriot, this one a model XI, was owned by an Australian businessman by the name of Jones, Australian Frederick Custance attempted to fly it on March 17, 1910.

Houdini flew additional flights first on March 20, again at Digger’s Rest with about 120 onlookers. Later he flew at the Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney. While at Sydney, Houdini addressed an audience stating, “After my reputation as the Handcuff King is forgotten, I will be remembered in Australian history as the first man to fly here.”
Images, videos, and additional information can be found at:

http://www.aarg.com.au/Aviation-EarlyAustralian.htm

http://member.melbpc.org.au/~mulvany/mulv2.html

http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/houdini_bio.html

The Cold War

While the war waged on in Viet Nam, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) continued fighting the cold war. Depending on base assignments, the troops may have been fighting a cold war on two fronts.

I served in the USAF from January 1969 until April 1975. For all but seven months of that time, I was stationed at Grand Forks AFB, ND. Grand Forks is a cold and windy place all year round. It gets real cold during the winter. 

Coming from Wisconsin everyone thought I had thick blood and would be acclimated to North Dakota winters. I worked on the flight line (outside!) for five of the six winters I was there. You learn to cope with the cold but you never get used to it. 

The 319th Bombardment Wing (H) had the latest B-52 Stratofortresses, the H model. These aircraft were built during 1960 and 1961. The airplane went through numerous modifications while I worked on it and many more since. The BUFF continues to serve as a deterrent and will for the foreseeable future.

Tech school class, Chanute AFB, 1969

I worked on the Hound Dog missile (AGM-28B) as a missile mechanic and later as a missile systems analyst. Two of the missiles were slung on the underside of a B-52’s wing. The 319th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron (AMMS) was a small unit, with just under 100 men.

Like most GIs, I have fond memories of my time in the service and stay in contact with some of the guys. One way we keep in touch is through an alumni organization. You can learn more about the Hound Dog, the AMMS, and some of my friends at http://www.ammsalumni.org/index.html

John Dorcey, SSgt
SAC, Peace is our Profession

Hello world!

A couple of facts about history according to your blogger:

• History is being made everyday. What you or I may find insignificant today may well be in tomorrow’s history books.
• Time clouds the memory, bias may change the perspective, but historical facts never change.
• For every story recorded in history there are many more to be told.

We look forward to sharing Wisconsin’s aviation stories; we look forward to hearing even more.