The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012 Air Group One Commemorative Air Force Official Publication of 1905 N. Marshall Ave. Hangar 6 * El Cajon, CA 92020 * 619.259.5541 * www.ag1caf.org * [email protected]Notes from the Cockpit ............................................ 2 Maintenance Officer Report..................................... 2 American Aces of WWII .......................................... 3 Cover Story: “Forged Above” ................................... 4 Intensely Worthy of Commemoration ...................... 6 Commemorative Happy Hour .................................. 8 I Didn’t Know That ....................................................9 New Members ........................................................10 Lt. Constant Pringle ................................................ 11 Normandie, Before and After .................................. 12 Laff Trak..................................................................14 Contents “Forged Above” A painting by Steve Tack Commemorating 100 years of United States Marine Corps Aviation
Transcript
The Scuttlebutt
September/October 2012
Air Group OneCommemorative Air Force
Official Publication of
1905 N. Marshall Ave. Hangar 6 * El Cajon, CA 92020 * 619.259.5541 * www.ag1caf.org * [email protected]
Notes from the Cockpit ............................................ 2Maintenance Officer Report..................................... 2American Aces of WWII .......................................... 3Cover Story: “Forged Above” ................................... 4Intensely Worthy of Commemoration ...................... 6Commemorative Happy Hour .................................. 8
I Didn’t Know That ....................................................9New Members ........................................................10Lt. Constant Pringle ................................................11Normandie, Before and After ..................................12Laff Trak ..................................................................14
Contents
“Forged Above” A painting by Steve Tack Commemorating 100 years of United States Marine Corps Aviation
The last two months have seen many changes in our maintenance corner. Sassy has plodded thru another annual inspection. The cowl, parts of the wing leading edge, the scoop and right gear door were repainted due to various dings and dangs. A few bearings and cables were replaced. Grease was injected and joints were oiled. Wish to thank the team who accomplished all these tasks: Darrel Cook, Mike Greenhalgh, Jim Mc-Garvie, Erich Moulder, Warren Thomas, Torri Mowery and Pete Hunt.
I also want to commend a special gentleman, Tim Baerg, who came by the hangar around the first of July and offered to “clean stuff” for us. The result of his efforts is the present condition of the finish on Sassy. Even after several flights she still glows. He also cleaned the leather couches and chair in the of-fice. His next project is the L-5. Quite a man. What an asset to the unit.
The L-5 wing is coming along due to the efforts of Darrel and Erich. Erich has brought in some of his contacts and has set up small teams to continue the tasks.
Come on by and I will share a cup of coffee with you while we work and discuss the issues of the day.
Notes from the Cockpit
Col. Bob Simon, Wing Leader
Maintenance Officer ReportCol. Howard Merritt
I know it’s not November but I feel we have lots to be thankful for! Especially for the amazing people that we have in this organization. Under the leadership of our Maintenance Officer Howard Merritt, Mike Green-halgh, Darrel Cook, Jim McGarvie and Erich Moulder have taken apart for annual inspection and put back together again a fresh and new looking “Sassy.” With diligent work, parts have been inspected and renewed and fresh paint has been added. We now have a “bird” that we can all be proud of! And let’s not forget Tim Baerg, who has been cleaning parts for the SNJ and now, the L-5. He is real Colonel material! Let’s all encourage him!
Speaking of which: if I were a fly on the wall at the Camarillo Air Show, I can only imagine the comments about our “new” airplane! Of course I’m referring to our SNJ with her new, fresh look! Thanks are due to Jim, Erich, Darrel, Vicki, Mike, Linda, Heather and Rich for representing Air Group One and enduring a hot week-end away from “cool” San Diego!
Stay tuned for more activities and weekend trips com-ing soon. Your help is always needed and is greatly appreciated.
See you at the hangar.
3September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt
Submitted by David Hanson
This month: Major Robert E. Galer USMC Ace and Medal of Honor Recipient
Robert Galer began his Aviation Cadet flight training in June 1936, at NAS Pensacola, Florida, and was com-missioned a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps on July 1, 1936. Following his designation as a Naval Aviator in 1937, he was advanced to First Lieutenant in July 1939.
On 29 August 1940, Galer ditched his Grumman F3F fighter off the coast of San Diego while attempting a landing on the USS Saratoga (CV-3). (The fighter was rediscovered by a Navy submarine in June 1988, and recovered on 5 April 1991. It was restored at the San Diego Aerospace Museum and is now at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola).
By the time the United States entered WWII, he was far more seasoned, although on several occasions he was shot down by enemy fire and landed in the water. He once swam to a nearby island, where locals returned him by canoe to the nearest Marine outpost. He arrived at his home base in time to see preparations for his memorial service.
On Guadalcanal, while commanding an undermanned but dogged Marine fighter squadron, Major Galer re-ceived the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest award for valor. Major Galer and his men were based on a small Japanese airstrip rechristened Henderson Field, where the flyers were dubbed the Cactus Air Force. By mid-1942 he was sending up his handful of planes to engage an average of 40 Japanese bombers and fighters on each mission. His only advantage was be-ing radioed in advance by a coast watcher of Japanese takeoffs. That also saved gas, as his pilots did not have
to roam the skies wondering when the Japanese would sweep over them.
That September, while piloting an F4F Wildcat, he managed to shoot down 11 enemy bomber and fighter planes against astonishing odds. ‘’Though suffering the extreme physical strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations at an altitude above 25,000 feet, the squadron under his zealous and inspiring leadership shot down a total of 27 Japanese planes,” his Medal of Honor citation read.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented him with the award March 24, 1943. Superiors resisted send-ing Medal of Honor recipients back into combat, but General Galer persisted and eventually returned to the skies during the Korean War. As commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, he managed to strike ef-fectively at the enemy’s industrial center in Pyong-yang in July 1952 and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. The next month, however, his plane was hit 100 miles into enemy territory.
‘’I did a dumb thing,” he told a reporter a few years ago. ‘’We were bombing, and when we finished, I went back to take a picture. And this antiaircraft gun, he nailed me.”
As he tried to eject at a high altitude, his foot became trapped in the shoulder harness. He struggled free only at the last minute and smacked part of the plane’s tail as he parachuted out 150 feet from the ground, breaking his ribs. He hid until an HO3S (Navy helicopter) located him and whisked him to safety while Communist snipers fired, hitting the rescue craft three times and causing it to spin. The helicopter made it back through fog with 10 gallons of gas left, he told the Dallas Morning News.
For exceptionally meritorious service in combat, he was advanced to brigadier general upon his retirement on July 31, 1957.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, General Galer also received the Navy Cross, the Legion of Merit with Com-bat “V,” the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal with 10 gold stars and the British Distinguished Flying Cross.
Brigadier General Galer died on June 27, 2005 in Dal-las, Texas.
American Aces of WWII
4 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012
By Colonel John Telles, Jr. USMC (Retired)
The acknowledged official birthday of United States Marine Corps Aviation is May 22, 1912. That was the date that 1/Lt Alfred A. Cunningham, USMC, reported for flight instruction at Annapolis, MD. So May 22, 2012 started the Centennial Year for celebration purposes. The Marines chose the term “Marine Aviation Centen-nial” (MAC).
On April 8, 2012 Air Group One (AG-1) signed an agree-ment with artist Steve Tack to commission a painting in oil or acrylic to commemorate “The Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation.” The concept had been presented to him by an AG-1 contingent while attend-ing the 2011 International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Conference, December 2011. There are two purposes: (1) Commemoration. The CAF and AG-1 are a com-memorating organization dedicated to the heritage of military aviation, and specifically World War Two. (2) Fund-raising. The contract supports the sale of 500 highest-quality Limited Edition numbered and artist-signed lithographs for fund-raising purposes. The work was completed and delivered in May 2012 just prior to the 2012 Wings Over Gillespie Air Show.
“Forged Above” (see cover) by famed aviation fine art-ist Steve Tack is the most impressive piece yet done to commemorate the Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation. This remarkable painting captures the heart and soul of aircraft, airmen, and mission since the be-ginning of Marine Corps aviation.
One will find deep symbolism and meaning in every brushstroke. The setting brings forth the roar of thun-dering aircraft supporting the Ground Combat Element (GCE) engaged in “every clime and place” … China, Nicaragua, WW I, Guadalcanal, to the Middle East. The overall color tone brings to mind the immense strength of hardened blue steel. Even the title word “Forged” suggests tough material. The two separate aircraft for-mations cross as do crossed swords, time-tested, the symbol of warriors.
Every Marine Corps aircraft had a job to do, and did it well. But the “Forged Above” craft are milestone set-ters, and representative for the entire history of USMC aircraft. Specifically:
CURTISS C-3. The twin-crew, mahogany-hulled Curtiss C-3 hydroplane of 1913 was the very first type actu-ally owned by Marines. First Lieutenant Cunningham and others had learned to fly in U. S. Navy and civilian airplanes.
CURTISS DH-4. Marines recognize the Curtiss DH-4 Jenny as their very first combat-tested Close Air Sup-port (CAS) weapon. Led by Squadron CO Major Ross Rowell, five Jennys with hand-held 25 lb. bombs saved the day for Marines in contact fiercely fighting the San-dino rebel forces at Ocotal, Nicaragua in July 1927.
VOUGHT F4U. During WWII in the Solomon Islands campaign, and later in Korea, Marines learned to rely on the F4U Corsair for its brutish capability in both fighter and attack (CAS) roles. Many types of USN, USMC, and USAAF aircraft mauled the enemy, but for Marines, the F4U stands proudest of all.
DOUGLAS F3D. The dawning of the Jet Age brought many “firsts.” Marines flying the Douglas F3D Skynight were the first jet night-fighter pilots to down an aircraft at night during the Korean conflict.
DOUGLAS F4D. The very first operational USN/USMC carrier-based jet fighter capable of sustained supersonic speed in level flight was the Douglas F4D Skyray. It also held the record for time-to-climb to in-tercept altitude.
DOUGLAS A4D. When the attack and fighter missions were eventually separated, Douglas Aircraft gave Navy-Marine attack pilots the A4D Skyhawk. It served the
Cover Story: “Forged Above”A painting by artist Steve Tack
Commemorating the Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation
5September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt
Corps extremely well from the 50’s to the 80’s…. nearly 38 years. No artist has paid so much artistic honor to the A4 than R. G. Smith, Steve Tack’s grandfather.
VOUGHT F8U. Fighter pilots received the Vought F8U Crusader capable of reaching 1,000 MPH. Major John Glenn set a coast-to-coast non-stop speed record of 3 hours and 23 minutes in July 1957 (avg. 723 MPH). Later versions carried 4,000 lbs. of external ordnance for CAS during the Vietnam era.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F4B. The McDonnell-Doug-las F4B Phantom II brought on a whole new meaning to air superiority and ground attack. From 1962 to 1992, capable of carrying up to a 12,000 lb. bomb load, the F4 was the Corps’ frontline fighter/attack champion.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AV8A/B. V/STOL added significant flexibility to CAS on the battlefield. The AV8A in 1971 and later the AV8B in 1985 became a new direction for deployed Marines ashore and afloat.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS (BOEING) F/A-18. The Hor-net is a milestone with designed-in reliability, maintain-ability, and survivability. It has been the Corps’ frontline fighter/attack weapon for 30 years, and will remain in service for a good while yet.
LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35. Officially rolled out for the Corps in February 2012, the Lightning II is the fifth generation fighter/attack/V/STOL weapon. Technology advancements and capabilities are all still to primarily support Marines on the ground.
LOCKHEED MARTIN KC-130. “Senior Member of the Board,” the Hercules has served Marines so incredibly well with cargo and fuel since 1958, the only military aircraft to remain in continuous production for 56 years with its original customer (USAF). Today it remains the stellar air refueler for both helicopters and jets.
BELL UH/AH-1. The “Huey” family joined the Corps in February 1964 and is the Marine Corps’ first turbine powered helicopter. The solid design concept and advancements have proved great success for over 48 years and has taken part in every combat engagement beginning with Vietnam. The AH-1 Cobra followed in April 1969 with VMO-2 while in Vietnam. The new AH-1Z Super Cobra is a quantum leap from the original model.
BELL VERTOL CH-46. Transporting Marines since November 1964, and now completing its 48th year, the
“Phrog” has remained the workhorse in nearly every USMC ground combat operation since Vietnam. It will remain in service until fully replaced by the MV-22 by 2015.
SIKORSKY CH-53. Entering service in 1966 to replace the CH-37C, the H-53 remains the heavy lifter serving Marines in combat and in relief operations for natural disasters worldwide.
BELL BOEING MV-22. On 8 December 2005, then-Lieutenant General James Amos accepted the delivery of the first fleet of USMC MV-22 Ospreys. It has seen extensive combat service in the Middle East, and will eventually replace all USMC CH-46 and some CH-53 helicopters.
*****
For promotion and event display, Rich Kenney had an 8-foot and a 10-foot mural on vinyl produced by Blend Printing Co. in Miramar. They were first used at the air show promotion AG-1 display while at the USS Midway Legacy Week on the hangar deck as “best-of-show.” Later they were used as AG-1 promotion at the opening of the El Cajon Car Classic event just prior to Wings over Gillespie 2012. Since then the murals, framed lithograph, poster, and original painting have been on display for the:
Flying Leathernecks Foundation and Museum Gala Dinner fund-raiser
GKN Aerospace, Inc. Conference Room
Fairbanks Republican Women Federated Society
University Club, Military Network
Cover Story: “Forged Above” (cont.)
6 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012
By Col. John Telles, USMC (Retired)
In 1942, 70 years ago, WWII really began to heat up in Europe and in the Pacific. Even as a member of a “Commemorative Air Force” organization it is a chal-lenge to keep in mind our proud combat history. Talk-ing about the Centennial of USMC Aviation, I could not adequately describe 1942 activity to my friends and grandkids, particularly about Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands where the island wars began for the USA. So I was compelled to make a list*. Many of you know I’m a “List Guy” …. I just love lists, can’t help it! I hope this helps you “commemorate” with somebody as it did me. JT
BACKGROUND:
Japanese wanted to cut off Australia and New Zealand lines of communication (LOC) with USA, and take over the Western Pacific oceans.
Dec. 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor.
April 18, 1942: Doolittle Raid on Tokyo.
May 1942: Midway and Coral Sea battles hard on IJN.
ACTION:
AUG. 7, 1942 to FEB. 8, 1943: OPERATION WATCH-TOWER. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
AUG. 7: 1ST Marine division (now at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA) lands at Lunga Point. MGEN Archer Vandergrift.
AUG. 11-13: USN augmented with 60 planes from Espiritu Santo, USS Hornet and Wasp 18 F4F, USS Saratoga SBD/TBF.
AUG. 18: Japanese reinforce New Guinea; Australians land troops at Port Moresby. Meanwhile, American planes have destroyed Japanese air power at Wewak, New Guinea.
AUG. 20: Marine aircraft arrive. MAG-23 VMF-223 with 19 F4F, VMSB-232 (Red Devils) with 12 SBDs. (Exactly 30 years after solo flight 1/Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham.)
Henderson Field named for Major Lofton Henderson KIA Midway Is. Code name “Cactus.”
AUG. 21: USMC Air Ops begin. Maj. John Smith, VMF-223 makes first kill.
Intensely Worthy of Commemoration
USAAF 67th Pursuit Sqdn arrives with P-400s (export P-39 Air Cobras).
AUG. 24: VMF-223, 14 F4F, 2 P-400, down 16 enemy. Capt. Marion Carl first USMC Ace.
Navy carrier Enterprise damaged sent aircraft to Cactus. Enterprise Flight 300.
AUG. late: Arrival of VMF-224 19 F4F, VMSB-231 12 SBD. 86 pilots, 64 planes. (10 USN, 3 USAAF)
AUG. 26: Battle of Milne Bay begins: Japanese forces land and launch a full-scale assault on Australian base near the eastern tip of New Guinea.
AUG. 28: Incendiary bombs dropped by a Japanese seaplane causes a forest fire in Oregon.
SEPT. 1: US Navy Construction Battalion personnel, Seabees, began to arrive at Guadalcanal.
SEPT. 9: : Light carrier USS Wasp is sunk by a Japa-nese submarine off Guadalcanal.
By SEPT. 17: Only 63 serviceable planes. Avg. loss 3 per day.
SEPT. 27: VMF-223, 224, VF-5 down 6 bombers, 5 fighter.
SEPT. 28: Downed 23 bombers, 1 fighter.
OCT: Tokyo Express delivers 20,000 fresh troops down “The Slot”.
OCT. 3: LCOL. Harold Bauer, CO VMF-212 (but flying with VMF-223) downs 4 planes.
VMF-223, 224, VMSB-232, Flight 300, pulled back due to losses/ineffective. (KIA, sick, tired).
OCT 6: MAG-14 arrives LCOL Al Cooley, VMSB-141 SBD, VMF-121 F4F.
OCT. 11: IJN renews determination to re-capture Gua-dalcanal, bombing daytime, shelling night. Horrible time. All but totally destroyed Cactus numerous times. Midnight naval Battle of Cape Esperance to block for delivery of 164th Inf. Div. USA reinforcements.
7September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt
OCT. 26: Battle of Santa Cruz. Hornet sunk, Enterprise damaged. IJN carriers Shokaku and Zuiho damaged.
NOV. 2: MAG-11 arrives. LCOL William Brice. VMF-112, VMSB-132, 142, 131 (TBF). VMJ-253, 152, USA 13th Troop Carrier Sqdn. R4D work hard support. Aug.-Dec. 3,000 medevacs.
NOV. 11: Air raids continue. Attack offloading US Army. Down 30 Jap planes.
NOV. 13: Battle of Guadalcanal - A climactic naval battle near Guadalcanal starts between Japanese and Ameri-can naval forces. Notably, the USS Juneau is sunk with much of its crew, including the five Sullivan brothers.
NOV. 13: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. 24 minutes post-midnight. US lose 2 cruisers, damage 3rd, lose 4 destroyers, damage 3. IJN lose 2 destroyers, battleship Hiei. First Cactus attack on a BB. 1st torpedo VMSB-131 TBF. F4Fs shoot down all 8 covering Zeros.
NOV. 13: IJN shelling 1,000 rounds 8” on Cactus in 45 minutes.
NOV. 14: Cactus and Enterprise destroy IJN reinforce-ment effort, many transports sunk. Only 4,000 of 10,000 troops make it ashore (but no ammo, food, medical). LCOL Harold Bauer shot down while flying with Capt. Joe Foss.
IJN attempt final night shelling. Battleship Kirishima, I destroyer sunk. USN lose 3 destroyers and damaged USS South Dakota battleship.
DEC: Cactus now has 71 F4F, 17 P-38, 100 other.
DEC. 9: The Marines turn over Guadalcanal to the command of US Army.
JAN. 1943: Heavy air attacks resume, IJN transport ships take big losses. Brilliant withdrawal planned.
JAN. 15: Capt. Joe Foss, XO VMF-121 downs 3 for total 26. Equals Rickenbacker WWI record.
FEB. 8: Japanese evacuates 12,000. Give up Gua-dalcanal.
2,117 sorties, 427 kills, VMF-121 highest with 208.
Lost 118 planes combat, 30 accidents.
30 USMC Aces, 6 Medals Of Honor.
JULY-DEC. ’42 16 USN Aces in Pacific.
Guadalcanal saved by Warning Radar and coast watcher/spotters.
MEANWHILE IN EUROPE:
AUG. 17: First US Army Air Forces B-17 heavy bomber raid in Europe, targeting the Sotteville railroad yards at Rouen, France.
AUG, 19: Operation Jubilee, a raid by British and Canadian forces on Dieppe, France, ends in disaster; they come under heavy gunfire and eventually most are killed or captured by the German defenders.
AUG. 23: Massive German air raid on Stalingrad.
SEPTEMBER 1942
SEPT. 3: The Battle of Stalingrad proper may be said to have begun on this date, with German troops in the suburbs; even civilian men and boys are conscripted by the Red Army to assist in the defence.
SEPT. 4: Manhattan Engineering District is formally cre-ated, full-effort production of the atomic bomb is begun.
SEPT. 9: A Japanese plane drops more incendiaries on Oregon, but with little effect.
SEPT. 30: The Eagle Squadron (American volunteers in the RAF) is officially transferred to the US Army Air Force.
*Compiled from numerous references online.
Intensely Worthy of Commemoration (cont.)
8 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012
By Col. John Telles, USMC (Retired)
We made LtCol. Alfred A. Cunningham proud! Or at least I think we did… In grand style, we toasted to his historic first solo flight as a USMC 1/Lt at Marblehead, MA on Aug. 20, 1912. In the splendor of the Pavilion of Flight, San Diego Air & Space Museum, exactly 100 years later, we paid him liquid tribute for his spectacular deed.
Produced and coordinated by Air Group One (AG-1), we hosted guests from the Air & Space Museum, USS Midway, Flying Leathernecks Museum, Tailhook Association, DFC Society, and GKN Aerospace, Inc. of El Cajon, and many more aviation personalities of the area. We sincerely thank all who joined in the fun evening!
John Telles, GKN GM Darren Levack, Lift Fan Engineer Brent Christiansen
A Special Membership Award (AG-1) was presented by Mr. Darren Levack, GKN GM to Mr. Brent Christiansen, a prominent engineer at GKN Aerospace Inc. He had previously won the B- 17 ride at the June 2 Wings over Gillespie Air Show. But additionally, Brent is a design and production engineer for the GKN-built forward Lift Fan on the USMC F-35B Lightning II fighter. Ahh, Cun-ningham would have been proud to know him!
Air & Space Museum Head Docent Verne Wochnick kindly “co-hosted” with terrific guest tours during the celebration. Thanks so much, Verne. And of course, it was Mr. Jim Kidrick’s generosity that provided the awesome venue in the first place. Thanks, Jim!
“Forged Above” framed with blue mat
Commemorative Special Happy Hour for First USMC Solo Flight
9September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt
As a mini-unveiling, “Forged Above” was officially presented. Back-dropping the enjoyable evening was the 8’x10’ mural of the Steve Tack painting “Forged Above.” The original painting commissioned by AG-1 was also on display, our joint contribution in celebra-tion of “The Centennial of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation”. Oorraahh! We had many positive comments on the work, and sold several highest quality Limited Edition lithographs. They are still available at AG-1. Call John Telles at 760-458-4230.
New AG-1 member Abraham Talerman won the drawing for a ride in “Sassy” (SNJ). Congrats, Abe.
Again, thanks to all who helped make this remarkable centennial event such a success.
Happy Hour (cont.)
Howard sez....At least a couple of times, our Maintenance Officer Howard Merritt has arrived at our hangar to discover someone had left a door open. There are a lot of sets of hangar keys out there now. Please, everyone, be careful to lock up when you leave if you are the last one out. Oh, and it would be good to turn off the lights and air conditioner, too!
I Didn’t Know That
By Robert Bruce
EDDIE DUCHIN... was a swing-era pianist and band leader who served in the WW-II navy. He had perfect pitch and was trained in anti-submarine detection. He took part in the D-Day invasion on a destroyer escort. He also was involved in the invasion of Iowa Jima and Okinawa. (See movie: The Eddie Duchin Story...Tyrone Power)
DUGOUT SUNDAY... was a bad weather day on Guadalcanal which kept the U.S. planes grounded by muddy runways. The Japanese attacked with air raids and shelling from ships, inflicting severe damage.
DUMBARTON OAKS... was the name of a meeting held in Washington D.C. in August 1944 at which the United Nations organization was born.
DONALD DUNCAN... was a Navy captain air officer on Admiral Ernest King’s staff who came up with the idea of a carrier strike on Japan, which became the Doolittle Raid.
DREAM BOAT... was the code name for the develop-ment of the B-29 Super Fortress.
RICHARD DRONNE... was a Free French captain who was in Gen. Jacques Le Lerc’s French armored division that was from Chad. He was the first French soldier to enter Paris in 1944.
SAXIE DOWELL... was a U.S. bandleader in the 30’s and 40’s. He wrote the very popular “Three Little Fishes (in the itty bitty pool).” He served on the carrier Franklin, which was hit by two bombs on March 19, 1945. 772 crewmembers were killed. This was the navy’s second worst casualty event. Saxie survived the attack.
New Sassy Pilots!Congratulations to our newest SNJ pilots, Erich Mould-er and Bret Ebaugh! And many thanks to their instructor Joe Graham and check pilot Pete Hunt.
We are looking forward to the help with the flying duties. Fly safe and have fun!
Vought F8U Crusader From “Forged Above” painting
10 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012
These are some of our newest members, and we are delighted to have them join us.
Karl Johanson—Born 12/30/54 in Springfield, MA
Education: BSME from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in1976
I am married with three children (all grown; son is a private pilot, now studying to be an air traffic control-ler). My wife is Donna and she flies around the region with me to attend airshows in our 1946 Globe Swift, restored in 2001/2002 (as static display; the attached photo was taken at Edwards AFB Open House 2009). She probably has 250+ hours in the right seat but is not a licensed pilot.
I worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in late seventies until 1982. Moved to San Diego in ’82 and worked at same company making gas turbine auxiliary power units for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The name changed several times through acquisitions starting as Solar Turbines, then Turbomach, then Sundstrand Turbomach, then Auxiliary Power International, then Hamilton Sundstrand from 1999 to this year and now we have just merged with Pratt and Whitney so I am right back to where I started in 1976!
I have been on the sales side of the business for the past 20+ years and travel extensively working with our customers worldwide.
I lived in Iceland, Norway, India and Indonesia during my early years (up to age 28). My father was a Pratt and Whitney Field Representative so we lived a somewhat nomadic life during my teenage years.
We live in Rancho Bernardo.
Member of QBs, CAF, AG-1, Antique Aircraft Associa-tion (including San Diego chapter), EAA, AOPA, Swift Museum Foundation
Other hobbies: Golf and tennis (latter is just to be my wife’s warm up opponent, she is the big tennis fan), travelling to countries I haven’t seen before.
Bill Judge—RV-8 builder and test pilot. Bill has about 1800 hrs flight time, 1500 of which are tailwheel, 800 of which are in his RV-8 (see above). Bill as flown his RV-8 across the country nine times, to Mexico twice and Aruba once. He has a single engine commercial license with an instrument rating and a private glider license. Bill’s wife, Kenzi, also enjoys flying and has been on many of the trips. For work Bill is an electrical engineer who now does operations research work for the Navy’s Budget Office (OPNAV) through SPAWAR. When not flying and spending time with his wife Bill enjoys kitesurfing and snowboarding.
Sid Karin—I passed my private pilot check ride in 1968 while still a graduate student at the University of Michigan. By the time I finished school I was earning
New Members
11September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt
my living as a CFI. CFI income and graduate student life style were a good fit at the time. Now I’m a retired UCSD faculty member and I do some consulting in computing and telecommunications.
I have accumulated 4,200 hours total and I have owned a Cessna 210 for more than five years. I hold CFI, CFII, CFIM and Commercial ASMEL, ASES ratings but have never even sat in a warbird. I’m looking forward to help-ing out and learning more about warbirds.
Both attached pictures are of me. In the first I am (al-most) visible in the nose gear mirror. Mt. McKinley is in the background. The second is more conventional.
Connor Reid —I am 16 years old and have been flying since I was 14. I soloed near my 16th birthday and plan to get my Private Pilot License near my 17th birthday. I am a junior at Granite Hills High School and plan to be an Alaskan Bush Pilot.
[Ed. note: Connor’s grandmother Kathy and aunt Robyn are also members of Air Group One.]
New Members (cont.)
Vought F4U Corsair From “Forged Above” painting
By Robert Bruce
Constant Pringle grew up in a small town in Georgia. It was said he shared his rural roots with five brothers... all of them older than he was. When it came to book ‘larnin’ he was the only one who achieved a 10th grade education. His brothers quit school and went to work picking cotton or raising tobacco. Somehow, Constant got into ROTC, which took his name off the dreaded draft list, and it wasn’t long before the Army made him a 2nd lieutenant.
Among his friends, it was believed he really liked the army. He had a warm place to sleep, three meals a day and he received salutes from enlisted men in his units. Everyone agreed that discipline was surely a sore point with Constant, causing the company and battalion commanders to give him unimportant assignments just to keep him out of trouble. Once he misread map coordinates during maneuvers, causing the Battalion Commander to get lost.
It might have been his love of food and ever balloon-ing weight that was responsible for keeping Constant “behind the lines” so to speak. Tipping the scales at over 300 lbs. earned him nicknames like “Porky” and “The Crisco Kid” (the latter really stuck with him). But it never seemed to bother him.
Looking back, I can’t but wonder what ever happened to Lt. Constant? Yes, it was a long time ago to be sure, Where is the Crisco Kid now??
Lt. Constant Pringle
12 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012
Normandie...Before and After
13September/October 2012 The Scuttlebutt
14 The Scuttlebutt September/October 2012
Laff Trak
Air Group One—Commemorative Air Force 1905 N. Marshall Ave., Hangar 6 El Cajon, CA 92020
Police Stop at 1 AMAn elderly man is stopped by the police around 1 a.m. and is asked where he is going at this time of night.
The man replies, “I am going to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body.”
The officer then asks, “Really? Who is giving that lecture at this time of night?”
The man replies, “That would be my wife.”
Overheard on the radio a few years ago:N1234: “Kalamazoo approach, student pilot N1234 five miles west.”
Approach: “Are you the red and blue Cessna 172?”
N1234: “Yes. How did you know?”
Approach: “I have color radar. N1234, go to tower 123.45.”
Me: “Kalamazoo approach, white Bonanza with black and red stripes checking in.”
Approach (laughing): “I used to fly that 172!”
Student SoloA student became lost during a solo cross-country flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, ATC asks, “What was your last known position?”
