DATE: 02 August 2007
TO: AAHF MEMBERS, PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS, DONORS ETC.
SUBJECT: SKY SOLDIERS/ARMY AVIATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION (AAHF) NEWS BRIEF Vol 07-12
PURPOSE: To Periodically Inform the Membership of the Activities of the Organization
I. MAINTENANCE:
No input from the Maintenance side, but you can be sure things are being done. The proof of that is the fact that we make every show scheduled.
II NEAR TERM EVENT SCHEDULE (August):
DATE LOCATION PURPOSE
Aug 24-26 Indianapolis, IN Air Show
Aug 31-Sep 3 Cleveland, OH Air Show
III. AAHF COORDINATING EVENTS (Not Listed Above):
DATE TIME PURPOSE
18 Aug 07 0930 Monthly Meeting
22 Sep 07 0930 Monthly Meeting
13 Oct 07 0930 Monthly Meeting
17 Nov 07 0930 Monthly Meeting
8 Dec 07 TBA Christmas Party
IV. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS:
N/A
V. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Jul 20 – 22 Selfridge ARB, MI Airshow
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES:
(1) Admin Info by Shanda Elkin
(a) Membership:
Folks we are now caught up on invoices thanks to one of our members, Nancy Points. Thank you Nancy so much for your help. I have received many renewals; I appreciate everyone's support for this great foundation. We will continue to get the invoices out as quickly as possible.
(b) Quarterly Newsletter:
Members - We are trying to revive the quarterly newsletter, I'm looking for folks to take pictures, write short stories, give updates on aircraft, and chapter updates. If just one member from each area - Caribou, Huey, Mohawk, Cobras, Wiregrass, Redstone, Ft Worth, would put something together every quarter we could get rolling again. I'm ready to write about membership, do some human interest stories from the shows (like the Polish reenactor at Ft Campbell or the aviation students after the Huey ride in Pittsburgh), or even about making sure things are updated (like emergency data and inventory for the trailer). My request is WHO would like to join me, please let me know and together we will get the quarterly newsletter back on track. I thank each of you for the time and effort you all give to the beautiful aircraft, this wonderful foundation and the exciting air shows - now let's get the word out to those who can't be with us as often as they may like! Take Care Shanda
(2) Notes of interest:
(a) Demo Team Anniversary, by Judd Lewis (Wiregrass Chapter)
I have spent more that a couple of my birthdays on the road doing air shows with the Foundation. It is sure easier to go to one, than it is to put one on. On balance, there is great achievement when everything comes off correctly and safely, even though it does take all damn day.
Tomorrow the 30 of July will be the first anniversary of our demo team's presentation to the Army in debilitating heat at Dayton, Ohio. We had front-page photos including a comment from a lady that she loved the Blues, but after our show they were number two.
This new team is much more visible and shows evidence of being able to pay for itself. That is a key element in any of our activities.
Several members have to put in their own time to make the demo team work. Some put in all of their extra time. This is balanced by being able to go places and do things they would not otherwise.
The opportunity is here to be part of something that is bigger than any one of us. Supporting the Army and the country and getting to be a part of the show. Like a high school play, there are more supporting troops behind the curtain than you see. Like a pro race team, twenty people on scene seem to be supporting one driver. In any business, all are working for the one goal.
Our group is composed of highly experienced and skilled individuals that, from where I sit are all achieving success in their areas of responsibility. I am proud to be part of the team and am proactive in enhancing membership, donations, maintenance, and building our infrastructure.
It is important to keep in mind the effort that is required to complete maintenance to make the birds fly at the next event. We cannot go look at a bird three days before departure and find a major inspection due or part broken.
All of my leave is gone for the fiscal year, so you will not see me at the shows. Please come to the hangars in Ozark or Tara on weekends to help me working on the hangars or the birds you will fly.
Thanks Mr. Mike Brady, for the opportunity. Thanks Colonel Dehart, for the enhanced skill training on how to "work" a Cobra.
Happy anniversary.
Judd Lewis, Age 60!
(b) The last flight of the Bou from Lee Maynard
To all, Greetings from Oshkosh! The plane was taken to Oshkosh to show it off in hopes it would sell - which it did. As I type this, I am sitting underneath the wing of 149 on its last day as an AAHF asset. The line of people waiting to go inside is 30 people deep. The sky is overcast and reflects the mood of the crew as we sort through the items that will be taken back to Tara and others that will transfer with the aircraft. Mike Brady gave us the news of the sale yesterday morning. We were made aware of the interested parties as soon as we landed on Monday and Mike was careful to keep us informed as to the progress of the negotiations. He took Tuesday night to listen to our thoughts and briefed us on his decision at breakfast Wednesday morning. We were all sworn to silence until he could call Glenn Car personally and break the news. There was emotion in his voice as he spoke of the reasons for parting with the Bou. As with every story, there are two sides. After listening to him, I came to understand his decision. Tomorrow we depart for Minneapolis along with the new owner's Jeep and a DPE selected to give the new owner a check ride in the old bird.
I have been assured that 149 will be well taken care of and will report my observations of her new home when I get there.
We have had thousands of people come through and learn of the Bou's mission and the men that flew and maintained her. We have done our best to keep our spirits high but there are times, when the beer flows, that the emotions are exposed.
Bob, Richard and I have polished the aircraft to perfection. When she goes, she will be looking her best. We, as a crew, are honored to be the last AAHF flight crew to escort her to her new home. We took the occasion to leave our mark on her and remember those that put so much time and effort into making her a flying testament to those that have gone before. I hope you approve.
The plane was taken to Oshkosh to show it off in hopes it would sell - which it did.
My personal thanks go out to Denny Toaspern, Glenn Carr, Darryl Neidlinger, Bill Upton, and everyone else that so graciously invited me to become a member of the crew. It is in your honor that I will make my last flight in 62-4149.
Thanks for the opportunity! Lee Maynard
(c) Published to the members of the Otter/Caribou Association by B. Sively
Following from Glenn Carr - (Glenn and Denny Toaspern along with several other members of the Otter Caribou Assn have been the main players in restoring that airplane to the point where it sold so quickly - that airplane was in first class condition - and all due to the efforts of the volunteers who gave hours of sweat time - good on each and every one of you - now go fishing and let the rotor heads wander into oblivion)
Bad News and Good News
The saddest day of my life has come to pass. Just got a call from Mike Brady that he sold the Caribou this morning. New owner is based fifteen miles north of Minneapolis. Same airfield as the Mohawk Association. The good news is he is a man of means and war bird lover having several WWII birds and takes them free of charge to the smaller air shows that can't afford the ferry expense. Also was told he has extensive engine and repair facilities. So, 149 will live on as our icon and be treated with the respect she deserves. Now the best news, her new home being 200 miles from Bob Schrader's home, the new owner has ask Bob to stay on as his crew chief. As one would expect Bob jumped with joy accepting this offer.
Imagine that, the original assistant crew chief (circa 1963) gets to stay on with his aircraft and forty years later he makes full crew chief. I believe we all can rest easy that 149 will be well cared for and remain in the public eye. From my perspective, as George Patton said after being relieved of command of Third Army, "All good things must come to an end". I am saddened to no end that 149 will no longer be part of the AAHF, but overjoyed that she will not be a working aircraft gutted for every pound of payload one could get. We can now lean on Bob to keep us posted on where she goes and what she does.
No sale yet on the Mohawk, Cobra and H-13 but all have several interested parties.
Glenn Carr, Pappa 'Bou Emeritus
(d) Report on Oskosh, by Curt Knapp.
The following is a transcription of a phone conversation with Curt Knapp as he was driving back to Tara Field with the same OH-13 chasing him that chased him all the way to Oshkosh, WI. He and Bob Schumacher (Tiffany's Dad) called over the past weekend to let me know how things were going.
According to Curt, in addition to the Bou being sold, it was determined to be the Judges Choice award in the Transport Category. Aircraft was ferried up to Minnesota by Rich Parker, Lee Maynard and Bob Schrader this past Saturday.
The other aircraft did not sell, but all looked good. The Cobra 599, piloted by Skip Lam received the Judges Choice award in the Helicopter Category.
The OH-13 received the Silver Wrench award in the Helicopter Category as 1st Place in the Craftsman and Restoration Category. In addition and most importantly, it received the Best Helicopter award or 1st Place title for ALL helicopters at Oshkosh. Curt spent three days cleaning it.
The Mohawk was ferried up to Oshkosh by Ed Bearden and Ron Warner, and flown back by Ed Bearden and Erin Brady. Good to see Mr. Warner back in the fold after his adventure last year. This was Erin's first turbine flight time to record in his log book.
(e) Selfridge ARB, MI Airshow account and pictures submitted by Brent Gourley (Wiregrass)
http://info.detnews.com/pix/photogalleries/newsgallery/SkySoldiers/index9.htm
(f) CHPA (Combat Helicopter Pilots Association) video about Medal of Honor Winners at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley submitted by Brent Gourley (Wiregrass)
(g) A series of pictures regarding the Oshkosh event submitted by Lee Maynard
http://cobrateam06.shutterfly.com/action/
Also at this link are pictures from last year's Dayton show where Lee rode gunner in the first Demo of the Cobra show.
(3) Membership News:
If you have made changes to your contact information, email address, or simply have news or questions, send to our new email address: membership@armyav.org . Don't forget that membership applications, as well as a link to our new email address, are available online at www.armyav.org .
(4) Changes
If you have constructive criticism or suggestions for improvement to the news brief, you can also contact membership@armyav.org.
(5) Photo Locations:
a. For the Foundation's Photobucket site, go to this link:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v202/armyav/. If this direct link will not work, you can access the site at www.photobucket.com and the Foundation album is "armyav". Some folks have had trouble in getting into the album. The block to enter the Album name of "armyav" is in the upper RIGHT corner that is the search block. DO NOT use the area that requests a password. No password is needed to view our photos.
b. There is another Photobucket site with pictures of the Foundation at the Macon, GA show. Go to:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v700/elp999/SkySoldiers/?start=all
c. In addition, there is another very interesting photo site to visit.
http://sunbirdphotos.com/ Once there, navigate to the following area:
all galleries >> Air Show Stock Photo Galleries (13 Air Shows plus ALA Miami 2003 Aircraft Static Display) >> 2006 Blue Angels Homecoming 60th Anniversary Air Show at NAS Pensacola Stock Photos Gallery .
Some great shots of our Cobras at the Pensacola NAS Airshow. > Army Aviation
FUTURE AIR SHOW SCHEDULE
DATE LOCATION SHOW NAME HUEY RIDES
Oct 20-21 Augusta, GA Boshears Skyfest 1 Cobra, 1 Huey
FUTURE SKYSOLDIERS DEMONSTRATION TEAM SCHEDULE
DATE LOCATION EVENT
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Oct 19 Ft. Worth, TX Air Show