A few years ago I happened to fly an airplane to Ford/Iron Mountain Kingsford Airport in Iron Mountain, Michigan.  The airplane I flew to Superior Aviation needed some avionics work done so I waited while John Sersich and his crew worked.  (Superior Aviation has a superior avionics shop which I would highly recommend, and make sure you talk to John.)  After reading the aviation magazines in the lobby, talking to the front end girl, looking at the airplanes on the ramp and in the hangar, and checking out the restaurant across the street, I decided to check out the airline terminal.  That's when I learned something I didn't know before.

      In the back of the terminal on the wall in the corner inconspicuously hung a plaque.  The plaque stated that during World War II, Kingsford, MI was the home of a WACO glider factory operating under contract by the Ford Motor Company.  WACO CG-4A gliders were troop and equipment carrying gliders.  They were designed by WACO and built under contract by several different companies throughout the United States during the War.

      Before WWII began, the Germans had pioneered the use of tactical gliders for "stealth" attacks against the enemy.  This was a new way to land troops silently behind enemy lines. Both sides of the war learned from the German glider successes and the Americans realized they'd better get on the band wagon before it was too late.  So just before the Americans entered the war, they began their glider efforts.

     WACO aircraft designed a glider for the Americans.  These gliders were designed to transport troops, jeeps, howitzer guns, food, medicine, and other war materials.  They were also used as aerial ambulances.  They were often towed by C-46's & C-47's.   The 15-place Waco CG-4A glider was the undisputed workhorse of American troops during the war.  The story of American glider forces is relatively unknown but extraordinary.  Some little facts about glider operations are that glider troops and pilots were not allowed to wear parachutes and glider troops did not receive hazardous duty pay like their airborne paratroop counterparts.  American glider pilots flew in the European, Pacific, and China-Burma-India Theaters during World War II.

     Ford Motor Company turned their mass production expertise to building gliders in 1942.  They converted their Kingsford factory which had originally been used to produce station wagons.  The Kingsford facility employed 4,500 people working around the clock in eight-hour shifts. During their peak production period the workers at Kingsford turned out eight gliders per day.  Originally these gliders were crated for rail shipment to glider training schools. 

     Starting in 1944, the shipping process was speeded up considerably when Ford cut a 120-foot-wide swath through wooded areas leading from its assembly line to the airport one mile away in Kingsford. Fully assembled gliders could then be pulled off the assembly line by Ford farm tractors and hauled through the woods to the airport. From there military airplanes would tow them to their destinations around the country.  The Kingsford plant eventually turned out 4,190 CG-4As, more than twice the number of gliders produced by any other company during the war. 

     Despite their importance to the war effort, after the war the remaining CG4A WACO's weren't preserved.  There are only 3 complete CG4A's in existance today.  The Menomonee Range Historical  museum in Iron Mountain Kingsford recently received a WACO glider fuselage and realized its place in WACO glider history.  The museum has accummulated other CG4A glider parts and has decided to create a display honoring the WACO gliders of WWII. 

     While visiting the museum with family my father noticed the glider fuselage in the parking lot.  After inquiring about the glider, he discovered their intentions for restoration.  Busy with other projects my father turned them on to Wausau aviator Syd Cohen.
After consideration, Syd has decided to sink his teeth into this one.  So this is where the story begans!  Here's the latest WACO report from Syd, . . . 

      "Kevin Wagener and I drove to Greenville, MI on Friday, March 17 to pick up the glider parts there.  We toured their museum and saw their glider.  It is enormous!  The next day we loaded up all of the big parts onto a semi and the smaller parts into a U-Haul trailer and into my mini van, and drove back here, arriving at about 2 a.m.   Saturday morning Merrill McMahan, Bob Mohr, Phil Boettcher, Clifford Hatz, Kevin, David Cohen and I unloaded all of the parts into Phil’s hangar.  There are many wing parts, which will eventually be brought to Iron Mountain, and many fuselage parts, which we will use to restore the fuselage from Iron Mountain."

     Syd knows this is going to be a long term project and is looking for volunteers to assist in his effort to create a non-flying WACO glider display for the museum.  The CG4A glider parts and WWII glider memorabilia will be on display during the EAA's B-17 visit.

     Here's a fascinating story about the WACO glider program during World War II from an article in Southwest Aviator magazine about the Silent Wings Museum of Lubbock Texas.  WFS also has the book "Silent Wings" in our library.  Syd also has a copy.  Check it out!

By John Lorenz

When you hear the phrase, “World War II military aviation,” your thoughts, like mine, probably go to the “famous” designs of the era. The P51, the B17, the P38, and the B29 are the designs that I immediately picture. There were also those planes like the B24 that had a significant impact, but lacked the charisma to be famous.

A recently opened museum in Lubbock, Texas pays tribute to a design that few ever think about, but one that played a significant role in winning the war. The Silent Wings Museum honors the brave men who crashed every time they flew — the glider pilots of World War II.

Gliders were first used in the war by the Germans to invade Holland. The success of that attack was not lost on allied war planners. In 1941, they asked a number of companies for designs to be submitted for a glider for the U.S. forces. The winning design was submitted by the Waco Company. The CG4 glider was designed to carry a combination of troops and/or supplies. The front of the glider hinged forward to allow Jeeps and other construction equipment to be loaded and unloaded. 

The program got off to a rocky start. The first time gliders were used in combat was in Sicily. They were to land on a beach, and the approach was made over water. Many of the gliders were released too far away to make land, and crashed in the ocean too far from land for the soldiers to swim. Approximately 300 men were presumed drowned. Shortly thereafter, in a demonstration flight over St. Louis, a wing separated from a Waco glider carrying the mayor of the city and the President of the Waco Company. All aboard were killed. The military decided to step back and take another look.

Had it not been for a unique approach taken by Major Michael Murphy, the program might well have been scrapped. The Army Air Force had established a tactical testing and training facility at Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Field in North Carolina. On August 4, 1942, Major Hap Arnold and a planeload of dignitaries arrived for a progress report. Major Murphy was a believer in the glider program. He had been a barnstormer before the war, and if nothing else, knew how to put on a show. He led General Arnold and the rest of the staff through a well-planned sequence of water landings, towing, pick-up operations, and a new technique that allowed a glider to stop in a very short distance. At the end of the day, Major Murphy escorted the entourage to a remote area of the base for a briefing on night landings. The audience expected a straightforward lecture on improvements in night landing techniques. Major Murphy had other ideas.

The lecture began just after dark. The audience sat on small bleachers at the edge of an abandoned “pea patch.” Major Murphy ordered all lights extinguished and began his lecture over a loudspeaker system. The audience could see nothing. All they could do was listen to Major Murphy. As Murphy lectured, several miles away, ten CG4 gliders cut away from their tow plane. They headed for a pathfinder light hidden under a barricade at the end of the pea patch. They had been practicing this for weeks. Murphy’s amplified voice served to cover up the sound of the gliders as they landed 30 seconds apart directly behind Murphy. When the last glider had landed, Murphy ordered the lights turned on. The audience was stunned. Ten huge combat gliders were lined up in front of them. As they continued to stare in disbelief, a nine piece military band emerged from one of the gliders playing an Air Corps marching song. The glider program was never questioned again.

For those of you who are interested in or have signed up for the May Tailwheel Clinic, you can save money by sending your payment of $69 in by May 7th.  After that date the cost will be $79.  Last year we had too many no-shows for our "Adventures" so we thought we would solve that problem by giving a savings if advance payment was made.

"Tailwheel" Clinic This adventure in flying “conventional gear” airplanes is taught by WFS flight instructor, John Chmiel.  The clinic will discuss the art of flying a tailwheel airplane with specific reference to the Champion Citabria. The $49 cost includes 2.5 hours of ground discussion and 1/2 hour of dual flight instruction in our Citabria. Subjects will include:        Rental Rules/FAR's       Insurance       Pilot Experience Requirements        Aircraft Systems (Citabria)        Weight and Balance (Citabria)        Tailwheel Transition Maneuvers        3-point Landing Technique        Wheel Landing Technique  Inexperienced pilots with no tailwheel experience who would like to earn a tailwheel endorsement are encouraged to attend. Also welcome to attend are experienced tailwheel pilots who may want to try out WFS's newest rental, our Champion Citabria 7ECA.   This course counts as an FAA Safety Program (WINGS).  If you take it now you'll get (2) hours of additional dual for free!

What:  Clinic on How to Fly a Taildragger Where:  Wausau Flying Service, Inc. When:  Saturday, May 21st  Time:  9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Why:  Its fun & is qualifies for the ground portion of the Wings Program How Much: Now Only $69, this is regularly a $160 dollar value!

Sign Up List 1. Joe Grassl 2. Dr. Sherwood Williams 3. Paul Kobussen 4. Andy Gille 5. Marcelaine Lewis  6. John Lewis 7. Steve Eiler * paid * 8. Jerry Eiler * paid * 9. Tom Voelker * paid * 10.Art Polnisch 11. Gus Moulas 12. Doug Treat * paid * 13. Bob Glentz  * paid * 14. Rolly Yocum 15. Chuck Ercegovac * paid * 16.  17. 18. 19. 20. CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP NOW!

     Received these pictures from former Wausau resident Mike Facer.  Mike thought he'd show us some of the sights in his new home in Hawaii.  If you remember Angela and I ferried Mike's Cessna C-170 to my hometown of Hayward, CA before it was crated and shipped to Hawaii.

"Hi John, 5723C on final for runway 21 Lihue. I will send more photos in the near future. Hey this one only took a year and a half. I check your website often. Keep em flying." Mike Facer

"John Travolta's 707 on the ramp Lihue Hi."

"23C at the T-Hangers Lihue."

"Built during WWII, Port Allen airfield is on the southwest side of Kauai, mainly used by one helicopter tour company and a ultralight tour company."
 
 

More Tough Runways!

The Old Hong Kong Airport

Hello Folks...

I don't generally forward stuff, but these photos brought back too many memories 
for me, and I just coul! dn't leave it alone...!!

Got these from a fellow retired Captain friend, reminding me of the days 
when we used to fly this approach in Pan Am's Boeing 707's, way back in 
1967 thru 1970...when I was based out of San Francisco. 

For those of us who've had the "privilege" of landing at the Old Hong Kong Airport..."Fond memories" ?  Had it's own built in "pucker factor" didn't it ?  Even when the weather was good...which was never...!!  You know,  the old punching washers out of your seat cushion type of thing...We were definitely sitting up straight and paying attention...!!

Couldn't resist adding some ;of my own comments to his...!!! (italics)

I showed the Jepp approach plates for Hong Kong to an air traffic controller at the Denver Center. His comment was close to, "You gotta be kidding!" There were a few other words in there that I have deleted. 

Normally, at the bottom of an ILS approach, (Instrument Landing System) 
you are looking for a runway...This was long before we could trust the 
autopilot for an "Auto-Approach" hook up, so you always hand flew it.

This ILS approach guides you rig! ht to the top of a hill, not the runway. If 
you did a good job flying the ILS all the way to "minimums" you got to see 
that checkerboard panel in photo  #3.   If you dropped below minimums in 
bad weather, you got to die right on the tippy top of the mountain...!!

The drill was to fly to minimums, (the hilltop) and then crank it over into a 
hard right turn and dive for the runway. There was usually a cross wind, which explains some of the other pictures. It was pretty easy to drag a wing tip, or an outboard engine. Some of the lucky ones got both outboard engines, the first at impact (photo # 8) and the second trying to recover from the first engine strike. (photo #9)  And you couldn't cheat by going below glide slope or turning in early because of all the tall buildings downtown.

And if the approach wasn't enough fun, note that the runway! is short. 
More than one went off the end, or the sid e, and into the bay.

Missed approach?  See those hills ? 
Yep, another hard right turn and climb, baby, climb!

The weather was usually not clear.  Clouds were the norm, with fog or mist, and sometimes heavy rain.  It's tropical there. There was an approach to the other end of that single runway.  It wasn't much better. More hills and the "missed approach" was a hard left turn to avoid hitting the tall buildings and checkerboard mountain...!

Yeah, just another day at the office.

The new airport is almost easy. There are still the hills all around the bay, 
but at least the ILS takes you to pavement. And you don't have to look up 
at the people in the higher floors. You don't really appreciate flying in 
America until you have flown out of it.  Washington National is a piece of 
cake by comparison.  There were some airports in Sou! th America that 
were almost the equal of Hong Kong.  Did I mention what braking was like 
on a rainy day on that short runway?  Or the huge puddles that formed because the airport was sinking, and no one would spend any money because they were building the new airport?
 
 

Some days you earned your pay more than others!!!   Back then I could not 
imagine doing anything else for a living...for forty years...!!! 
Viet Nam did help put it all in perspective though...and made this seem easy...
At least nobody was shooting at you from these High Rises...!! 

Ah...Yes, we were all so young then... and fearless..!!  And the older we got the 
more cautious we became...!!!  And where has the time gone..?  I remember thinking...Wow,  ten more years to retirement...and now it's been ten years since retirement...!!

Back t! hen...my goal was to retire without scratching an airplane...!

Today...I'm happy not to scratch my car turning into my own driveway...!!

Russ

     Here's a taste of some pics I'll have for the next issue of "Contact!" about (2) vintage local pilots flying (2) vintage airplanes to Sun'N Fun this year.  No offense guys!  Tune in next month for more!

 
 

Youth Flight Camp 2005

Youth Flight Camp Does your child have an interest in airplanes?  Every time an airplane flies over do they feel the need to see what kind it is?  Was the "Wings Channel" their favorite TV station? Youth Flight Camp  is a program organized by Wausau Flying Service through the Marathon County Parks Summer Activity Program.  The Flight Camp program will take place at the Wausau Downtown Airport.  Activities include:  balsa model airplane building, model airplane flying, R/C model flying, Young Eagles Flights (in a real airplane), and an airport tour.  Adult volunteer mentors will help the kids with model building and flying.  If your kids have any interest in aviation, they'll love our Youth Flight Camp programs!

What:  Youth Flight Camp Where:  Wausau Flying Service Wausau Downtown Airport When:  June 20th - June 24th Time:  1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Who:  All Kids Between the Ages of  8 - 13 Why:  Its a Fun Way For Your Kids To Learn About Aviation and Airplanes How Much:  $39 Includes the cost of the model airplanes and Young Eagles Flights We are looking for adult volunteers to keep the adult to kid ratio at 4 to 1.  This determines how many kids we can have.  Call 845-3400 if you can help

Sign Up List 1.  Ben Beckel 2.  Cooper Lingford 3.  Wyatt Chmiel 4.  Zach Halfman 5.  John Senski 6.  John Kochevar 7.  Christopher Colon 8.  Andrew Colon 9.  Alex Colon 10. Jake Kusmarksi 11. Mitchell Kazmar  12. Jake Kuzmarski 13. Sam Schefler 14. Bradley Magrecke 15. Rowan Flynn 16. Bryce Widmark 17. Troy Ergish 18. Derek Pauls 19. Haley Pauls 20.  CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP NOW!

 

Greetings all,
 Last night we had our first putt putt patrol. Pictured below are myself,  Rob Flannery, Bob Mohr, John Chmiel and son Wyatt, Syd Cohen. Putt Putt patrol is the name we gave our Tuesday night flying group. 4 of us flew a pretty nice diamond formation and did a military style peel off to land over the Merrill airport. As we parked several cars driven by curious people drove into the parking lot to see what was going on!  We are pictured after landing at Merrill. Dave Conrad

Here's another email from Dave regarding the last Patrol mission I couldn't make.  Just another reminder that Putt-Putt Patrol happens rain or shine!!!!!  No weather? Then we eat and watch movies.  Consider your lashing complete!!!

Dear Supreme Commander,
 I reported to the airfield at 1800 today to find a shortage of pilots and serviceable planes. My findings were very discouraging. I know the weather was not good for patrol, but we defiantly could have done some useful observation flying. I would recommend a verbal lashing of all pilots with serviceable aircraft that didn't show up. 

Respectfully, 
Wing Commander Conrad

What is Putt-Putt Patrol?  It’s like Friday Lunch Club.   Except after we eat, we fly!

1. Bring your own food & drink.  We’ll bring the     grill.
2. After dinner, we fly . . . who cares where!
3. It’s informal

     EAA Chapter 243 has coordinated the visit of the Experimental Aircraft Association's B-17 to Wausau Downtown Airport July 15th - 17th.  The restored World War II heavy bomber will be offering rides and airplane tours. 

Flight experience cost will be $355 per person for current EAA members and their guests, and $395 per person for non-EAA members (which includes $40 for new EAA membership).  EAA/B-17 merchandise will also be available for sale.  You can sign up ahead of time with EAA Membership services for a flight slot at 1 800 843-3612.  Or you can coordinate with Chapter 243 volunteers after the airplane arrives.

     Thank you very much EAA Chapters 243 & 640 and EAA Ultralight Chapter 75 for all your efforts in setting up this B-17 visit to Wausau Downtown Airport.  Profits from the stop will be divided equally between the three chapters.

     The WFS crew has finally come up with the 2005 Adventure Season.  Here's the tentative line up and schedule.  Right now, the events that you see specific dates for are set.  We'll have more info and descriptions of each event in future issues of "Contact!"

Tailwheel Clinic  May 21st
	Flight Night  May - September  Tuesdays 5:00 p.m. - sunset
Youth Flight Camp  June 20 - 24
	Wausau Balloon Rally  July 8 - 10
EAA B-17 Visit  July 15 -17
	"The Art of Flight" How to Use OVR to fly Safer!  August 13
Wausau Air Rally 2005  September 10th

     There is only immediate T-hangar opening at Wausau Downtown Airport. 

• T-hangar #7 has a manual door and rents for $90.11 (includes tax) & faces west.

CLASSIFIEDS

• "Got some pilot supplies just sitting around gathering dust?  Wanna upgrade your old headset, hand-held radio or GPS?  What should you do with your old one?  We can sell it for you through our consignment program!  You set the price.  We'll display it and advertise it. 
• Want to display your aircraft for sale in "CONTACT!"?  $50 gets you 6 months.  Includes color pictures and spec. list.  We'll include an automatic email link for your ad too.  If you sell your airplane through your "CONTACT!" classified we ask for an additional $50 commission.  "CONTACT!" comes out twice monthly and goes out to 500+ subscribers.  Our subscriber list is growing every day.  Just email us at taildraggerflyer@yahoo.com for details!"

Total Time:  3973 
Engines 0-540-A1D5:    Right Engine:  2521 SMOH/compressions 70+ 
                                        Left Engine:  960/compressions 75+
Props:       95 SPOH
Annual:     10/04
Fuel Capacity:  198 gallons

Comm #1/Nav #1:  King KX155 w/ glide slope 
Comm #2/Nav #2:  King KX155
ADF:   King KR85
XPDR:  Terra AT50A w/Encoder (last pitot/static/trans. inspection 05/16/2003)
Audio/Marker:  King KMA24 Audio Panel/Marker Rec.
Multi Function Display:  ARGUS 5000 
Loran:  ARNAV PFS5000
Autopilot:  Altimatic (inoperative)
Intercom:  2-place

Special Equipment:  Wing Tip/Trail Strobes, 198 gal Fuel (wing tip mod),  oxygen system (inoperative)

Paint:    1998 stock red/white/black paint scheme “9”
Interior: Brown “4” 
Logbooks:  Available

Call 715 845-3400 or email taildraggerflyer@yahoo.com

PITTS S2A

Factory Built  1974,  973 TTSN  A&E,  2 Place aerobatic,  200 hp. Lycoming,  Inverted fuel & oil,  Hooker Harness,  Narco Nav-com,  Fresh Annual with sale!

Now Only $52,900
Call Glen at 715 571-2121

Sporty's Electronic E6B

now only $25!

Total Time:  8657 
Engines:    Right Engine:  0 SMOH 10-520-MB   Left Engine:  142 SFREMAN 10-520-MB
Props:       Right Prop:  Due May 2004     Left Prop:  Due March 2005
Annual:    Due September 2004 
Alt. Static TXP:  Due August 2004 
Fuel Capacity:  Standard
Right/Left Prop Govenors:  SMOH: 0/0
Heater:  SMOH: 758
Current Part 135 Status:  MKE FSDO

Comm #1:  KY196 
Nav #1:  King KCS55/KI-525 Compass H.S.I. System 
Nav #2 / RNAV:  Com ARC RT328T
ADF:   King KR87
XPDR:  Encoder 
Audio/Marker:  ARC 300 Audio Panel/Marker Rec.
Radar:  RCA Sperry Weather Scout II
Autopilot:  400B

Special Equipment:  Wing Tip/Trail Strobes, Air door Seal, Electric Prop Heat, 163 gal Fuel, Blade Antennas, Large Baggage Door, Fire Extinguisher, VC KIT W. 150# Increase Gross, Cleveland Brakes, Bracket Air Filters, Alcojol W/S Ice Plates, Boots- Left Wing:  Good Condition, Right Wing:  Fair

Paint:    White with Brown and Orange “6”
Interior: Brown “6” 
Damage History (Major):  No Known Damage
All Logs:  Available

 Total Time: 6908 
 Engines: 1600 T.B.O. by Western Skyways    L1004/R328
 Props: Left - 629, Right - 728 
 IFR. Certificates: 2254 
 Reweighing Due: September 2003 
 Fuel Capacity: 255 (Long Range) 

 Comm #1: King 900A 
 Comm #1: Garmin 250XL 
 Nav #1: King Gold Crown KNR600/GS KGS681 
 Nav #2 / RNAV: KNS80-IFR Certified GS KGS681 
 ADF: KR85
 XPDR: KT76 
 Audio/Marker: KMA20 
 Radar: Bendix RDR160 
 Autopilot: Bendix FCS810 
 HSI: King KCS55A
 Encoder: Yes 
 RMI: King KI226 
 GPS: Garmin 250XL, Moving Map 
 Intercom: Flight Com 

 Cleveland wheels and brakes 
 Copilot instruments 
 Oxygen system 
 Ground power plug 
 Cabin deck divider
 Part 135 current
 EGT
 Refreshment center 
 Full de-ice
 Flight hour recorder 
 Heater hour recorder 
 Wing & tail strobes 
 JB air conditioner 
 Courtesy lights 
 Executive tables 
 Engine heaters 
 Tail beacon 
 New main and horizontal boots 

 Paint: White / Tan (8 out of 10) 
 Interior: Light brown cloth (6 out of 10)
 Annual Due: 08/03 
 Damage History (Major): None