Monday, June 21, 2010

Welcome Home Sarg.

By Carolina Hidalgo, The Oregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/portland_man_grows_closer_to_d.html

Nearly 67 years ago, Tech. Sgt. Leonard A. Gionet, had ducked into the Army green radio room of a Boeing B-17. He sat on a worn green chair in the World War II-era bomber, the sun filtering in through an open window.. From a small chair bolted to the plane's plywood floor, he manned the radio, World War II raging outside the curved walls.
His plane, nicknamed "Naughty but Nice" and sporting a scantily clad woman painted on its side, never made it out of the war. Shot down by a Japanese pilot, it crashed into the thick forests of Papua New Guinea. On June 26, 1943, Leonard A. Gionet left behind a new bride and 6-month-old son Leonard, who would spend a lifetime piecing together memories.
Growing up, the younger Gionet, now 67, had only his mom's stories and a large chest of memorabilia to fill in the gaps. But it wasn't until a surprising phone call two weeks ago from the Army's casualty affairs center that he ever felt a hint of closure.
After 66 years, his father's missing remains had been identified. Years of investigation and forensic testing meant Leonard A. Gionet would finally receive a proper military funeral and burial.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

German DC-3 badly damaged

Thanks to Ol' Sarge for heads-up on this:

German sightseeing DC-3 badly damaged in emergency landing

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/19/343460/german-sightseeing-dc-3-badly-damaged-in-emergency-landing.html

By David Kaminski-Morrow
Details of the circumstances of the event are still sketchy but Schonefeld Airport's operator, Berliner Flughafen, says the landing immediately followed the DC-3's departure.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Change of Plans for Mass DC-3 flight

The Last Time organization will not arrive at EAA AirVenture this year as a mass formation of Douglas DC-3 aircraft,
EAA officials have indicated. Instead, an EAA-organized mass formation called Max Effort will take place July 27.
(AirVenture runs from July 26 to Aug. 1.)

The Last Time celebration will continue and will include a mass formation at Whiteside County Airport in Rock Falls, Ill.
After the celebration is complete, it is hoped many of the participating aircraft will individually fly to Oshkosh.
An EAA official said they have confirmations from many DC-3 operators, including those not attending the Rock Falls celebration, who will attend AirVenture this year.

It is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the DC-3.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

'Flying the DC-3' Webinar

Don't Miss the 'Flying the DC-3' Webinar

  • Wednesday, June 9: Flying the DC-3 with Ron Alexander
    Webinars begin at 7 p.m. CDT. More Webinars are added frequently. To view a complete and up-to-date list of all EAA Webinars, visit webinars page.
    Ron Alexander, DC-3 owner and retired Delta captain, will provide a history of the DC-3 along with flying characteristics summary. He also has been involved in antique and experimental aviation for over 30 years. He began Alexander Aeroplane Company in 1979 which was later sold to Aircraft Spruce and Specialty, and the SportAir Workshop program which has since become the EAA SportAir Workshops. He currently owns a composite repair facility and also owns and flies several antique airplanes including a DC-3.
  • 'MAX EFFORT' APPLIED TO HUGE DC-3 ACTIVITIES AT OSHKOSH
    More elements to the huge DC-3 75th anniversary celebration at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh have been added this week, creating more opportunities to enjoy a unique gathering of these aircraft at "Aviation's Family Reunion." The latest addition is a DC-3 and C-47 "Max-Effort Day" on Tuesday, July 27, that will include formation flights and aerial displays from all DC-3 aircraft that wish to be flown that day. That includes groups of the aircraft type in both airline and military configurations, plus others. This activity will give more aircraft the opportunity to participate above the previously scheduled mass arrival on Monday, July 26. Read more