The Eagle`s Scream

The Eagle’s Scream
Commemorative Air Force
Florida Wing
Volume 6 No 2
Wing Officers
Wing Leader:
Colonel Chuck Downey 815-218-2161
Executive Officer:
Colonel Stan Mitchell
386-873-4108
Fall 2012
Our Wing Commander, Col Chuck Downey
is Guest Speaker at Clear Lake Lions Club
Transcribed from an article in the
Mirror Reporter, (Clear Lake, IA) Aug. 22, 2012.
Adjutant:
Colonel Ann Conway
386-673-5742
Members of the Clear Lake Noon Lions Club were
treated to a historical program presented by a true
American hero last week.
Operations Officer:
Colonel Steve Moddle
386-760-0797
Captain Charles Stanley Downey has the distinction of
being the youngest pilot in the U.S. Navy during World
War II. At age 89, Downey recalls his service days
with vivid detail and says he enjoys sharing his exploits
with not only those who remember the war, but those
who were too young to experience its effects.
Finance Officer:
Colonel Woodie Sprouse 206-708-9664
Maintenance Officer:
Colonel Steve Moddle
386-760-0797
Safety Officer:
Colonel Frank Purcell
386-428-4678
Air Show Coordinator:
Colonel Dick Russell
386-760-6188
Eagle’s Scream Editor:
Colonel Jim Bannerman 386-257-3853
PX Officer
Vacant
Recruiting Officer:
Colonel Stan Mitchell
386-873-4108
The Eagle’s Scream is the official publication of the Florida Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and is published
and distributed electronically four times
per year. To be placed on the email distribution list contact the Adjutant (386637-5742). For comments or submissions
contact the Editor (JimmyBannerman@
cfl.rr.com) or (386-257-3853)
Downey, who was raised on the East Coast, said he was fascinated by airplanes
from an early age. He had wanted to drop out of high school and get in the war,
but his father wouldn’t allow it. He was enthralled, he says, by stories about the
young pilots flying for their country in the Battle of Britain. He tried to enlist just
after high school graduation, but was told to wait until fall when he turned 18.
“I enlisted as soon as I was 18, with the idea of being a mechanic on an aircraft
carrier. But the Navy thought I should be an aviation cadet. I probably wasn’t
the best pilot in the class but I passed and went into training for becoming a
dive bomber flying off aircraft carriers. We would dive down and destroy ships
and land targets,” He explained.
Downey regaled the group with his tales of war, telling about the time he was
in the Pacific aboard the Carrier USS Ticonderoga, got hit by two Japanese
suicide pilots in one day and transferred to the USS Hancock. He went on 17
strikes against the enemy, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
In 1944 Captain Downey was credited (along with another bomber aircraft) with
sinking a Japanese light cruiser in the Philippines, for which he was decorated
with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
“You train for those kinds of strikes, but you’re nervous,” Downey admitted.
“You were supposed to let the bombs go at 1,200 to 1,500 feet, but one time I
contined on page 2
1
Becoming a Florida Wing
L-17 Sponsor
Col. Downey Speaks continued
went down to 800 feet because I didn’t want to miss. Well,
the enemy hit me about the same time I released by bomb.
It was like the world blew up in my face. I pulled the plane
out. It was smoking but still running. It was a long and
lonely ride back to the ship, almost two hours. I didn’t know
how much oil I’d lost and I was losing more all the way
back.”
CAF Sponsorship Concept
The initial goal of the CAF was to acquire one of each
major type of combat aircraft that served with U.S. forces
during World War II. To fund this goal, the CAF relied
heavily on its Aircraft Sponsorship Program. Monies
donated by many individuals went towards locating,
purchasing, restoring and maintaining the current fleet of
CAF aircraft in a flying status.
Downey said the following day five pieces of Japanese
ship decking were found in his engine.
He shared a recently discovered photo with the Lions
which shows a Japanese cruiser being salvaged. Downey
pointed to its crumpled stacks and proudly proclaimed that
was proof of his successful strike.
The CAF Sponsorship concept is a group of men and
women who have a common interest in sharing in the
cost of maintaining and flying a particular CAF aircraft. To
the Florida Wing as a Unit Assignment, the CAF placed
the Ryan L-17B aircraft, known as “Allie Gator”. The
entire responsibility for the safe operation, maintenance
and financial support of the aircraft has been handed
to the Unit Staff. The “Allie” Sponsor Program makes it
possible for the CAF-Florida Wing members who cannot
afford to individually own and operate a military aircraft to
enjoy this unique opportunity by sharing expenses with
other like-minded CAFFL members.
Captain Downey went on to serve 33 years in Naval
Aviation Service as a reserve and in 1964 at the age of
39 was promoted to the rank of Captain, making him the
youngest such Officer at the time. He said he rejected the
idea of becoming an airplane pilot because he felt he had
already done the most exciting flying possible.
“In the Navy Reserves, I flew jet fighters. I’ve flown over
40 different planes, about half civilian and half military,” he
said.
Aircraft and Pilot Sponsorships
Instead, he went back to school and became an engineer.
Eventually he went to work for American Airlines as an
industrial engineer. His involvement with aviation also
included becoming vice president of Commuter Airlines in
Chicago, working for Butler Aviation and helping to set up
Midway Airlines in Chicago.
Among the many honors he has received, Downey says
a hand-written note from former President George H. W.
Bush is among his favorites. Bush, 18-years-old when he
began to serve, was once credited with being the youngest
Navy pilot in World War II. Actually, Downey was about six
weeks younger. “I received a letter saying ‘I salute you as
the youngest Navy aviator’. That was really something.”
The CAF Florida Wing currently offers L-17B Aircraft and
Pilot Sponsorships. Sponsor donations are tax deductible
and made directly to the CAF HQ, not the Florida Wing.
These funds go directly into our L-17B’s individual aircraft
account for the maintenance and support of “Allie”.
Prior to being designated a Pilot Sponsor, the sponsoring
candidate must meet all the requirements outlined in
various CAF Regulations. Once the Pilot Sponsor is
approved for flying the L-17B by CAF Headquarters, he
or she is expected to play an active part in assisting the
Wing meet its responsibilities for maintaining, operating
and funding the aircraft.
**********************
Pilot Sponsor Requirements
Our L-17B is classified by the CAF as a Basic Trainer—
below 600 HP. Pilots must therefore possess a valid
FAA Private Pilot’s license, along with a current Class
3 Medical Certificate, Biennial Flight Review and
Cadet Matt Colan gets an orientation flight in
Col. Bannerman’s J3 Cub
Continued on page 3
2
Executive Officer’s Report
Pilot Sponcer continued
Complex Aircraft Endorsement. The minimum flight time
requirements for applying to be an L-17B Pilot Sponsor
are 300 hours total time as Pilot-in-Command, 10 hours of
which must have been in the last 12 months.
By Stanley R. Mitchell, PhD
The summer of 2012 in Florida has been challenging to
say the least. Even though we have not been buffered by
a hurricane (knock on wood), a couple of tropical storms
have deposited a lot of water on the state. However, when
the daily high temperature and humidity were combined,
the Discomfort Index was on the high side. But considering
other regions of this nation, we’ll take what we got.
Also, the summer ended on the Blue Moon. The evening
skies were basically clear with a minimum cloud cover.
The view of the globe in the sky was remarkable. By the
way, the first human to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong,
was buried on the Day of the Blue Moon. What were you
doing in July1969 when the Lunar Lander set down on the
moon?
Florida Wing aircraft and operations are covered by a
series of insurance policies provided by CAF HQ. These
include Airport Liability, Aircraft Liability & Hull Insurance,
Air Meet Liability insurance, Directors and Officers
Insurance and Pilot Non-owner Hull Insurance. A Pilot
Sponsor is required to obtain and maintain hull coverage
under the CAF’s Pilot Non-owner Hull Insurance policy.
The policy period is annual and runs from March 1 to
March 1 of each year. It should be noted that the CAF’s
Pilot Non-owner Hull coverage is only for physical damage
which occurs through a pilot’s negligence and not any due
to any mechanical failures. Since the aircraft is assigned
to the Florida Wing, any repair costs to our L-17B caused
by mechanical failures are the responsibility of the CAFFL.
Airshow Schedules
The regional air show season for the Florida Wing begins
in November 9 – 11, 2012. The Stuart Airshow committee
has invited the Florida Wing to participate. We have
accepted and are planning to take the PX trailer, the Navion
L-17 “Allie” and the A-M Dog Tag machine to the weekend
event at Stuart, FL. Based on previous Stuart Air Shows,
the event is well attended by the public and exceptional
acts are scheduled. Come and join the PX staff and enjoy
selling (and educating the younger generation) aviation
memorabilia, dog tags, and photo opportunities in the
cockpit of the USAF L-17.
Additional Information and Inquiries
Questions concerning the Pilot Sponsor Program
procedures and policies should be addressed to the Wing
Operations Officer, CAF-Florida Wing, P. O. Box 1944,
DeLand, FL 32720 or email to cafflorida@hotmail.com.
Patriotic Day Visit
Col. Ann Conway reported on the candidacy of the City of
DeLand FL in a contest to be the most Patriotic Small Town
in the US. Her report is presented here.
First, before I get to next Saturday, let me report that
DeLand was not chosen the “Most Patriotic Small Town
in America” by Rand McNally. It was announced just
recently that Gainesville, TX won that honor and I am sure
deservedly so, but I am also sure that DeLand’s chances
would have been far better had it not been for Tropical
Storm Debbie. She was covering central Florida with wind
and rain the weekend the judges were here (June 23, 24)
and all outdoor activities planned by DeLand had to be
canceled including a fly over by Colonel Russell’s Retro
Group on Saturday afternoon. We were alerted at the
Staff Meeting on Thursday June 21 that the Rand McNally
judges might possibly visit the hangar on Sunday and the
visit was confirmed on Saturday. They came, they saw and
I believe were impressed with our hangar/library/museum.
It was such a shame for DeLand that the weather was so
miserable on that important weekend.
***************************
Cadet Katie Parill mans (or should I say girls)
the TBM ball turret
Continued on page 4
3
5th Year Anniversary
The 5th Anniversary of the dedication of the Florida Wing’s
hangar and the establishment of the Bob Robbins Memorial
Museum and Library passed quietly due to our involvement
in all of the airshows in which we had scheduled to
participate. The event had occurred on March 31, 2007.
Since the opening, the Wing has had a steady stream of
visitors to view the exhibits and peruse the volumes of
historical books, tapes and personal artifacts. If any of the
Wing’s Colonels and Cadets would like to be docents for
the Museum, please contact the Adjutant, Col. Ann Conway.
Col. Woodie Spouse
C
olonel H. G. “Woodie” Sprouse retired from the
Navy in 1991 after 34 years of active service
to this country. As a Navy Captain, Woodie was an
“aircraft carrier driver” (USS Lexington) and Chief
of Staff of the 6th Fleet. He has a commercial pilot’s
license and 5,500+ hours in Navy jets. Woodie
joined the Florida Wing in November of last year
and was immediately pressed into service as Wing
Finance Officer as he had recently retired from his
second vocation as a bank president in the small
ski community of Crested Butte, Colorado. Woodie
and his wife Carol are now in their “forever” home
in DeLand.
Staff Officer Elections
September is the time of the year to begin the recruitment of
candidates for Staff Officer positions. Col Dick Russell has
volunteered to head the Nomination Committee and would
be open to suggestions for candidates. The positions that will
be open for two-year terms (2013 – 2015) are Wing Leader,
Adjutant, Maintenance Officer and Safety Officer. The term
of the offices begins January 1, 2013. Please contact Dick
Russell at rrussell20@cfl.rr.com to place you name on the
list of candidates. For a description of the requirements
and responsibilities, please see the CAF Policy Manual in
the Hangar or at the www.cafhq.org website under member
services.
Woodie Sprouse: The Hairiest
Thing I’ve Ever Done
As told by Arthur Padios (2002)
Heywood “Woodie” Sprouse and I were flight students
together from the start of Pre-flight at Pensacola in
1960 until the day we both got our wings in August
1961 at NAS Kingsville, TX. Woodie went on to serve
with distinction and completed a very successful career
as a Naval Aviator achieving the rank of Navy Captain
and capturing what will probably become the all time
carrier arrestment record by one aviator because of
the reduced flight time now being suffered by Naval
Aviators.
L-17 Updates
“Allie” is in the process of some upgrades to the aircraft.
The tasks to be performed are new carpeting on the floor,
new shoulder harnesses and upholstery on the front seats
and instrument upgrades. When complete, Allie should
have a new look for air shows and the Pilot Sponsorship
Program described elsewhere in this issue.
Odds and Ends
In this issue, the PX has presented an opportunity to
purchase your favor baseball caps with a limited number
of embroidered insignias. Plan to order one of them before
the supply is exhausted. If you interested in other items,
please inquire at (386) 337-4499.
Florida is planning many activities for 2013. It is the 500th
anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Ponce Deleon.
The State is planning many activities to entertain its residents
and visitors. For more information, see www.spain-florida.
org. Maybe the Fountain of Youth can be found by some
lucky person or everyone will have a good time discovering
the benefits of visiting Florida.
A4C Skyhawk
The Bob Robbins Memorial Museum and Library is open
9:00 am – 1:00 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Come
and visit.
Continued on page 5
4
Woody Sprouse Story Cont.
Woody and I had not seen each other from the time we
got our wings until we happen to bump into each other
at Naha, Okinawa in the Fall/Winter 1964. Woodie was
flying the A3D Skywarrior off the USS Hancock, one of
the few remaining 27 Charlie (Essex Class) carriers
still operational existence at the time. With a “centerline” arrestment aboard the Hancock, there was 12
feet wing-tip clearance between the aircraft and the
island of the carrier. That would be hairy enough for
the average aviator during the daytime; I shudder to
think what night traps must have been like-or single
engine landings. Also there were no ejection seats in
the A3D. Bailouts were accomplished by sliding down
a chute behind the crew seats. So the reader may
infer, a crash on the deck of the aircraft carrier meant
the crew had to manually egress from the aircraft-no
ejection for these guys. The pilots and crews who
flew these aircraft off carriers must have had the balls
the size of helmet bags. Anyway, after we got back
together in Naha, Woodie related the following story
to me.
A3D Skywarrior
After we got our wings, at the start of his flying career in
the fleet, Woodie was assigned to fly the same aircraft
I was flying, the A4C Skyhawk aboard a carrier. As
part of the Navy training evolution, Skyhawk drivers
who were Special Weapons Qualified were required to
make night attacks on special weapons targets. Woody
was on a carrier back then operating off the coast of
Jacksonville, FL where the targets were located. After
many of the squadron pilots completed this particular
night training mission, Woodie’s turn came up one
dark and moonless night. The plan called for three or
four Skyhawks to take off from the carrier loaded with
a single 2,000-pound water-sand-filled practice bomb
each, simulating a real nuclear weapon. After they
were airborne, the A4s were to join up on a single A3D
Skywarrior who would then take them individually to
5
pre-designated radar-located Initial Point (IP) over
the Okeefenokee Swamp at 1,500 feet altitude where
each Skyhawk would individually detach from the A3D
and proceed on the attack heading to the designated
target.
After leaving the A3D, the A4Cs were supposed to
stay on the run-in heading provided by the motherplane, time their arrival over the target, accelerate to
500 knots, and descend to 500 feet AGL. Using their
radar altimeters for the run-in at the target. Since it
was being done at night, the only way for Woodie to
successfully strike the target was to fly directly over
it and perform an “Over-the Shoulder” delivery. In
the A4C, this is done by pulling at four Gs into the
first half of a loop, matching the G program provided
by the Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS). At
approximately 120 degrees of climb of 200 knots air
speed, the 2,000-pound water-sand-filled bomb is
released from the aircraft. Released is a euphemistic
term; the bomb rack ignites an exploding cartridge
that literally “kicks’ the bomb away from the aircraft.
As you might imagine, it takes a strong charge to kick
2,000 pounds safely away from an 18,000-pound
aircraft traveling upside down at 200 knots. When
it happens, because the A4 is only traveling at 200
knots-slow for a jet aircraft, the whole aircraft goes into
a “shudder” when the bomb is ejected, approaching
the stall-in fact it almost stalls. This is compounded
by being upside down (inverted) at the top of loop at
about 7,000 feet altitude. In Woodie’s case it was
doubly compounded because it was dark outside,
denying him any visual reference and requiring he
complete the entire maneuver flying his instruments.
After the bomb is released, the procedure is to
complete a ½ Cuban 8 by remaining inverted until
the nose comes 30 degrees below the horizon, then
rolling upright while still descending to 500 feet, and
accelerating away from the “atomic blast” as fast as
the aircraft will fly.
Upon completing this hair-raising stunt, Woodie flew
on back to the carrier where he made a successful
arrestment. When he returned to his Squadron
Ready Room; many of pilots who had already flown
this type flight asked Woodie how it went. Woodie
replied, “That’s the hairiest thing I’ve ever done it my
life.” To which they replied as one man, “You mean
you really did it?” Woodie sheepishly confessed
that he felt rather foolish when he learned the other
pilots, after leaving the A3D, were making the run-in
on the target level at 1,500 feet and “punching” the
bomb off the aircraft while flying straight and level at
300 feet.
The Florida Wing’s Dog Tag
Machine
machines are electronically-operated and have the greatest
embossing speed. Selecting and embossing characters
is done by simply pressing a key on a standard typewriter
style of a keyboard. A safety device prevents the pressing
of more than one key at a time. In this series of machines,
two were available, namely the 6340 and 6380. The Wing
owns a Model 6341 and a 6381. Many times A-M would
not put the machine together until the order was placed.
It would be configured for a specific application before it
was shipped from the factory. Besides just making military
identification tags, some users may have been making data
plates for electric motors where the plate may have been 6”
x 4” in size.
History of the Military Dog Tag
The Civil War provided the first recorded incident of
American soldiers making an effort to ensure that their
identities would be known should they die on the battlefield.
Their methods were varied, and all were taken on a soldier’s
own initiative. In 1863, prior to the battle of Mine’s Run in
northern Virginia, Gen. Meade’s troops wrote their names
and unit designations on paper tags and pinned them to
their clothing. Many soldiers took great care to mark all
their personal belongings. Some troops fashioned their
own “ID” tags out of pieces of wood, boring a hole in one
end so that they could be worn on a string around the neck.
Col. Frank Purcell took on the task of cleaning out the
dirt and dust, making minor repairs and adjustments and
mounting and securing it to a platform with wheels. The
Wing has taken it to several regional airshows in the PX
trailer. Its popularity was so great that people had stood
in line for as long an hour waiting for a pair of dog tags.
The machine awaits its first trip of the season to the Stuart
Airshow on November 9 – 11.
The first official advocacy of issuing identification tags
took place in 1899. Chaplain Charles C. Pierce, who
was tasked to establish the Quartermaster Office of
Identification in the Philippines, recommended inclusion of
an “identity disc” in the combat field kit as the answer to
the need for standard identification. The Army Regulations
of 1913 made identification tags mandatory, and by 1917,
all combat soldiers wore aluminum discs on chains around
their necks.
By World War II, the circular disc was replaced by the
oblong shape familiar to us today, generally referred to a
“dog tags”. The U. S. Military required the wearing of two
tags at all times by soldiers in the field. The tags contained
identical information. One is worn on a long chain around
the neck; the second on a much smaller chain attached
to the first chain. In the event the wearer is killed, the
second tag is collected, and the first remains with the body.
Alternately, some units allow or require each member to
wear one laced into their boot in lieu of the second around
the neck.
Some myths have arisen in connection with the purpose
of the identification tags. One of the more common myths
involves the reason for the notch on the tag issued between
1941 and the early 1970’s. The battlefield rumor held that
the notched end of the tag was placed between the front
teeth of battlefield casualties to hold the jaws in place. No
official record of American soldiers being issued these
instructions exists; the only purpose of “the notch” was
to hold the blank tag in place on the embossing machine.
The machine used at this time doesn’t require a notch to
hold the blank in place; hence, today’s tags are smooth on
all sides.
Wing Member Birthdays
Florida Wing’s Dog Tag Machine
In 2011, the Florida Wing purchased two AddressographMultigraph Corporation 6300 series electric dog tag
machines.
The main features of the 6300 series
6
Don Hollinsworth
Lee Chalifour
Sept. 15
Sept. 29
Tim Sokolowski
Ken Brownell
George Lodge
Joe Maiz
Al Shirley
Bob Ahrens
Fred Telling
Oct. 2
Oct. 3
Oct. 5
Oct. 5
Oct. 8
Oct. 13
Oct. 21
I will be here for at least the next 3 years. There is
another CAF unit here, the Old Dominion Squadron,
but I haven’t had the opportunity to swing by and
check out their operation yet, though I hope to soon.
Jerrid Stottemyer Update
Jerrid was a cadet in our Florida Wing while a student at ERAU.
Upon graduation he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and
entered flight school
I
**************************
t has been quite a while since my last flight school
update. Since then I have completed Rotary
Advanced flight training in HELTRARON 8. I Winged
on April 13 and was selected to fly the MH-60S
“Knighthawk” in the Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC)
community on the East coast. I also promoted to
Lieutenant, Junior Grade, or LTJG (O-2), about a
month later. I am now stationed in Norfolk, VA in
HSC-2 “Fleet Angels”. I will spend about 6 months
in HSC-2, which is the Fleet Replacement Squadron
on the East coast for the MH-60S. While I’m here I’ll
learn everything there is to know about the MH-60S
and learn a few of the missions of the aircraft like
Search and Rescue and Strike Warfare. The “Sierra,”
as we call it, is a very capable helicopter that can
perform a variety of missions and fulfills a variety
of roles. It’s primary missions include Vertical
Replenishment (VERTREP), Search and Rescue
(SAR), Surface Warfare, Anti-piracy, MEDEVAC and
CASEVAC. The Sierra is also the go to aircraft for
Special Operations missions, like SEAL Delivery.
When I finish FRS I will proceed to my fleet squadron
which will be HSC-22 “Sea Knights.” HSC-22 is an
expeditionary squadron which means they deploy
on small ships like DDGs and CGs, rather than on
an aircraft carrier. The Sea Knights are the more
tactical of the expeditionary HSC squadrons with a
greater focus on the combat missions of the Sierra.
I’ve settled in pretty nicely in the Norfolk community.
I bought a house close to base and to the beach
complete with a guest room if any of my comrades
in the CAF get lost enough to find their way up here.
The Florida Wing Colonels
Ahrens
Baker
Bannerman
Barnhart
Brown
Brownell
Campbell
Cary
Chalifour
Chalifour
Conway
Conway
Crawford
Downey
Foley
Forsythe
Gidick
Gidick
Harriman
Harrison
Hollinsworth
Jacobs
Leone
Leone
Maiz
Mitchell
Moddle
Montague
Montgomery
Mooney
Patstone
Perry
Prestopino
Purcell
Russell
Russell
Shirley
Sokolowski
Sprouse
Stewart
Stottlemyre
Strickland
Telling
Yelvington
7
Robert W.
George H.
James W.
Grace
William J.
Ken
William E.
Ted
Mary Lee
Lee H.
Chip
Patsy Ann
J. Anthony
Chuck
Patrick J.
Lance
Gary Lee
Ward
Arthur J.
Albert V.
Don
Peter J.
David
Earl
Joe
Stanley R.
Stephen S.
Alexis
James E.
Richard D.
Arthur
Art
John
Frank.
Richard D.
Richard E.
Alick
Tim
Woodie
Ken
Jerrid
David C.
Frederick W.
Conrad F.
Macchi C.205 Veltro
Three Veltros survive today, one of which was restored
to flying conditions and participated in numerous aerial
displays until the end of 1986. One, MM.91898 (bearing
the registration MM 9372), is on display at the National
Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. Another two
are on display at the Museo storio dell’Aeonnautica Militare
in Vigna di Valle.
The Macchi C.205 (also known as MC.205, “MC” standing
for “Macchi Castoldi”) Veltro (Italian: Greyhound) was an
Italian World War II fighter aircraft built by the Aeronautica
Macchi. Along with the Reffiane Re.2005 and Fiat G.55, the
Macchi C.205 was one of the three “Serie 5” Italian fighters
build around the powerful Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine.
Note: Although considered a major power, the Italian
industrial sector was relatively week compared to other
European major powers. Italian industry did not equal
more than 15% of that of France or Britain in militarily
critical areas such as automobile production: the number
of automobiles in Italy before the war ranged at ca. 372,000
in comparison to ca. 2,500,000 in Britain and France. Italy
still had a predominantly agricultural-based economy, with
demographics more akin to a developing country (high
illiteracy, poverty, rapid population growth and a high
proportion of adolescents) and a proportion of GNP derived
from industry less that that of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and
Sweden.
In 1941, seeking to further improve the performance of the
C.202 fighter, the Regia Aeronautica decided to license-build
the German DB605 1,475 hp liquid-cooled, supercharged,
inverted V-12 engine in Italy. The C.205V Veltro first flew on
19 April 1942 as a single-seat, all-metal, monoplane fighter,
intended primarily as an interceptor but with ground attack
and escort capabilities.
The long nose housed the DB605 engine which drove a
three-blade, constant-speed metal propeller, with main
fuel tank situated between the engine and the cockpit.
The radiator was located under the center section of the
fuselage beneath the cockpit while the short rear section
housed the radio equipment, oxygen cylinder and a 20
US gal reserve fuel tank. The wings were made of light
aluminum alloys and steel, having two spars and three
sections, housing two additional fuel tanks, and the fully
retractable wide-set main undercarriage gear. Apart from
the all-metal flaps in the inner wing, all the other control
surfaces were metal-framed and fabric-framed covered.
Veltro had self-sealing fuel tanks, an armored seat, and
armored windscreen as standard. Originally, the Veltros
had “tropical” pattern camouflage, with a sand brown base
coat and irregular black-green lines all over their surface.
Those in service with Aeronautica Nationale Repubblica
(Italian Social Republic Air Force—after the Armistice) were
painted an overall dark green (nearly black), while others
adapted a variation of the “tropical” pattern.
In terms of strategic materials, in 1940, Italy produced 4.4
Mt of coal, 0.01 Mt of crude oil, 1.2 Mt of iron ore and 1.2
Mt of steel. By comparison, Great Britain produced 224.3
Mt of coal, 11.9 Mt of crude oil, 17.7 Mt of iron ore and 13.0
Mt of steel and Germany produced 364.8 Mt of coal, 8.0
Mt of crude oil, 29.5 Mt of iron ore and 21.5 Mt of steel,
respectively.
Most of the raw material needs could be fulfilled only
through importation, and no effort was made to stockpile
key materials before the entry into war. Also, Approximately
one quarter of Italy’s merchant fleet were located at foreign
ports and, given no forewarning of Mussolini’s rash decision
to enter the war, were immediately impounded.
With a top speed of some 400 mph and equipped with a pair
of 20 mm cannon as well as 12.7 mm Breda machine guns,
the Macchi C.205 Veltro was highly respected by Allied and
Luftwaffe pilots alike. Regarded as the best Italian aircraft
of World War II, in action it proved to be extremely effective,
destroying a large number of Allied bombers and capable of
successfully clashing on equal terms with such renowned
fighters as the North American P-51D Mustang, a capability
which encouraged the Luftwaffe to use a number of these
aircraft to equip one Gruppe.
But, although the C.205 was able to match the best Allied
opponents in speed and maneuverability, it was introduced
late in the conflict. Moreover, due to the poor Italian
industrial capability of the time, only a small production run
was delivered before the end of the war. Like the Spitfire,
the Veltro was tricky (in its construction) and thus slow to
build. Italy’s highest scoring ace, Adriano Visconti, achieved
11 of his 26 credited victories in the few weeks he was able
to fly the Veltro, with the top scoring 205 Sergente Maggiore
pilota Luigi Gorrini shooting down 14 enemy aircraft plus six
damaged with the C.205.
8
PX Sales
Embroidered Hats. Quality stitching.
One Size fits all with adjustable Velcro strap.
Aviation Hats and Golf Visor
Aircraft
Color
Price, ea*
F4U Corsair
Tan
$16.00
TBM Avenger
Navy Blue
$16.00
B-17 Flying Fortress Black
$16.00
P-38 Lightning
Tan
$16.00
P-51 Mustang
Tan
$16.00
CAF-Golf visor
Tan
$8.00
*Includes Florida Sales Tax. Shipping & handling $5.95 per order.
To order, send money or check to:
PX Officer
CAF-Florida Wing
P. O. Box 1944
DeLand, FL 32720
Expect delivery in 2 – 3 weeks.
The CAF-Florida Wing PX carries a large inventory of
warbird t-shirts and numerous aviation related pins and patches.
Please inquire at: www. cafflorida@hotmail.com.
9
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE
FLORIDA WING STAFF MEETING
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 2012
Colonel Woodie Sprouse made the following report by
telephone::
TBM sale – Colonel Foley is working with a private
party who may be interested in purchasing the TBM. He
has refrained from offering it to a broker or other Warbird
collectors until he receives a firm reply from the private
party. As an aside, I noted that the Heritage of Flight museum
here in Washington did not have a TBM in their collection. I
went ahead and made an overture to their curator but was
informed that Mr. Paul Allen has repeatedly declined TBM
offers in the past and was not interested in purchasing a
TBM.
MINUTES
A regular meeting of the Unit Staff of the Florida Wing,
Commemorative Air Force, was called to order by Executive
Officer Colonel Stan Mitchell at1100 hours on Saturday, July
21, 2012 in the CAF Florida Wing hangar, 1570 Old NDB
Road, DeLand Municipal Airport, DeLand, Florida. Colonels
Downey (by telephone), Mitchell, Sprouse (by telephone),
Conway, Moddle and Purcell were present constituting a
quorum.
Jet engine swap and sale – As a recap on the jet
engine sale and donation of funds I can report that the Low
Time (good) engines are still installed in the aircraft and
have not been replaced with the High Time (not so good)
engines. The reason for the delay is two-fold: the engine
broker is waiting to find a buyer for both of the good engines
before purchasing the not so good engines. This is necessary
since we do not have the capital to purchase the not so good
engines in advance. There are the expenses of making two
trips to Vermont which we are trying to avoid, as well as
purchasing and installing the engine accessories that may
be required prior to selling the engines. All in all there are
several moving parts to this operation that just take time to
line up.
WING LEADER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINUTES
Minutes of the Staff Meeting held on Thursday, June 21, 2012
were approved as distributed.
FINANCE OFFICER’S REPORT
Colonel Woodie Sprouse, Finance Officer, distributed copies
by email of the financial reports for the period ending June
29, 2012. He reviewed the items in the report and answered
questions. A copy of the report is attached to and made a
part of these minutes. All financial records are available at
the hangar for inspection by interested members.
MEMBERSHIP
Colonel Ann Conway, Adjutant, reported we have 43 Colonels
and 2 Cadets on the roster.
1. NEXT REGULAR STAFF MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012 AT 1100 HOURS AT THE
CAF HANGAR, 1570 OLD NDB ROAD, DELAND MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT, FL.
OFFICER REPORTS
Colonel Mitchell dispensed with Officer Reports for this
meeting. He did advise that we have received information on
the Stuart air show November 9, 10 and 11. We have been
asked to confirm with Mike Moon that we will be there with
the PX and “Allie”. He will confirm this with Mr. Moon at the
earliest. We have also been advised that Vero Beach will hold
a full fledged air show (like three days) in 2013. We don’t
know yet the fate of the Vero Beach Aviation Day (1 day)
which is usually held in February.
There being no further business to come before the Unit
Staff, the meeting was adjourned at 1120 hours.
The Florida Wing CAF is located in the
East complex of the Deland Airport off
of Marsh Road
Colonel Mitchell reported that 98% of the PX inventory is
complete.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The L-17 Sponsorship Program was adopted at the last
meeting, however a few changes had been made since that
meeting and Colonel Mitchell advised we should ratify the
changes at this meeting. The updated draft had been sent to
all members of the Staff prior to the meeting. Colonel Chuck
Downey moved, seconded by Colonel Steve Moddle, that the
updated draft of the L-17 Sponsorship Program be adopted.
Motion passed unanimously. An copy is attached to and
made a part of these minutes.
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 1944, Deland, FL 32721
Our web site is:
WWW.CAFFL.org
We meet at the Hangar on Wednesdays
and Saturdays from 0900 to 1300 hrs.
Lunch is served at noon on Saturdays
10