DOC: A SECOND B-29 SUPERFORTRESS RETURNS TO THE AIR

AVIATION H I S T O R Y

interview
unsinkable
sully
The man
behind the
miracle

Stealth fighter
of the future
or Nazi fantasy?

HITLERS JET
FLYING WING
FRENCH TOWN COMMEMORATES
A P-38 PILOTS SUPREME SACRIFICE
HOW HOLLYWOOD HELPED
LAUNCH THE DRONE REVOLUTION HistoryNet.com

NOVEMBER 2016
A Royal Count and the King of
Prussia walk into a...
Comfort and class go hand in hand in the Earlsford
Walking Stick. Yours for ONLY $49!
n the 16th century a German Count created
Ia special handle for walking sticks
to ease joint discomfort. This handle
style was a favorite of Friedrich II
who was never seen without his
dewdrop-shaped walking stick as he
Over 18,000
went about his Kingly duties. It was no Stauer Walking
wonder that the handle grew to bear the Sticks Already Sold!
Kings moniker Fritzkrcke shortened to Fritz.
Our Earlsford Walking Stick features this ergonomic 
The Walking Stick
joint-friendly handle in striking sculpted detail. Today
is excellent! It is as
these tributes to a mans power, prestige, and posture are attractive as it is useful.
fetching as much as $200,000 at auction. Because Stauer James,
takes the quicker and less expensive route and goes right Lehigh Acres, FL
to the source, we can offer you the vintage-worthy Earlsford
Walking Stick for ONLY $49!
The ultimate travel companion. Hold it once and you
can feel that its not some hollow imitation. Our Earlsford
Walking Stick is crafted from a solid shaft of imported
Image not
eucalyptus wood and finished with layers of brown lacquer. actual size.

Limited Edition. Only 4,999 available! These handcrafted

beauties take months to craft and are running (not walking) out
the door. So, take a step in the right direction. Call today!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. The best, the most exquisite
Experience the comfort and class of the automobile is a walking
Earlsford Walking Stick for two months. If stick; and one of the finest
youre not easing down the road in a kingly things in life is going on a
fashion, simply send it back within 60 days journey with it.
for a refund of the sale price. At Stauer, we
Robert Coates Holliday,
walk the talk.
Walking-Stick Papers
Friedrich II with his Fritz-handle
Limited Edition walking stick.
Earlsford Walking Stick
Offer Code Price $49 + s&p Save $30
TAKE 38
OFF INST
%
ANTLY!
Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W.,

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price. When you Dept. EWS121-01,
use
1-800-333-2045 INSIDER
OFFER CO
your Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
www.stauer.com
Offer Code EWS121-01 DE
Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.
Rating of A+
Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

36" long Solid brass Fritz-style handle Supports up to 250 lbs. Imported eucalyptus wood Rubber tip

Smar t LuxuriesSurprising Prices

 ROBERT TAYLOR The Worlds most collected Aviation Artist

OKINAWA
F4U Corsairs from VMF-221 deliver a blistering rocket attack on a Japanese coastal installation, April 1945. Leading
the charge, USMC Pilot Lt Dean Caswell, climbs away from the target during one of the most severe campaigns of WWII,
the Battle of Okinawa. THIS OUTSTANDING PIECE IS SIGNED BY OKINAWA CORSAIR PILOTS! $325

Dont miss out - contact one of these

AUTHORIZED dealers for priority ordering!
ACES HIGH AVIATION GALLERY
815 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Tel: (800)528-0887
USA@aces-high.com
www.aces-high.com
AIKENS AIRPLANES
540 Dent Road, Eads, TN 38028
Tel: (901)853-6517
dave@aikensairplanes.com
www.aikensairplanes.com
sales@sierra-art.com www.sierra-art.com
ALAMO AVIATION ART
RABAUL $325 PO Box 739, Sheridan, MT 59749
Tel: (800)598-2927
info@alamoaviationart.com
www.alamoaviationart.com
AVIATION ART HANGAR
Tel: (888) 478-2784
GSA Contract #GS-03F-0093Y
info@aviationarthangar.com
www.aviationarthangar.com
BROOKS AVIATION ART
Los Angeles, CA
Tel: (800)647-8217
brooksart@brooksart.com
www.brooksart.com
JOHNIES GB IMPORTS
Avenue Antiques Mall
3419 8th St. SE
Calgary, AB T2H 1A4
(403)287-1988
HELLCAT FURY $325
MEDART GALLERIES
10735 Town Center Blvd, Dunkirk,
MD 20754
Tel: (410)257-6616
teresa@medartgalleries.com
www.medartgalleries.com
SIERRA AVIATION ART
3500 Vicksburg Lane, N. #339
Plymouth, MN 55447
Tel: (800)270-1943
SOUTHERN GUN WORKS
167 S. Main Street, Suffolk,VA 23434
Tel: (757)934-1423
southerngunworks@aol.com
THE OUTLET / BEACON LIGHT
Hendersonville, NC 27839
Tel: (828)891-9871
(908)832-5811
www.beaconlightaviation.com
VIRGINIA BADER FINE ARTS
19531 Campus Drive, Suite 19
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Tel: (800)233-0345
vbfa@aol.com www.virginiabader.com
WINGS FINE ARTS
1400 Sea View Road
Black Creek, BC, Canada V9J IJ7
Tel: (800)545-9464
[[[[MRKWRIEVXWGSQ
 november 2016

DEPARTMENTS
5 MAILBAG
6 BRIEFING
12 RESTORED
With its July 17 return
to ight, Doc became
the worlds second
airworthy B-29.
By Edward H. Phillips

12
20 nazi wonder weapon?
The National Air and Space
Museum is currently working
on the Horten Ho IX V3.
14 EXTREMES
The sleek Douglas X-3
Stiletto never lived

features up to its looks.

By Jon Guttman
16 AVIATORS
Colonel Morris Tabers
20 THE HORTEN BROTHERS B-25D disappeared
JET FLYING WING during a shipping raid
near China.
How stealthy was the Ho IX ghter-bomber, and could
it have been a game-changer for the Luftwaffe? By Jeff Laugero
By Stephan Wilkinson 19 LETTER FROM
AVIATION HISTORY
30 SULLY SPEAKS OUT 60 REVIEWS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ERIC LONG/NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM; BRETT SCHAUF/DOCS FRIENDS;
Ever since the Miracle on the Hudson, Captain Chesley
Sullenberger has used his celebrity to promote aviation 63 FLIGHT TEST
safety. Interview by Carl von Wodtke
64 AERO ARTIFACT
42 TRAINING COMBAT PILOTS
on NORTH ISLAND

64
Edward N. Jacksons previously unpublished photos show NATIONAL ARCHIVES; AP PHOTO/THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/TODD SUMLIN
how Americas rst military aviators learned their trade.

30
By Joseph J. Caro

48 DRONES: THE HOLLYWOOD

CONNECTION
Actor Reginald Denny was responsible for developing the
rst remotely piloted aircraft for target drone use by the
U.S. Army. By Robert Guttman

54 A P-38 PILOT REMEMBERED

Nearly 70 years after Lieutenant Lawrence Herricks death,
a French community came together to honor him.
By Gary Metivier and Mary Masonholder Wilson

ON THE COVER: A Horten Ho-229 downs a B-17G over Europe, in a hypothetical scenario illustrated by Jack Fellows. Although the Ho-229 never achieved production,
the ying-wing ghter-bomber has been the source of endless speculation, and in the process entered the realm of myth and legend. Cover: 2016 Jack Fellows, ASAA

2 AH november 2016
 Take 78% Off
INSTANTLY
when you
use your
Offer Code


I just got the new
Excursion Dive Watch...
I love it. I have several
Stauer watches and once
again you don't disappoint.
F. from Jersey City, NJ

Dive in Without Taking a Plunge

Own one of the best dive watches out there at a refreshinglyaffordable price.
he markets swimming with overpriced dive watches. Equipped with precision crystal movement you can count on
T Were here to tell you those guys are all wet. At Stauer our
philosophy is everyone deserves the best without having to
impeccable performance even when youre 20 atmospheres
below the surface.
dig deep into their pockets. Weve been in the watch industry Limited Edition. Sure you could give your hard-earned
for decades and know more than a thing or two about money to those other guys, but why would you? Weve got the
getting the ultimate bang for our buck which means we can thinking mans timepiece right here. This watch takes six
pass the fruits of our know-how onto our clients. months to engineer and its already making waves, so we cant
Case in point: The Excursion Dive Watch. This tough- guarantee it will be around for long. Call today, and experience
as-nails sophisticate would cost you in the thousands if you how good it feels to get true luxury for less.
got it from a high-end retailer thats really in the business of Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are not
selling a big name more than a quality watch. We keep the completely convinced you got excellence for less, simply
big names out of the equation so we can price this top-notch return the Excursion Dive Watch within 60 days for a
timepiece for just $8750 a price that lets you dive in and refund of the sale price. At Stauer, we never leave our
have enough left over for an excursion or two...or three. customers high and dry.
Youre getting a lot for your money with this watch.
Limited to the First 1500 Respondents to This Ad Only
The Excursion is the perfect companion in any locale
whether youre exploring coral reefs or investigating the rum Excursion Dive Watch
options at a beachside bar. With a case, band and crown of Your Cost With Offer Code $8750 + S&P Save $31150
stainless steel, this watch is built to last, and its water resistance
rating of 20 ATM means it can handle most of your aquatic 18003332045
adventures to a depth of 678 feet. The striking metallic blue Offer Code: EDW13701
face reflects the deep waters it was designed to explore and its You must use this offer code to get our special price.
sporty screw-down crown can take the pressure in stride. Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on
Stauer.com without your offer code.
Today dive watches are the most popular type of sport 14101 Southcross Drive W.,
watch...because of their style, promise of durability, and
utilitarian value. A BLOG TO WATCH
Stauer Dept. EDW13701
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 Rating of A+
www.stauer.com
Precision movement 316L stainless steel case and bracelet Rotating bezel Water resistant to 20 ATM
Screwdown crown design Bracelet fits wrist up to 8 "
Smart LuxuriesSurprising Prices

Aviation History
Online
Youll nd much more from Aviation
History on the Webs leading history
resource: HistoryNet.com
THE RISE OF
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
Will the U.S. Air Force one day become a
pilotless service, given the proliferation of
drones in recent conicts?
10 GREATEST
EMERGENCY LANDINGS
Our nominations for aviation historys most
remarkable forced landingsheroic,
embarrassing, skillful or just plain lucky.
NORTHROPS FLYING RAM
With a conguration similar to that of the
Horten Ho-229 jet ying wing, the XP-79B
also paralleled the development of the
rocket-powered Messerschmitt Me-163.
ONLINE BONUS
Follow our step-by-step instructions to build
this issues Modeling project, the Douglas
X-3 Stiletto, featured in Extremes (P. 14).
Lets Connect
Like Aviation History Magazine
on Facebook
Digital Subscription
Aviation History is available via Zinio
and other digital subscription services
4 AH novemBER 2016
MICHAEL A. REINSTEIN CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER
DAVID STEINHAFEL ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
AVIATION H I S T O R Y
NOVEMBER 2016 / VOL. 27, NO. 2
CARL VON WODTKE EDITOR
NAN SIEGEL ASSOCIATE EDITOR
JON GUTTMAN RESEARCH DIRECTOR
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
WALTER J. BOYNE, STEPHAN WILKINSON
ARTHUR H. SANFELICI EDITOR EMERITUS
STEPHEN KAMIFUJI CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BRIAN WALKER GROUP ART DIRECTOR
DIT RUTLAND ART DIRECTOR
GUY ACETO PHOTO EDITOR
CORPORATE
ROB WILKINS DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP MARKETING
MICHAEL ZATULOV FINANCE
DIGITAL
JOSH SCIORTINO ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ADVERTISING
COURTNEY FORTUNE ADVERTISING SERVICES CFortune@historynet.com
RICK GOWER REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Rick@rickgower.com
TERRY JENKINS REGIONAL SALES MANAGER TJenkins@historynet.com
RICHARD VINCENT REGIONAL SALES MANAGER RVincent@historynet.com
JOSH SCIORTINO WEB SALES JSciortino@historynet.com
DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING
RUSSELL JOHNS ASSOCIATES 800-649-9800 AVH@russelljohns.com
2016 HISTORYNET, LLC
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: 800-435-0715 OR SHOP.HISTORYNET.COM
YEARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS IN U.S.: $39.95
Aviation History (ISSN 1076-8858) is published bimonthly by HistoryNet, LLC
1919 Gallows Road, Suite 400, Vienna, VA 22182-4038, 703-771-9400
Periodical postage paid at at Tysons, Va., and additional mailing ofces.
POSTMASTER, send address changes to Aviation History, P.O. Box 422224, Palm Coast, FL 32142-2224
List Rental Inquiries: Belkys Reyes, Lake Group Media, Inc. 914-925-2406; belkys.reyes@lakegroupmedia.com
Canada Publications Mail Agreement No. 41342519, Canadian GST No. 821371408RT0001
The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part
without the written consent of HistoryNet, LLC
U.S. AIR FORCE
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA
mailbag

Gutless Cutlass
the Texas countryside. A roll
rate limiter was installed.
I havent even mentioned
post-stall gyrations or the
JC maneuver, so named
for the exclamations by
pilots lucky enough to sur-
vive one. Or the production
difculties, with one wing
longer than the other, or
the signs on the aircraft as
it proceeded down the line:
future combat aircraft were
developed to make them
the best in the world.
Dino Alessio
Frisco, Texas
Corsair Carrier
Landings
I really enjoyed The Real
Bridges at Toko-Ri [Sep-
tember], especially since I
was one of the junior AD

W
arren Thompsons article about the F7U wet putty. Skyraider pilots in VA-35
Cutlass in the September 2016 issue I didnt stick with the who had taken part in an
brought back a pleasant memory. Gutless. I was lucky enough attack on one of the Yalu
Although its operational lifespan was to be assigned as one of River bridges the previous
short, the Cutlass did provide a wonderful photo the 15 who came up with November. I had also carrier
backdrop for U.S. Marine Corps graduates of the the winning design for the qualied in the F4U-4 Cor-
Aviation Preparatory School, Naval Air Technical F8U Crusader. sair at the end of advanced
Training Center, NAS Jacksonville, Fla. Thats me Bruce Bower training earlier that year.
standing fth from left. We thought it was one very Rosamond, Calif. In the description of
sleek-looking warbird. Lieutenant Ray Edingers
Lloyd Stimson What a great story about landing without benet of
Fort Washington, Md. the F7U-1 and -3. In 1952-53 aps, we are told that he
I was a ight test technician hung the F4U in the air at
at Chance Vought Aircraft in near stall speed, hose-nose
A new MIT engineering landing. Told to follow the Grand Prairie, Texas. My du- so high he had to slide open
graduate, I was hired by LSOs directions, he retort- ties were to collect the data the canopy and stick his
Voughts chief engineer Fred ed, I cant see him; I can after each ight test, reduce head out to see the LSO
Dickerman in June 1951 to barely see the bow of the it and compose a graph of give him the cutthroat signal
perform aerodynamic stabil- carrier! So there was panic the readings of some of the to chop throttle. In those
ity and control analysis on among those working on the instruments of that ight. days all carrier takeoffs and
the F7U-3, which was then F7U-3they even consid- A camera was installed in landings were made with
in assembly. First ight was ered hinging the nose, like the cockpit to record the the canopy open. Also, all
in December. Six weeks later the Concorde. An elevated instrument readings, which approaches in the Corsair
I was back at MIT running platform was set up in the were developed and put were made at near stall
low-speed wind-tunnel parking lot, and a new nose on microlm so that the speed and turning all the
tests on the airplane. I also was designed. technicians could read them way until the last moment,
followed ight tests on no. 7 The F7U-3 was designed on a screen. It was time- when you rolled your wings
F7U-1, a ight prototype. to a Mach limit of 1.2, the consuming and mistakes level and took the cut. That
The F7U was a awed speed the aircraft might were made, but for the turn was what let you see
concept. I believe the F7U-3 achieve if it executed a most part we were very ac- past that nose.
had every vice a ghter split-S at ceiling and roared curate. I was fortunate to be On one of my own passes
could have with the excep- to earth under full after- assigned as a liaison, when during seven qualifying
tion of pitch-up at stall. The burner. At the time the needed, between some of landings in the Corsair, I got
preliminary design of the F7U-1 was designed, there the ground crew and pilots a wave-off when my plane
F7U was made in Connecti- was no wind tunnel capable at the naval air station. was just above the vacant
cut. Then the company, at of operating at the speed All the Chance Vought platform of the LSO, who
the instigation of the De- of sound. One had to take engineers were devoted to had jumped into his safety
fense Department, moved what one got from high- making that aircraft the best net. He wrote in his book,
to Grand Prairie, Texas. The speed wind-tunnel tests of its kind. The Westing- DNKUAdamn near
engineers who designed the and eyeball it to results at house engineers, as well, killed us all!
beast took one scorching Mach 1.2; between Mach .9 worked like hell to x those Richard Digger Cantrell
Texas summer and then and Mach 1.2 there was no engines. Because of them, Bedford, Texas
most of them moved back dataand no theory either.
to New England, and much And the roll rate was pre- SEND LETTERS TO
of their experience was lost. posterousup to 420 de- Aviation History Editor, HistoryNet
The F7U-1 barely passed grees per second. The stress 1919 Gallows Road, Suite 400, Vienna, VA 22182-4038
eld carrier tests, but utterly on the tails caused the land- 703-771-9400
failed carrier tests. The test ing gear doors to unlatch, OR EMAIL TO aviationhistory@historynet.com
pilot refused to attempt a and they ew off, littering

november 2016 AH 5
 briefing

The Goose
is Loose

just for fun
Addison Pembertons
restored Grumman JRF-6B
Goose (above) regularly
plied a Virgin Islands route
during the 1950s (inset).
A
ddison Pemberton is
best known for his res-
toration of the worlds
WVTaaQVO*WMQVO
Model 40 mailplane,
IVMQOP\aMIZ 
hour epic that produced an
important museum-quality
survivor. Now Pembertons
shop in Spokane, Wash., has
turned out a pure-fun proj-
MK\"I!/Z]UUIV/WW[M
that he and his wife, Wendy,
and their two adult sons will
aNWZXTMI[]ZM)VL_MZM
OWVVI_MIZQ\W]\1TT\MTTaI
8MUJMZ\WV[Ia[_Q\PITI]OP
<PM8MUJMZ\WV/Z]UUIV
Q[WVMWN 2:.*[UIV]-
factured for Lend-Lease to
\PM*ZQ\Q[P:WaIT6I^aIVL
Q\[XMV\\PM_IZaMIZ[aQVO
W]\WN <ZQVQLILQV\PM*ZQ\Q[P
?M[\1VLQM[1LPWXML\W
VL\PI\Q\PIL\ZIV[XWZ\ML
Churchill, but it spent its time
I[I\ZIQVMZ8MUJMZ\WV[Ia[
What he did discover, how-
M^MZ_I[\PI\QV!+PIZTM[
.*TIQZJW]OP\PQ[/WW[M
and operated it as part of
*TIQZ[)V\QTTM[)QZ*WI\[TQVM
QV\PM>QZOQV1[TIVL[1\_I[
dubbed Excalibur II; Excalibur
_I[*TIQZ[;QSWZ[Sa>;
NW]ZMVOQVMaQVOJWI\IVL
Excalibur III, which today
PIVO[QV\PM;UQ\P[WVQIV[
Udvar-Hazy Center, was the
8+\PI\*TIQZM_NZWU
6WZ_Ia\W)TI[SIW^MZ\PM
6WZ\P8WTMQVIZMKWZL
PW]Z[;W\PW]OP\PMZM[VW
PQV\WN +P]ZKPQTTQIVKQOIZ
smoke, somewhere in the

6 AH november 2016
 Pemberton Goose doubtless
are the ghostly footprints
of Blairs movie star wife,
Maureen OHara.
In 2012 the Pembertons
acquired a red-tagged, unair-
worthy but complete airplane
that had been undergoing

Two C-53s Slated

quasi-restoration as a static
display, which meant liberal

for Flight?
exterior use of Bondo, pop
rivets and ordinary sheet
metal. The important inter-
nal work, however, was of the

highest quality. The airplane
was in better condition than
wed hoped, Pemberton says.
The biggest problem was the
aluminum extrusions, things
like longerons and spar caps.
The problem was the way
they heat-treated extrusions
during the war, cooling them
on steel racks with supports
18 inches apart. So every 18
inches, there was a spot where
the extrusion had cooled too
quickly and formed a stress
riser. Its a common problem
with a lot of warbirds, par-
ticularly P-51s.
Pemberton admits the
paint is not historically cor-
rect. I should have done it as a
OPPOSITE PHOTOS: ADDISON PEMBERTON; TOP: VINTAGE WINGS INC.; ABOVE: THE BLADE/CAMERON HART
ohio skytroopers
Vintage Wings C-53 sits at
Beach City (top). Rex Dam-
schroder at the controls of
C-53D no. 42-68710 (above),
which he intends to restore.
Air Quotes
R
estoration work is currently underway on two
Douglas C-53 Skytroopers, troop transport
variants of the C-47 with 28 seats and a left-side
passenger door. Both boast distinctive pedigrees,
and the restorers are looking for nancial support.
Vintage Wings is working on C-53 serial no. 41-20095,
which served in North Africa and Europe, then postwar
as a DC-3A airliner and nally as Buckeye One, agship
of the Ohio governor from 1963 to 1982. The head of the
effort, 32-year-old mechanic Jason Capra, was inspired
to restore what he considers the most iconic airplane,
ever when he saw it sitting idle in Beach City, south of
Akron. Once its completed, Capra intends to name it
Beach City Baby, and ultimately wants to see it used as a
ying classroom. More at vintagewingsinc.com.
The other project involves one of two retired DC-3s
sitting idle at Fremont Airport in Ohio, C-53D no.
42-68710. On June 6, 1944, the transport ew with the
67th Troop Carrier Squadron over Normandy, and it
went on to participate in subsequent airborne opera-

tions. After World War II, the Skytrooper operated as a

British JRF-6B, but they had
such awful paint schemes,
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE DC-3 with Continental Airlines from 1953 to 1963, and

IS THE PILOT, WHO, DEEP

thereafter with Southern Airlines, as well as an outt of
all brown and green cam- parajumpers and, according to one mechanic, made at
W]IOM1TW^M\PM!MZI
red-rimmed stars and bars,
DOWN, REGARDLESS OF least one drug-smuggling run out of South America. In

THE AIRCRAFT, RETAINS A

September 1988, it was bought by Gene Damschroder,
so thats what we used. The and inherited by his son, Rex, who christened it Lulu
airplane is marked as a Naval
Air Station Whidbey Island
SENSE OF FALLIBILITY AND Belle after his mother. The old DC-3 has been inactive

VULNERABILITY. NO SYSTEM
for years, but Rex and fellow volunteers hope to have it
amphib because Im from ready for him, a copilot, a mechanic and a crew chief to
Washington, and Whidbey
did operate Gooses.
CAN EVER SUBSTITUTE y the Atlantic for the 75th anniversary of the Normandy

The cabin seats seventhe
[\WKSKWVO]ZI\QWV[W\PM
Pembertons will have plenty
of room for friends.
Stephan Wilkinson
FOR THAT.
landings in 2019. Our goal is to restore it into the origi-
nal, he says, including the original D-Day color paint.
ARNOLD REINER, To carry out the project, Damschroder and his crew
RETIRED AIRLINE CAPTAIN need to raise $250,000. See freemontairport.com.
Jon Guttman

november 2016 AH 7
 BRIEFING

cockpit-ready
Retired Commander Dean
Diz Laird climbs into the
cockpit of a T-34C before
being joined by Lt. Cmdr.
Nicole Johnson (lower left).

Diz Laird? Then he had to

make me look bad by being
a better pilot at 95. It is men
like this who paved the way
for the rest of us.
Although opportunities
NWZLWOOP\QVO[MMU\WJMI
thing of the past, Laird had
some advice, based on experi-
ence, to pass on to any future
successors. He said his pol-
WWII Naval Ace Flies icy has always been that every
OP\MZXQTW\PI[\_WUIQV
100th Plane Type

D
uring World War II,
Dean Diz Laird
M_/Z]UUIV
F4F-4 Wildcats from
the aircraft carrier
Ranger to share in
shooting down a Junkers
Ju-88 and a Heinkel
0MW6WZ_IaIVL
\PMVILLML^MUWZM
^QK\WZQM[\WPQ[[KWZMa-
ing F6F-5 Hellcats in the
8IKQK\PMWVTa=;6I^a
IKM\WKTIQUJW\P/MZUIV
and Japanese aircraft). After
almost 30 years of naval
service, one would think
the retired commander
had enough laurels to last
a lifetime. Diz didnt think
so, though. On July 9,
the 95-year-old pilot took
\PMKWV\ZWT[WN I<+
<]ZJWUMV\WZ\PM\P
airplane type to grace his
QOP\TWO&
&<ISQVOWNZWU+WZWVILW
+ITQNQV\PMJIKS[MI\WN I
<+XQTW\MLJa4\+ULZ
Nicole Johnson, an instructor
NWZ[\ZQSM[Y]ILZWV>.)
Diz did some sightseeing
W\PMKWI[\WN ;IV,QMOW
NWTTW_MLJaJW\PQMZ[IT\MZ-
nating at some aileron rolls
over a training area. I was
[WM`KQ\MLIVLPWVWZML\Wa
with a true legend, Johnson
remarked. How many peo-
XTMKIV[Ia\PMaM__Q\P
assets once theyre airborne.
One is altitude and the other
is speed. Never give up one
without gaining something
on the other.
We train for air-to-air
combat our whole career, but
very rarely in this day and age
does that actually happen,
added Johnson, who has
W_VLQMZMV\IQZKZIN\
\P][NIZQVPMZaMIZ[QV\PM
Navy. Its phenomenal to
have just had a conversation
IVL\Wa_Q\PPQU
Jon Guttman

SOLAR IMPULSE 2
MISSION accomplished
Pilots Andr Borschberg and
Bertrand Piccard (shown at
left taking a sele) had some-
thing to prove when Solar
Impulse 2 took off from Abu
Dhabi on March 9, 2015
and they proved it on July
NAGOYA
JAPAN
flight stats
26, 2016, when the solar- 8 WORLD RECORDS
powered airplane returned 25,070.5 MILES DISTANCE
to Abu Dhabi. The two men 17 STAGES
had made history as the rst 25 DAYS OF ACTUAL
to pilot a xed-wing aircraft FLIGHTS
solo around the world using 509H 28M FLYING TIME
only solar power.
SAN
TOP: U.S. NAVY; BOTTOM; SOLAR IMPULSE

NANJING FRANCISCO DAYTON NEW YORK

CHINA USA USA USA
SEVILLE
ABU DHABI MANDALAY TULSA SPAIN
UAE MYANMAR USA
AHMEDABAD
INDIA ABU DHABI
UAE
PACIFIC CROSSING ATLANTIC CROSSING
LEHIGH
VALLEY
PHOENIX USA CAIRO
MUSCAT VARANASI CHONGQING USA
CHINA EGYPT
OMAN INDIA
HAWAII
USA

8 AH november 2016
SHOW YOUR ALLEGIANCE
TO THE

U.S.
AIR FORCE

Crafted in custom-
washed, distressed
brown leather

Comfortable faux
sherpa fleece lining

Antiqued star-
shaped metal rivets
decorate the back

Custom art of U.S.

Air Force symbols
on the back

U.S. AIR FORCE

Mens Leather Jacket
A Custom Designed Exclusive
They are our among our countrys nest... always putting service before
self. Now, you can show your allegiance to the U.S. Air Force in rugged,
stylish comfort with our U.S. Air Force Mens Leather Jacket.
Quality Construction in
an Exclusive Design
Feature for feature, you wont nd a jacket like this anywhere else for the
price. Superbly crafted in distressed dark brown leather with a custom
wash, this classically styled jacket proudly displays a striking appliqu
patch of silver-tone American eagles standing guard by a central montage
image of Air Force planes in action, our stars and stripes and an eagle, and is
further accented with the Air Force emblem and a banner with the words
SERVICE BEFORE SELF on the back. More design details above and
below the patch add to the distinctive look: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
in silver-color embroidery and a series of three antiqued metal stars.
PRIORITY RESERVATION SEND NO MONEY NOW
The superior styling and design includes two front ap pockets, two
front slash pockets, an inside wallet pocket, cuffs with antiqued metal
snaps, warm and comfortable faux sherpa eece lining.
An Outstanding Value
with Satisfaction Guaranteed
This custom jacket is a remarkable value at $249.95*, and you can pay
for it in 5 easy installments of $49.99. To order yours, in mens sizes
from M-XXL, backed by our unconditional 30-day guarantee, you need
send no money now... just ll out and mail in your Priority Reservation.
But dont delay! This custom-designed jacket is only available from The
Bradford Exchange... and only for a limited time!
www.bradfordexchange.com/AirForceleather
Department of the Air Force. Ofcially Licensed Product of the Air Force (www.airforce.com).
2016 The Bradford Exchange 01-24718-001-BIB
Signature

Mrs. Mr. Ms.

9345 M ilw a uke e Aven u e N i l es, IL 6 0 7 1 4 - 1 3 9 3 Name (Please Print Clearly)

YES. Please reserve the U.S. Air Force Mens Leather Jacket for me in the Address
size indicated below.
LIMITED-TIME OFFERPLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY City State Zip
M (38-40) 01-24718-011 XL (46-48) 01-24718-013
L (42-44) 01-24718-012 XXL (50-52) 01-24718-014 Email
*Plus $17.99 shipping and service. Please allow 6-8 weeks after initial payment for shipment. All sales are subject to product
availability and order acceptance.
E13901
 BRIEFING
MILESTONES
Around the
World Nonstop
Thirty years ago, the rst air-
plane to make a nonstop,
unrefueled circumnavigation
of the world was greeted
with cheers by 23,000 spec-
tators at Edwards Air Force
Base on December 23, 1986,
a little more than nine days
after taking off. Pilots Dick
Rutan and Jeana Yeager had
own just over 24,986 miles,
averaging 115.8 mph.
Voyager, their twin-engine,
twin-boom aircraftamong
the rst built mostly of light-
weight graphite-honeycomb
10 AH november 2016
compositeswas tted with panel, Chief Conservator Malcolm Collum speculated
17 fuel tanks, topped off
with 1,200 gallons at takeoff
on December 14. They
landed with roughly ve gal-
lons remaining in the sole
accessible tank. Yeager and
Rutan, along with Dicks
designer brother Burt and
crew chief Bruce Evans,
received the Collier Trophy
for their achievement. Today
Voyager is on display in the
Boeing Milestones of Flight
Hall at the National Air and
Space Museum.
Air and Space Museum
O
Celebrates 40 Years
n July 1, the Smithsonians National Air and
Space Museum celebrated its 40th anniversary
by reopening its renovated Boeing Milestones of
Flight Hall. That soaring central space has long
showcased the Bell X-1, the Friendship 7 space
capsule and Charles Lindberghs Spirit of St.
Louis, among other priceless artifacts. The gala, which
lasted through the night, welcomed visitors with a series
of special events on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
Among those who had originally championed
building a national air museum was General Henry
Hap Arnold. He worked with Congressman Jennings
Randolph to promote a bill signed by President Harry
Truman in August 1946 authorizing a facility to
memorialize the development of aviation; collect,
preserve, and display aeronautical equipment; and
provide educational material for the study of aviation.
Though funding was not actually approved for another
two decades, the aircraft and related artifacts set aside
for the new museum quickly burgeoned. What began
in 1876 as a collection of 20 kites now includes nearly
WJRMK\[IVL\PMJ]QTLQVO\PI\Z[\WXMVMLWV
July 1, 1976, has long been among Americas most
visited museumsreportedly welcoming 311 million
visitors by 2015.
During the renovations, NASM experts came across
some unexpected treasures. After restorers discovered
a pair of pliers beneath Spirit of St. Louis instrument
that Lindbergh might have dropped the tool during
PQ[QOP\IKZW[[\PM)\TIV\QK?WZSMZ[IT[WNW]VL\PI\
longtime restorers John Cusack and Patricia Merchant,
both now deceased, had left a note beneath the air-
TOP: NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM; BOTTOM: NASA
XTIVM[WWZJWIZL_Q\P\PMQZVIUM[WVQ\QV!3IZT
Heinzel, who also helped prepare the Ryan NYP for
exhibit, said that for Cusack and Merchant, it was
their way of leaving a calling card to the future.
Nan Siegel
 TECHNOLOGY SIMPLIFIED BIGGER AND BETTER
Wow! A Simple to Use Computer
Designed Especially for Seniors!
Easy to read. Easy to see. Easy to use. Just plug it in!
I love this computer! It is easy to
read and to use! I get photo updates
from my children and grandchildren
all the time.
Janet F.
Have you ever said to yourself Id
love to get a computer, if only I
could figure out how to use it. Well,
youre not alone. Computers were
supposed to make our lives simpler,
but theyve gotten so complicated
that they are not worth the trouble.
With all of the pointing and clicking
and dragging and dropping youre
lucky if you can figure out where you
are. Plus, you are constantly worrying
about viruses and freeze-ups. If this
sounds familiar, we have great news
for you. There is finally a computer
thats designed for simplicity and ease
of use. Its the WOW Computer,
and it was designed with you in mind.
This computer is easy-to-use, worry-
free and literally puts the world at
your fingertips. From the moment
you open the box, youll realize how
different the WOW Computer is. The
components are all connected; all you
do is plug it into an outlet and your
high-speed Internet connection. Then
youll see the screen its now 22
inches. This is a completely new touch
screen system, without the cluttered
look of the normal computer screen.
The buttons on the screen are easy
to see and easy to understand. All you
do is touch one of them, from the
Web, Email, Calendar to Games you
name it and a new screen opens
up. Its so easy to use you wont have
to ask your children or grandchildren
for help. Until now, the very people
who could benefit most from E-mail
and the Internet are the ones that
have had the hardest time accessing
it. Now, thanks to the WOW
Computer, countless older Americans
are discovering the wonderful world
of the Internet every day. Isnt it time
NEW
Now comes with...
Larger 22-inch hi-resolution
screen easier to see
16% more viewing area
Simple navigation so you
never get lost
Intel processor lightning fast
Computer is in the monitor
No bulky tower
Advanced audio, Better speaker
configuration easier to hear
Text to Speech translation
it can even read your
emails to you!
U.S. Based Customer Service
FREE
Automatic
Software Updates
you took part? Call now, and youll
find out why tens of thousands of
satisfied seniors are now enjoying
their WOW Computers, emailing
their grandchildren, and experiencing
everything the Internet has to offer.
Call today!
7 Send & Receive Emails
7 Have video chats with family and friends
7 Surf the Internet:
Get current weather and news
7 Play games Online:
Hundreds to choose from!
Call now toll free and find out
how you can get the new
WOW! Computer.
Mention promotional code 104032
for special introductory pricing.
1-877-710-9884
81059
2016 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
 RESTORED

Docs Fairy second superfortress

The B-29 Doc takes off from

Tale Ending McConnell AFB (above) on

July 17, nearly two decades
after being rescued from
BACK IN THE AIR AFTER A China Lake, Calif. (below).

MONUMENTAL RESTORATION
EFFORT, THE B-29 WILL SERVE AS
A FLYING MUSEUM TO EDUCATE
THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF AMERICAN AIR POWER
BY EDWARD H. PHILLIPS

A
fter 60 years on the ground, the worlds second air- ating and maintaining the received a series of techni-
_WZ\Pa*!;]XMZNWZ\ZM[[ZM\]ZVML\WQOP\QV2]Ta ;]XMZNWZ\ZM[[)N\MZ\PMQOP\ KIT]XOZILM[I\\PM)).[
following a 16-year, $5 million restoration. Since 2013 test phase is completed, the *QZUQVOPIU5WLQKI\QWV
\PMJWIZLWN LQZMK\WZ[WN \PMVWVXZW\,WK[.ZQMVL[ IQZXTIVM_QTTJMW_V_M[\WN  +MV\MZQV)TIJIUI<PI\
PI[W^MZ[MMV\PMPMI^aJWUJMZ[ZM[\WZI\QWV2IUM[ 5K+WVVMTT)QZ.WZKM*I[M May the B-29 was assigned to
Murphy, program manager for the project, anticipates the \WQ\[VM_PWUMI\?QKPQ\I[ *IZS[LITM.QMTLQV4W]Q[QIVI
QOP\\M[\XZWOZIU_QTTZMY]QZMPW]Z[\WKWUXTM\M ,_QOP\,-Q[MVPW_MZ where it was part of an
1V2]VM\PM.))[)QZKZIN\+MZ\QKI\QWV7KMQV?QKPQ\I 6I\QWVIT)QZXWZ\ eight-airplane group known
Kansas, issued DocIVIQZ_WZ\PQVM[[KMZ\QKI\MQV\PMM`XMZQ- ,]ZQVO?WZTL?IZ11 I[;VW_?PQ\MIVL\PM
UMV\ITM`PQJQ\QWVKI\MOWZa *!)[MZQITVW!! ;M^MV,_IZN[PMVKM\PM
?MKW]TLVW\PI^MKWUXTM\ML\PQ[UI[[Q^MXZWRMK\_Q\P- was one of more than 1,600 name and nose art.
out the help of many individuals, organizations, local com- Superforts that Boeing built .ZWU!\W!Doc
XIVQM[IVL\PM.))5]ZXPa[IQL<PM[MQVKT]LMXQTW\[ at its massive Plant II facility _I[[\I\QWVMLI\8aW\M.QMTL
PWTLQVOIV.))\aXMZI\QVONWZ\PM*!.Q, operated by the QV?QKPQ\I)N\MZLMTQ^MZa\W <M`I[_Q\P\PMZL
+WUUMUWZI\Q^M)QZ.WZKM0M[IQLDoc[QOP\IVLOZW]VL \PM=;)ZUa)QZ.WZKM[QV )QZKZIN\;\WZIOM;Y]ILZWVWN 
KZM_[_QTTKWV\QV]M\WZMKMQ^M\ZIQVQVONZWU\PM+).QVWXMZ- 5IZKP!\PMJWUJMZ \PM)QZ5I\MZQIT+WUUIVL

12 AH november 2016
 before reassignment to the
San Antonio Air Material
Area, where it was designated
a TB-29 for training pur-
poses. The bomber was trans-
NMZZML\W/ZQ)[[QZ.WZKM
Base in New York in July
1951, serving with the 7th
and 109th Radar Calibration
[Y]ILZWV[]V\QT5IZKP!
In 1956 it was removed from
)QZ.WZKMQV^MV\WZaIVL
transferred to the U.S. Navys
_MIXWV[\M[\QVONIKQTQ\aI\
+PQVI4ISM+ITQN.WZ\PM
next 41 years, Doc sat in the
LM[MZ\[MZ^QVOI[IJITTQ[\QK
target for naval aviators
ZMKMQ^QVOIQZKWUJI\\ZIQVQVO
,M[XQ\MJMQVOI\\IKSML[Q`
\QUM[Q\VM^MZ\WWSILQZMK\
hit, although the airframe did
[]MZUQVWZLIUIOM
In 1997 a group of history
MV\P][QI[\[IKY]QZML\PM*!
disassembled it and shipped it
to California for restoration to
aQVO[\I\][?PMV\PMOZW]X
KW]TLV\KWV\QV]M\PM_WZS
Doc_I[[PQXXMLQVXQMKM[\W
?QKPQ\I_PMZM\PMZMJ]QTLQVO
program resumed in 2000.
?PMV\PI\MWZ\[\ITTML
,WK[.ZQMVL[I[[]UMLZM
sponsibility for the restoration.
,]ZQVO\PMaMIZMWZ\
more than 300,000 man-
hours were expended to
ZMJ]QTL\PMIQZXTIVMIKKWZL-
ing to Murphy. A majority
of the volunteers were
NWZUMZUMKPIVQK[_PWPIL
OPPOSITE TOP & ABOVE RIGHT: BO RADER/THE WICHITA EAGLE VIA AP; OPPOSITE BOTTOM:
_WZSMLI\*WMQVO[?QKPQ\I
WAYNE GOMES/DOCS FRIENDS; RIGHT: RANDY ALLEN/STEVE JANTZ/DOCS FRIENDS
NIKQTQ\a<PMZMPI[VM^MZ
been a more skilled and
devoted group assembled to
IKKWUXTQ[P[]KPIUI[[Q^M
ZM[\WZI\QWVMWZ\PM[IQL
<PM\MIUQVKT]LML!aMIZ
WTL+WVVQM8ITIKQWb_PWI\
age 18 drove rivets into Docs
airframe when she worked for
Boeing during the war.
Prior to the July return to
QOP\\PM\MIU[XMV\_MMS[
QV[XMK\QVOIQZNZIUMIVL
MVOQVMKWUXWVMV\[_Q\P
[XMKQKI\\MV\QWV\WN]VK\QWV
KPMKS[IVLKITQJZI\QWVWN \PM
fuel system. After the original
The team
included
90-year-old
Connie
Palacioz,
who at age 18
drove rivets
into Docs
airframe
when she
worked for
Boeing during
the war.
fuel tanks were determined
\WJM]V][IJTMVM_N]MTKMTT[
_MZMNIJZQKI\ML\PI\_MQOP
[QOVQKIV\TaTM[[IVLIZM
easier to maintain. Murphy
[IQL\PMaLMKQLML\WLMTM\M
\PM_QVOKMV\MZ[MK\QWV\IVS[
leaving a total of 22 fuel
KMTT[UWZM\PIVILMY]I\M
N]MTKIXIKQ\aNWZ\PMJWUJMZ[
ZWTMI[IVM`PQJQ\QWVIQZKZIN\
During the restoration pro-
KM[[_WZSMZ[NW]VL[QOVQ
KIV\KWZZW[QWVQV\PMTW_MZ
ZMIZ[XIZKPWZL[TWKI\ML
aft of the inboard engine
VIKMTTM[*W\PW]\JWIZL
[MK\QWV[WN \PM[XIZKPWZL
_MZMKWZZWLMLIVLZMY]QZML
ZMXTIKMUMV\5]ZXPa
ZMXWZ\ML.WZ\]VI\MTaNWZ
,WK[.ZQMVL[?QKPQ\I
based Spirit AeroSystems, a
KWUUMZKQITIMZW[\Z]K\]ZM[
UIV]NIK\]ZMZ_I[IJTM\W
NIJZQKI\MVM_[XIZKPWZL[
That was just one of many
things Spirit AeroSytems did
NWZ][\PI\UILM\PQ[XZWRMK\
XW[[QJTMPM[IQL
<PMN][MTIOMXZM[[]ZQbI\QWV
system remains inopera-
\Q^MJMKI][MDoc_QTTKZ]Q[M
KZW[[KW]V\ZaI\IT\Q\]LM[
below 10,000 feet. The
*![ZMUW\MKWV\ZWTLMNMV-
sive armament system was
removed after the war, and
there are no plans to install
ZMXTQKI_MIXWV[1VQ\[K]Z-
ZMV\KWVO]ZI\QWVDoc has a
UI`QU]U\ISMW_MQOP\WN 
about 160,000 pounds.
?PMV\PMJWUJMZ_I[
ZMKW^MZMLNZWU\PMLM[MZ\Q\
ZM\IQVMLITTNW]ZWN Q\[?ZQOP\
R-3350-57 radial engines
and four-blade, 17-foot-
[XIVXZWXMTTMZ[)KKWZLQVO
\W5]ZXPa\PM KaTQVLMZ
power plants were originally
UIV]NIK\]ZMLJa+PZa[TMZ[
Dodge automotive divi-
[QWV]VLMZ[]JKWV\ZIK\\W
\PM?ZQOP\)MZWVI]\QKIT
Division of the Curtiss-
?ZQOP\+WZXWZI\QWVDoc,
however, is now powered by
postwar engines similar to
those installed on Douglas
DC-7 airliners.
<PMMVOQVM[LWVW\QVKWZ-
porate their original turbo-
[]XMZKPIZOMZ[JMKI][M\PM
IQZXTIVM_QTTJMW_VI\TW_
IT\Q\]LM[-IKPWN \PMVM_
ZILQIT[Q[IPaJZQLKWUJQVQVO
\PMKZIVSKI[MIVLKaTQV-
team effort A crane
helps ease a propeller
into place in May 2014.
ders of the R-3350-95 with
\PMOMIZJW`IVLIKKM[[WZa
[MK\QWVWN \PM:
_PQKP_I[WZQOQVITTa][MLWV
the Douglas A-1 Skyraider.
5]ZXPa[IQL\PM+).[[]K-
KM[[_Q\P\PM[IUMMVOQVM[
on .QPMI^QTaQV]MVKML\PM
LMKQ[QWV\WQV[\ITT\PMUWLQ-
MLXW_MZXTIV\[WVDoc.
The engines were pre-
pared and assembled by
Ray Anderson of Anderson
Aeromotive in Grangeville,
Idaho. To allow for proper
\UMV\_Q\PQV\PMJWUJMZ[
KW_TQVO[+PZQ[;\MXXW_VMZ
of Stainless Headers in
Burnsville, Minn., designed,
NIJZQKI\MLIVLQV[\ITTML
IK][\WUM`PI][\[a[\MU
Yingling Aviation, a Cessna
LMITMZQV?QKPQ\IXZW^QLML
I^QWVQK[_QZQVOPIZVM[[M[IVL
assisted with installation. On
KZW[[KW]V\Za\W]Z[\PMKWKS-
XQ\KZM__QTT][MMTMK\ZWVQK
\IJTM\[NWZQOP\XTIVVQVO
On July 17, the bomber,
_Q\P+).XQTW\+PIZTQM
<QTTUIVIVLKWXQTW\,I^QL
7TQ^MZI\\PMKWV\ZWT[\WWS
WNZWU:]V_Ia!4I\
5K+WVVMTT).*KQZKTML\PM
MTLIVLTIVLMLWV\PM[IUM
Z]V_Ia8TIV[KITTNWZDoc to
begin touring the nation in
.WZUWZMQVNWZUI\QWV
[MMJ!LWKKWU
november 2016 AH 13
 EXTREMES
Douglas X-3 ZM[MIZKPIQZKZIN\NWTTW_ML
QV,MKMUJMZ!IVL
Douglas submitted a tenta-
Stiletto \Q^MXZWOZIUNWZIXXZW^IT
IUWV\PTI\MZ7V2]VM
!;MKZM\IZaWN ?IZ
INTENDED AS A MACH 2 TESTBED, 0MVZa4;\QU[WVIXXZW^ML
IZMY]M[\NWZ,W]OTI[\W
THE UNDERPOWERED X-PLANE develop an airplane capa-
LOOKED FAST BUT BARELY BROKE JTMWN [][\IQVQVO5IKP
I\NMM\aQVONWZI\
THE SOUND BARRIER TMI[\UQV]\M[IVLQV
BY JON GUTTMAN contrast to the concurrent
ZWKSM\XW_MZML*MTT@;
A
\ISQVOWIVLTIVLQVO]VLMZ
viation enthusiasts who started out building plastic Q\[W_VXW_MZ
models in the 1950s likely remember the sleek, shapely Douglas engineers worked
designs they just had\WVLNWZ\PMQZKWTTMK\QWV[)UWVO WVIVIQZNZIUMXW_MZMLJa
\PMUW[\[W]OP\IN\MZ_MZM\PM[]XMZ[WVQK@XTIVM[ ^IZQW][KWUJQVI\QWV[WN 
QVKT]LQVO\PM@]VWKQITTaVQKSVIUML\PM;\QTM\\W jet and rocket engines until
1\[W^MZITTTWWS\PMTWVOVMMLTMVW[MLN][MTIOM\PW[M !_PMV?M[\QVOPW][M
impossibly vestigial-looking wings, that art deco wind- announced it was developing
[KZMMVOI^M\PMQUXZM[[QWVQ\_I[KIXIJTMWN OWQVO\_QKM IVM_IN\MZJ]ZVMZMY]QXXML
\PM[XMMLWN [W]VLIVLZMIKPQVO\PM\PZM[PWTLWN W]\MZ[XIKM \]ZJWRM\\PM2_PQKP
=VNWZ\]VI\MTa\PM@[XMZNWZUIVKMVM^MZTQ^ML]X\WM`XMK- _W]TLZIQ[M\PMM`Q[\QVO
\I\QWV[JMKI][MTQSMUIVaRM\[WN \PMMZIQ\_I[]VLMZXW_MZML 2[W]\X]\WN ITUW[\
IVLW^MZ_MQOP\ XW]VL[\PZ][\\W
)[NIZJIKSI[!\PM=;)ZUa)QZ.WZKM[I[SML\PM XW]VL[X][PML\W
,W]OTI[)QZKZIN\+WUXIVa\WTWWSQV\W\PMXW[[QJQTQ\QM[WN  ][QVOIN\MZJ]ZVMZ<PI\XZW[-
[]XMZ[WVQKQOP\)[XMKQKZMY]M[\NWZI5IKPKIXIJTM pect allowed the Douglas
14 AH november 2016
supersonic dart
The Douglas X-3 looked
fast even when parked on
the dry lakebed at Edwards
Air Force Base in 1956.
team to dispense with rocket
boosters and build their air-
XTIVMIZW]VLIXIQZWN 2[
7VKM\PMIQZNZIUMLM[QOV
_I[VITQbML\PM)QZ.WZKM
[QOVMLIVIOZMMUMV\WV2]VM
!!KITTQVONWZ,W]OTI[
\WKWV[\Z]K\\_W5WLMT!!,
IQZKZIN\]VLMZ\PM[MZ^QKMLM[-
QOVI\QWVWN @
)[MIZTaI[! Q\JMKIUM
KTMIZ\PI\\PM2NIKMLI
longer, more complicated
development process than
had originally been pro-
RMK\ML)[IVQV\MZQUUMI[]ZM
,W]OTI[J]QT\Q\[@XTIVM
IZW]VL\PM2?-
which was similar in dimen-
[QWV[\W\PM2J]\XZWL]KML
WVTa XW]VL[\PZ][\WV
IN\MZJ]ZVMZ1V!\PM
6I\QWVIT)L^Q[WZa+WUUQ\
\MMNWZ)MZWVI]\QK[6);)[
predecessor) recommended a
XMZKMV\TIZOMZPWZQbWV\IT
tail to deal with oscillation
problems encountered during
UWLMT\M[\QVO
7V;MX\MUJMZ!
 ,W]OTI[ZWTTML\PMZ[\@
[MZQITVW! !W]\WN Q\[
;IV\I5WVQKI+ITQNXTIV\
J]\\PMLM[QOVZMY]QZMLN]Z
\PMZ_WZSIVLJMMVO]X
JMNWZMQ\_I[IXXZW^MLNWZQ\[
Z[\QOP\*a\PM\QUM !
_I[LMTQ^MZML\W-L_IZL[)QZ
.WZKM*I[MWV;MX\MUJMZ
!\PM]VKWUXTM\ML
[MKWVLXZW\W\aXMPILJMMV
canceled and relegated to
XZW^QLQVO[XIZMXIZ\[6)+)
WKQIT[_MZMJa\PMVZM
[QOVML\WUISQVOLW_Q\P\PM
2?-MVOQVM[QVKM\PM
2[\QTT_I[V\ZMILa
<PM@[TWVOJMIS
PW][ML\PMVW[MTIVLQVOOMIZ
QOP\\M[\QV[\Z]UMV\I\QWV
IVLMTMK\ZQKITMY]QXUMV\
<PMIQZNZIUM_I[XZQUIZQTa
KWV[\Z]K\MLWN ;< 
IT]UQV]UITTWa;\IQVTM[[
[\MMTUWTaJLMV]UIVLUIO
VM[Q]UITTWa_MZMQV\MVLML
NWZ[]ZNIKM[M`XW[ML\W
QV\MV[MPMI\J]\TI\MQV!!
,W]OTI[WJ\IQVML6)+)IVL
)QZ.WZKMIXXZW^IT\W[]J[\Q
\]\M\Q\IVQ]U[\QTTIVM`XMZQ
UMV\ITUM\ITNWZ\PM[\MMT
IVLUWTaJLMV]UWV[MV[Q
\Q^MIZMI[[]KPI[\PM\PQV\IQT
JWWUIN\MZJ]ZVMZIVL\IQT
KWVM[MK\QWVZM[]T\QVOQVI
OPPOSITE: NASA; RIGHT PHOTOS: LUIS MARDEN/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC/GETTY IMAGES; ILLUSTRATION: STEVE KARP
MVOQVMTW[\XWZ\QWV[WN Q\[
\]ZJQVMJTILM[KWUXMTTQVO
*ZQLOMUIV\WUISMI[QVOTM
MVOQVMTIVLQVOWVIN\MZ
J]ZVMZ)N\MZ\PM\PQOP\
WV,MKMUJMZ\PM@
_I[\]ZVMLW^MZ\W\PM)QZ
.WZKM_PQKPKWVL]K\ML\PZMM
\M[\QOP\[MIKPJa+P]KS
AMIOMZIVL4\+WT.ZIVS3
-^MZM[\_PWIN\MZM`XMZQMVK
ing its sluggish controls at low
[XMML[KITTMLQ\WVMWN \PM
UW[\LQK]T\IQZXTIVM[1PI^M
M^MZW_V
The Stiletto then went
WV\WQOP\[Ja6)+)
,]ZQVO\PM\PWV7K\WJMZ
!2W[MXP)?ITSMZ
MVKW]V\MZML^QWTMV\QV[\IJQT
Q\a[\MUUQVONZWU\PMUI[[
WN \PMIQZKZIN\[_MQOP\JMQVO
[XZMIL\PZW]OPQ\[TWVON]
[MTIOMIOIQV[\Q\[[UITT_QVO[
?ITSMZUIVIOML\WZMKW^MZ
IVLIVITa[Q[ZM^MITMLQVMZ\QIT
KW]XTQVOWZZWTTLQ^MZOMVKM
)[QUQTIZXZWJTMU_I[\PM
KI][MWN \PZMMKZI[PM[Ja
6WZ\P)UMZQKIV.)[
DOUGLAS X-3 STILETTO
WINGSPAN HEIGHT
22 feet 8.25 inches 12 feet 6.3 inches
7V5Ia!?ITSMZ
KWUXTM\ML\PM@[[\IVL
VITQOP\,MKTIZML[]ZXT][
\WZMY]QZMUMV\[Ja)QZ5I
\MZQIT+WUUIVL\PMIQZKZIN\
_I[ZM\QZMLWV;MX\MUJMZ 
\W\PM6I\QWVIT5][M]UWN 
\PM=;)QZ.WZKMI\?ZQOP\
8I\\MZ[WV)QZ.WZKM*I[M
_PMZMQ\Q[VW_WVLQ[XTIaQV
\PMU][M]U[ZMKMV\TaWXMVML
NW]Z\PJ]QTLQVO
)T\PW]OPQ\VM^MZOW\\PM
right engine and thus was
]VIJTM\WXMZNWZUQ\[QV
\MVLML\I[S\PM@;\QTM\\W
_I[VWNIQT]ZM1\XQWVMMZML
going up A test pilot readies \PM][MWN \Q\IVQ]UTWVO
for takeoff (top) after being JMNWZM4WKSPMML][MLQ\QV
lifted in his ejection seat into \PM5IKP)IVL\PM
the X-3s cockpit from below. LI\IQ\aQMTLMLWVQVMZ\QIT
KW]XTQVOPMTXML\W[I^M\PM
.I[_MTTI[IQLMLQV
4WKSPMML[LM^MTWXUMV\WN 
\_WWN \PMUNI\ITZM[]T\QVO \PM.;\IZOP\MZ
QV\PM;]XMZ;IJZM[JMQVO
OZW]VLML:M\ZW\\QVOI
TIZOMZ\IQTVIVL_QVO[WN 
\_WNMM\OZMI\MZ[XIVZMU
MLQML\PM.)[XZWJTMU
WEIGHT
16,120 lbs. (empty)

[I^QVO[WN !XW]VL[ WING AREA ENGINE

22,120 lbs. (gross)
<PM@[Z[\WKQIT 166.6 square feet 2 Westinghouse MAXIMUM SPEED
QOP\WV7K\WJMZ! (3.09-to-1 aspect J34-WE-17 699 mph (level
_Q\PI\ISMW[XMMLWN  ratio) turbojets, producing ight)
UXPZMY]QZMLI[MV[Q\Q^M LENGTH
3,370 lbs. thrust
CEILING
PIVLWV\PMMTM^I\WZ<PM each (4,850 lbs. with
66 feet 9 inches 38,058 feet
XTIVM_I[KTMIZTa]VLMZ afterburner)
XW_MZMLIVLXQTW\?QTTQIU
**ZQLOMUIVZILQWML5IRWZ
+PIZTM[-AMIOMZXQTW\QVO
\PM6WZ\P)UMZQKIV. 
KPI[MXTIVM<PQ[\PQVO
LWM[V\_IV\\W[\IaQV\PM
IQZ*ZQLOMUIV\W]KPML
LW_VI\UXPOZI\MN]T
\PI\-L_IZL[LZaTISMJML
WMZMLXTMV\aWN ZWWU
)[\PM2MVOQVM_I[
[\QTTLMTIaML\PMNI[\M[\\PM
@M^MZ_MV\_I[5IKP
_PMV*ZQLOMUIVX]\
Q\QV\WILMOZMMLQ^MNZWU
NMM\WV2]Ta !
7V7K\WJMZ\PMZQOP\

november 2016 AH 15
 AVIATORS

bombing eagles
Colonel Morris Taber (third
from right) poses with Maj.
Gen. Claire Chennault (center)
and other Fourteenth Air
Force ofcers in front of a
B-25D at Yangkai, China, in
February 1944.

Colonel
large ships in Yulikan Bay, line medium bombers which
a primary port of resupply eat away at enemy shipping,
for Japanese troops occu- reported Time magazine.

Tabers XaQVO\PMQ[TIVL)QOP\
of six B-25s assigned to
For this mission, Taber
would be piloting B-25D

Final Mission
the 491st Squadron of the
341st Bombardment Group
(Medium) was tasked with
destroying the vessels.
A BOMBING RUN ON JAPANESE <PMQOP\TMILMZNWZ\PQ[
mission would be Class of
SHIPS NEAR HAINAN TURNED 38 West Pointer Colonel
DEADLY FOR A B-25 GROUP Morris Frederick Taber,
COMMANDER AND HIS CREWS KWUUIVLQVOWKMZWN \PM
341st Group, with its 22nd
BY JEFF LAUGERO and 491st squadrons operat-
serial no. 43-3290, armed
with 3,000 pounds of bombs
and 12 .50-caliber machine
guns. The crew of six were
Taber, pilot in command;
2nd Lt. Vincent E. Singer,
copilot; 2nd Lt. Clayton P.
/ZIaJQTTVI^QOI\WZ#;\I;O\
Ernest E. Cassetty, radio
WXMZI\WZO]VVMZ#;\I;O\
Malcolm M. Medlen,

I
EUGENE WOZNIAK/WWW.RSHONOR.ORG

ing out of Yangkai, China. armorer/gunner; and

n the early morning hours of April 8, 1944, B-25 Mitchell The 30-year-old colonel was Sergeant William L. Christ-
bomber crews prepared for a combat mission targeting one of Maj. Gen. Claire ensen, engineer/gunner.
shipping around the Japanese-controlled island of Hainan, Lee Chennaults key young <IJMZ_W]TLTMIL\PMZ[\
China. For several months, the China-based medium men comprising the combat QOP\WN \_W*[NZWU
bombers of the Fourteenth Air Force had been harassing leadership of the Fourteenth Red Dust Hill, the popular
the enemy on Hainan, attacking shipping and disrupting Air Force. It was Tabers name for their Yangkai base.
supply lines. Now reports indicated a concentration of seven group of destructive front- He and his crew were to

16 AH november 2016
 A Sparkling Show of Support
for Those Who Serve

Set with genuine diamonds Sculpted Air Force symbol

 
Finely hand-crafted in solid sterling Engraved inside with
silver with 18K-gold plating SERVICE BEFORE SELF

A Fine Jewelry Exclusive from The Bradford Exchange

The United States Air Force has a long and proud tradition. From the earliest SELF, making this a stunning expression of Air Force pride and support
days of the Air Force to today, those who serve have made the ultimate for all those who serve.
sacrice, putting country before self. Now, you can show your pride and
let the spirit of the United States Air Force soarwith our U.S. Air Force An Exceptional Value...
Embrace Ring, an exclusive design from The Bradford Exchange. Available for a Limited Time
This ring is a remarkable value at $99*, payable in 4 easy installments
Exquisitely Crafted in a Custom Design of $24.75 and backed by our 120-day guarantee. It arrives in a custom
Hand-crafted from solid sterling silver, this distinctive ring features twin case along with a Bradford Exchange Certicate of Authenticity. This ring
bandsone silver and one plated in 18K gold. At the center of the ring is not available in stores. To reserve, send no money now; just mail the
is a sculpted winged Air Force symbol adorned with a solitaire genuine Reservation Application today!
diamond and 18K gold-plated accents. The bands are embraced with two www.bradfordexchange.com/22399
dazzling pav ribbons set with a total of four genuine diamonds. Inside
Department of the Air Force. Ofcially Licensed Product of the Air Force (www.airforce.com)
the band, the ring is engraved with the inspiring words SERVICE BEFORE 2016 The Bradford Exchange 01-22399-001-BIR
RESERVATION APPLICATION SEND NO MONEY NOW
LIMITED-TIME OFFER
Reservations will be accepted on a
rst-come, rst-served basis. Signature
Respond as soon as possible to
reserve your ring. P.O. Box 806, Morton Grove, IL 60053-0806 Mrs. Mr. Ms.
Name (Please Print Clearly)
YES. Please reserve the U.S. Air Force Embrace Ring for me
as described in this announcement. Address

Shown actual size
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
City State Zip
To assure a proper fit in womens whole and half sizes 5-12, a ring sizer
will be sent to you after your reservation has been accepted.
*Plus $9.98 shipping and service. Please allow 4-6 weeks after initial payment for E-Mail (Optional)
shipment of your jewelry. Sales subject to product availability and order acceptance. 01-22399-001-E13901
 AVIATORS
return to Yangkai via Samah
Bay, at the southern end of
Hainan Island and home to
I2IXIVM[MIQZMTLIVL[MI-
plane base. The same intelli-
gence reports referencing the
seven large boats also noted
\PMXZM[MVKMWN MVMUaOP\-
ers in the target area.
The mission plan called
NWZ\PMJWUJMZ[\Wa[W]\P
at higher altitudes over
mountainous terrain before
descending over the plains
of French Indochina. Flying
low above the Gulf of Ton-
kin, they would approach
Hainans western shore, then
follow the shoreline at low
level to the southern end of
the island and their intended
targets. The bomb run would
KWUUMVKMI[\PMaM_W^MZ
?M[\1[TIVLR][\W\PM
southern Hainan coast. With
\PM\PZMI\WN MVMUaOP\MZ[
and anti-aircraft positions
surrounding the target area,
surprise would be critical.
<PM_MI\PMZJZQMVO_I[
worrying. Conditions were
very hazy, with visibility ap-
proximately one mile. Bad
weather, coupled with the
reports of enemy aircraft and
IV\QKQXI\MLOZW]VLZMKWU-
pleted the trifecta of mission
LQK]T\QM[;Q\]I\QWVVWZUIT
for these airmen.
Taber and his wingman,
Lieutenant Lawrence Ander-
18 AH november 2016
low-level raider
Chennault awards Taber the
DFC for his successful tactics
against Japanese shipping.
son, departed Yangkai at
0145 hours. A second pair of
B-25s, led by Captain Marion
Brown and Lieutenant Paul
Ley, followed. The last of the
\_WIQZKZIN\QOP\[LMXIZ\ML
Yangkai at 0211, with Cap-
tain Joseph T. Callaway lead-
ing his wingman, Lieutenant
Robert Pettingell.
The six aircraft arrived
over the target area as dawn
broke. Taber and Anderson
commenced the attack, with
\PMKWTWVMTTMILQVO\PMZ[\
bombing run. Over West
Island, both aircraft encoun-
tered anti-aircraft and auto-
UI\QK_MIXWV[ZM<IJMZ
pressed the attack, targeting
a 150-foot ship southeast of
Cape Salmon. With Ander-
son in trail, bombs from
both aircraft hit close to the
intended target. During a sec-
ond bomb run, Anderson lost
sight of Tabers aircraft.
The second pair of B-25s,
led by Captain Brown, tar-
geted the ships at 0515 from
an altitude of 160 feet.
Browns bombs missed, and
Leys did not release. Follow-
ing the bomb run, Leys crew
ZMXWZ\ML[MMQVOZMQV\PM
left engine nacelle and radio
compartment of Browns
B-25. To make matters worse,
the crippled aircraft came
under attack by at least three
MVMUaOP\MZ[ZMXWZ\MLTa
BMZW[WZ7[KIZ[R][\I[
\PMKZM__I[OM\\QVO\PMZM
under control. The doomed
bomber was seen crashing
and burning in the South
China Sea. Lost with Brown
were 1st Lt. Sol Waldman,
;\I;O\.ZML+TMUIVL
Sergeants Andrew Steakin
and Louis Klaman.
Callaways and Pettingells
Mitchells were last to arrive
over Hainan. By this time the
enemy was ready and on the
WMV[Q^M<PM*[_MZM
attacked near Fat Law air-
drome, another Japanese
IQZMTLWV\PM_M[\[QLMWN 
Hainan, near Southwest
Point. Seven Zeros climbed to
engage them, coming within
20 yards of the bombers in
repeated passes.
Unable to make it to the
target, the Mitchells jetti-
soned their bombs and
turned into the attack, bring-
ing their guns to bear on the
MVMUaOP\MZ[8M\\QVOMTT
][MLPQ[VW[MO]V[\WZMQV\W
the belly of a Zero, which
climbed away trailing smoke.
His top turret gunner, Ser-
geant Robert Thompson,
KWV\QV]ML\WZM]V\QT\PM
OP\MZKZI[PMLQV\W\PM[MI
When another Zero attacked
Callaways B-25, the waist
and top turret gunners,
Sergeants Irving Stein and
Ernest Ross, opened up with
MMK\Q^MZM<PMBMZW
KI]OP\ZMIVLQ\\WW_I[
seen crashing into the sea.
)\PQZLBMZW\PI\_I[ZML
upon by turret gunners from
both aircraft was believed
destroyed when it was last
seen out of control. Japanese
radio broadcasts would later
KWVZU\PMTW[[WN OP\MZ[
during the engagement.
Callaway and Pettingell
made it back to Yangkai.
Anderson and Ley also sur-
vived, though their Mitchells
were badly damaged. Flying
north along the eastern
shore of Hainan, they were
able to reach the safety of
southern China.
Taber and his crew never
returned. Following the
mission, there was initial
confusion as to which B-25
_I[[MMVWVZMIVLKZI[P-
ing into the sea. It was later
KWVZUML\PI\*ZW_VIVL
his crew were lost in that
crash. Taber and crew were
WKQITTaTQ[\MLI[UQ[[QVOQV
action. Their fate would not
be learned until after the war,
when their remains were
recovered from a beach grave
on Hainan.
The C-B-I Roundup of
)XZQT!JZQMaVW\ML
the raid on Hainan Island.
Tabers mission was but one
attack on the island that day,
with B-24 Liberators bomb-
ing the docks and airdrome
at Samah Bay. The Yulikan
Bay mission by the Mitchells
reportedly damaged a 1,000-
ton freighter and left several
smaller ships burning, and
WN 2IXIVM[MOP\MZ[\PI\
engaged the bombers, two
were destroyed and one was
damaged. There was no
mention of the lost B-25s or
their crews.
1V\PMZ[\[M^MZITUWV\P[
of operations in China, the
TW[[M[[]MZMLJa\PM[\
were especially heavy. The
downing of Colonel Taber
and his crew was a brutal
reminder of the ever-present
danger the men faced on a
daily basis. 
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
 LETTER FROM AVIATION HISTORY
Lucky Penney
F
BY CARL VON WODTKE
ifteen years ago on a sunny September day,
civil aviation as we knew it changed forever.
So too did the lives of all Americans, as the
horrifying spectacle of airliners crashing
into the World Trade Center towers and the
Pentagon made it obvious the world would
never be the same.
On that day 25-year-old Heather Lucky Pen-
VMa_I[IVM_Z[\TQM]\MVIV\[MZ^QVOI[I\ZIQV-
QVOWKMZ_Q\P\PM[\.QOP\MZ;Y]ILZWVWN \PM
District of Columbia Air National Guard, based
I\)VLZM_[)QZ.WZKM*I[MW]\[QLM?I[PQVO\WV
<PMZ[\_WUIV\W[MZ^MQVPMZ)6/]VQ\[PM
M_.+[WV\ZIQVQVOUQ[[QWV[QVXZMXIZI\QWV
NWZKWUJI\?PMV\PM[\ZMKMQ^ML_WZLWN \PM
second Trade Center strike, and a half hour later
the Pentagon was hit, it became clear the United
States was under attack. With news of a fourth
airliner possibly headed toward Washington,
Penney and her wingman, Colonel Marc Sass
;I[[M^QTTM[KZIUJTM[\IZ\ML\PMQZ.[IVL\WWS
W\WQV\MZKMX\Q\
PUBLIC AFFAIRS; ABOVE: COURTESY OF MAJOR HEATHER PENNEY
TOP: TECH SGT. JOHNATHON ORRELL/NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU
<PMQZUQ[[QWV_I[[QUXTMJ]\[WJMZQVO".QVL\PM
airliner and take it down by any means necessary.
Since there had been no time to arm their Vipers,
\PI\M[[MV\QITTaUMIV\\PMa_W]TLJMaQVOISIUQ-
kaze mission, ramming their jets into the airliner.
Im going to go for the cockpit, Sass told her. Ill
take the tail, Lucky replied.
9/11 kamikaze <PMQZQOP\XI\PNZWU)VLZM_[\WWS\PMUW^MZ
Now-Major Heather the Pentagon, and there was no way to avoid
Penney (top) poses seeing the smoke that was billowing out of the
with an F-16 Viper building, she said. I didnt dwell on that because
(above) during one of we had more important things to do. Penney
her two tours in Iraq. described feeling disconnected from her emotions
as she focused on the mission: It was a completely
surreal experience.
She and Sasseville headed northwest into
Pennsylvania, searching for the airliner but care-
ful not to go too far. We went out as far as Sass
thought was reasonable to ensure that we had
sanitized the airspace far out enough, she said,
but then we needed to turn back home so that we
could get over D.C. and make sure we werent
IVSML1\_W]TLJM[WUM\QUMJMNWZM[PMTMIZVML
that the airliner they were searching for, United
.TQOP\!PILJMMV\ISMVLW_VJaIKW]ZIOMW][
group of passengers. Penney called them the real
PMZWM[JMKI][M\PMa_MZM_QTTQVO\W[IKZQKM\PMU-
selves, but then so was she.
)[SMLIJW]\\PMTI[\QVOMMK\[WN ![PM[IQL
It fundamentally altered the vector of history, and
we are all living with the impact of those events
today. And I think that many of the tragedies that
we see unfolding today are directly traceable
back to that moment in time. Penney laments the
NZMMLWU[\PI\)UMZQKIV[PI^M[IKZQKMLQV\PM
name of security, pointing out that being Ameri-
can is about adhering to certain beliefs and ideals
IVLLZMIU[\PI\JQVL][ITT\WOM\PMZ*]\_Q\P
that comes risk, and if were unwilling to accept
risk, then we lose something that makes us essen-
tially Americans.
I think the challenge we all have is to remain
connected to those ideals, to those beliefs, to that
kind of courage and live that out in our daily lives
of service, said Penney. And remember that
there are things in this world that are more im-
portant than ourselvesthat are more important
than security. 
november 2016 AH 19
 WHAT IF? Illustrator Jack
Fellows imagines a scenario in
which a Horten Ho-229 attacks
B-17G bombers in 1946.

20 AH november 2016
THE HORTEN BROTHERS
JET FLYING WING
THE NEVER-BUILT HORTEN HO-229 HAS BEEN THE
SUBJECT OF MORE SPECULATION AND MYTHS THAN
ANY OTHER WORLD WAR II AIRPLANE BY STEPHAN WILKINSON

REIMAR HORTEN AND HIS OLDER
BROTHER WALTER WERE GERMAN
AIRCRAFT HOMEBUILDERS.
WINGING IT Above: The
rst of two H IILs built in
Lippstadt in 1937 was own
by Reimar Horten at a glider
contest. Opposite: First
Lieutenant Walter Horten
piloted an Me-109E with
Jagdgeschwader 26 during
the Battle of Britain.
22 AH november 2016
<PMRM\[_MZMZ[\OWQVO\W
be two BMW 003s, but when
they underperformed the
Hortens switched to Junkers
Jumo 004Bs. The Ho IX V2
(Versuch 2, or Test 2the V1
was an unpowered research
OTQLMZ WNNQKQITTa NTM_ \PZMM
times, crashing fatally at the
MVLWN \PM\PQZLQOP\_PMV
one of its two Jumos failed.
No Horten IX ever flew
again, but the brothers had
undeniably built and tested
\PM_WZTL[Z[\\]ZJWRM\aQVO
_QVO<PM0W1@>Z[\M_
in March 1945, more than 3
years before Northrops eight-
RM\A*!aQVO_QVOJWUJMZ
\WWSW1VIV]UJMZWN _Ia[
the Hortens were well ahead
of Jack Northrop and his engi-
neers, though Northrop never
admitted that. After the war,
it was suggested to Northrop
that he hire the brothers.
.WZOM\Q\\PMaZMR][\OTQLMZ
designers, he said conde-
scendingly. The success of the
Ho IX was pointed out to him,
but Northrop dismissed it as a
Gotha design, not a Horten.
Northrop was wrong, but
the source of his confusion
_I[\PMNIK\\PI\\PM4]N\_IM
knowing the tiny Horten
garage operation could never
mass produce twin-engine
RM\ NQOP\MZJWUJMZ[ \]ZVML
\PMXZWRMK\W^MZ\W/W\PII
Their relatively short aircraft-building careers extended from large railroad car manufac-
1933 until the end of World War II, though they did some minor turing company with aircraft-
work in Argentina after the war as expatriate Nazis. Had they building experience. As a
lived 40 years later, chances are they would have been busy mem- ZM[]T\ \PM 0WZ\MV RM\ PI[
bers of an EAA chapter in Germany, making a living selling kits come down to us with a con-
NWZ\PMQZPQOPXMZNWZUIVKMaQVO_QVO[IQTXTIVM[ fusing suite of names. The
The Hortens werent Burt Rutans. Talented, yes, but not the IK\]IT[WTMRM\XW_MZML_QVO
aeronautical geniuses theyve been called by some. They built a \PI\M__I[\PM0W1@>
series of increasingly sophisticated iterations of the same basic The German air ministry
designgraceful sweptwing, tailless gliders, though several of (Reichs luft fahrtministerium, or
their wings were powered. The Hortens produced a grand total :45 OI^M \PM XZWRMK\ IV
of 44 airframes of their dozen basic designs. History has por- WKQITUISMIVLUWLMTLM[-
trayed them as aeronautical visionaries, for in 1940 Messer- ignationHo-229. Because
schmitt Me-109 pilot Walter Horten, who scored seven Battle of production was assigned to
Britain victories as Adolf Gallands wingman, proposed putting Gotha, some sources still refer
IXIQZWN /MZUIVa[VM_I`QITW_RM\MVOQVM[QV\WI0WZ\MV to the airplane as a Go-229.
glider. The result was the Ho IX. (Brother Reimar was the aero- Many Luftwaffe aircraft
dynamicist and designer; Walter was the facilitator, eventually were built by a variety of
PWTLQVOIVQUXWZ\IV\4]N\_IMXW[Q\QWV\PI\ITTW_MLPQU\W manufacturers, but a Junkers
LQ^MZ\OW^MZVUMV\[]XXTQM[[\IIVLNIKQTQ\QM[NWZPQ[JZW\PMZ remained a Ju, a Heinkel an
 He, a Dornier a Do no matter who actually manufactured it, so
Go-229 is a misnomer. The Smithsonians National Air and
Space Museum, citing the RLM designation, calls a major arti-
fact in its collection that is about to undergo serious conserva-
tion a Horten 229. This despite the fact that no production
Horten 229 ever existed; what the Smithsonian has is the never-
completed Ho IX V3 built by Gotha.
It bears mentioning that neither Northrop nor the Hortens
QV^MV\MLaQVO_QVO[*W\P\PMKWVKMX\IVLIK\]ITaQVO_QVO[
have been around since the 1910s. In fact, by the late 1920s
\PMZMPILJMMVMVW]OPM`XMZQUMV\[_Q\PaQVO_QVO[\PI\\PM
KWVO]ZI\QWV_I[KWV[QLMZMLXI[[uIVLJW\P2IKS6WZ\PZWX
and the Hortens were late to the party.

T
SOARING BATWING
he Hortens have also been credited with designing and
THE HORTENS
The pilot testing this H IV
J]QTLQVO\PM_WZTL[Z[\[\MIT\POP\MZ<PI\Q[IUWZM glider had to y while lying
LQK]T\KTIQU\W[]XXWZ\1\[IXWX]TIZK\QWVQV\PM
PRODUCED A
prone in its cockpit.
Hitlers wonder weapons community, and it got a
JWW[\QVI!6WZ\PZWX/Z]UUIV[XWV[WZMLTUHitlers mention of this plan came in a
Stealth Fighter, a National Geographic documentary. The doc
tried to show that a modern replica of the National Air and GRAND TOTAL OF ! JWWS_ZQ\\MVJa:MQUIZ
at a time when the basics of
Space Museums Ho IX V3 bombarded by microwaves revealed
UWLMZI\MZILIZLMMK\QVOXZWXMZ\QM[6WZ\PZWX/Z]UUIV[ 44 AIRFRAMES U.S. stealth technology were
JMKWUQVOX]JTQKSVW_TMLOM
prototyping shop built the replica for $250,000. Thats a bargain
for an hour-long video broadcast on the History Channel that OF THEIR DOZEN There is no mention of any
attempt to achieve stealthy
Q[[\QTTJMQVOLQ[K][[MLJa_PI\[WUMKITT\PM6IXSQV_IMI
LQOI\_PMZM\PMXTIV[NWZ[WUMWN \PM4]N\_IM[NIV\I[aOP\MZ[ BASIC DESIGNS. properties for the Ho-229 by
anybody involved in the actual
_MZMZ[\[SM\KPML-VOQVMMZQVOLZI_QVO[NWZ\PM0WZ\MVRM\ fabrication of the prototypes.
reveal this to be not far from the truth.) NASMs restoration facility
Northrop Grumman built the Horten replica entirely of suggesting that an all-wood ran extensive digital-micros-
_WWLQ\[XTa_WWL[SQV[TIaMZML_Q\PZILIZIJ[WZJMV\KIZJWV Horten might have been able copy, X-ray diffraction and
impregnated glue. Only the externally radar-visible instrument \WLWIaJaWN *ZQ\IQV[Ja Fourier-transfer spectroscopy
XIVMTJIKSQVOIVLZ[\[\IOMKWUXZM[[WZLQ[S[_MZMUM\ITAM\ then obsolete Chain Home tests on the wooden struc-
the Horten brothers original airplane also had an 11-foot-wide low-frequency radar array, ture of their Horten aircrafts
center section made of welded steel tubing, and it carried two but it wouldnt have been able wing and found no evidence
turbojet engines. Neither of these were part of the Northrop to bomb anything. of any carbon or charcoal
Grumman replica. It could be argued that all this metal might Narration over the film impregnation of the glue. The
PI^MZMMK\MLI\TMI[\[WUMUQKZW_I^MMVMZOa\PI\XMVM\ZI\ML says that it reveals just how JTIKS [XMKS[ \PI\ 6WZ\PZWX
\PMXTa_WWL*]\6WZ\PZWX/Z]UUIVNMT\\PI\\PMQZ[XMKQITOT]M close Nazi engineers were to Grumman had assumed were
made the replica totally opaque to radar. unleashing a jet that some say evidence of the Hortens
The replicators also left out the original Ho IX V3s eight large could have changed the course attempt to create a radar blan-
IT]UQV]UN]MT\IVS[6WZLQL6WZ\PZWX/Z]UUIVQVKT]LM WN \PM_IZ6W\JTWWLaTQSMTa SM\_MZMNW]VL\WJM[QUXTa
the underwing bombs that would have been necessary for any if only because by that time, oxidized wood.
I\\IKSWVIZILIZLMNMVLML\IZOM\-`\MZVITTaZIKSMLWZLVIVKM the Germans were literally out Reimar Horten originally
COURTESY OF WOLFGANG MUEHLBAUER; RIGHT: SDDEUTSCHE ZEIGUNG ARCHIV

LM[\ZWa[IVa[MUJTIVKMWN [\MIT\P<PM6I\/MWTUMVLML]X of gas. planned to sheathe the Ho IX

PREVIOUS PAGES: 2016 JACK FELLOWS, ASAA; OPPOSITE & ABOVE RIGHT:

The heart of the Horten in aluminum, which hardly

stealth assertion is a claim suggests that he had stealth
by the brothers, made long as an objective. It was only
after the war ended, that they when he discovered to his sur-
indeed had intended to fasten prise that the Messerschmitt
the layers of the Ho-229s 5MZWKSM\XTIVM_I[KW^-
plywood sheathing with glue ered in plywood that he real-
mixed with radar-absorbing ized high speed didnt rule out
charcoal. Perhaps they did using wood. He then switched
UMIV\WLW\PI\J]\\PMZ[\ to more easily obtainable ply-

november 2016 AH 23
 TECH NOTES HORTEN HO IX V3

DRAG RUDDER
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINES HEIGHT CEILING
Two Junkers Jumo 004B-2 9 feet 3 inches 52,000 feet
ELEVON turbojets generating WEIGHT ARMAMENT
1,986 lbs. thrust each 11,198 lbs. (empty) Two forward-ring,
WINGSPAN 19,887 lbs. (gross) wing-mounted Mk 103
55 feet 5 inches MAXIMUM SPEED 30mm cannons
WING AREA 607 mph R4M rockets
558 square feet Two 1,100-lb. bombs
CLIMB
LENGTH 4,330 feet per second Note: performance specs
24 feet 7 inches are estimates

OUTER FLAP

BRAKE CHUTE
COMPARTMENT
INNER FLAP

HYDRAULIC FLUID
RESERVOIR

HYDRAULIC
SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
BOARD

AIR INTAKE

EJECTION
SEAT

SKIN FIXING
FITTING
FUEL
PIPELINE
CASTORING NOSE
WHEEL ON WELDED ENGINE
STEEL TUBE FORK EXHAUST
NOZZLE

JUNKERS JUMO
004B-2 TURBOJET

24 AH november 2016
 HOW STEALTHY?
Although the Ho-229s wooden
skin would have been virtually
invisible to radar, reections from
the aircrafts engines and welded
tubular frame could have been
detected. Another metal
component, never installed, would
have been the Rheinmetall-Borsig
MK 103 30mm cannons intended
for the ghter (below left). More
heavy metal included the sturdy
tricycle undercarriage. The main
wheels (below right) were
deployed by means of a spring
and retracted by a single hydraulic
jack through cable-drive pulleys.

RHEINMETALL-BORSIG
MK 103 30MM CANNON

MAIN GEAR

AUXILIARY SPAR

REAR SPAR

ELEVON LINKAGE

FUEL TANKS
ILLUSTRATIONS: STEVE KARP;

ELECTRIC
PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES

FUEL PUMP MAIN SPAR

november 2016 AH 25

UNFULFILLED MISSION
Test pilot Erwin Ziller starts
the Ho IX V2s engines at
Oranienburg in February
1945. Ziller was killed when
the V2 lost an engine and
crashed during its third test
ight. Opposite top: The
uncompleted Ho IX V3 at
wars end. Opposite bottom:
After the war, the V3 was
assembled for display at
Chicagos Douglas factory.
THE HO IX,
PRECURSOR OF
THE HO-229, WAS
THE WORK OF A
GARAGE SHOP.
26 AH november 2016
\PM\M[\XQTW\I[[QOVML\W\PM
Z[\QOP\NW]VL\PI\PMKW]TL
JIZMTaSMMX\PMIQZXTIVMITWN\
_Q\PN]TTJIKS[\QKSIVL_PMV
he tried to flare for landing
\PMIQZXTIVMPQ\[WPIZL\PI\
Q\ JILTa LIUIOML \PM OMIZ
)VL\PM0WZ\MV[NIJZQKI\WZ[
_MTLMLIVLZM_MTLML\PM>[
KMV\MZ[MK\QWVI[\PMMVOQVM
KPWQKMNTQXNTWXXMLJM\_MMV
*5? IVL 2]VSMZ[ _PQKP
KZMI\MLPMI\[\ZM[[M[\PI\VW
M`XMZQMVKMLIQZKZIN\J]QTLMZ
_W]TLPI^MITTW_ML;SQTTML
_MTLMZ[_W]TLPI^MK]\W]\
IVLZMJ]QT\MV\QZM[MK\QWV[WN 
\PM[\Z]K\]ZM
The Hortens also needed to
wood veneer, but for reasons that had nothing to do with its ILIX\KI[\WKWUXWVMV\[\W
radar attenuation and everything to do with its availability. \PMQZ0W1@IQZNZIUM_PQKP
Its also worth noting that the Ho-229 was intended to be led to its ungainly nosewheel.
ILIaOP\MZIJWUJMZQV\MZKMX\WZ\PW]OPM^MV\]ITTaI[_I[ <PMIQZXTIVM[UIQVOMIZQ[
\Z]MWN [WUIVa4]N\_IMNIV\I[aOP\MZ[Q\_I[\W]VLMZ\ISMI NI[PQWVMLNZWU5M!XIZ\[
^IZQM\aWN W\PMZZWTM[?IT\MZ0WZ\MVPILWZQOQVITTaIL^WKI\ML IVL\PMMVWZUW][VW[M_PMMT
RM\XW_MZJMKI][MI[IOP\MZXQTW\PQU[MTNPM_IV\ML\WJ]QTL ITUW[\NMM\QVLQIUM\MZQ[\PM
IJM\\MZIQZXTIVM\PIV\PM.WKSM?]TN ._!_PQKPPMKWV[QL- \IQT_PMMT\QZMIVLZM\ZIK\QWV
MZML\WJMIVQVNMZQWZ[XQVXZWVMLM[QOV UMKPIVQ[U NZWU I 0MQVSMT
;W_Pa_W]TL[\MIT\PPI^MJMMVIKZQ\MZQWVQN IV0W! 0M Greif, a benighted
_W]TLVM^MZKWVNZWV\ZILIZ'1\_I[V\0Q\TMZ[[\MIT\POP\MZ PMI^aJWUJMZ1\_I[INWZ\]Q
_I[[QUXTaQV\MVLML\WJM0Q\TMZ[IMZWLaVIUQKITTaMKQMV\ \W][KPWQKMVWVM\PMTM[[<PM
NI[\UIVM]^MZIJTMOP\MZ W^MZ[QbM VW[M_PMMT X]\ \PM
H
0W1@I\ILMOZMMIVOTMWN 
W_LQL\PM0Q\TMZ[[\MIT\PNQOP\MZUa\P\ISMZWW\' QVKQLMVKMI\ZM[\_PQKPNIKQTQ-
+MZ\IQVTa \PMZM[ NMZ\QTM OZW]VL ]XWV _PQKP []KP \I\ML\ISMW_Q\PW]\ZMY]QZ-
TMOMVL[KIVJM[W_VIUWVO\PMUWLMTJ]QTLMZ[IVL QVO\PMNWZKMN]TZW\I\QWVW\PMZ
_IZOIUMZ[_PWTW^MVW\PQVOUWZM\PIVUa[\MZQW][ Horten designs had needed.
4]N\_IM_WVLMZ_MIXWV[\PI\_W]TLPI^MZM^MZ[ML\PMKW]Z[M )N\MZ\PM_IZIV]UJMZWN 
WN \PM_IZPILQ\WVTaTI[\MLIVW\PMZUWV\P*]\VWVM[MMU 0WZ\MVLM[QOV[_MZMM`IU-
\W]VLMZ[\IVL\PMaMIZ[TWVOXZW\W\aXQVO\M[\QVOXZWL]K\QWV ined by the Allies, initially
XZWKM[[\PI\Q[IVMKM[[IZaXIZ\WN JZQVOQVOI[WXPQ[\QKI\MLIQZ- \PM*ZQ\Q[P1N IVaKWV[XQZIKa
KZIN\NZWUVIXSQV[SM\KP\WKWUJI\-`IK\Ta\PZMMaMIZ[IVLI \PMWZQ[\[VW\QKML\PMJaTQVMI\
LIaXI[[MLJM\_MMV\PM5M[[MZ[KPUQ\\5M\_QVRM\[Z[\ \PMJMOQVVQVOWN \PQ[IZ\QKTM
QOP\IVL\PMJMOQVVQVOWN Q\[WXMZI\QWVITZMILQVM[[.WTTW_QVO \PMaTTJaVW_JMPaXMZ^MV-
[]KPI[KPML]TM\PM0W!_W]TLPI^MJMMVZMILaNWZKWUJI\ \QTI\QVO NWZ \PM ?QTSQV[WV
QVMIZTa!  :MXWZ\_ZQ\\MVJaIKWU-
<PM0W1@XZMK]Z[WZWN \PM!_I[\PM_WZSWN IOIZIOM UQ\\MM WN  *ZQ\Q[P I^QI\QWV
[PWX<PM>IVL>^MZ[QWV[_MZMJ]QT\QV_PI\_I[M[[MV- authorities headed by soaring
\QITTaI\PZMMKIZ_WZS[PWXW]\WN TIZOMTa]VIQZ_WZ\Pa[\Z]K- M`XMZ\ 3MVVM\P ?QTSQV[WV
\]ZITUI\MZQIT<PMKMV\MZ[MK\QWV[\MMT\]JQVO_I[U]KPTQSM _I[[]XXW[MLTaPQOPTaKZQ\QKIT
_PI\\WLIa[]KM[NWZJ]QTLQVO\ZILMMTMK\ZQKITKWVL]Q\IVL WN \PM0WZ\MV[1N 3MVVM\P
\PM0WZ\MV[_MZMVW\WZQW][NWZ][QVOPW][MPWTLOZILMXTa_WWL and I are related, it is to the
^MVMMZNWZ\PMQZIQZXTIVM[M`\MZVIT[PMI\PQVO [IUMLMOZMM\PI\0MVZaIVL
0W_XZWNM[[QWVIT_MZM\PM0WZ\MV[';WUMWN \PMQZ_WZS 0IZZQ[WV.WZLIZM
ZIQ[M[Y]M[\QWV[?IT\MZ0WZ\MV_I[I[[QOVML\PMRWJWN KIT- *ZQ\Q[P I^QI\QWV _ZQ\MZ
K]TI\QVO\PM>[KMV\MZWN OZI^Q\aNWZM`IUXTM_PQKPPMLQL 4IVKM +WTM IXXIZMV\Ta I
][QVOI[\MMTUMI[]ZQVO\IXM=VNWZ\]VI\MTaPMVM^MZVW\QKML [MZQW][0WZ\MVKWV[XQZIKQ[\
\PI\\PMZ[\KMV\QUM\MZ[WN \PM\IXMPILJZWSMVW[WPQ[ _ZW\M \PI\ \PM ?QTSQV[WV
NIT[MUMI[]ZMUMV\[LM\MZUQVML\PI\\PMIQZXTIVMVMMLML[]J- :MXWZ\_I[I_IaWN PMTX-
[\IV\QITJITTI[\QV\PMVW[M;QVKM\PM+/_I[KMV\QUM\MZ[W ing to shield the reality of the
 W
PaIaQVO_QVO'
?PI\[ _ZWVO
with the conven
tional designs
that have served so well since
\PM MIZTa ![' +MZ\IQVTa
there have been some useful
^IZQI\QWV[KIVIZL[X][PMZ[
[MUQ\IQTTM[[LMT\I[JTMVLML
_QVOJWLa XZWXW[IT[ M^MV
Vincent Burnellis perennial
TQN\QVON][MTIOM KWVKMX\
J]\\PMX]ZMaQVO_QVOPI[
IT_Ia[JMMVIVW]\TQMZ?PI\
Q[Q\[IXXMIT'
<PMWZM\QKITTa \PM IL^IV
\IOM[ WN  I NTaQVO _QVO IZM
[]J[\IV\QIT ) KWV^MV\QWVIT
LM[QOVI*WMQVOI+M[[
VI;SaPI_SIV.:IX\WZ
aW]VIUMQ\PI[_QVO[\PI\
contribute lift despite inevi
table induced and parasitic
LZIOXT][IN][MTIOMMVOQVM
nacelle(s) and an empennage
that contribute nothing but
drag. Zero lift. Indeed a con
ventional horizontal stabilizer
often adds negative lift
downforceto an airplane.
AM[\PMN][MTIOMKIVKIZZaXI[
[MVOMZ[KIZOWWZWZLVIVKM
J]\[WKIVIaQVO_QVO
One of the major functions
of a fuselage is to support the
empennage that provides
XQ\KPIVLaI_KWV\ZWTNWZI
Horten achievement so that greater powers could seize the ideas KWV^MV\QWVITIQZXTIVM)a
and keep them unseen for decades[it] dismissed their ideas QVO_QVO\W\ITTaMTQUQVI\M[\PM
IVL_WZS[I[IXXIZMV\QOP\[WN NIVKa#[\MUUQVOQ\[MMUML drag of an aft fuselage and
from what felt like a British attitude of the Hortens being men MUXMVVIOM1VNIK\M^MZaXIZ\
without the proper background. WN IaQVO_QVOQ[ITQN\QVO[]Z
1KIVVLVWVMWN \PQ[QV\PMM^MVPIVLMLZQOWZW][I]\PWZQ NIKM)VITT_QVOIQZKZIN\IT[W
OPPOSITE & BOTTOM: NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM; TOP: NATIONAL ARCHIVES
\I\Q^M\MKPVQKITXIOM?QTSQV[WV:MXWZ\<PMXIXMZLWM[ ITTW_[ NWZ \PM MNNQKQMVKa WN 
XWQV\W]\\PI\*ZQ\Q[PMVOQVMMZ[\MVLML\W\Z][\_QVL\]VVMTLI\I [XIVTWILQVO5]KPWN IKWV
UWZM\PIV\PMaLQLQVQOP\I[[M[[UMV\[J]\ILUQ\[\PM0WZ\MV[ ventional airplanes weight is
had no access to such a tunnel. It calls the Hortens careers a concentrated near its center
remarkable record of progress in spite of [such] obstacles. TQVM PMVKM \PM ^QLMW[ WN 
7VM\PQVO\PI\LQLJIM?QTSQV[WV[KWUUQ\\MM_I[\PI\[W JMVLa_QVO*WMQVO,ZMIU
TQ\\TMWN :MQUIZ0WZ\MV[_WZS_I[WN \PM[TQOP\M[\][M\W\PM liners looking as though
/MZUIV_IZMWZ\:MQUIZ_I[NIZUWZMQV\MZM[\MLQVZMKWZL \PMaZM\ZaQVO\WKTIXPIVL[
[M\\QVOIVLKWUXM\Q\QWVOTQLMZ[IVLPMKWV\QV]ML\WLM[QOVIVL IJW^M \PMQZ N][MTIOM[ <PM
J]QTL\PMU\PZW]OPW]\\PM_IZ;WUMPQ[\WZQIV[QVNIK\\PQVS forces concentrated at the
\PI\PM^QM_ML\PMRM\_QVOI[IaQVOZu[]Uu\PI\_W]TLPMTX wing/fuselage juncture of a
PQUOM\IRWJQV\PM=;WZ*ZQ\IQVIN\MZ\PM_IZ:MQUIZ_W]TL conventional airplane are
PI^MTW^ML\WKIZZaWVPQ[KIZMMZQV\PM;\I\M[,M[XQ\MUMUJMZ
[PQXQV\PM6IbQ8IZ\aIVLPQ[_WZSI[I4]N\_IMI[[I]T\OTQLMZ
QV[\Z]K\WZPMPILZ[\\ZQML\WMUQOZI\M\W)UMZQKIQV! J]\
had been refused an exit visa since he was thought to have had
IKKM[[\WKTI[[QMLQVNWZUI\QWV
MVWZUW][_PQTMIaQVO_QVO
can spread the entire load
NZWU_QVO\QX\W_QVO\QX\P][
allowing for a lighter and
UWZMMKQMV\[\Z]K\]ZM<PM
weight is spread out where the
TQN\Q[[WIaQVO_QVOKIVPI^M
ITIZOMMKQMV\PQOPI[XMK\
ratio span without requiring a
PMI^aNZIUM_WZS\W[]XXWZ\Q\
.WZ I [\MIT\Pa IQZXTIVM I
\Z]MaQVO_QVOPI[ILQ[\QVK\
IL^IV\IOM"1\LWM[I_Ia_Q\P
ITT ZILIZZMNTMK\Q^M ^MZ\QKIT
[]ZNIKM[XIZ\QK]TIZTa[\IJQTQb
MZ[IVLZ]LLMZ[<PQ[XT][Q\[
wooden construction and lack
WN ZILIZZMMK\QVOXZWXLQ[K[
Q[_PI\OI^M6WZ\PZWX/Z]U
mans Ho IX replica its com
XIZI\Q^MTa[UITTZILIZKZW[[
[MK\QWVVW\IUQZIKTMOT]M
<PM LQ[IL^IV\IOM WN  I
NTaQVO _QVO Q[ Q\[ VI\]ZIT
QV[\IJQTQ\a _Q\P VW \IQT \W
provide counterbalance in
XQ\KPIVLaI_<PM0WZ\MV[
overcame much of this with
MVTQOP\MVML_QVOIQZNWQTIVL
KWV\ZWT[ ]ZNIKM LM[QOV J]\
their airplanes still exhibited
\PMKTI[[QKNTaQVO_QVO_IL
LTM[MUQ\MKPVQKITTa\MZUML
,]\KPZWTT<PM0W1@>[
NTQOP\[PILITZMILaZM^MITML
UWLMZI\MTI\MZITQV[\IJQTQ\a1\
_W]TLPI^MUILM\PM0W!
a dreadful gun platform as
a fighter and a handful as a
JWUJMZ<PQ[_I[\PMKPIZ
acteristic that doomed the
6WZ\PZWXA*!aQVO_QVO
in its competition with what
JMKIUM \PM +WV^IQZ *#
JWUJZ]V IKK]ZIKa _I[
impossible to achieve when
aI_ZWTT KW]XTQVO LM\MZ
UQVML\PMUMIVLMZQVOQOP\
path. Nor did it help that one
A*!_MV\W]\WN KWV\ZWTIVL
KZI[PML NI\ITTa L]ZQVO [\ITT
\M[\QVOQV2]VM! 
*a\PM\QUM/W\PI\WWSW^MZ
\PM0W!XZWRMK\\PM0WZ
ten brothers had lost interest
november 2016 AH 27
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

18 19 20 22 23 24
21
17

28 29

27 31

25 26
30

32

HORTEN HO IX V3 COCKPIT

1. Canopy xing stub 12. Flaps position indicators: right engine

2. Canopy emergency 23. Oil pressure right engine
CONSPIRACISTS
(from top) landing, take-
jettison handle spring (left) off, up 24. Ambient temperature
3. Undercarriage position 13. Altimeter (removed)
CLAIM THAT
gauge
indicators 14. Repeater compass 25. Brake chute doors
4. Ignition breakers left/right 15. AFN2 direction nder
NORTHROP STOLE
opening lever
engine indicator 26. Spoiler release lever
5. Vertical speed indicator 16. Fuel gauges 27. Rudder pedal/hydraulic
6. Turn and bank indicator
7. Airspeed indicator
17. Throttles
18. Hydraulic system pressure
toe brake (left)
28. Oxygen pressure THE HORTENS
8. Low fuel warning
9. Canopy emergency
gauge (removed)
19. Oil pressure left engine
29. Oxygen indicator
30. Control column variable- SECRETS FOR ITS
jettison handle (right)
10. Canopy rail
20. Exhaust temperature
left engine
length xing handle
31. Rudder pedal/hydraulic OWN FLYING WINGS.
11. Emergency circuit 21. RPM left/right engines toe brake (right)
breaker 22. Exhaust temperature 32. Ejection seat lever

28 AH november 2016
 IVLUW^MLWV\W\PMQZXTIVVMLUI[\MZXQMKMI[Q`\]ZJWRM\a-
ing wing Amerika Bomber. The Ho XVIII never was built,
J]\Q\TTMLIVW\PMZVQKPMQV\PM6IXSQV_IM;WUM[\QTT[Ia\PM
Amerika Bomber (several German airframers were racing to
J]QTLWVM_I[QV\MVLML\WLZWXIVI\WUQKJWUJWV6M_AWZS
.WZ\]VI\MTa\PM/MZUIV[_W]TLVM^MZPI^MJMMVIJTM\WJ]QTL
[]KPI_MIXWVPI^QVOTW[\\PMQZ6WZ_MOQIVLM]\MZQ]U[W]ZKM
J]\\PMaLQLPI^M\PMKIXIJQTQ\a\WX]\\WOM\PMZILQZ\aJWUJI
TIZOMKWV^MV\QWVITJWUJMVKI[MLQV[\ZWVOTaZILQWIK\Q^MUI
terial that would have polluted a wide area with radiation.
<PW]OP6WZ\PZWX_IV\MLVW\PQVO\WLW_Q\P\PM0WZ\MV
JZW\PMZ[\PMKWUXIVaLQLIKY]QZM[M^MZITWN \PMQZOTQLMZ[
for research after WWII, leading conspiracists to claim that
6WZ\PZWX[\WTM\PM0WZ\MV[[MKZM\[NWZQ\[W_VaQVO_QVO[
)K\]ITTa6WZ\PZWXLMXQK\MLIV0W>1OTQLMZQVXW[\_IZI^QI PHOENIX WING
\QWVUIOIbQVMIL[I[IVM`IUXTMWN WVMWN \PM6IbQI\\MUX\[ The V3s center section
\WILIX\=;aQVO_QVOLM[QOVNWZM^MV\]ITUQTQ\IZa][M awaits preservation at the

T
Udvar-Hazy Center. Below:
PM;UQ\P[WVQIV[0W1@>_I[JZW]OP\\W)UMZQKII[ Karl Heinzel works on the
XIZ\WN 7XMZI\QWV;MIPWZ[MI=;6I^aKW]V\MZXIZ\ ying wing in Suitland, Md.
to the better-known Operation Paperclip campaign to
IKY]QZMI[UIVaQV\MZM[\QVO4]N\_IMIQZKZIN\I[XW[[Q-
JTM*]\Q\_I[VM^MZW_VIVLQVNIK\_I[WVTaPITNKWUXTM\ML \W \PM =; _Q\P \PM KMV\MZ
1\_I[Z[\I[[M[[MLI\\PM:WaIT)QZKZIN\-[\IJTQ[PUMV\QV section, and another was later
*ZQ\IQV\PM[W]ZKMWN \PM?QTSQV[WV:MXWZ\LI\IIVL_I[ found some distance from the
\PMV[MV\\WJW\P?ZQOP\IVL.ZMMUIVMTL[NWZ)ZUa)QZ Gotha shop.
.WZKM[[KZ]\QVa<PMRM\_QVOMVLML]X[\WZMLW]\LWWZ[QV <PM0WZ\MV[TI[\P]ZZIP
+PQKIOWI\INIKQTQ\a\PI\_I[QV\MVLML\WJMKWUMIVI\QWVIT took place without their par-
IQZU][M]U1V!\PM;UQ\P[WVQIVIKY]QZML\PMIQZXTIVM \QKQXI\QWV1V2]Ta!\PMZM
\PW]OPQ\_I[Ja\PMVJILTaJMI\MV]XJaV]UMZW][UW^M[IVL was a notorious occurrence at
exposure to the weather. It was moved once more to a secret :W[_MTT65SVW_VNWZM^MZ
government warehouse, according to published reports. That IN\MZ I[ \PM :W[_MTT 1VKQ
_IZMPW][M_I[IK\]ITTa\PM;UQ\P[WVQIV[Y]Q\M]V[MKZM\;]Q\ LMV\1\ITTMOMLTaQV^WT^ML\PM
TIVL5LZM[\WZI\QWVNIKQTQ\a_PMZMQ\[\IaMLNWZXT][aMIZ[ KZI[PWN IaQVO[I]KMZIVL
part of that time stored in an open wooden shed. \PM[VI\KPQVOJa\PM)ZUa)QZ
<PMIZ\QNIK\Q[QV[IL[PIXM\WLIaU]KPWN Q\[XTa_WWL[PMI\P- Forces of the bodies of three
ing delaminated and rotting, its metal frame and landing gear ITQMV[IJWIZLQ\<PM:W[_MTT
KWZZWLMLIVLXIZ\[UQ[[QVO6);5PI[Q\WV\PM[PWZ\TQ[\NWZ 1VKQLMV\MVOMVLMZMLLMKILM[
UIRWZ_WZSIVL\PM>KIVK]ZZMV\TaJM[MMVI\\PMU][M]U[ _WZ\PWN \IJTWQL[XWZ\ZIaQVO
ZM[\WZI\QWVNIKQTQ\aQV\PM=L^IZ0Iba+MV\MZI\,]TTM[)QZXWZ\ \PM OW]ZLPMILML -<[ XMZ-
That work will not be restoration but conservation: stopping haps still stored in freezers in
the rot and corrosion, cleaning up the airframe and assembling I PMI^QTa O]IZLML )ZMI 
the center section and outer wings into a single unit. Those wings hangar. The government tried
UIaWZUIaVW\PI^MJMMVXIZ\WN \PM>7VTaWVM_QVOKIUM \WM`XTIQVI_Ia\PMKZI[PJa
[IaQVO Q\ PIL JMMV I PQOP
altitude weather balloon; it
_I[IK\]ITTaI[MKZM\[]Z^MQT-
lance balloon intended to keep
\ZIKSWN ;W^QM\I\WUQKJWUJ
testing. But some observers
with more specialized knowl-
PHOTOS: NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
a parabolaa wing with a
near-circular leading edge
planform, which would pro-
vide the minimum induced
drag and maximum lift.
The Hortens built just one
parabola- wing glider but
VM^MZM_Q\#\PMIQZXTIVM_I[
torched after warping and
becoming unglued during
winter storage. But wait,
\PMZM[ UWZM[]XXW[MLTa
the AAF found out about
the Horten parabola wing
and decided to build a pow-
MZML^MZ[QWV\W[MKZM\Ta\M[\
:MQUIZ[\PMWZa1\_I[\PQ[
IQZXTIVMTWWSQVO]VKIVVQTa
TQSM \_W\PQZL[ WN  I NTaQVO
[I]KMZ\PI\KZI[PMLQV6M_
5M`QKWQV!
6WJWLaPI[aM\M`XTIQVML
the aliens, however. 
For further reading, contributing
editor Stephan Wilkinson recom-
mends: The Horten Brothers
and Their All-Wing Aircraft,
by David Myhra; and Horten

MLOMPILIVQV\ZQO]QVO\PMWZa 0W!;XQZQ\WN <P]ZQVOQI"

1V ! :MQUIZ 0WZ\MV The Horten All-Wing Jet
decided that the ultimate Fighter, by Andrei Shepelev and
NTaQVO_QVO[PIXM_W]TLJM Huib Ottens.

november 2016 AH 29
back in the saddle At the
Carolinas Aviation Museum in 2011,
Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger
sits in the cockpit of the Airbus A320
he ditched in the Hudson River on
January 15, 2009 (opposite).
SULLY
SPEAKS OUT
THE MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON WAS NO MIRACLE;
IT WAS THE CULMINATION OF A 35-YEAR MILITARY
AND AIRLINE FLYING CAREER INTERVIEW BY CARL VON WODTKE

november 2016 AH 31

CAPTAIN CHESLEY SULLENBERGER
WAS THE RIGHT PERSON, IN THE
RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME.
0Q[MV\QZMaQVOKIZMMZPILXZMXIZMLPQUNWZ\PM
]VQUIOQVIJTMKZQ[Q[PMIVLKWXQTW\2M;SQTM[NIKML
WV2IV]IZa!_PMV\PMQZ)QZJ][)TW[\
JW\PMVOQVM[IN\MZ[\ZQSQVOIWKSWN OMM[M[WWV
IN\MZ\ISMWNZWU6M_AWZS[4I/]IZLQI)QZXWZ\
<PM=;)QZ_Ia[XQTW\[_MZMI\IJW]\NMM\
W^MZWVMWN \PM_WZTL[UW[\LMV[MTaXWX]TI\MLKQ\-
QM[aQVO_PI\_I[M[[MV\QITTaI\WVOTQLMZ_Q\P
VWZ]V_Ia_Q\PQVZMIKP1VI\M[\IUMV\\WPQ[[SQTT
IVLKITUXZWNM[[QWVITQ[U;]TTMVJMZOMZUIVIOML
\W[INMTaLQ\KP\PM[\ZQKSMV)QV\PM0]L[WV
:Q^MZ[I^QVOITTIJWIZL
;]TTa;]TTMVJMZOMZI[PMZMNMZ[\WPQU[MTN
OZIKQW][TaIOZMML\W[PIZM_Q\PAviation History[
ZMILMZ[ZMKWTTMK\QWV[WN PQ[UQTQ\IZaIVLIQZTQVM
KIZMMZ\PMM^MV\[WN \PI\NI\MN]TLIa[M^MVaMIZ[
IOWIVLPQ[^QM_[WV\PMKPITTMVOM[\PMIQZTQVM
QVL][\ZaNIKM[\WLIa0MIT[W\ITSMLIJW]\Sully
32 AH november 2016
phantom menace
Of his time in F-4s,
Sullenberger said,
Its the best ying
Ive ever done.
\PM +TQV\ -I[\_WWLLQZMK\ML UW\QWV XQK\]ZM
JI[MLWV;]TTMVJMZOMZ[JM[\[MTTMZHighest Duty
[\IZZQVO<WU0IVS[IVL[M\\WJMZMTMI[MLWV
;MX\MUJMZ!
Tell us a little bit about how you got into ying.
*a\PM\QUM1_I[1SVM_1_IV\ML\WaIQZXTIVM[
IVL1VM^MZKWV[QLMZMLIVa\PQVOMT[M#1LQLV\PI^M
IXTIV*;W1_I[NI[KQVI\MLJaIQZXTIVM[J]QT\Ua
Z[\UWLMTI\XZWJIJTaIOMWZ1PILTMIZVML
\WaQVPQOP[KPWWT\aXQKITXI\\MZV[WTWMLI[
[WWVI[1KW]TLI\UQVQU]UIOMI\#OW\Ua
XZQ^I\MXQTW\[KMZ\QKI\MI\\PMUQVQU]UIOM#
KWUUMZKQITXQTW\[KMZ\QKI\MI\\PMUQVQU]UIOM
 *a\PM\QUM1MV\MZML\PM)QZ.WZKM)KILMUa
1PILIKW]XTMP]VLZMLPW]Z[WN aQVO\QUM1
Y]QKSTaJMKIUMIQOP\QV[\Z]K\WZJa\PM\QUM1
_I[1_I[IQOP\QV[\Z]K\WZQVIQZXTIVM[IVL
 in glidersand in the four years I was at the Air
.WZKM)KILMUa1M_I\PW][IVLPW]Z[_PQKP1U
told is quite remarkable; Im not sure it has been
done since. Mostly in instruction given to other
KILM\[\MIKPQVO\PMU\WaIQZXTIVM[IVLOTQLMZ[
on my weekends and after school. And then I went
to graduate school at Purdue, then Air Force pilot
\ZIQVQVOIVLJMKIUMIOP\MZXQTW\;WQ\[JMMV
something thats been a lifelong passion and con-
tinues to be so.
How do you think your Air Force training pre-
pared you for Flight 1549? I think anyone who
ANYONE WHO has been a military aviator brings to the table a
certain discipline, a certain diligence. Its an atti-
HAS BEEN A tude with which we approach the job, its a pro-
fession, its a calling. And its something that if you
MILITARY answer that calling, it leads one to be a continuous
lifelong learner, to constantly be striving for excel-
AVIATOR TMVKM\W\Za\WIT_Ia[UISM\PMVM`\QOP\JM\\MZ
\PIV\PMXZM^QW][WVM1VW]ZUQTQ\IZaLMJZQMVO[

You had kind of a mentor in L.T. Cook. Sounded BRINGS TO IN\MZM^MZaQOP\_M_W]TLVW\PWTLJIKSIVLQV

like he was the right person for you at the time.
He was a cropduster that I was introduced to, and
if he liked the look of you hed take you on as a
student. He did, he had his own grass strip east of
Sherman, Texas. He had a couple of airplanes,
one he sprayed witha Super Cuband then he
PIL\PQ[)MZWVKI,+\PI\PM\I]OP\UM\Wa
QV1[WTWMLXZM\\aY]QKSTa7N KW]Z[MaQVO_I[I
little bit simpler then. I think I had a little over 7
hours when I soloed. It was a great way to learn
deeply internalized, well-learned fundamental
skills that would last a lifetime and be accessible
M^MVLMKILM[TI\MZM^MV\PW]OP1LJMMVaQVORM\[
for a long time.
You were named the outstanding cadet in air-
manship at the Air Force Academy. To what do
you attribute that honor? ?MTTZ[\WN ITT1LQL[W
much of it, both as an instructor in the glider pro-
gram and in the aero club in powered airplanes. I
also did parachuting, and I think just the fact Id
done so much and I had such a passion for it, it sort
of set me apart from my contemporaries. Thats
really it; its not that I was the best in every way,
its just I had approached it with such passion and
done so much of itand been noticed.
You went on to y F-4s in Britain and at Nellis Air
Force Base. What did you think of the Phantom?
It was an older airplane even then, a workhorse of
(RIGHT) AP PHOTO/STEVE DAY; OPPOSITE & RIGHT: COURTESY OF CHESLEY SULLENBERGER
brutally honest discussions we would hold each
THE TABLE other, leaders and followers alike, accountable to
the same high professional standards. We talked
A CERTAIN about what worked and what didnt, and why and
what we could do to make it better next time. So
DISCIPLINE, its that sort of rigor that I think military aviators
bring to any flying they do. Its a professional
A CERTAIN attitude, to the nth degree. And you understand
clearly, youve done your homework, there are
DILIGENCE. no major gaps in your knowledge. You under-
stand high-altitude aerodynamics, high-altitude
physiology, you understand the mechanics of all
the systems of the airplane, you leave no stone
unturned, and you know not just what and how
to do things, but you know why we must do them.
And I think thats certainly part of our National
Transportation Safety Boards formal lessons-
learned process also when they investigate major
transportation accidents. Pilots of my genera-
tion can quote you chapter and verse of the last
half century of seminal accidentswhere they
occurred, why, and what we learned from them
and how that knowledge has informed not only
our airplane designs but our policies, our pro-
cedures and our training.
mentor and student
In 1968 Sully poses with
L.T. Cook, who taught him
to y in his Aeronca 7DC.

the Vietnam era, and of course my active service

was toward the end of the Vietnam War. I never
PREVIOUS PAGES: (LEFT) AP PHOTO/THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/TODD SUMLIN;

actually went to Vietnam, never saw combat, and

then much of the rest of my active duty service was
L]ZQVO\PM+WTL?IZ.TaQVOIRM\OP\MZQ[\PMXQV-
nacle of tactical military aviation. Its like driving
a Formula One racer on steroidsin three dimen-
sions, not just two. Its thrilling, its demanding.
Unless youre someone whos done it, words fail me
in describing to you what its like and what it takes,
M`KMX\\W[Ia\PI\Q\[\PMJM[\aQVO1^MM^MZLWVM

You need to be on at all times. Yeah, especially as

_M_MZMaQVOQVNWZUI\QWVI\]T\ZITW_TM^MT[_PQTM
I was at Nellis over the desert ranges, 100 feet above
the ground at 600 knots. Youre covering a nautical
mile every six seconds, youre traveling just over
1,012 feet per second.

november 2016 AH 33

academy days Walk us through the decision-making process
Air Cadet Sullenberger you went through after you struck that ock of
boards a Lockheed T-33 geese and lost both engines. What were your
for a training ight. options and why did you choose to ditch in the
Right: On June 6, Hudson? ?MTTZ[\1[PW]TL[M\\PM[\IOMNWZ\PQ[
1973, Sully receives his IVL[Ia\PI\I\\PQ[XWQV\Q\PILJMMV!aMIZ[[QVKM
diploma at the U.S. Air 1PILJMMVIOP\MZXQTW\.WZ!aMIZ[1L_WZSML
Force Academy from QV\PQ[IQZTQVMMV^QZWVUMV\_PMZM_M_WZSML[W
Lt. Gen. Albert P. Clark. PIZL\WXTIVIVLIV\QKQXI\MIVLPI^MIT\MZVI\Q^M[
NWZM^MZaKW]Z[MWN IK\QWV?M_WZSML^MZaPIZL
VM^MZ\WJM[]ZXZQ[MLJaIVa\PQVO\WSMMXQ\[UWW\P
IVLZW]\QVMIVL_MLLWI^MZaOWWLRWJWN \PI\
)VL^MZa[]LLMVTaR][\[MKWVL[IN\MZ\ISMW
_MMVKW]V\MZML\PQ[WKSWN JQZL[\PI\_MZMR][\
^Q[QJTMINM_[MKWVL[JMNWZM_M[\Z]KS\PMU*]\I\
\PI\XWQV\_M_MZM\ZI^MTQVONMM\XMZ[MKWVL[W
1[I_\PMUXZWJIJTa\PZMMNWW\JITTMTLTMVO\P[
IPMILWN ][J]\KTMIZTaVW\MVW]OP\QUMIVLLQ[-
\IVKM\WUIVM]^MZITIZOMNI[\RM\IQZTQVMZI_Ia
NZWU\PMU)VL[W_Q\PQVINM_[MKWVL[_MPIL
MVKW]V\MZMLIV]T\QUI\MKPITTMVOMWN ITQNM\QUM
1LVM^MZJMNWZMJMMV[WKPITTMVOMLQVIVIQZXTIVM
)VL_Q\PQVINM_[MKWVL[WN \PI\\PMMVOQVM[PIL
JMMVLIUIOMLIVLPILNIQTMLIVLQ\_I[WJ^QW][
NZWU\PM^MZaJMOQVVQVO\PI\\PQ[_I[OWQVO\WJM
]VTQSMM^MZaW\PMZQOP\1LPILNWZaMIZ[IVL
PW]Z[QV\PMIQZ)VL\PM[\IZ\TMMMK\\PM
34 AH november 2016
[PWKSWN \PQ[_I[QV\MV[MIVLW]ZJWLQM[ZMIK\ML
QVIVWZUITP]UIVXPa[QWTWOQKIT_Ia1_I[I_IZM
\PI\PILPIXXMVMLUaX]T[M[PWW\QVO]XUa
JTWWLXZM[[]ZM[XQSQVOUaXMZKMX\]ITMTLVIZ-
ZW_QVOJMKI][MWN \PM[]LLMVTQNM\PZMI\MVQVO
[\ZM[[*]\1LQL\PZMM\PQVO[1_I[IJTM\WNWZKM
KITUWVUa[MTN_PQKPQ[V\ZMITTaKITUQ\[R][\PI^-
QVO\PMLQ[KQXTQVM\PI\1\ITSMLIJW]\\WJMIJTM\W
KWUXIZ\UMV\ITQbMIVLNWK][KTMIZTaWV\PM\I[SI\
PIVLQV[XQ\MWN \PM[\ZM[[;MKWVLM^MV\PW]OP
_MLVM^MZ\ZIQVMLNWZ\PQ[IVLQVNIK\QVW]ZIQZTQVM
QOP\[QU]TI\WZ[aW]KIVVW\\ZIQVNWZ_I\MZTIVL-
QVO[\PMaIZMV\XZWOZIUUMLNWZQ\#\PMWVTa
\ZIQVQVO_MLM^MZOW\\MV_I[I\PMWZM\QKITKTI[[-
ZWWULQ[K][[QWV1_I[IJTM\W\ISMITQNM\QUMWN 
M`XMZQMVKMIVL\ZIQVQVOIVLQUXW[M\PI\XIZILQOU
WV\PQ[[Q\]I\QWV\PMZMJaUISQVOQ\WVM1SVM_PW_
\W[WT^M)VLVITTaJMKI][MWN \PMM`\ZMUM_WZS-
TWILIVL\QUMXZM[[]ZM1SVM_1LQLV\PI^M\QUM
\WLWM^MZa\PQVO1VMMLML\WLWJ]\JMKI][M1
KW]TL[M\XZQWZQ\QM[JMKI][M1]VLMZ[\WWLVW\R][\
\PM_PI\IVLPW_WN UaXZWNM[[QWVJ]\\PM_Pa
JMKI][M1SVM_UaIQZXTIVM[WQV\QUI\MTa1L
JMMVWV\PMIQZXTIVMITUW[\PW]Z[
aMIZ[1KW]TL[M\KTMIZXZQWZQ\QM[M^MVQV\PQ[[Q\]-
I\QWV_MLVM^MZ\ZIQVMLNWZ)VL[W1KPW[M\WLW
WVTa\PMPQOPM[\XZQWZQ\aQ\MU[J]\LW\PMU^MZa
^MZa_MTTIVL\PMV1PIL\PMLQ[KQXTQVM\WQOVWZM
M^MZa\PQVO1LQLVW\PI^M\QUM\WLWI[JMQVOWVTa
XW\MV\QITLQ[\ZIK\QWV[1SVM_NZWUPI^QVO^Q[Q\ML
IVLW_VQV\W6M_AWZSUIVa\QUM[\PI\_MWVTa
PIL\PZMMWX\QWV[<PMZM_MZMWVTa\_WZ]V_Ia[
\PI\_MZMM^MVXW[[QJTaKTW[MMVW]OPNWZ][\WJM
IJTM\W][MW]ZUQVQU]UIT\Q\]LMIVLOTQLM\W"
4I/]IZLQINZWU_PQKP_MPILLMXIZ\MLJ]\I\
\PI\XWQV\_MZMPMILQVOI_IaNZWUIVL<M\MZJWZW
IKZW[[\PMZQ^MZQV6M_2MZ[Ma1\\]ZVMLW]\IVL\PM
 6<;*]T\QUI\MTa^ITQLI\ML\PQ[QVIQOP\[QU]TI\WZ
[\]LaI\\PM)QZJ][NIK\WZaQV.ZIVKM\PI\[MMQVO
\PQ[NWZ\PMZ[\\QUMI[_M_MZMIVLQVKT]LQVO
ZMIK\QWV\QUM\PMZM_I[VW\IT\Q\]LM\WUISMQ\
JIKS\WIVaZ]V_Ia)VL\PI\1SVM_QV\]Q\Q^MTa]X
NZWV\IVL1[][XMK\ML_M_MZMOWQVO\WMVL]XQV
\PMZQ^MZJ]\1PIL\WKWV[QLMZ\ZaQVO\WUISMQ\\W
IZ]V_IaZ[\1KPW[M\PM\PQZLWX\QWV\PMWVTa
ZMUIQVQVO^QIJTMWX\QWV_PQKP_I[\PM0]L[WV
\PMWVTaXTIKMQV\PMMV\QZMUM\ZWXWTQ\IVIZMIWN 
6M_AWZSWVMWN \PMUW[\LMV[MTaXWX]TI\ML
IZMI[WV\PMXTIVM\\PI\_I[TWVOMVW]OP_QLM
MVW]OPIVL[UWW\PMVW]OP\WI\\MUX\TIVLQVOIV
IQZTQVMZ;W1Y]QKSTa[M\XZQWZQ\QM[1TWIL[PML
XIZML LW_V \PQ[ XZWJTMU \W Q\[ M[[MV\QIT MT
MUMV\[LQL\PMNM_\PQVO[\PI\PIL\WJMLWVM
LQL\PMU^MZa_MTTIVL1_I[_QTTQVO\WOWIT[IKZQ
KM1SVM_\PI\\PMPQOPM[\XZQWZQ\a_I[\W[I^M
TQ^M[IVL1_I[UWZM\PIV_QTTQVO\WOQ^M]X\ZaQVO
\W[I^M\PMIQZXTIVM^MZaMIZTaWVQVWZLMZ\WLW
\PI\)VL\PI\_I[IVMI[aKPWQKMNWZUM\WUISM
IT\PW]OPI[C.QZ[\7KMZE2M;SQTM[_W]TL\MTTUM
tion not being able to pull the nose up quite as
far as you might have wanted to? <PMIV[_MZQ[
IT WAS JW\P4M\UMJIKS]XITQ\\TMJQ\?Q\PQV\_W[MK
WVL[WN \PMJQZL[\ZQSMIVL\PZ][\TW[[_MSVW_
OBVIOUS FROM NZWU\PMKWKSXQ\^WQKMZMKWZLMZIVLNZWU\PMQOP\
LI\IZMKWZLMZ1PIL\ISMVJaUMUWZa\PMZ[\\_W
THE VERY ZMUMLQITIK\QWV[\PI\_W]TLPMTX][\PMUW[\\PI\
_M_W]TLTI\MZOM\\WWV\PMKPMKSTQ[\W^MZIUQV]\M
BEGINNING TI\MZW^MZI\PQZLWN \PM_Ia\PZW]OP\PMZMUIQV
QVOQOP\\QUMIVL\PI\_I[\W\]ZVWV\PMMVOQVM
THAT THIS WAS QOVQ\QWV[W\PMMVOQVM[_W]TLZMKW^MZQN \PMaKW]TL
Q\\]ZVMLW]\\PMa_MZMQZZMXIZIJTaLIUIOML
GOING TO BE IVL1[\IZ\ML\PMIQZXTIVM[I]`QTQIZaXW_MZ]VQ\
\PM)8=\WXZW^QLMIJIKS]X[W]ZKMWN MTMK\ZQ
UNLIKE EVERY KITXW_MZ;QVKM\PQ[Q[IaJa_QZMIQZXTIVMIVL
\PMZM[VWTWVOMZILQZMK\UMKPIVQKITKWVVMK\QWV
OTHER FLIGHT _Q\P\PMQOP\KWV\ZWT[QV[\MILaW]PI^MMTMK\ZQKIT
QUX]T[M[\PI\IZMNML\PZW]OPKWUX]\MZ[\PI\\PMV
ID HAD FOR UW^MIK\]I\WZ[;W1SVM_PW_QUXWZ\IV\Q\_I[\W
PI^M]VQV\MZZ]X\MLMTMK\ZQKITXW_MZIVL_MVM^MZ
42 YEARS AND TW[\MTMK\ZQKITXW_MZ*a\PM\QUM\PMTMN\MVOQVM
ZXULMKIaMLMVW]OP\PI\Q\_I[VWTWVOMZXW_
TI\MZAW]X]\IUQTTQWVIQZTQVMZQV\PMZQ^MZ
IVL\PMaKITTaW]IPMZW1[\PQ[IOZMI\KW]V\ZaWZ
_PI\'*]\\PMWX\QWV[_MZM[WKTMIZ=T\QUI\MTa
_MPIL\PMIL^IV\IOMWN IZMTI\Q^MTIKSWN IUJQO]
Q\a1[I_\PMJQZL[_MPMIZLIVLNMT\\PMUOWQVO
QV\W\PMMVOQVM[?MLQLV\PI^M\W[XMVLITW\WN 
\QUM [IaQVO _PI\ R][\ PIXXMVML IVL QV[\MIL
QUUMLQI\MTa[\IZ\MLIVITabQVO\PQ[XZWJTMU?M
_MZMIJTM\WOW^MZaY]QKSTaQV\WPW_LW_M[WT^M
Q\<PI\[I^MLITW\WN \QUM_PMV_MWVTaPILI[Q\
\]ZVMLW]\NZWU\PM\QUM_MPQ\\PMJQZL[IVL\PM
\PZ][\TW[[]V\QT_MPILTIVLML [MKWVL[R][\
]VLMZUQV]\M[;W_MY]QKSTaJMOIV\W_WZS
\WOM\PMZ)VLQ\[IT[WQUXWZ\IV\\WVW\M\PI\ 2M
;SQTM[TQSM1LWPI[PW]Z[WN aQVO\QUM0M
PILJMMVIKIX\IQVWV\PMILQMZMV\\aXMWN 
IQZXTIVMJMNWZM;W_M_MZMIJTM\WKWTTIJWZI\M
_WZLTM[[Ta_PMV\PMZM_I[V\\QUM\WPI^MILQ[K][
[QWVIJW]\\PQ[\PMZM_I[V\\QUMNWZUM\WLQZMK\
OPPOSITE PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHESLEY SULLENBERGER; RIGHT: AP PHOTO/TRELA MEDIA
20,000 HOURS MZQVOQ\[W_VOMVMZI\WZ\PM)8=OMVMZI\WZ_I[
WVTQVM;W_M[\IaMLQVVWZUITTI_ITT\PMQOP\
IN THE AIR. MV^MTWXMXZW\MK\QWV[_MZMQV\IK\<PI\PMTXML
XZW^QLMM[[MV\QITTaO]IZLZIQT[\WXZM^MV\][NZWU
M`KMMLQVOKMZ\IQVM`\ZMUM[QV\MZU[WN [XMMLWZ
I\\Q\]LMNWZM`IUXTM;W1PIL\PI\I[IVIKMQV\PM
PWTM1\\]ZV[W]\_MLQLV\VMML\PW[MXZW\MK\QWV[#
_MVM^MZOW\\W\PMTQUQ\[I\_PQKP\PMa_W]TLPI^M
XZW\MK\ML][NZWUW]Z[MT^M[)\\PM^MZaMVLWN \PM
QOP\I[aW]VW\M1PILVW\aM\IKPQM^ML\PMUI`Q
last-ditch option U]UIMZWLaVIUQKXMZNWZUIVKMWN \PM_QVO_M
Flight 1549 descends PILVW\aM\OW\\MV\W_PI\_MKITTITXPIUI`IVL
toward the Hudson 1_I[L]ZQVO\PMTIVLQVOX]TTQVO\PM[\QKSN]Z\PMZ
River and instant fame. IN\N]Z\PMZIN\\ZaQVO\WUI`QUQbM\PMXMZNWZUIVKM

PQ[M^MZaIK\QWV1PIL\WZMTa]XWVPQUQUUMLQ
I\MTaIVLQV\]Q\Q^MTaSVW_QVO_PI\_I[PIXXMVQVO
IVL SVW_QVO _PI\ PM [PW]TL LW \W PMTX UM
JMKI][M1LQLV\PI^M\QUM\W\MTTPQU\WLW\PI\
0ILPMJMMVTM[[M`XMZQMVKML_MKW]TLV\PI^M
PIL\PM[IUMW]\KWUMIVL\PI\[_PaM`XMZQMVKM
Q[[WQUXWZ\IV\JMKI][MaW]VM^MZSVW_\PZW]OP
W]\IVMV\QZMKIZMMZ_PMVWZM^MVQN aW]ZMOWQVO
\WNIKM[]KPIKPITTMVOMWZ_PI\Q\_QTTJM?PI\[
[WZMUIZSIJTMIJW]\\PQ[1\PQVSQ[\PMNIK\\PI\
]VLMZ\PM[MM`\ZMUMKWVLQ\QWV[WN KZQ[Q[_MOW\[W
U]KP[WZQOP\[WY]QKSTaIVLM^MZaKPWQKM\PI\_M
UILMI\M^MZaR]VK\]ZM\PM6<;*TI\MZ^MZQML_I[
\PMWVM\PI\TML\W\PMJM[\W]\KWUM

You mention in your book the Airbus A320s

various safety systemsdid that in your mind
help or hinder, or both, your ability to ditch in the
Hudson, because I know you specically men-

november 2016 AH 35
AS [FIRST OFFICER] JEFF SKILES WOULD TELL ME LATER,
YOU PUT A $62 MILLION AIRLINER IN THE RIVER AND THEY
CALL YOU A HERO. IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY, OR WHAT?
november 2016 AH 37
 celebrated crew of the wing to get to the nose-high attitude we
From left: Sully, First needed for entry into the water, to get to the slow-
Ofcer Jeffrey Skiles est rate of descent that we could. And it turned out
and Flight Attendants we discovered laterthe investigators discovered
Donna Dent, Doreen Ja[\]LaQVO\PMLI\INZWU\PMLQOQ\ITQOP\LI\I
Welsh and Sheila Dail ZMKWZLMZ\PI\QV\PMTI[\NW]Z[MKWVL[WN \PMQOP\
meet with New York ITQ\\TMSVW_V[WN\_IZMNMI\]ZMWN \PMaJa_QZM
City Mayor Michael system known only to a few software engineers at
Bloomberg on Airbus, but to no airline pilots and no airline opera-
February 9, 2009, to tors, prevented me from achieving that last little
receive keys to the city. bit of performance because of something called
Opposite top: Sully the phugoid mode. And had that not inhibited
and Skiles prepare to our performance, had that not, as the NTSB in
complete their ight to the report euphemistically said, attenuated my
Charlotte, N.C., on inputsnose-up commandwe wouldnt have
October 1, 2009. hit quite so hard, we wouldnt have had as much
damage and [Flight Attendant] Doreen Welsh
might not have been injured in the back when a
XQMKMWN [\Z]K\]ZMKIUM]X\PZW]OP\PMWWZIVL
\PMIQZXTIVMUQOP\PI^MWI\MLITQ\\TMJQ\PQOPMZ
in the water and a little bit longer. So its a mixed
blessing: It prevented us from making egregious
errors, but we didnt anyway, and at the very end
it prevented us from getting the nose up quite as
much as we theoretically should have been able to.
How do you think it might have been different if
you were, say, ying a Boeing airliner? Except for
\PI\WVMQOP\KWV\ZWTUWLM1LWV\\PQVSQ\_W]TL
PI^MUI\\MZML)[TWVOI[1_I[aQVOIVIQZXTIVM
\PI\_I[[QUQTIZTaKWVO]ZMLQVW\PMZ_WZL[\PM
overall geometric structure of the airplane was simi-
lar, with low-slung engines in about the same posi-
tion, I think we would have had a similar outcome.
38 AH november 2016
To what do you attribute the public fascination
with your successful ditching? I think just the way
it happened, when it happened at the time in the
_WZTL[PQ[\WZaL]ZQVO\PM !VIVKQITUMT\-
down when it seemed as if everything was going
wrong and no one could do anything right. It had
IMK\ML[WUIVaXMWXTM[WVMOI\Q^MTa\PI\[WUM
people had begun to question human nature and
wonder if it was really mostly about self-interest
and greed. And then this group of people all came
together, rose to the occasion and in concert made
it their mission in life to see that good was done and
that lives were saved. I think at a time when we all
needed it, it gave people hope, it reassured us that
there was still this human potential for good in each
of us. And I think one of the biggest surprises for
all of us directly involved is that this story did not
fade away at the end of the news cycle like most
stories do, because of the way it happened when
it happened and the way that it continues to touch
and inspire people, even people not associated with
\PQ[QOP\)VL[W1NMMTI[XMKQITZM[XWV[QJQTQ\a\W
this story to treat it with the respect that I feel for it,
because of the way it touches people.
And the people of New York, too, were part of
that whole equation. Absolutely. So as a result of
\PQ[JW\PW]ZZ[\WKMZ2M;SQTM[IVL1NMMTIV
obligation to use this notoriety for good, to use this
bully pulpit to improve the safety of the traveling
public, to improve the state of the piloting profes-
sion. Not to do so would be a dereliction of duty
in our minds, because we feel like we owe it to our
colleagues still working at all the airlines to do that.
 Since weve been chosen temporarily by fate as the
de facto spokespersons for the profession, we dont
want to let them down.
Tell us a little bit about what youve been up to
since your 2009 book. A lot. People know that a
aMIZIN\MZ\PMNIUW][QOP\1ZM\QZMLIN\MZR][\W^MZ
30 years from the airlines, but they dont always
SVW_ITT\PM\PQVO[1^MLWVM\PI\1ZMITTaLQLV\
ZM\QZM#1R][\\ZILML\PI\WVMXZWNM[[QWVNWZ[M^-
MZITW\PMZ[)[IVI]\PWZ1_ZW\MI[MKWVLJWWS
5ISQVOI,QMZMVKM";\WZQM[WN >Q[QWVIVL+W]ZIOM
.ZWU)UMZQKI[4MILMZ[\PI\1U^MZaPIXXa_Q\P
1XZWTMIJW]\ILWbMVXMWXTMIVL_PMV1KPW[M
XMWXTM_PWU1ILUQZML\WXZWTMI[M`MUXTIZ[WN 
TMILMZ[PQX1VMQ\PMZI[SMLVWZKWV[QLMZML\PMQZ
XWTQ\QKITITQI\QWVJ]\QV[\MIL1KPW[MXMWXTM_PW
PILM`PQJQ\MLUWZITKW]ZIOMIVLJaLWQVO\PM
ZQOP\\PQVOI\\PMZQOP\\QUMNWZ\PMZQOP\ZMI[WV[
\PMaPILUILMILQMZMVKMQVXMWXTM[TQ^M[)VL
[W\PI\[[WUM\PQVO1^MJMMVXI[[QWVI\MIJW]\Ua
_PWTMTQNMIVL1_I[^MZaNWZ\]VI\M\WPI^M[WUIVa
W]\[\IVLQVO)UMZQKIV[XIZ\QKQXI\MQV\PQ[[\WZa
IVLKWUM]X_Q\PIV[_MZ[\WITT\PMY]M[\QWV[1
had about leadershiplike are leaders born or
made, how important is culture, how do you man-
IOMaW]ZW_VMOWIVLXZM^MV\Q\NZWUOM\\QVOQV
your way? So that was a real labor of love, and that
KIUMW]\QV1^MJMMVLWQVOITW\WN [XMMKPM[
around the country and in fact around the world.
1^M\ITSML\WI]LQMVKM[I[UIVaI[XMWXTM
NZWU)][\ZITQI\W;_Q\bMZTIVLIVLM^MZa_PMZMQV
JM\_MMV)VLI[1^M\ZI^MTML\PM_WZTLIVLUM\
QUXWZ\IV\XMWXTMQVKT]LQVO[WUM_WZTLTMILMZ[
1^MTMIZVMLITW\IJW]\LQMZMV\I]LQMVKM[IVL
1_WZS^MZaPIZL\WLW\PI\M^MZa\QUM1[XMIS\W
themaudiences as diverse as nuclear power
WXMZI\WZ[\WVIVKQITZQ[SUIVIOMZ[\WUMLQKIT
XZWNM[[QWVIT[1^MLWVMITW\WN \ITSQVO\WUMLQKIT
audiences about how weve made aviation so safe
IVL\PM_Ia[\PI\_MKIV\ZIV[NMZ\PI\SVW_TMLOM
PREVIOUS PAGES: AP PHOTO/EDOUARD H.R. GLUCK; OPPOSITE: AP PHOTO/STEPHEN CHERNIN;
\WUMLQKQVM\WUISMXI\QMV\KIZM[INMZ1^MIT[W
JMMVIKWV[]T\IV\\WQVL][\ZaIOIQVWVIXXTaQVO
aviation-type methods to chemical and other
ABOVE RIGHT: AP PHOTO/SETH WENIG; RIGHT: AP PHOTO/STEPHEN DAY
QVL][\ZQM[)VL1^MIT[WJMMVIVIL^WKI\MNWZ\PM
[INM\aWN \PM\ZI^MTQVOX]JTQK#1^M][ML\PQ[VW\WZQ-
I FEEL AN M\aNWZOWWL\WOW\W+IXQ\WT0QTT1\M[\QMLR][\I
aMIZIOWJMNWZM\PM0W][MIVL\PM;MVI\MI^QI\QWV
OBLIGATION []JKWUUQ\\MM[1_I[QV?I[PQVO\WV,+R][\
last month to try to improve aviation safety and
TO USE THIS \Za\WQVKT]LMQV\PM.))ZMI]\PWZQbI\QWVJQTTUMI-
[]ZM[\PI\_W]TLUISMaQVO[INMZNWZM^MZaJWLa
NOTORIETY... ;W\PI\[IJQONWK][WN UQVM;W1^MJMMV^MZaJ][a
QV\ZaQVO\W[Ia\PI\M^MV\PW]OP1PILIaMIZ
TO IMPROVE KIZMMZQVaQVOM^MVJMNWZM\PMNIUW][QOP\
IVL\PMV\PMZM_I[\PMNIUW][QOP\_PQKP_I[
THE SAFETY OF IUIRWZKWV\ZQJ]\QWV\W[INM\a1U\ZaQVO\WSMMX
WV_WZSQVO[W\PI\Q\UIaJM\PI\QN 1UNWZ\]VI\M
THE TRAVELING IVL_WZSPIZLMVW]OPUaOZMI\M[\KWV\ZQJ]\QWV[
still lie ahead.
PUBLIC.... What do you think are the main challenges the
airline industry faces today? 1\PQVS\PMUIQV
KPITTMVOMQ[\WVL_Ia[\WSMMXUISQVOIQZ\ZI^MT
[INMZ?M^MUILMP]OM[\ZQLM[XIZ\QK]TIZTaQV\PM
IL^IVKML?M[\MZV_WZTLIVLM[XMKQITTaQV\PM
=VQ\ML;\I\M[QV\PMTI[\LMKILM1VNIK\\PMTI[\
help on the way XI[[MVOMZNI\ITQ\aWVITIZOM=;RM\TQVMZQV\PM=;
Ferries and a NYC _I[aMIZ[IOWQV6W^MUJMZ<PI\[VW\
Fire Department boat \Z]MI\\PMZMOQWVIT[IT\PW]OP\PMTI[\ZMOQWVITIQZ-
rescue passengers and line accident now has been awhilethe February
crew from Flight 1549. !KZI[PWN +WV\QVMV\IT+WVVMK\QWV+WTOIV
)QZQV*]ITW1\[JMMVTIZOMTaL]M\W\PM
MWZ\[WN \PM^QK\QU[NIUQTQM[WN \PM*]ITWKZI[P
because of their ardent support for safety mea-
[]ZM[\PI\\PM+WVOZM[[QVZMITTaQUXZW^ML
[WUM\PQVO[QVKT]LQVOXQTW\M`XMZQMVKMUQVQU]U[
that were really very low before and now are more
reasonable. So theres still a lot of pressure, espe-
KQITTa_Q\PQV\PMZMOQWVITQVL][\Za\WLW\PQVO[
\PI\IZMR][\OWWLMVW]OP\WLW\PQVO[\PI\IZMTM[[
KW[\Ta\PI\IZMUWZMM`XMLQMV\\PI\IZMMI[QMZ)VL
_MPI^M\WSMMXZMUQVLQVOM^MZaWVM\PMIQZTQVM[
\PM.))IVLW\PMZ[\PI\_PMV_MOW]XQVIV
IQZTQVMZ\WOM\PMZ_PI\_MZMZMITTaLWQVOQV[XQ\M
WN PW_ZW]\QVMIVL[INMQ\[MMU[Q[_MZMX][PQVO
I\]JMTTML_Q\PXMWXTM\PZW]OP\PM]XXMZI\UW[
XPMZMWZ UQTM[IJW^M\PMMIZ\PI\ XMZKMV\
november 2016 AH 39

of the speed of sound, in a hostile environment
with outside air pressure one-quarter that at the
surface and outside temperatures to minus 70, and
we must return it safely to the surface every time.
We make it look easy, but its not. So we cant take
W]ZMaMW\PMJITT?MPI^M\W][MJQOLI\I_MPI^M
\W][MITTSQVL[WN [INM\aZMXWZ\QVOIVLI]LQ\QVO
[a[\MU[\WTWWSNWZZQ[S[IVLUQ\QOI\M\PMUJMNWZM
they can lead to a bad outcome. And we need to
UISM[]ZM\PI\I[_M\ZIV[Q\QWVNZWUUaOMVMZI-
\QWVWN XQTW\[\W\PMVM`\OMVMZI\QWV[\PI\\PMaPI^M
\PI\[IUMLQTQOMVKM\PI\[IUMLQ[KQXTQVM\PI\[IUM
]VLMZ[\IVLQVO\PI\R][\OWWLMVW]OPQ[V\IVL\PI\
they have learned and internalized the lessons of
historic accidents to remember why its important
\PI\_MLWITT\PM\PQVO[_MLW\WSMMXW]ZXI[[MV-
OMZ[[INMWVM^MZaQOP\WVM^MZaLIa
What is your opinion of the airline pilot short-
age, and why do you think fewer youngsters
are interested in learning to y? Well, all of us
choose our life path based upon not only our pas-
sion but its ability to be a viable, sustainable path
for ourselves and eventually for our families. Your
passion only carries you so far. At some point all of
][IZMOWQVO\W_IV\\WJMIJTM\WPI^M\PMUMIV[\W
J]aIKIZ\WOM\UIZZQML\WJ]aIPW][M\WPI^M
a path that makes economic sense for us. And if
\PMMV\ZaTM^MT_IOM[IVL_WZSQVOKWVLQ\QWV[IVL
JMVM\[WN [WUMWN \PM[M[UITTZMOQWVITIQZTQVM[IZM
VW\[]KQMV\\WLW\PI\WN KW]Z[M\PMaZMVW\OWQVO
to attract experienced applicants in the numbers
\PMa_W]TLTQSM<PMZMQ[V\K]ZZMV\TaI[PWZ\IOM
WN XQTW\[QV\PQ[KW]V\ZaJ]\\PMZMQ[I[PWZ\IOMWN 
XQTW\[_QTTQVO\W_WZSNWZ[\IZ^I\QWVNWWL[\IUX
TM^MT_IOM[I\[WUMWN \PM[UITTM[\KIZZQMZ[\PI\
PI^MIZQOP\TaLM[MZ^MLZMX]\I\QWVNWZJMQVOVW\
OWWLXTIKM[\W_WZS)VL[W1\PQVS\PMQVL][\Za
40 AH november 2016
as a whole needs to look at this broken economic
UWLMT\PI\[WUMWN \PMZMOQWVITIQZTQVM[KWV\QV]M
\W\Za\W][MIVL[WUMWN \PMTIZOMUIRWZKIZZQMZ[
have helped to create because they have created
I[a[\MUQV_PQKP\PM[UITTMZZMOQWVIT[KWUXM\M
WV\PMJI[Q[WN KW[\\WJM\PMQZZMOQWVITITQI\M1V
W\PMZ_WZL[\PMTIZOMUIRWZKIZZQMZ[WN\MVKPWW[M
\PMTW_M[\JQLLMZ\WJM\PMQZITQI\MQVIZMOQWV
IVL[W1\PQVS\PMa^MPMTXML\WKZMI\M\PMXZWJTMU
IVL\PMaPI^MIZM[XWV[QJQTQ\aQVPMTXQVO\W`Q\
How about the increasing reliance on automa-
tiondo you think theres been an erosion in air-
line piloting skills? 1VW\WVTa\PQVS\PI\J]\[\]LQM[
have indicated that. And its even worse than that.
There have been several studies that have shown
\PI\VW\WVTaPI[W^MZZMTQIVKMWVI]\WUI\QWVOQ^MV
XQTW\[NM_MZWXXWZ\]VQ\QM[\WUIV]ITTaXZIK\QKMa-
QVO[SQTT[IVL\PI\\PMQZaQVO[SQTT[PI^M[WUM_PI\
eroded because of that, but even worse, these stud-
QM[PI^MNW]VL\PI\JMQVOIVWJ[MZ^MZIUWVQ\WZWN 
I]\WUI\ML[a[\MU[aQVO\PMIQZXTIVML]ZQVOTIZOM
XWZ\QWV[WN \PMQOP\PI[MZWLML\PMXQTW\[IJQT-
WE NEED TO
Q\a\WJMUMV\ITTaMVOIOMLSMMX\ZIKSWN _PI\[
PIXXMVQVO_Q\P\PMIQZXTIVMIVLZM[XWVLY]QKSTa
FIND BETTER
MVW]OPIVLMMK\Q^MTaMVW]OP_PMV\PMaVMML
\WQV\MZ^MVM;WQ\[[IXXML\PMQZaQVO[SQTT[Q\[
WAYS TO KEEP
[IXXML\PMKWVLMVKM\PMaPI^MQV\PMQZUIV]IT
aQVO[SQTT[IVLQ\[[TW_ML\PMQZ_QTTQVOVM[[IVL
PILOTS SHARP,
\PMQZIJQTQ\a\WY]QKSTaIVLMMK\Q^MTaQV\MZ^MVM
_PMV\PMaU][\M`MZKQ[M\PMQZaQVO[SQTT[IVL
TO KEEP THEM
QV[\MILSMMXWV\ZaQVO\W][MWZ`\PMI]\WUI\QWV
;W\PQ[TIKSWN IJQTQ\a\WY]QKSTaIVITabMIVLO]ZM
ENGAGED IN
W]\_PI\[OWQVOWVJMKI][MWN \PQ[UMV\ITTa\IS-
QVOI[\MXJIKSIVLVW\JMQVOI[IK\Q^MTaUMV\ITTa
EVERY ASPECT
MVOIOML_Q\P\PM_PWTMXZWKM[[\PZW]OPW]\\PM
QOP\Q[_PI\\ZW]JTM[UMM^MVUWZM\PIV\PMTIKS
OF THE FLIGHT.
WN WZ\PMLQUQV]\QWVWN UIV]ITaQVO[SQTT[*]\
\PMaOWPIVLQVPIVL)VL[W_MVMML\WVLJM\\MZ
_Ia[\WSMMXXQTW\[[PIZX\WSMMX\PMUMVOIOMLQV
M^MZaI[XMK\WN \PMQOP\)VLQ\UIaUMIV\PI\
_MVMML\WZM\PQVS\PMLM[QOVWN W]ZKWKSXQ\[\W
OQ^MXQTW\[IUWZMIK\Q^MZWTMIVLPI^M\PMI]\W-
UI\QWVLWUWZMWN \PMUWVQ\WZQVOQV[\MILWN \PM
ZM^MZ[MJMKI][MP]UIV[IZMVW\QVPMZMV\TaOWWL
I\UWVQ\WZQVO
A lot of people consider you a hero, and in your
book you said youre not comfortable with that.
How do you feel about that now? ?MTT1^M[XMV\
aMIZ[KWUQVO\W\MZU[_Q\P\PI\)VL1^MOW\\MVI
OZMI\MZIXXZMKQI\QWVNWZXMWXTM[VMML\WNMMT\PI\
_Ia)VL1\ISMQ\I[IZMITZM[XWV[QJQTQ\aNWZUM
grateful survivor to be the public face of this event, and to receive
The captain talks with XMWXTM[\PIVS[JMKI][M\PMaPI^MIVMML\WOQ^M
Flight 1549 passenger Q\)VL1_IV\\WPWVWZ\PI\J]\I\\PM[IUM\QUM
Pam Seagle beside the 1SVW_\PI\_PQTM_M_MZMLWQVOW]ZRWJ[\PI\
A320 fuselage at the LIa_MLQLW]ZRWJ[M`KMX\QWVITTa_MTTXZWJIJTa
Carolinas Aviation better than could have been expected under the
Museum in June 2011. circumstances. 
 How does it feel
to have Americas
everyman actor
playing you?
Well, Jimmy Stew-
art wasnt available
[laughter]. I think its
a great choice.

veteran filmmakers Whats the nature of

The A320 glides over the your involvement?
Hudson River (above) in Ive had a small role as
Sully, directed by Clint a consultant on the
Eastwood and starring lm, which Im very
Tom Hanks (shown below glad, because, I mean,
discussing a scene). its my life and the life
of my family and the
lives of the people on
our ight. So this
obviously matters to
me. And Im really
impressed with the

SULLY: THE MOVIE

way that theyre
handling it. The few
times my wife and I
When did you learn a screenwriter and He actually came to had a chance to visit
they wanted to make came up with a script. the house last May on the set during
a movie from your And then it had not [2015], and then once lming, it seemed like
book, and what was found a home until some of the casting everybody in the cast
your reaction? early May 2015, when decisions were made and crew, and there
Well it was in 2010 the script was read by Tom Hanks came to were sometimes
that I was approached Clint Eastwood and he the house last summer. hundreds of people
by a producer who loved it. He immedi- Principal photography there, treated this with
optioned the dramatic ately contacted War- began in New York in the kind of respect
rights to my rst book, ner Bros., and the train late September, and it that I really was
Highest Duty: My left the station and has was all completed by impressed by.
Search for What Really been hurtling down late November or early
Matters, and she hired the tracks ever since. December. And of Whats it been like
OPPOSITE: AP PHOTO/CHUCK BURTON; ABOVE: WARNER BROS.; RIGHT: STEVE SANDS/GC IMAGES

course its in post- working with a

production now and Hollywood legend
it will be released in like Clint Eastwood?
theaters in the U.S. It must be a privilege.
on September 9. So It is. Class act, very
the story has found dedicated, been doing
a good home, its in this a long time. Very
good handsveteran successful coming off
lmmakers and great the heels just a year
storytellers. And of ago with American
course Tom Hanks is Sniper. And hes got a
our everyman, hes well-earned reputation
played a lot of real for being very efcient
people before, includ- and getting it done
ing people Ive met, quickly, on time and
like Captain James under budget. And
Lovell of Apollo 13, taking good care of
so were looking for- the story.
ward to it. C.v.W

november 2016 AH 41
 bustling airfield
Curtiss JN-4Ds on the
ight line prepare to take
off while other Jennies
undergo maintenance at
Rockwell Field in 1918.

42 AH november 2016
TRAINING COMBAT
PILOTS ON NORTH ISLAND
IN A SERIES OF PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED IMAGES,
RENOWNED NEW YORK NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER
EDWARD N. JACKSON DOCUMENTED EARLY FLIGHT
TRAINING AT ROCKWELL FIELD BY JOSEPH J. CARO
 IT WAS SWELTERING HOT
ON NORTH ISLAND DURING
THE SUMMER OF 1918, RECALLED
PHOTOGRAPHER EDDIE JACKSON.
Clouds of dust and sand turned your eyelids into grainy sand- old lieutenant, who just a year
paper and permeated your clothing right down to your private earlier had been a press pho-
parts, he wrote. I couldnt use my camera equipment for days tographer in New York City.
at a time for fear of damaging its delicate workings. August, I Rockwell Field was origi-
found, is not the best time of the year to be in the San Diego nally known as the Signal
area of California. Corps Aviation School, but
Jackson had spent more than a month photographing the new it was renamed in September
U.S. Army training facilities at Camp Lewis in Washington state 1912 to memorialize 2nd Lt.
and Camp Kearny in southern California as part of his assign- Lewis C. Rockwell, killed in
ment from the Army Signal Corps. In May he had moved farther the crash of a Wright Model
south to document the new pilot training facility at Rockwell B at College Park, Md. The
Field on North Island. It was a formidable task for the 35-year- IZMI[KTMIZ[SQM[I\\MZZIQV
good beaches and protected
waters had attracted aviation
pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss
to North Island, where he
established an aviation school
in February 1911. Curtiss
invited the Army and Navy to
[MVLWKMZ[\WPQ[VM_[KPWWT
NWZQOP\\ZIQVQVOIVLY]QKSTa
contracted with the Signal
+WZX[\WZMTWKI\MQ\[MLOTQVO
pilot training facility from
College Park to sunny San
,QMOW<PMZ[\QOP\[\]LMV\
contingent was just three men.
Pilots from the American
6th and 7th Aero squadrons
attended ground school and
]VLMZ_MV\JI[QKQOP\\ZIQV-
ing at Rockwell Field. For a
short time they even helped
build and repair the aircraft
\PMaM_2IKS[WVVW\ML
We all lived in canvas tents
a few yards from the dirt run-
way he wrote, and were
often called to help fill pot-
holes and to clear the runway
of landing-damaged planes.
Jackson recalled that on his

44 AH november 2016
 observers-eye view
Eddie Jacksons shot of
Rockwell from a Jennys rear
cockpit. Opposite: Camera in
hand, the photographer poses
with a pilot before a ight.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSEPH J. CARO
detail work Mechanics
overhaul Curtiss OX-5
engines (top), and Army
personnel apply Allied
cockades to Jenny wings.
 learning their trade
The pilot of a Canadian-
built Curtiss Canuck practices
ight maneuvers. Below: An
Z[\LIaI\:WKS_MTT.QMTLI observer prepares for a
+]Z\Q[[262MVVaPQ\IXW\ photo session aloft.
PWTMQV\PMZ]V_IaWVTIVLQVO
JZMISQVOU]KPWN \PM]VLMZ
KIZZQIOM?PMV\PML][\[M\
\TML\PMZM_I[VW\U]KPTMN\WN 
\PMXTIVMJ]\\PMQV[\Z]K\WZ
IVL[\]LMV\XQTW\_ITSMLI_Ia
NZWU\PMKZI[PVWVM\PMTM[[
IOWWLTIVLQVO
6M^MZINTaQVOMV\P][QI[\
2IKS[WVI[SMLIQOP\QV[\Z]K
\WZ\WOQ^MPQUITM[[WV\WJM\\MZ
]VLMZ[\IVL_PI\_I[ZMY]QZML
WN \PM[\]LMV\[<PQ[_I[QV
ILLQ\QWV\WPQ[NTQOP\[I[IV
WJ[MZ^MZIVLXPW\WOZIXPMZ
5aZ[\QOP\_I[MIZTaWVI
PW\+ITQNWZVQIUWZVQVO_PMV
\PM_QVL_I[VWUWZM\PIVI
_PQ[XMZPMZMKW]V\ML<PM
\ISMW_I[^MZaXTMI[IV\I[
_I[\PM^QM_WN \PMKW]V\Za
[QLMI\IVIT\Q\]LMWN 
NMM\5aQV[\Z]K\WZ[Q\\QVOQV
\PMJIKSKWKSXQ\\IXXMLUa
[PW]TLMZIVLQVLQKI\ML_Q\PI QVOTa[IQL\PI\PMPILV\[MMV LIaIN\MZ\PI\IVLMVRWaML\PM
[UQTMWVPQ[NIKMW^MZ\PMZWIZ IJZQOP\MZ[PILMWN OZMMV\PIV M`XMZQMVKMUW[\WN \PM\QUM
WN \PMMVOQVMIKQZKTQVOPIVL
OM[\]ZM_PQKP1[WWVNW]VL
UaNIKMQVITWVO\QUM
)N\MZ1[\MXXML\W\PM[QLM AS I LITERALLY WVIVMUX\a[\WUIKP
*a \PM \QUM PQ[ :WKS_MTT
\WUMIVPMQV\MVLML\WTWWX
\PM XTIVM )N\MZ [M^MZIT WN 
WN \PMXTIVMIVL^WQLMLUa[MTN 
WN UaZMKMV\JZMISNI[\1ZMIT CRAWLED OUT .QMTL I[[QOVUMV\ _I[ KWU
XTM\ML2IKS[WV[IQLPMPIL
\PM[M IMZWJI\QK UIVM]^MZ[
_M\PIVSN]TTaZM\]ZVML\W\PM
QbML_Pa\PM[\]LMV\XQTW\[[MT
LWUPILIVaJZMISNI[\JMNWZM OF THE COCKPIT, TWOOMLUWZMNTaQVOPW]Z[QV
2MVVa[ \PIV UW[\ OZIL]I\
MTL)[1TQ\MZITTaKZI_TMLW]\
WN \PMKWKSXQ\\PMXQTW\TI]OP
\PMa PIL I UWZVQVO NTQOP\
[KPML]TML1M_UW[\M^MZa THE PILOT QVOXQTW\[<PMXPW\WOZIXPMZ
_W]TLOWWV\W[XMVLVMIZTaI
LAUGHINGLY SAID aMIZQV.ZIVKMMIZVQVO[M^MZIT
UQTQ\IZaKWUUMVLI\QWV[IVL
THAT HE HADNT IJI\\TMMTLXZWUW\QWV\WKIX
\IQV_Q\P\PM\P,Q^Q[QWV
SEEN A BRIGHTER Joseph Caros book 7V)[[QOV
SHADE OF GREEN UMV\" <PM /ZMI\ ?IZ takes
readers from Jacksons prewar
THAN MY FACE press photography through military
training and the war itself, to his
IN A LONG TIME. assignment as President Woodrow
Wilsons postwar photographer in
Europe. See edwardnjackson.com
for more info.

november 2016 AH 47
 DRONES:
THE HOLLYWOOD
CONNECTION
ACTOR REGINALD DENNY WAS INSTRUMENTAL
IN LAUNCHING THE TARGET DRONE, AND HIS
FACTORY LAUNCHED A NEW STAR BY ROBERT GUTTMAN

48 AH november 2016
dual roles Actor Reginald
Dennys interest in ying
models led him to play a vital
part in radio-controlled
aviation during World War II.
 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
(UAS), BETTER KNOWN AS DRONES,
HAVE GENERATED PLENTY OF
CONTROVERSY IN RECENT YEARS.
showman Denny displays
his wares to a budding
generation of Junior Birdmen.
50 AH november 2016
In addition to questions surrounding their employment in mili- Royal Flying Corps during
tary strikes, the explosive growth of drones in hobbyist circles World War I, serving as an
has forced the FAA to formulate rules governing their private observer/air gunner in Bristol
][M.M_IZMI_IZMPW_M^MZ\PI\\PMZ[\ZMUW\MTaXQTW\ML F.2B Fighters with a home
[KITMLIQZKZIN\LI\MJIKS\W![aQVOUWLMTPWJJaQ[\[)VL defense night fighter squad-
WVMWN \PMUW[\[]ZXZQ[QVOIVLTQ\\TMSVW_VI[XMK\[WN \PMZ[\ ron. He was wounded, appar-
military drones is their connection to Hollywood. ently by friendly anti-aircraft
That Tinseltown connection was embodied by Reginald ZML]ZQVOIVQOP\\QUMQV\MZ-
Denny, a well-known stage and screen actor who appeared in ception training mission. He
VMIZTaTU[QV\PMKW]Z[MWN IKIZMMZ[XIVVQVOUWZM\PIV ZMKW^MZML[]KQMV\Ta\WKWU-
half a century. Born in Britain, he was the son of a stock com- plete his pilot training, but not
pany actor who performed in Gilbert and Sullivans operettas. in time to see any aerial com-
Denny began acting professionally at age 6, and appeared in bat before the war ended.
PQ[Z[\UW\QWVXQK\]ZMQV!0MIT[WJMKIUMI*ZQ\Q[PIUI- Denny resumed his acting
teur boxing champion. Denny interrupted his career to join the career after WWI and starred
in numerous Holly wood
[QTMV\TU[JW\PLZIUI[IVL
comedies. Once the talkies
arrived, however, his English
accent and advancing age
meant that he was more in
demand for character parts,
and he became a familiar face
in a wide variety of support-
PREVIOUS PAGES: JIM DUNKIN; OPPOSITE & ABOVE: RIGHTER FAMILY ARCHIVES; RIGHT: PETE SOULE
ing roles, usually as an impec-
cable English gentleman or
military officer. Denny also
continued to fly, joining an
elite group of Hollywood
stunt pilots known as the
Thirteen Black Cats. That
group included Art Goebel,
winner of the tragic 1927 Dole
Air Race from California to
Hawaii, during which six of
the eight airplanes that par-
ticipated crashed, with the loss
of 10 lives.
Dennys interest in remote-
KWV\ZWTaQVOJMOIVWVMLIa
in the early 1930s when he
WMZML\WI[[Q[\IVMQOPJWZ[
son who was trying to fly a
model airplane. The plane
higher aims Paul Whittier
(left) and the actor ready
their RP-1 for a ight in 1935.
Below: Dennys Hollywood
hobby shop was in business
from 1935 to 1963.

crashed, and a contrite Denny insisted upon building a new one design after Righter demon-
for the boy. That experience got the actor hooked on model air- strated its reliability by con-
plane building to such an extent that in 1934 he opened a hobby
shop, selling models of his own design. It quickly expanded into DENNY HAD THE structing 10 prototypes and
Z]VVQVO\PMUITTI\W]\NWZ
a business, Reginald Denny Industries, through which he mar-
SM\MLPQ[TQVMWN ,MVVa8TIVMaQVOUWLMT[ VISION TO REALIZE 50 hours. That demonstra-
tion marked the beginning of
Denny also sold miniature gasoline engines for model planes.
Designed and built by 1928 California Institute of Technology THE MILITARY a fruitful association between
the two men that would con-
OZIL]I\M?IT\MZ:QOP\MZPQ[,MVVaUQ\M_I[\PMZ[\\Z]TaZMTQ-
able model airplane engine on the market. Denny selected the POTENTIAL OF tinue for many years.
During that period Denny

EMPLOYING also became acquainted with

the work of fellow model air-

REMOTELY plane and radio enthusiast

Kenneth Case, who had devel-

CONTROLLED oped an efficient miniature

radio-control system. Denny

MODEL AIRPLANES had the vision to realize the

military potential of employ-

AS AERIAL TARGETS. ing remotely controlled model

airplanes as aerial targets. At
a meeting on the subject that
he arranged with Lt. Col. W.S.

november 2016 AH 51
 first army Uav A series Thiel of the Coast Artillery, Denny learned it cost the U.S. Army demonstrated several more
of photos shows the RP-4 $300 to tow an aerial target behind an airplane. Such targets improved prototypes before
being prepared for a test were regarded as less than ideal for training because they had \PM)ZUaIKKMX\ML\PM:8
launch in 1939. The model to be towed in a straight line, they didnt resemble real airplanes 53 of which were ordered in
would be adopted under the and gunners often couldnt tell if they had hit the target. May 1939 under the Army
military designation OQ-1. Moreover, the towing aircraft and their crews could be struck LM[QOVI\QWV79ZMMK\QVO
JaO]VZM,MVVaXZWXW[ML\PI\IZMUW\MKWV\ZWTTMLUWLMT Q\[KTI[[QKI\QWVI[I[]J[KITM
IQZXTIVM_W]TL[MZ^M\PMX]ZXW[MNIZUWZMMMK\Q^MTaIVLPM \IZOM\ <PM 79 WZLMZ
persuaded the Army to allow him to proceed with its develop ZMXZM[MV\ML\PMZ[\WN I\W\IT
UMV\1V!,MVVaIVLVIVKQMZ8I]T?PQ\\QMZM[\IJTQ[PML WN  !\IZOM\LZWVM[WN ITT
\PM:ILQWXTIVM+WUXIVa_Q\P\PMOWITWN LM^MTWXQVOZILQW types that Radioplane would
controlled airplanes for use by the military as aerial targets. XZWL]KML]ZQVO?WZTL?IZ11
,MVVa1VL][\ZQM[Z[\ZMUW\MKWV\ZWTTMLIMZQIT\IZOM\_I[ 1V!:ILQWXTIVM[:8
\PM:8:ILQW8TIVMIXW]VLPQOP_QVOUWVWXTIVM LM[QOV LM[QOVI\ML 79
_Q\PINWW\_QVO[XIV1\_I[XW_MZMLJaIPX[\ZWSM by the Army, succeeded the
KaTQVLMZMVOQVMJ]QT\Ja?IT\MZ:QOP\MZ)N\MZ,MVVaIVL 79 WV \PM XZWL]K\QWV
:QOP\MZLMUWV[\ZI\ML\PM:8\W\PM)ZUaQV.MJZ]IZa!  line. It featured a number of
\PMWKQIT[_MZM[]KQMV\TaQUXZM[[ML_Q\PQ\[XW\MV\QIT\W improvements, including a
invite Denny to continue development. Radioplane built and VM_KaTQVLMZPWZQbWV\ITTa

52 AH november 2016
 opposed engine driving contrarotating propellers. The U.S.
Navy also used it under the designation TDD-1 (for Target
Drone, Denny).
Featuring steel-tube construction, the OQ-2 was 8 feet 8
inches long, had a wingspan of 12 feet 3 inches and weighed
104 pounds. Powered by a 7-hp Righter engine, it had a top
speed of 85 mph and could remain airborne for an hour. The
drone was launched from a catapult and, although equipped
with a wheeled landing gear, was typically recovered by a para-
chute stowed inside the fuselage. While not as fast as a full-sized
airplane, the diminutive drone seemed to be moving faster than
Q\IK\]ITTa_I[UISQVOQ\ILQK]T\\IZOM\\WPQ\
In 1943 the OQ-2 was superseded by the improved OQ-3,
the most-produced variant, with 9,403 examples built. The
OQ-3 was sturdier than the OQ-2 and had a more powerful
8-hp engine that increased its maximum speed to 102 mph. It
was also simpler, dispensing with the contrarotating propellers
and wheeled landing gear, and relying solely on the parachute
for recovery.
Although Radioplanes activities and products were consid-
MZMLPQOPTaKTI[[QMLWVWVMWKKI[QWVQV2]VM!IV)ZUa
public relations photographer with the 1st Motion Picture Unit,
Sergeant David Conover, visited the factory in Van Nuys, Calif.,
to document its operations. Conover was evidently less interested
in what was being built in the plant than he was in a particu-
TIZTaI\\ZIK\Q^MNMUITM_WZSMZ\PMZM6WZUI2MIVM,W]OPMZ\a
1\UIaPI^MJMMV\PMZ[\\QUM,W]OPMZ\a_I[VW\QKMLJ]\Q\ model employee
would not be the last. Conover arranged a modeling audition Norma Jeane Dougherty,
for her that eventually led to a contract with the Blue Book
Model Agency. She subsequently changed her hair color and WHILE NOT AS FAST later to gain fame as Marilyn
Monroe, assembles an OQ-3
VIUMMV\MZQVO\PMXW[\_IZTUQVL][\ZaI[5IZQTaV5WVZWM
After WWII, Radioplane was involved in modifying four AS A FULL-SIZED at the Radioplane factory in
the summer of 1945.
/Z]UUIV..0MTTKI\OP\MZ[I[ZILQWKWV\ZWTTMLLZWVM[\Wa
reconnaissance missions through the nuclear blast zone at Bikini AIRPLANE, THE OQ-2 Hills Cemetery.
Atoll during Operation Crossroads in 1946. The four Hellcats
_MZMW_VNZWU=;;Shangri-La, and Denny was on board the DRONE SEEMED TO The company Reginald
Denny had founded contin-
aircraft carrier at Bikini to assist in setting up the drones and
ensuring they worked correctly. BE MOVING FASTER ued to produce improved ver-
sions of its target drones, the
Denny sold his interest in Radioplane in 1948, after post-
war demand for radio-controlled targets began to diminish. THAN IT ACTUALLY most successful of which was
the MQM-36 Shelduck, with
He continued to play character roles on the large and small
[KZMMV0Q[TI[\TU_I[\PM.ZIVS;QVI\ZIKZQUMKIXMZAssault WAS, MAKING IT 60,000 built during a decades-
long production run. When

taking wing
DIFFICULT TO HIT. Northrop bought the com-
pany in 1952, it became the
Radioplane Division. Later
the name was changed to the
OPPOSITE & RIGHT: NATIONAL ARCHIVES; ABOVE: DAVID CONOVER/YANK

An OQ-2A drone is
catapulted skyward.
on a Queen in 1966, and his last
television appearances were
in the campy Batman series
that same year. He died of a
stroke while visiting his native
England, but he was buried
near his adopted home, at
Forest LawnLos Angeles
Ventura Division, Northrop
Corporation. 
Robert Guttman writes frequently
for Aviation History from
Tappan, N.Y. For more on
Reginald Denny and Radioplane,
see ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/
denny.html.

november 2016 AH 53
 A P-38 PILOT
REMEMBERED
AT A VE-DAY EVENT IN FRANCE, A COMMUNITY
THAT HAD DEFIED THE GERMANS DURING THE WAR
CAME TOGETHER TO HONOR A FALLEN AMERICAN
AIRMAN BY GARY METIVIER AND MARY MASONHOLDER WILSON

lightning strike
A Ninth Air Force
P-38J strafes a freight
train. Major Lawrence
Herrick (opposite) died
PHOTOS: NATIONAL ARCHIVES

in northern France
while leading an attack
on trains resupplying
the Germans in 1944.

november 2016 AH 55
 ON AUGUST 5, 1944, MAJOR
LAWRENCE HERRICK SET OUT
FOR THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE
ON ANOTHER MISSION IN HIS
LOCKHEED P-38J LIGHTNING.Allied forces were already making rapid advances
following the June 6 Normandy invasion, pav-
ing the way for the three squadrons of the 370th
Fighter Group to set up camp in Cardonville,
about 12 miles west of Omaha Beach. Their
mission: stop the trains that were resupplying the
Germans as the Allies pushed them back.
Major Herrick, who at age 24 had already been
decorated with the Air Medal and the Distin-
guished Flying Cross for his actions in Germany
and occupied territories, found himself com-
manding the 485th Fighter Squadron in northern
France. His entire squadron was composed of
pilots in their mid-20smen who were willing and
eager to do whatever it took to get the job done.
Herricks son Richard would later learn his
NI\PMZPILIXI[[QWVNWZaQVO1VITM\\MZ\WUa
UW\PMZPM[IQLPM_W]TLZI\PMZOWWV[WUMaQVO
missions than have a two-day pass, he said.
As the pilots fanned out looking for targets, it
LQLV\\ISMTWVONWZ0MZZQKS\WVLPQ[<PMJQTTW_-
ing trail from its smokestack marked a train loaded
with supplies chugging its way through the farms
and small towns.
The American pilots knew that many of these
trains were operated by French crews that had
been forced into service by the occupying Ger-
mans. Herricks next moves were made to save
those French lives if possible, but those maneuvers
would put his life on the line. He had to carefully
balance his concern for French civilians with his
WKQITWJRMK\Q^M"4I_ZMVKM0MZZQKS[RWJ_I[\W
get rid of that train, said Richards sister, Mary
Masonholder Wilson.
Witnesses on the ground watched as Herrick
[_WWXMLLW_VW^MZ\PM\ZIQV1\_I[I_IZVQVONWZ
mission ready \PMKZM_UMVIKPIVKMNWZ\PMU\WR]UXWJMNWZM
Herrick poses with his PMKIUMJIKSIZW]VL\WVQ[P\PMRWJ.IQZ_IZV-
P-38J before setting ing given, Herrick moved in to take out the train.
out on a sortie from With machine guns and cannon blazing, he strafed
Cardonville, France. it rather than dropping the bombs he was carrying.
56 AH november 2016
As he pulled up and turned from his target, a loud
explosion rocked the countryside.
Herricks fellow 485th pilots documented what
\PMa[I_4QM]\MVIV\?QTTQIU<9]QTIVPQ[_QVO-
UIVZMKITTML"1M_V]UJMZ\_WXW[Q\QWVWV
a mission over France with the squadron com-
mander. [He] went down to strafe a locomotive.
We had not dropped our bombs. The major made
a low pass and blew up the boiler of the loco-
UW\Q^MIVL1NWTTW_MLIJW]\ aIZL[JMPQVL
When Major Herrick had completed a 180-
degree turn and had reached approximately 2,500
NMM\1[I_PQ[IQZXTIVMM`XTWLM
0IZZa4I_LMZZMKWZLML":QOP\IN\MZPMX]TTML
W\PM\IZOM\1[I\]XZQOP\JM[QLMPQU0MTT1
wasnt more than 50 feet away, maybe, when that
[]KSMZ_MV\1\_I[R][\TQSMIKTIaXQOMWVJMQVOPQ\
if youve ever seen them. Powder, just plain pow-
LMZ1U[]ZMIJWUJ_MV\W1_I[aQVOV]UJMZ
0MIVL9]QTIV_MV\LW_V\W[\ZINMI\IZOM\IVL
_MM_KW^MZ)[\PMaUILMITMN\\]ZVIVLX]TTML
WIVLKIUMJIKS]X_Q\PIT\Q\]LM1R][\RWQVML]X
real quick with him and, bang, it went up like that.
4WKITNIZUMZ[_MZMUQVLQVO[PMMXIVLKW_[
and harvesting wheat and hay when the explosion
ABOVE: NATIONAL ARCHIVES; OPPOSITE PHOTOS: REUGNY-NEUILLE.BLOGSPOT.FR
stopped them in their tracks. Georges Duchemin
_I[IUWVO\PMU1_I[PMZLQVO[PMMXQVIMTL
near my parents farm called la Touchareau, he
[IQL1\_I[IZW]VL"IU1\PMVPMIZL\PM
noise of several airplanes coming from Crotelles
IVLaQVO\W_IZL:M]OVa)[\PMa_MZMW^MZ\PM
*MTIQZNIZU1[I_WVMWN \PMULQ[QV\MOZI\QVO
in the air in a violent blast. One engine and one
_QVONMTTQVIMTLJMTWVOQVO\WUaXIZMV\[IVL
SMX\J]ZVQVONWZITWVO\QUM1Y]QKSTaJZW]OP\
the sheep back to the farm and went closer to the
crash site.
Children and adults ran to the scene to collect
parts of the aircraft. Grard Brmon, then 16,
ZMUMUJMZML";]LLMVTa\PMIQZKZIN\M`XTWLML
_PQTMaQVOW^MZ\PM*MTIQZNIZU?M_MZM^MZa
scared because we thought debris would fall on us.
A parachute with no pilot hanging under it came
LW_VIVLWI\MLVMIZ*W]IZL?M_MV\\W\PM
crash site with my brother with a tool box and a
bag. The Germans were there so we waited until
they left and removed the regulation device from
one of the propellers and took it with us.
A younger boy, Jacques Niot, was there too. His
parents worked for the French railroad north of
:M]OVa*MKI][MWN \PMOZW_QVOLIVOMZ[WN I\\IKS[
on trains by the Allies, they had sent the boy and
his grandparents to live with friends on a farm in
the area.
Niot recovered an ammo belt from one of the
machine guns as others collected props and other
parts. Jacques proudly took his prize home to show
his family. His grandfather was angry and fright-
ened, warning that the Germans were searching
homes and if they found the belt the family would
be in danger. He said they must bury it.
They dug a hole and went to lay the belt in it.
One of the bullets just hopped into my pocket,
Jacques would later tell the Herrick family.
A group of adults attended to the downed pilots
body. Dr. Lucie Dezderl, who worked in a nearby whole town in jeopardy. They told the people of
sanatorium, had seen the plane explode and went Reugny that if they didnt cough up the pilot, 20
to the scene to help. Months later, she would send
a note and a lock of hair to Herricks young widow WHEN people would be executed in the morning, Mary
?QT[WVM`XTIQVML*]\Ja\PMVM`\UWZVQVO\PM
in the United States, telling her that her husband
LQLVW\[]MZIVL\PI\[PMPILUW^MLPQUW]\WN  MAJOR Germans conceded there was only one pilot. They
lifted the execution threat but gave strict orders on
the sun and cared for his body. The pilots remains
were placed on a ladder and taken to a farm. HERRICK HAD the handling of the pilots body.
<PM/MZUIV[_MZM^MZaKTMIZ?QT[WVTMIZVML
The Germans moved in, convinced there was a
second pilot on board because of the twin-engine COMPLETED A from eyewitnesses, there was to be no homage
paid to this American pilot. Simple burial. No
planes design. They demanded to know where
that second pilot was. The Herrick family would 180-DEGREE _WZL[[XWSMV*]\\PM\W_V[XMWXTMLMNQML\PM
/MZUIV[<PMaJZW]OP\W_MZ[OI\PMZMLIZW]VL
later learn of a threat that put the future of the
TURNI SAW the cemetery and French soldier Albert Planke
braved execution by giving a moving speech. One
HIS AIRPLANE of Herricks propellers served as his gravestone.
*IKSQV1W_I\PMXQTW\[_QNM2MIVVM\\M[\QTTPIL
EXPLODE. no idea that her husband was dead. She was about
\WOQ^MJQZ\P\W\PMQZ[MKWVL[WV:QKPIZL1_I[
born three weeks after my fathers fatal crash,
Richard explained.
Little would be said about his fathers death in
the years that followed. Jeannette remarried and
focused on taking care of her familywhich soon
OZM__Q\P\PMJQZ\PWN LI]OP\MZ5IZa1VaMIZ[\W
come, Mary found herself wanting to know more
about her half-brothers father.
Prior to Jeannettes death in 2000, Richard
learned of the lock of hair and letter from the
pilots requiem sanatorium doctor, giving him a starting point for
A propeller from his investigation into the circumstances surround-
Herricks downed ing his fathers death. After retirement, Richard
Lightning (left), and Mary began a long, emotional journey to
recovered by Reugny VLIV[_MZ[:QKPIZLZMIKPMLW]\\W\PM.WZKML
townspeople, would Landing Organization for details about the crash.
serve as the majors *I[MLQV+PIZ\ZM[\PMOZW]X_WZS[_Q\P\PMNIU-
gravestone (above). ilies of Allied aviators who have fallen in France.

november 2016 AH 57
 The organization, headed by president Jean Pierre,
follows up on requests from families for research
help. Group members also serve as crash site guides
and host American families traveling to France in
search of answers.
The group put out a call for information, lead-
ing to a breakthrough when a teenager in Reugny,
Guillamme Metayer, who kept a historical blog
about his town, connected with the organization.
Another Reugny resident, Daniel Sellier, gathered
Z[\PIVLIKKW]V\[NZWUTWKIT[
Researcher Christian Dieppedalle, work-
ing with Forced Landing, spent months digging
through American archives, reviewing eyewitness
accounts and doing extensive research on the
squadron and its airplanes and pilots. Dieppedalle
put together a comprehensive account of what
happened leading up to, during and after the loss
of Lawrence Herrick.
Things began to move quickly, and the Herrick
family was invited for the May 8, 2012, celebration
of VE-Day in France. Daniel Sellier would serve
as their host.
The family was overwhelmed by the way the
community honored the fallen pilot, especially
considering that, until their visit, they had no idea
Herrick had been hailed as a hero and memorial-
ized in the town square. There is a plaque in the
town square, Richard explained. We discovered
that is where they have a celebration every year.
They even teach local schoolchildren about the
pilot who gave his life for them.
Generations of French families turned out to
meet them, including many who had been there
on the day of the crash. Among them was the now
old man who as a boy had recovered the ammo belt
from the wreckage. My meeting with the Herrick
family was a moment of intense emotion, said
Jacques Niot, and I must confess that my eyes
were getting wet at the very moment I donated
the bullet and the model to Richard. I had been
waiting for this moment for 70 years! Besides the
NIK\\PI\1ULMMXTaOZI\MN]T\W\PM[IKZQKMWN \PQ[
JZI^MWKMZ_PWIKKMX\ML\WTW[MPQ[TQNMNWZ][
and more generally to the American people at that
moment, it has been a big part of my youth that
struck me with an immense intensity.
58 AH november 2016
reugny reunion He had held onto the bullet all of those years,
(From left) Reugny Richard recalled in amazement. He said he
Mayor Axelle Trehin, hoped one day to be able to return it to the family.
Richard Herrick, Mary Mary sat down with another elderly gentleman
Wilson and Jacques _PWPILJ]QT\0MZZQKS[KWVIVLX]\\PMXQTW\
Niot pose for a photo into it. He had tears in his eyes, she said. They
in 2015. Above right: are so appreciative of what the American soldiers
The plaque honoring did for them. There can be no other place on earth
Herrick in Reugny. for us like Reugny. My brothers found a father that
Below: The .50-caliber they never got to know.
round that Niot saved. 0MZZQKS[[WVVITTaPILIV[_MZ[\WY]M[\QWV[
that had haunted him for decades. He knew that
his father died doing what he loved, that he died a
hero, trying to save French lives. He was a great
pilot who did his job to protect our freedom,
Richard said. He was a great husband, and I think
he would have been a great father. But like so many
W\PMZ[PMQ[IPMZW_PWUILM\PM]T\QUI\M[IKZQKM
HERRICKS SON
In the Letts, Iowa, librarydesigned by Rich-
IZLILQ[XTIaKI[MQ[TTML_Q\PUMUWZIJQTQI\MTT-
FINALLY HAD
ing the P-38 pilots story. A legacy honored in a
small town in France now lives on in the small town
ANSWERS TO
that Lawrence Herrick called home and where he
was laid to rest after the war. 
QUESTIONS
Gary Metivier is an award-winning journalist and
THAT HAD
author. His childrens book Saluting Grandpa pays
tribute to the Honor Flight program. Retired teacher
HAUNTED HIM
Mary Masonholder Wilson works as a reporter with
Iowas Columbus Gazette. Further reading: The
FOR DECADES.
370th Fighter Group in World War II in Action
Over Europe With the P-38 and P-51, by Jay
Jones. For more on the Forced Landing Organization,
see forcedlanding.pagesperso-orange.fr/8.htm.
PHOTOS: REUGNY-NEUILLE.BLOGSPOT.FR
 Ultra High Power 3 Point Luminescent Combat Sight Solid N0 RISK 30 DAY HOME TRIAL
Steel
&RQVWUXFWLRQ 0DLO7R
Firing Replica
MAIL AMERICA, Dept. 143-9O
9MM MILITARY SIDE #R-139867

ARM
POB 8436
Pelham, NY 10803-8436

)LUHV7\SHVRI 0DLOIXOOSD\PHQWLQFDVKFKHFNPRQH\RUGHUPDLORUFDOOLQ&UHGLW&DUG
&DO$PPR LQIR7U\IRUGD\VLIQRWVDWLVHGUHWXUQZLWKLQGD\VDIWHU
No Jamming! UHFHLSWIRUUHIXQGOHVVSRVWDJH KDQGOLQJ&KHFN2II,WHPV2UGHUHG
Collectors Edition __ #2020 Replica 9MM Pistol........................ $139.
Never Lets __ #2202 250 Wadcutter .177 Cal Pellets $6.95
You Down! 2XU(0DLOPDLODPHULFD#PVQFRP
BB%UXVK&XWWHU3RLQWHG3HOOHWV
Fires 3 Types of .177 Cal. Ammo Wad- 3 - 8 Shot Rapid __ #2205 - 500 Hollow Point Hi-Velocity Hunting Pellets $14.95
:$'&877(5 3(//(7 Flat head leaves cutter Fire Speed Clips __ #2235 Set of 512 gram CO2 Cartridges $5.95
larger impact area on targets Included __ #2237 -%ODFN$WWDFKH3LVWRO&DVH
- -Double zippered all weather
For pen- WUHDWHG%ODFN&DQYDV)LWJXQV&RPSDUWPHQWVIRUDOODFFHVVRULHV
etrating through foliage and brush Plush padding. Velcro closures. Real Value! -$29.95
7H[WXUHG
+2//2: 32,17 3(//(76 Hunting, maxi- Pointed Brush 7$&7,&$/+2/67(56 -Heavy Duty Shoulder Harness with holster.
&RPEDW
mum stopping power Cutter Hollow Point *ULSV 'RXEOHVWLWFKHGVRIWSDGGHGFDQYDV%RWKKDYHPDQ\YHOFURFORVXUHV
Muzzle Velocity: 5DQJH Like no air gun you ever owned! Features Solid Seal RQKROVWHUIRUFXVWRPWDQGGUDZ9HOFUR$PPRSRXFKHVIRU&2
Technology- An exciting, new innovation in CO2 Air Guns. speed loader. Hip model attaches to your belt and has leg strap with
410 Feet Second <DUGV
New Solid No springs to break or wear - No Pumping - No Cocking! DGMXVWDEOHOHQJWK$YDLODEOHLQ&DPRRU%ODFN
Seal Technology! Blazing Rapid Our all new, 9MM Replica duplicates the balance, feel and
BB 7DFWLFDO+LS+ROVWHU&DPRRU%ODFN
Consistent Shot Fire Action ...get __#2288 -0LOLWDU\6KRXOGHU+ROVWHU&DPRRU%ODFN..........$16.95
0LOLWDU\6KRXOGHU+ROVWHU&DPRRU%ODFN
KHIWRIWKHVLGHDUPFDUULHGE\86*,V$VDFFXUDWHDVDULH
to Shot Power . off 19 shots in So powerful it slices through cansliterally leaving them in Add $12.95 to Total for Postage & Handling
No Pressure Loss! seconds!
shreds! Stop small game. A Humane and safe way to chase 1DPHBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
5DQJH<DUGV big game from your property or garden. Put the 3 Point White $GGUHVVBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
0X]]OH9HORFLW\)HHW3HU6HFRQG Dot Sight on target for marksman-like accuracy! From the &LW\BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB6WDWHBBBBB=LSBBBBBBBBBBB 
6LJKW3RLQW/XPLQHVFHQW6LJKW silk, smooth trigger pull and feather light recoil - this is an Air 3KRQHBBBBBBBBBB
%DUUHO5LHG6ROLG6WHHO *XQWKDWH[FHOVRQWKHUDQJHDQGHOG([SHFWWURSK\JUDGH <RXU(PDLOIRUSDFNDJHWUDFNLQJLQIR:
&DOLEHU&DOLEHU target shooting and consistency at over 410Feet per Second
0DJD]LQH+ROGV6KRWV+LJK6SHHG - real heavy hitting power. All in an exciting, fast as you can 6LJQKHUH\RXDUH\UVRUROGHUBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
'URS,Q6SHHGORDGHUV SXOO 6(0,$872 3LVWRO &RPHV ZLWK  5DSLG /RDG 6SHHG 9LVD0DVWHU&DUG'LVFRYHU&UHGLWRU'HELW&DUGV
/HQJWKLQFKHV
:HLJKW3RXQGV
loaders. Thats 24 shots at the ready. Just drop in and shoot!
Dual ammo shoots .177 Caliber pellets. * Positive Safety
 3KRQH2UGHUV&DOO
9LVD0DVWHUFDUG'LVFRYHUPDLOLQ&UHGLW&DUG,QIROOLQ
&RQVWUXFWLRQ6ROLG6WHHODQG+L,P * Made from Steel and Hi-Impact Materials * Checkered $FFWBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
SDFW0DWHULDOV0XFKPRUH Combat grips* *You must be over 18 to order. ([SLUDWLRQ'DWH0RQWKBBBB<HDUBBBBB6HF&RGH

NEW BOOKS
THE AIR FORCE
WAY OF WAR

TAKE FLIGHT
U.S. Tactics and Training
after Vietnam

Brian D. Laslie
Hardcover | $50.00

SELECTED FOR THE 2016

CSAF READING LIST

GROUNDED WHY AIR FORCES FAIL

The Case for Abolishing The Anatomy of Defeat
the U.S. Air Force Revised & Expanded Edition

Robert M. Farley Edited by Robin Higham

Paperback | $19.95 and Stephen J. Harris
Paperback | $29.95
 REVIEWS

FLYING WINGS
& RADICAL THINGS
Northrops Secret Aerospace Projects
& Concepts 19391994 prototype bat bomber
A YB-49 over Edwards AFB.
by Tony Chong, Specialty Press, 2016, $44.95.
LMKTI[[QML+WUXZMPMV[Q^M
Rarely does an aerospace book reach the market chapter notes back up the
as extensively researched and as beautifully illus- text, and a detailed list of
trated as Tony Chongs chronicle of Northrop company projects is included.
Corporations secret projects. > The author, who worked
at Northrop for nearly 30
years as a model-maker, does
> This is a former employees 1939 to its consolidation with ing board, like the early- a superb job of putting all the
labor of love, not a writers Grumman in 1994, the evo- 1950s N-65 interceptor lay- materials together for what
project. Starting with Jack lution of one of the great outs and the mid-1960s Q[TQSMTa\WJM\PMLMVQ\Q^M
Northrops unusual N-1M all- American aerospace giants is Truck-Airplane-Boat (TAB) account of the companys
wing proof-of-concept dem- told through the lens of the Verticraft amphibian proposal. developments as a separate
onstrator, the author covers innovative designs the com- Scale drawings, detailed entity. Only someone who
the companys designs all the pany never stopped generat- models, color artwork or spent a lifetime invigorated
_Ia\PZW]OP\PMaQVO_QVO[ ing during those 55 extraordi- archival photos complement by the Northrop legend could
apotheosis in the form of the nary years. Many are familiar, the descriptions of virtually produce such a monumental
B-2 stealth bomber. such as the P-61 Black Widow every design, whether suc- record of its accomplish-
In seven chapters that and the T-38 Talon, but others cessful or not. Some have ments. Jack Northrop would
stretch from the founding of are little-known concepts that never been seen before be proud!
an independent Northrop in did not get beyond the draw- because they were recently Philip Handleman

60 AH november 2016
 THE LAFAYETTE
ESCADRILLE
A Photo History of the
First American Fighter
Squadron
Ja;\M^MV):]V+I[MUI\M
Publishers, 2016, $37.95.
One of the few World War I
air units still renowned a
century after its formation,
Escadrille 124 was the French
OP\MZW]\\UILM]XITUW[\
entirely of American volun-
teers. In December 1916,
the squadron acquired its
famous nickname: Lafa-
yette Escadrille. The
sheer number of books and
articlesthis illustrated
history includedthat have
IXXMIZMLIJW]\\PQ[NIJTML
]VQ\W^MZ\PMXI[\KMV\]Za
Q[\Z]TaI[\W]VLQVO_ZQ\M[
;\M^MV):]V_PWPI[R][\
added to that library.
/Q^MV:]V[aMIZ[
WN XQTW\M`XMZQMVKMIVL
UMUJMZ[PQXQV\PM4MIO]M
of World War I Aviation
Historians, he tells this
ZW][QVO[\WZaI[_MTTI[IVa
XZMLMKM[[WZQN aW]LWV\
count certain squadron
members themselves), with
\PMILLMLJMVM\WN ZM[MIZKP
\PI\K]\[\PZW]OP\PMUa\P[
_Q\PW]\PIZUQVO\PMVIZZI-
\Q^M:]VIT[WUILM][MWN 
)TIV<WMTTM[ZM[MIZKPQV\W
the escadrille[IQZKZIN\UIZS-
QVO[_PQKPJMVM\JW\P\PM
XPW\WOZIXPKIX\QWV[IVL
the color artwork by Tomasz
Gronczewski. The wealth of
XPW\W[QVKT]LM[[WUMVM_
WVM[NZWU\PMXMZQWLI[_MTT
I[]XLI\M[WV\PM[Y]ILZWV
]X\WQ\[KWV\QV]QVO[MZ^QKM
in the French air force today
and the newly restored Lafa-
yette Memorial outside Paris.
1UQOP\KPWW[M\WY]M[-
\QWV\PMI]\PWZ[KTIQU\PI\
<PMXIZ\QK]TIZ[WN C)VLZM_
+W]Z\VMaE+IUXJMTT[TI[\
QOP\_MZMVM^MZTMIZVML
[QVKMUaJWWSKQ\MLQVPQ[
JQJTQWOZIXPaQVKT]LMLIZ[\-
PIVLLM[KZQX\QWVWN \PMKWU-
bat by the German observer
who shot him down. But on
\PMW\PMZPIVL:]VLWM[
not make the mistake I made
WN XMZXM\]I\QVO\PMLMKILM[
TWVO/MZUIVMVKW]ZIOML
K\QWV\PI\3]Z\?QV\OMV[
SQTTML>QK\WZ+PIXUIVJW\P
IQZUMV_MZMWXMZI\QVOQVLQN-
ferent sectors at the time).
All in all, The Lafayette
EscadrilleQ[I[]KQMV\Ta
_WZ\Pa]XLI\M\WMIZVI[XW\
in the WWI aviation enthusi-
I[\[TQJZIZa
Jon Guttman

FIGHTING COCKPITS
In the Pilots Seat of Great Military
Aircraft From World War I to Today and uniformed heads of the
by Donald Nijboer, photography by Dan Patterson, Air Force shortly beforehand,
Zenith Press, 2016, $40. [XIZSMLPQ[QZM
,WZZ[QVOTM[W]\NWZUMZ
/M\\QVOIOWWLXPW\WWN IKWKSXQ\Q[IKPITTMVOMNWZUW[\ defense secretary Robert
XPW\WOZIXPMZ[J]\VW\NWZ,IV8I\\MZ[WV\PMJM[\QVPQ[MTL /I\M[NWZITTMOMLTaNI^WZQVO
I\\PQ[LMUIVLQVO_WZS,WVITL6QRJWMZ[ JWW\[WV\PMOZW]VLI\\PM
M`KMTTMV\\M`\IUXTQMLJaUMIVQVON]TY]W\M[ M`XMV[MWN IQZXW_MZ<PM
makes this a book to buy for the home library, PWTTW_QVOW]\WN \PM)QZ
IVLXMZPIX[UWZMQUXWZ\IV\I[IOQN\NWZ Force is said to have started
[WUMWVMaW]ZM\ZaQVO\WQV\MZM[\QVI^QI\QWV1\ QV\PM+WTL?IZ[IN\MZUI\P
MMK\Q^MTaZML]KM[IVIQZXTIVMNZWUIVQV\QUQ _PMV=;TMILMZ[\PW]OP\
LI\QVOUI[[WN UIKPQVMZa\WIVQVVMZ_WZTL it was safe to cut back the
_PMZM\PMZMILMZQ[QVKPIZOMWN ^Q\ITUI\\MZ[ armed forces. The book
[]KPI[IQZ[XMMLIT\Q\]LMIVLI\\Q\]LM
?PQTM\PW[MZ[\\_WXIZIUM\MZ[IQZ-
AIR POWER XWQV\[\W\PM]VPIXXaZMITQ\a
that, instead of the trend
[XMMLIVLIT\Q\]LMIZMIT_Ia[_MTTLMVML ABANDONED ZM^MZ[QVOWVKM\PM5QLMI[\
I\\Q\]LMPI[ILW]JTMUMIVQVOPMZM1\QVLQ- Robert Gates, _IZ[MZ]X\ML\PM)QZ.WZKM
KI\M[VW\WVTa\PMKPWQKMWN \PMTM^MTIVL\PMIQZ[XMML the F-22 Raptor subsequently shrank even
I\_PQKPaW]aJ]\IT[W\PMMMK\Q^MVM[[_Q\P_PQKPaW]a and the Betrayal of more. On occasion this
\PMU<PQ[JWWS[PW_[PW_W^MZ\QUM\PMOZW_QVOKWUXTM`- Americas Air Force ZMOZM\\IJTM[\I\MWN IIQZ[
Q\aWN QOP\_I[UI\KPMLJaIVQVKZMI[MQVMY]QXUMV\IVL by Robert F. Dorr, drove Bob, who saw a robust
QV[\Z]UMV\I\QWV6QRJWMZZM^MIT[PW_QUXWZ\IV\MIKPQV[\Z]- self-published, 2015, $14.95. Air Force as the answer to
UMV\Q[M^MV\PW]OPaW]UIaVM^MZ[MMQ\QVIK\QWVI[_Q\P\PM _QVVQVOUWLMZV_IZ[\W
ZMLMUMZOMVKaZMTQOP\1UZMUQVLMLWN UaZ[\\ISMWQV Historian Bob Dorr, whose ZPM\WZQKITM`KM[[
I*WMQVO*I\5K+WVVMTT).*_PMZM\PMQV[\Z]K\WZ[IQL articles and book reviews fre- But that bluntness was
,WV\_WZZaIJW]\OM\\QVOIZMLZM_IZVQVOTQOP\?PI\PM Y]MV\TaIXXMIZMLQVAviation ^QV\IOM,WZZXIZ\WN PQ[
[PW]TLPI^M[IQL_I[,WV\_WZZaIJW]\OM\\QVO[Q`ZMLZM HistoryPILITIZOMIVLTWaIT IXXMIT\WTMOQWV[WN ZMILMZ[
_IZVQVOTQOP\[ITTI\WVKMNWZ\PI\Q[_PI\[PW_MLWV\PMLQIT[ NWTTW_QVO)aMIZJMNWZMPQ[ _PWWKSML\WPQ[MIZTQMZ
Fighting CockpitsQ[IOZMI\JWWSWVIVWN\MVW^MZTWWSML ]V\QUMTaXI[[QVOQV2]VMPM _ZQ\QVO[5IVaTWVO\QUMNIV[
[]JRMK\\ISQVOaW]ITT\PM_IaNZWU\PMXZQUQ\Q^MLZQ^MZ[[MI\[ VQ[PML\PQ[XW\MV\KZQ\QY]MWN  IVLVM_KWUMZ[_QTTIXXZM-
WN ?WZTL?IZ1IQZKZIN\\WIUWLMZVLIaN\POMVMZI\QWV _PI\PMXMZKMQ^MLI[\PMMUI[- ciate his treatise on how the
OP\MZ<PMVIZZI\Q^MM`XTWZM[Y]M[\QWV[ZIVOQVONZWUPW_ culation of the U.S. Air Force, )QZ.WZKMPI[JMMVLMOZILML
OPPOSITE: U.S. AIR FORCE

UIVaWN \PM[MQV[\Z]UMV\[[I^MLTQ^M[\WPW_UIVaWN \PM[M which he as a veteran revered. 4Q\MZIZQTaXZWLQOQW][\W\PM

QV[\Z]UMV\[_MZMM^MZIK\]ITTa][ML6QRJWMZIT[WUISM[^MZa 1VXIZ\QK]TIZ\PMKIXXQVOWN  MVLPMTMN\][_Q\PIXI[[QWV-
KTMIZ\PI\\PMXI\P\WXZWOZM[[QVI^QI\QWV_I[[WUM\QUM[TML .XZWL]K\QWVI\IUMZM  I\MQN KWV\ZW^MZ[QITIZUI-
IVL[WUM\QUM[NWTTW_MLJaQV[\Z]UMV\LM^MTWXUMV\ IQZNZIUM[QV!ITWVO_Q\P \QWVWN IQZXW_MZ
Walter J. Boyne \PMZQVOWN JW\P\PMKQ^QTQIV Philip Handleman

november 2016 AH 61
 Jacuzzi Hydrotherapy Shower.
The Jacuzzi Hydrotherapy Shower
provides a lifetime of comfort and
relief safely and affordably.
Call toll free now to
get your FREE special report
Tips on Living to be 100 FREE P-51 MUSTANG
Mention promotional code 102663. Seventy-Five Years
of Americas Most

82028
1-844-594-5561 Famous Warbird
Ja+WZa/ZIBMVQ\P8ZM[[


AMERICAN AVIATION LITTLE As the summer of 1940

unfolded, Britain knew it

HISTORICAL SOCIETY FRIENDS faced a Nazi war machine

that had steamrolled its way
across much of Europe.
American aviation history Volumes 1-4 The British Purchasing
without advertising! Tom Mullen Commission gambled on
a rapidly developed design
Check it out at: Well researched, fun and from North American
informative reading of WWII aircraft, Aviation, a California com-
www.aahs-online.org/avhistory the people, and the times pany that had never actually
J]QT\IOP\MZ<PMZM[]T\_I[
the P-51 Mustang.
In the storied airplanes
75th anniversary year, Cory
/ZILMTQ^MZMLIKWMM\IJTM
book chronicling its wartime
service. This volume shines
with an unmatched array of
illustrations. P-51s are show-
cased both in action and on
- Network with other aviation the ground with their pilots.
enthusiasts <PQ[OZMI\OP\MZPI[TQ^ML
- Access to over 150,000 images from on to entertain and inspire
the AAHS photo archives new generations at museums,
- Access the AAHS archives, IQZ[PW_[ZIKM[IVLQVTU
50 plus years of publications The book includes shots of its
- Receive quarterly journals & latter-day incarnations, and
newsletters /ZIPI[KZIN\MLQVNWZUI
tive text to accompany the
images. In achieving the right
P.O. Box 3023
mix, P-51 Mustang resembles
,
Available on Amazon.com \PMOP\MZQ\[MTN_PQKPPQ\
its stride once the airframe
was mated with the Merlin
MVOQVM/ZIZMXWZ\[\PI\WN 
the 15,586 Mustangs built,
Contact us to put your advertisement in IZM[\QTTaIJTM)[PQOP
front of thousands of history enthusiasts! time Mustang pilot Steve
Hinton enthuses in the fore-
800.649.9800 avh@russelljohns.com word, this is the ultimate tes-
tament to this iconic plane.
Philip Handleman
For information on placing a Direct Response or Marketplace ad in Print and Online contact us today:
Aviation History 800.649.9800 / Fax: 800.649.6712 / avh@russelljohns.com / www.russelljohns.com
 FLIGHT TEST

X MARKS
THE SPOT
1. Who ew the Bell X-2
to an unprecedented
Mach 3.196 on September
27, 1956?
A. Jean Ziegler
B. Ivan C. Kincheloe
C. Milburn G. Apt
D. Charles E. Yeager

2. What was a feature

of the Bell X-22?
A. Tiltwings
B. Double tiltrotor wings
C. Autogyro rotors
D. Quadruple ducted fan
>

tiltrotors

MYSTERY SHIP
3. What role did the
Grumman X-29s y-by-wire
Can you identify this computer system play
doubly unique aircraft? in its ights?
See the answer below. A. Enhanced its
maneuverability
B. Compensated for its
inherent instability
C. Adjusted the fuel/air
mixture

HOLLYWOOD
D. Monitored the
pilots G responses

FLYBOYS 4. Which company was

not involved in producing
Match the lm star with his real-life warplane. the X-31 enhanced-
maneuverability ghter?
A. Charlton Heston 1. Handley Page Halifax A. Lockheed
B. Charles Bronson 2. Boeing B-17G B. Messerschmitt
C. James Stewart 3. Grumman F6F-5 C. Blkow
ABOVE: HISTORYNET ARCHIVE; RIGHT: NATIONAL ARCHIVES

D. Denholm Elliott 4. Avro Lancaster D. Blohm

E. Toshiro Mifune 5. Curtiss R5C-1
5. What did the
F. Gene Autry 6. Consolidated B-24H
McDonnell-Douglas X-36
G. Wayne Morris 7. Boeing B-29 have in common with the
H. Donald Pleasance 8. Tachikawa Ki-36 Horten Ho-229?
I. Clark Gable 9. North American B-25J A. Canards
J. Tyrone Power 10. Curtiss C-46 B. Fly-by-wire computer
Jimmy Stewart during WWII C. No vertical tail surfaces
D. Thrust vectoring
HOLLYWOOD FLYBOYS: A.9, B.7, C.6, D.1, E.8, F.10, G.3, H.4, I.2, J.5, X MARKS THE SPOT: 1.C, 2.D, 3.B, 4.A, 5.C
ANSWERS: MYSTERY SHIP: Kouns-Craft Dirigible Helicopter. Learn more about it at HistoryNet.com/aviation-history.

november 2016 AH 63
 aero artifact

DIAL-A-DRONE
OPERATOR
U
nmanned aircraft systems have been around longer than most people
realize, as Robert Guttman explains in the article beginning on P. 48.
Radioplanes RP-4 (military designation OQ-1), shown at left being
prepared for launch by Captain G.V. Holloman, was proposed as a
cheaper and safer alternative to towed targets for aerial gunnery practice
during World War II. These early drones were operated by means of a
telephone-style dial control, shown below. The September 1940 issue of
Model Airplane News explained, Banks, climbs, dives and almost every
W\PMZQOP\UIVM]^MZKIVJMIKKWUXTQ[PMLJaI[MZQM[WN KWV\IK\[NZWU
the ground operator, reaching the model through shortwave frequencies.

PHOTOS: NATIONAL ARCHIVES

64 AH november 2016
 My friends all hate their
tt ge W

Co
Bu ig -NE

N act
on r

o
nt
s
B LL
cell phones I love mine! FR

r
A

s
EE

Heres why.
Car
Charg
er

Say good-bye to everything you hate about cell phones. Say hello to the ALL-NEW Jitterbug Flip.

Cell phones have gotten so small,

I can barely dial mine. Not the new Monthly Plan $14.99/mo $19.99/mo
Jitterbug Flip. It features a larger keypad Monthly Minutes 200 600
for easier dialing. It even has a larger Operator Assistance 24/7 24/7
display so you can actually see it. Long Distance Calls No addl charge
No addl charge
Voice Dial FREE FREE
I had to get my son to program it.
Your Jitterbug Flip set-up process is Nationwide Coverage YES YES
simple. Well even program it with your Friendly Return Policy 1
30 days 30 days
favorite numbers. More minute plans available. Ask your Jitterbug expert for details.

I tried my sisters cell phone Id like a cell phone to use in an emergency, but I dont
I couldnt hear it. The Jitterbug Flip want a high monthly bill. The Jitterbug Flip has a plan to
is designed with a powerful speaker and fit your needs and your budget.
is hearing aid compatible. Plus, theres an
adjustable volume control. Many phones have features that are rarely needed
and hard to use! The Jitterbug
I dont need stock quotes, Internet sites or Flip contains easy-to-use features
games on my phone. I just want to talk with that are meaningful to you. A newly
my family and friends. Life is complicated designed built-in camera makes it easy
enough The Jitterbug Flip is simple. and fun for you to capture and share
your favorite memories. And a new
What if I dont remember a number? 5Star Enabled flashlight with a built-in magnifier helps
Friendly, helpful Operators are available 24 you see in dimly lit areas, the Jitterbug
hours a day and will even greet you by name Flip has all the features you need.
when you call.
Enough talk. Isnt it time you
My cell phone company wants to lock me in found out more about the cell
a two-year contract! Not with the Jitterbug Flip. phone thats changing all the rules?
There are no contracts to sign and no penalty if you Call now, Jitterbug product experts
discontinue your service. are standing by.
Available in
Red and Graphite.

Order now and receive a NEW Jitterbug Flip Cell Phone

Call toll-free to get your Jitterbug Flip.
FREE Car Charger for your Jitterbug Flip Please mention promotional code 104031.
a $25 value. Call now!
1-866-428-3181
www.jitterbugdirect.com
We proudly accept the following credit cards:
47665

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. Plans and Services require purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time setup fee
of $35. Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service
is available. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone and the activation fee (or setup fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly
service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You
will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. There are no additional fees to call GreatCalls U.S.-based customer service. However, for calls to a GreatCall Operator in which
a service is completed, you will be charged 99 cents per call, and minutes will be deducted from your monthly rate plan balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator. Jitterbug
and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. 2016 GreatCall, Inc. 2016 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
 MAKE ONE GIFT EXTRA SPECIAL THIS HOLIDAY
AND SUPPORT AMERICAS WWII MUSEUM

Flag Bow Pin

Item #14594 . . . $30.00 Biplane Bookends
Item #20346 . . . $60.00

P-47 Thunderbolt
Smithsonian Series Father Ornament
1:48 Scale MONOPOLY: Americas Item #19782 . . . $20.00
Die-Cast Model World War II: Were All In
Item #12612 . . . $39.99 This Together Edition
Item #16128 . . . $39.99

Childs A-2 WWII Bombers

Bomber Jacket Hawaiian Shirt
Item #14547 . . . $59.99 Item #15407 . . . $50.00
Sizes: 12M, 18M, 24M, 2T, 3T, Sizes: Sm, Md, Lg, XL, 2XL
4T, 4/5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 Colors: Blue or Green

Enter promo code HOLIDAY2016 on the shopping cart screen to receive a 15% discount on your entire purchase.*
Visit shopwwii.org or call 504-528-1944 x 244.
*Offer valid thru December 31, 2016. Offer not valid on Memberships, gift cards, donations, or items already discounted.

Open Seven Days, 9:00 a.m.5:00 p.m.

945 Magazine Street 4 New Orleans, LA 70130 4 504.528.1944
www.nationalww2museum.org 4 SHOPWWII.org