Winter 2010 - The Quonset Air Museum

The Quonset Air Museum’s
Issue #9
Scout
The Official Publication of the
Quonset Air Museum
Winter / Spring 2010
Claude LeFlame
Prepares the Curtis
XF15C for the upcoming season
Inside this issue
Ready Room
Dedication page 2
Testing with Russian Aircraft
Engineers page 6
New truck helps with
Restorations
This last year, the Museum has seen some great changes and progress towards the future. Several of the
Aircraft have been painted and several more are the process of being restored. In 2010, visitors will see
some updates and changes to the aircraft displays. All of the aircraft have the same
description boards. Photograph restorations are going to assist in preserving
the past . Using Adobe Photoshop CS4 artist will restore photographs and
have them available for sale. This will allow collectors to enjoy some of
our aircraft heritage.
On the Cover
Claude LeFlame working on the XF15C twin engine (Jet
and Prop) airplane in preparation for the upcoming Quonset Air
Show this June. A tremendous amount of work is need to get this
only surviving prototype ready for display. Check back for updates
on the progress.
Ready Room has its dedication service. Friends and family attend
this ceremony dedicating the “Ready Room” to its namesake, LTC
William Hunter. The room will be used for parties, events and
functions. For information on how you can reserve it, check with
Dave Payne at the Museum Office
Russian Aviation Safety Engineers come to the QAM to test a lift
bag used to raise disabled aircraft that need to be removed from
runways. See page ? for the story
QAM gets new service truck. This lift truck was obtained for the QAM to assist in the restoration of
aircraft. It can raise workers to the tops of aircraft to do maintenance and inspections.
Come and join us at the
Quonset Air Museum for
your next birthday party.
Guest will have access
to all the aircraft and
cockpit displays where
adventure and fun await
Reserve your party early
as the spaces fill up
quickly
2
Lift Truck is new addition at the
Museum, which will help with work
on big projects
Face-lift at the South End
Before
Face-lift at the South End
After
Giancarlo Palazzo sent us this picture while he was in uniform during
training at the Naval Academy. Gian
was an intern at the QAM
Pack 1 Den 7 Peacedale Tigers have
birthday party at the Museum
Barbara Fahey goes over topics during the Annual
Board of Directors Meeting
Dave Suton drops off a rear Ejection
Seat from an F-4 Phantom
3
Sherry Mong puts on the finishing touches by
lettering LTC Hunter’s name
Dave Payne takes a minute to introduce Henry
Thayer to the group. Henry & LTC Hunter were
fiends at the Museum
4
Room
LTC is ready to
Hunt
recei
er
ve th
e fam
ily an
d frie
Donald Mong artist (Right) and Bette Ward (left)
talk about the room restoration
nds o
f
Original Photograph
Restored Photograph
Old photos, with blemishes and flaws, scratches, stains, or most any problem, can be completely fixed and corrected.
People or items can be added or taken out of the photo. Just about anything you can imagine can be done. Using
tools such as the “Clone Stamp” “Healing Tool” and “Patch Tool” in Photoshop has allowed us to make available
photographs to the aviation community that would have previously been impossible.
Original Blueprint
Restored blueprint
In addition to the restoration of old photographs, plans are now underway to restore old blueprints. Some of our aircraft
have blueprints and some do not. The Grumman Hellcat blue print that is pictured above (left) had a lot of damage
from moisture and exposure to UV light. The image to the right shows the completed restoration. This allows us to
provide copies for sale. If you have an old Combat Aviation Picture that you would like to have restored, give us a call.
Check at out PX on your next visit for QAM Aircraft Blueprints and photographs
DAVE’s MARKETPLACE
N. KINGSTOWN / QUONSET
105 Gate Road North Kingstown, RI 02852
401-295-0019
Mon - Sat: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
5
Dave Stecker, Henry Thayer and Rick Levesque
talk about the MIG project. Should be ready for
the airshow
Industrial Fabrications / 25 Walt’s Way Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 783-0051 Tel (401) 783-7508 Fax
6
The Quonset Air Museum is in the process of putting the final touches on a major fund raising event that
will take place during Air Show weekend this summer. Our plan is a Roll and Roll Pizza Party. The party
will be Saturday night June 26th right after the closing of the air show. We have booked New England’s
best oldies band the Reminisants, this will surly be a show you, your family and friends will not want to
Proceeds to Benefit the
miss. We have contacted sponsors and have
QUONSET AIR MUSEUM Building Fund
Home of
coca cola on board as a major supporter.
Rhode Island’s Aviation Heritage
We have proposals from two major pizza
restaurant chains, we are reviewing their
proposals and will make a decision any day
now.
PIZZA PARTY
Spend the day at the Air Show
We need all our members help and support
then Party with us at the Quonset Air Museum. . .
to make this a successful event. We still
Featuring New England’s BEST 50’s & 60”s Oldies Band
need sponsors. We still need businesses that Saturday JUNE 26th 6:00 -10:00 P.M.
can sell our tickets and advertise our event
statewide. We need you to spread the word,
We plan on starting ticket sales early April
$15.
so we need everything in place by that
IN ADVANCE
$20. at the Door
time. If you know of any sponsorship or
Kids under 12
FREE with an Adult
ticket outlet sales opportunities, if you have
ADMISSION PRICE
any ideas or questions please contact Dave
includes Pizza & Soda
Payne at the Museum 401-294-9540 email
[email protected]
THE REMINISANTS
QUONSET AIR MUSEUM 488 Eccleston Ave.
Quonset Naval Air Station - North Kingstown RI 02852
For Tickets & Information 401-294-9540
[email protected]
Red Cross at Quonset Air Museum
On May 22, 2010, from 11am to 4 pm the Red Cross and its partners in
emergency response, to include: The American Red Cross Northeast Blood
Division; Rhode Island Disaster Medical Action Team; Rhode Island Army
National Guard; Rhode Island Air National Guard; U.S. Coast Guard, State Police
and Fire Explorers plan to distribute information, enroll people in health and safety training
classes, sign up volunteers, collect blood and raise funds for the Chapter’s emergency work
in Rhode Island. For more information contact Bruce Rutter, CEO, American Red Cross
Rhode Island Chapter, 105 Gano Street, Providence, RI 401-831-7700 ext 105 (w) 401-3396320 (cell) [email protected]
7
The research staff at the QAM recently identified a propeller donated by Laurie Cason of San Diego
California. Built by the Buffalo Aeroplane Corporation (Buffalo), this propeller was sold as surplus
by the Navy in 1920. It was used on the Curtiss model F flying boat, designed in 1913 to 1914 and
ordered by the Navy around 1916. Using an OXX-3 engine necessitates the Left Hand rotation
to make it a pusher prop. Wood: Mahogany; Length: 8 feet; Pitch: 4.12 feet BA CORP PN111
SE5280 LH No 18938 8 X 4.12 Donated in Honor of Lt. Col. Ed Cason, USAF, Ret
Gallaudet WW1 Plane in Rhode Island
The honor of organizing the first aircraft factory in the United States may belong to Edson Gal-
laudet, who, in 1908, organized the first aircraft engineering office, which the modern General
Dynamics Corporation claims as its ancestor. In 1910, he established Gallaudet Engineering
Company to build planes under contract. He reorganized as the Gallaudet Aircraft Corporation in
1917. Its first mass production craft was the 1918 production of Curtiss floatplanes. The DB-1 and
DB-1B, built after the war and planned as day bombers, never reached the production stage. The
company was sold to Major Reuben Fleet of the newly formed Consolidated Aircraft in 1923.
The Gallaudet D-3, a D-2 converted by installation of a Liberty engine, East Greenwich Bay,
Rhode Island. It featured a third cockpit aft of the propeller, a modified nose section and a different rudder and fin. (GALLAUDET pilot Jack McGee was killed in a crash of this airplane on the
morning of June 13, 1918 at East Greenwich).
It is believed that one of the last three D-2s was finished to take the 400 H.P. Liberty engine
and designated the D-3 (the original D-3 was a proposed large, enclosed cabin seaplane and was
not built).
8
Newsletter Notable
Now Available at the
QAM Book Store
Now available at the QAM Bookstore are
professionally restored prints of Quonset during
the late 60’s. This aerial photo
shows the base and surrounding
area.
These
reproductions
come in a plastic sleeve with
a foam core backing, suitable
for framing. The price of the
photographs is $20.00 for a 11
x 14 and $25.00 for a 16 x 20
7366 Post Road •
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Tel 401-295-0800 Fax 401-295-5550 Visit our website www.sonomagrilleri.com
9
From the Office of the President
Another year has gone by with more improvements being completed/ Both ends of the
building (over the hanger doors) are finished and they look exceptional. The next step
is to paint both doors. We have, in various stages four aircraft being painted for the
upcoming “Air Show”. Looking good!
Department Heads Richard Levesque, Hanger Boss • Richard St. Pierre Restoration
Director • Donald Mong Scout Editor and P.R. Officer • Jerry May Machine Shop
Manager • Mark Levesque Building Maintenance Manager • Henry Thayer Tool Crib
Manager • Dave Pocaccini Archive Manager. The Board of Directors wish to thank all
of the above department heads for the excellent manor in the execution of their duties.
This thank you is also extended to the aircraft plane Captains.
To all paid Members please keep an eye on our web site and the Scout Publication for
upcoming events, this will give you the opportunity to actually see the advances made
at the Museum.
David H. Payne (President)
Donald L. Mong, Editor
Quonset Air Museum
P.O. Box 1571
North Kingstown, RI 02852
WEBSITE: www.theqam.org
PHONE: 401-294-9540
FAX: 401-294-9887
Quonset Air Museum Officers
PRESIDENT
David Payne
VICE PRESIDENT
Mike Pignataro
SECRETARY / TREASURER
Barbara Fahey
Hours
Winter (10/1 - 5/30)
10 AM to 3 PM
Saturday & Sunday
Summer (6/1 - 9/30)
10 AM to 3 PM
Daily
Closed: New Years Day, Easter,
Thanksgiving Day &
Christmas Day
** Hours subject to change
without notice.
The Official Publication Of The Quonset Air Museum
The Quonset Scout