Indy Transponder 25-MAY-09 1130z

What a Show! AirExpo 2009 - Bay Net, MD
There was the amazing Patty Wagstaff who maneuvers her aircraft better than most car drivers can drive, the Red Eagle aerobatic team in their stunning Talon Eagle bi-planes, the B-25 Panchito piloted by Larry Kelley, the Yak team in their Soviet ...

Aero-TV: Mike Chapman Airshows -- Expanding The Envelope - Aero-News Network, FL
Recognized internationally as an aerobatic pilot who thrills millions of airshow fans each summer, he began flying aerobatics in 1984 and quickly worked his way up to the highest level of competition aerobatics – the Unlimited category. ...

Thanks to all involved for air show - Anderson Independent Mail, SC
Mr. Oldham flipped all the right switches and dialed in all the correct settings to bring a spectacular air show to the Anderson Regional Airport on May 13. It was an event that we will all be talking about for a very long time to come. ...

Snowbirds take to sky over waterfront - The Kingston Whig-Standard, Canada
From 6 to 6:45 pm over the waterfront, the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron precision aerobatic team will complete a show to celebrate 100 years of powered flight in Kingston. The 45-minute show can be best viewed from Confederation Park. ...

Umbria Air Show 2009: alcune foto from Technorati
La pattuglia acrobatica delle Frecce Tricolori a Castiglion del Lago per Umbria Air Show 2009 e molto altro… QUI ALCUNE FOTO PER GLI AMICI CHE C’ERANO.

Fog grounds some at Jones Beach holiday air show - Newsday, NY
BY JENNIFER MALONEY jennifer.maloney@newsday.com Fog disrupted the Bethpage Federal Credit Union New York Air Show at Jones Beach Sunday, grounding planes for two and a half hours and causing the cancellation of two star acts. ...

Thousands turn out for Southend Airshow - Essex Echo, UK
Thousands of people flocked to the seafront to see the Red Arrows roar across the skies in their 45th display season. The gorgeous weather led to a gridlocked A127 and trains packed full of visitors who came down from Romford and surrounding areas for ...

Fly-past to mark 20th anniversary - Haverhill Echo, UK
By Derek Bish A LOW-level flight by the Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be part of a service on Sunday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the unveiling of the memorial stone at RAF Wratting Common, in May 1989. ...

County airport's annual open house to offer aircraft rides, food ... - Lancaster Eagle Gazette, OH
But this year, in lieu of the Wings of Victory Airshow, organizers of the open house, plan to add a little bit more to the event. "This is the first year we're really doing a full-blown open house because we won't be doing the air show," said Pat ...

Behind the Barriers - Race Day - Motorsport.com, Florida
As the Anthem finished, two B-25 Mitchell bombers flew over the Speedway. The B-25 is the aircraft type flown by Colonel (later General) Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders in their attack on Japan in April, 1942. Doolittle, who was one of the world's best ...

Brisk trade in WWII planes thwarts efforts to recover missing fliers - Boston Globe, United States
Driven largely by wealthy American collectors, interest in such "warbirds" has grown into a multimillion-dollar frenzy that rivals the most feverish art trend or real estate boom, according to interviews with dozens of collectors, aircraft restorers, ...

Woman recalls years in WWII as pilot - Troy Record, NY
By Tom Caprood COLONIE — Sitting in her apartment, Lillian Yonally often watches planes coming into the local airport and remembers an earlier time in her life when one of the best things to do was to fly a B-25 bomber. Yonally, 87, was one of the ...

Bluffs veteran remembers B-17 as 'one of the best' - SW Iowa News, IA
By TIM JOHNSON, Staff Writer “It was one of the best,” retired Lt. James Hamilton of Council Bluffs said of the Boeing B-17. Hamilton, 93, flew 40 missions in B-17s during World War II and ferried “Flying Fortresses” after he returned to the States. ...

Edwards AFB Goes Hollywood from Aero-News Network
Ironman II Filmed on Location Scenes from the upcoming movie Ironman II were filmed at Edwards AFB, May 11-13, with the support of about 60 members of 'Team Edwards' taking part as extras and technical advisors. Parts of the first Ironman as well as numerous movies and television shows have also taken advantage of Edwards for filming in the past.

Today In Military/Aviation History 25 - 31 May - Well Folks, another seven have left the building. I’m here to tell you it was a quick AND expensive one for me. I hate when that happens, but what are ya gonna do? Say, listen, tomorrow is Memorial Day (Observed) and next Saturday is the real Memorial Day. Would you do me a favor? On BOTH days, could you find some time and read what follows? I and the Folks mentioned would really appreciate it. All Veterans and soldiers not alive, I thank you, WWII Veterans, I thank you, Korean Veterans, ...

Aircraft Becomes Historic Place from AVwebFlash Current Issue
Well, if they're going to charge property tax it might as well be a "place," and Indiana's Historic Preservation Review Board has apparently found sufficient ground to deem "Hot Stuff" -- a very rare Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon -- worthy of the National and State of Indiana Historic Registers. The aircraft may now be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the group that maintains the aircraft, an honor normally reserved for historic homes, buildings or neighborhoods. The Lockheed PV-2, operated by the Indianapolis based American Military Heritage Foundation Inc. (AMHF), is thought to be one of only two currently in flying condition and the AMHF believes Hot Stuff is fit for the honor. PV-2s served during WWII as submarine hunters along the eastern seaboard and in the South Pacific. They were also used in the Empire Express bombing raids launched from the Aleutians after the Japanese occupation there (spring of 1942 to June 1943), which targeted the Japanese-held Kurile Islands, according to the AMHF. "Hot Stuff" served in an Empire Express squadron and served in the reserves but never saw combat as she was delivered to the Nave in March of 1945. Purdue graduate Ralph Johnson later saved the aircraft when he purchased a fleet as surplus from the Navy and redeployed the aircraft as crop dusters. As a flying aircraft, Hot Stuff will be making public appearances.

Harlingen Army Airfield: School for 'Top Guns' - Brownsville Herald, TX United States
Besides flying tow planes, Slade also trained men to fly airplanes such as B-25 and B-26 bombers, she said. Another of those pilots was Athey, now retired and living in San Benito. As Athey would fly gunnery students from Harlingen to the coastal ...

United States - California - Watsonville Fly-in & Air Show 2009 - Watsonville - 05/23/09 from FenceCheck Forums

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“Hot Stuff” is Rare Stuff

An honor and distinction reserved primarily for historical neighborhoods, old homes and buildings worthy of preservation, has been given to “Hot Stuff” a rare WWII aircraft. The Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, operated by the Indianapolis based American Military Heritage Foundation, Inc. on the national air show circuit is one of only two known to be in flying condition.

In March, 2009, the State of Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board moved to place the aircraft on the National and State of Indiana Historic Registers.

“This is a wonderful status for the plane and our all-volunteer organization,” said, Penny Litz, president. “We hope to keep this airplane flying for a long time, there’s no other fun and impressive way to get hands-on historical experience than with a project like this.

“We don't often get to assist in the designation of a historic aircraft”, said Paul Diebold, Team leader, Survey & Registration, Indiana DNR-Div. of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. “We’re much more used to working with homeowners and businesses in the listing of their historic properties. But it’s been a thrill to be a part of this designation. There are very few historic aircraft that are original enough to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”

PV-1's and 2's were used by the U. S. Navy as submarine hunters along the eastern seaboard and in the South Pacific. Launched from Attu in the Aleutian Islands, they were used exclusively in the Empire Express bombing raids on the Japanese held Kurile Islands during WWII. The PV-2, the look-alike, bigger brother, was designed to be longer-ranged and heavier armed.

“Not many people are familiar with the Japanese occupation of the Aleutian Islands after the Pearl Harbor attack”, said Litz. “They were up there from spring 1942 – June 1943 – and up to no good; it took us a whole year to get rid of them. This was the first time since the War of 1812 that an enemy was on American soil and it got very little press.”

Once the Aleutians were back in the control of the United States, PV-1 Venturas were assigned to conduct photo and later bombing reconnaissance missions round-trip from Attu to the Kurile Islands, a distance of 1,500 miles. The missions were lengthy and the Harpoon with its capacity for carry more fuel and arms, was born. Delivery of PV-2’s began early 1945.


“It is firmly believed that these raids helped win WWII by tricking the Japanese into believing that they would be or could be attacked from the North – Just as they tried to do with us and it is estimated that they diverted one-sixth of their resources away from the South Pacific,” said Litz.

"Hot Stuff" was assigned to an Empire Express squadron, VPB #136 and was later used in the reserves but never saw combat because she was manufactured and delivered to the Navy (March 1945) too close to the end of the war “which accounts for her excellent structural condition,” says Litz.

In the 1950’s Indiana native and 1930 Purdue University graduate, Ralph Johnson, saved this aircraft and 21 others like it when he purchased the fleet as surplus from the Navy and put them into service as agricultural sprayers out west. “One can only guess what would have happened to this plane had it not been re-purposed,” said Litz.

“This plane could have found a home with a group in some other state,” says Diebold,
“fortunately they chose Indiana and we’re lucky that they’ve decided to stay here and provide this opportunity.’

The aircraft will be on display at the 13th annual Indianapolis Air Show June 5-7 at the Mt. Comfort Airport. PV-1 & 2 veterans will be at the aircraft to answer questions and sign autographs.

To become an AMHF supporter/ member and volunteer, contact Penny Litz at 760-835-7529 or go to www.AMHF.org

American Military Heritage Foundation
Mt. Comfort AirportP. O. Box 29061
Indianapolis, IN 46229
www.AMHF.org
760-835-7529-cell* 317-883-4721-fax
Indiowrite@aol.com

Contact: Penny Litz, President

WWII-Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, Hot Stuff

Press Release
American Military Heritage Foundation
Mt. Comfort Airport, Greenfield, IN
www.AMHF.org
Contact: Penny Litz, President
760-835-7529
Indiowrite@aol.com

Mt. Comfort Indiana (May 23, 2008) The American Military Heritage Foundation’s WWII-Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, Hot Stuff – the only one currently flying – has been temporarily grounded with an engine problem. Repairs to bring the engine within service limits are estimated to be $20,000 and could be completed this year if funding can be secured soon.

“This is a small amount of money, compared to what a complete overhaul would cost,” said John Parka, AMHF board member. “We hear those are running around $60,000; we’re trying to be cost efficient and this would give us a good safe engine. We’d prefer one in a can that the Navy overhauled and preserved in the 1950’s, - they did a great job back then – but the R-2800-31 is hard to come by and the price of one, if it’s to be had, approaches that of an overhaul.”

Anyone interested in making a contribution can call 760-835-7529 or go to the website www.amhf.org. “All we would need is 200 people making a $100 contribution and we’ve already got a small jump on it”, said Parka. The AMHF is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible.

The Harpoon’s last show flight was in July 2007, when she made an appearance over downtown Indianapolis during a parade honoring the surviving crewmen of the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (www.ussindianapolis.us). It was a PV-1 Ventura, the Harpoon’s predecessor, which found the men of the torpedoed ship after 4 days in shark-infested waters. Both organizations are based in Indianapolis, IN.


The PV-1's and PV-2's were used during the war in a variety of roles, serving as long-range maritime patrol aircraft, medium bombers, night fighters, and submarine hunters. They patrolled the eastern seaboard including South America, served throughout the Pacific theater, and protected the U.S.-owned Aleutian Islands. “Everyone knows that the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor, but few people remember that they seized Attu and Kiska (in the Aleutian chain, off Alaska) in 1942,” said Penny Litz, foundation president. After U. S. forces liberated Attu, the PV-1's and PV-2's operated offensively from the Japanese-built air bases.

Hot Stuff belonged to one of these “Empire Express” squadrons, VPB-136, flying long-range bombing missions against the northern Japanese Kurile Islands. It’s been estimated that the Japanese had to divert one-sixth of their fleet in defense of their northern islands because of these aircraft.

“It’s in the process of being nominated for the National and State Historic Register, there is a lot of historical and associative value with this aircraft; it is so important to keep it flying, by this time next year it will officially be a national treasure,” said Litz.

“Hot Stuff” has been on the national airshow circuit for almost two decades and was featured on Aero Shell Square at EAA Airventure Oshkosh in 2005.

The PV-2 Harpoon, the longer-ranged big brother to the PV-1 Ventura, was used as a double for the PV-1 in a Nova documentary, “The Last Flight of Bomber 31,” which aired on national PBS for several years. http://amhf.org/nova.shtml, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bomber/)

The Harpoon is viewed as a valuable Indiana resource by the Geography Educators' Network of Indiana, as reflected in the classroom curriculum developed by the organization on behalf of Indiana high school and middle school Social Studies and Language Arts educators. www.iupui.edu/~ghw/lessons/materials/HarpoonActivities.doc

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