Mississippi Wing of the Commemorative Air Force

 

January ‘08

MISSISSIPPI WING

PO Box 3042
Madison, MS  39130-3042

 

WING LEADER

COL Eric Hollingsworth

 

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

COL George Steube

 

 

OPERATIONS OFFICER

COL Jim Barbee

Jim_Barbee@us.crawco.com

 

 

FINANCE  OFFICER

COL Pete Vozzo

pvozzo@yahoo.com

 

 

ADJUTANT

COL Greg Freeman

 

 

MAINTENANCE OFFICER

COL Dave Zavoina

 

 

FACILITIES ENGINEER

COL Tony Banus

 

 

SAFETY OFFICER

COL Ken Aasand

 

 

PROGRAMS OFFICER

COL Keith Jones

 

 

PX OFFICER

COL Bob Bates

 

 

FROM THE CROW’S NEST

     Another year has passed and the Mississippi Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is stronger than ever.  Several new members have joined our ranks and found their own ways to contribute to the C.A.F.  Getting plugged in and offering your time and talents is essential in making our Mission a success.

     As a unit of dedicated men and women, we have the opportunity to share a rapidly disappearing era in history with a new generation that could never imagine the sacrifices that have been made for them.  Neither textbooks, nor the History Channel can offer an individual the full experience of an air battle, a bombing raid, or a strafing run.  The C.A.F. is uniquely qualified to demonstrate that very thing.  This is our Mission.

     Sure, closely examining an aircraft in a museum, or on an airport ramp can spur the imagination.  How much more-so can the snorts of a radial coming to life, the smell of burning oil, the ripping of the propeller in the air, or the low drone of an L-Bird's Franklin engine bring to life what the men and machines experienced in wartime.  

     As in year's past, 2008 will bring us the opportunity to share our vintage aircraft (both C.A.F. and member owned) and memorabilia with thousands of air show spectators and curios passers by.  Sure we have fun flying, selling, and socializing, but more importantly we are passing along a piece of our nation’s history.  Something that should never be lost!

     In a week or two we will see the return of our beloved, freshly overhauled Franklin.  With it running properly, we need to re-focus our efforts on the few remaining items left on the L-9 re-construction checklist.  Finishing up the cowling, brakes, rigging, a little bit of avionics, and getting the required inspections should have us ready for the summer air show season.  The L-9 offers us new opportunities to share a piece of aviation history.  Let's get her in ship-shape and back out into the sunlight.  Sharing this aircraft and her history with the general public is our legacy.

      Keep ‘em flying  - COL Eric Hollingsworth

 

 

 

Annual Dues

 

            Please take note of the attached notice for dues this year found at the end of this newsletter.  Your annual membership is important to us and your $35.00 check helps to keep the utilities paid!

 

            Likewise, it is important to keep current on your National dues.  They are invoiced direct to you from National HQ on your membership anniversary.  Several have found that a “budget-friendly” way to pay these National dues is the monthly bank draft in lieu of writing a once-a-year check!

 

Stinson 10A

 

            According to Ken Aasand, work has continued to progress on the engine and it should be ready for shipping to us on schedule by the end of this month.  This is good news.  Our plan continues to be that we will fly the airplane prior to spring and have it ready for the upcoming air show season!

 

 

 

January Meeting

 

            This month’s meeting will be Saturday, January 19th at the Hangar-Museum.  We’ll look to see you there as we present a thorough update on the status of returning the Stinson to flight.  Be there and learn more about the engine and its overhaul in Wisconsin as well as the other systems currently finishing up restoration on this beautiful, yellow flying machine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wing Staff Conference

 

The Wing will be represented this year at the annual Wing Staff meeting in Midland/Odessa on March 8 & 9, 2008 by our Wing Leader, COL Eric Hollingsworth.  If anyone else has an interest in attending, please contact Eric for details.  EVERYONE is encouraged to attend on their own and it is not an expensive event.  See the December issue of CONTRAILS for more details.

 

COL Eric Hollingsworth assumes leadership role

 

Hangar Space

 

Our hangar is currently full, but we are re-establishing our “waiting list” and make it fair for all those involved.  Here are the basic rules:  (1) Aircraft already inside hangar retain priority over newly arriving aircraft.  (2) Owners MUST be COLs in good standing at National as well as Mississippi Wing members.  (3) Owners MUST furnish Wing with a current certificate of insurance on their aircraft.  (4) Owners must pay each quarter in advance by 15th of first month in respective quarter.  (5) Violations relating to rules 2 through 4 trump rule 1; i.e., an aircraft can be thrown out.  (6) Warbirds (designed and produced for military purposes) have priority on waiting-list and “jump” all others on waiting list when the aircraft is available to move into hangar space.  (7) Pre-war production aircraft (prior to 1942) have priority on waiting list and “jump” all except warbirds on waiting list when registered with Wing.  If you are interested in placing your aircraft on the Wing’s waiting list, please submit request along with evidence relating to rules 2 and 3 to Wing Staff.

 

 

 

 

 

T-6 Texans

 

            You’ve been seeing them in formation for about a year now.  Most of these privately owned birds have been put up for winter with maintenance taking a priority over flying.  But as the weather starts to get more predictable (hey, isn’t our two weeks of winter almost over?), we will once again see formation training amongst our five Mississippi member owned T-6 aircraft picking up where it left off last fall.  The aircraft and their pilots, collectively, are becoming known as the Mississippi Wing “SNJ Flyers”.  We have several members on the verge of taking check rides for their Leader and Wingman cards – Good Luck to them as they move forward!

 

 

 

WING DUES FORM

please cut and return with your check
******************************************

 

Name:  __________________________________

 

E*Mail Address:  __________________________

 

 

Please send your $35 annual dues to:

            MS Wing, CAF

PO Box 3042
Madison, MS  39130-3042

 

Mailing address (only if you do not have e-mail)

 

            ____________________

            ____________________

            ____________________

 

USAF / C.A.F.  Heritage Flight

 

 

Schedule of 2008 Air Show Events

 

Mar 29        Tyndall AFB

 

Mar 29/30     NAS Meridian

 

Apr 5         Slidell, LA

 

Apr 26        Hawkins Field

 

May 10/11     Barksdale AFB

 

May 17/18     Ft. Smith, Ark

 

Jun 28/29     Huntsville

 

Jul 11        Pensacola Beach

 

Sep 8         Greenville, MS

 

Sep 27/80      AIRSHO    

                       Midland, TX

 

Sep 27/28     Birmingham Aero

 

Oct 18/19     Great Georgia

                       Dixie Wing, Atlanta

 

Oct 25/26     Wings Over Houston

 

Nov 1/2       Lafayette, LA

 

Nov 9/10       NAS Pensacola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

© Mississippi Wing, Commemorative Air Force