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>>> WELCOME TO "AT ISSUE. " THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
" THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
US. MY NAME IS H. WAYNE WILSON.
MY NAME IS H. WAYNE WILSON. FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR, WE WILL
FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR, WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT WAR BIRDS,
BE TALKING ABOUT WAR BIRDS, AIRPLANES THAT COME FROM THE WAR
AIRPLANES THAT COME FROM THE WAR ERA, PRIMARILY WORLD WAR II.
ERA, PRIMARILY WORLD WAR II. WHY WILL WE TALK ABOUT THAT
WHY WILL WE TALK ABOUT THAT TOPIC?
TOPIC? BECAUSE WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHO
BECAUSE WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHO IS GOING TO PRESERVE THAT
IS GOING TO PRESERVE THAT HISTORY INTO THE FUTURE.
HISTORY INTO THE FUTURE. WE WILL BE TALKING WITH ONE
WE WILL BE TALKING WITH ONE INDIVIDUAL ABOUT THAT WHO FLIES
INDIVIDUAL ABOUT THAT WHO FLIES THIS AIRPLANE.
THIS AIRPLANE. IT THIS IS A TBM AVENGER,
IT THIS IS A TBM AVENGER, LANDING AT THE GALESBURG AIRPORT
LANDING AT THE GALESBURG AIRPORT AT THE TIME.
AT THE TIME. HERE IT IS FLYING UP IN PERU AT
HERE IT IS FLYING UP IN PERU AT THE PERU AIRPORT WHERE IT IS
THE PERU AIRPORT WHERE IT IS HOUSED.
HOUSED. IT IS A WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT
IT IS A WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT THAT WE HAVE USED IN THE PACIFIC
THAT WE HAVE USED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER.
THEATER. IT WAS USED AFTER WORLD WAR II
IT WAS USED AFTER WORLD WAR II AS WELL.
AS WELL. WE ALSO WILL BE TALKING ABOUT,
WE ALSO WILL BE TALKING ABOUT, YES, THAT IS A STEERMAN AT THE
YES, THAT IS A STEERMAN AT THE GALESBURG AIRPORT FOR THE
GALESBURG AIRPORT FOR THE NATIONAL FLY IN, OPEN COCKPIT
NATIONAL FLY IN, OPEN COCKPIT FLYING.
FLYING. WE WILL BE TALKING TO A YOUNG
WE WILL BE TALKING TO A YOUNG MAN WHO RESTORES THOSE AIRCRAFT.
MAN WHO RESTORES THOSE AIRCRAFT. VERY FEW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING
VERY FEW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING SO, SOLE WE WILL BE TALKING
SO, SOLE WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE STEERMAN
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE STEERMAN AND OTHER WAR BIRDS.
AND OTHER WAR BIRDS. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US FOR
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US FOR THIS UNIQUE LOOK AT AIRPLANES,
THIS UNIQUE LOOK AT AIRPLANES, ESPECIALLY AIRPLANES THAT ARE IN
ESPECIALLY AIRPLANES THAT ARE IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS. TO DO THAT, I AM WELCOMING BRAD
TO DO THAT, I AM WELCOMING BRAD DECKERT.
DECKERT. BRAD, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
BRAD, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
THANKS FOR HAVING ME. >>BRAD IS THE OWNER AND THE
>>BRAD IS THE OWNER AND THE PILOT FOR THE AVENGER THAT YOU
PILOT FOR THE AVENGER THAT YOU SAW.
SAW. IT IS A TBM AVENGER.
IT IS A TBM AVENGER. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A
WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT.
MOMENT. FIRST, WE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE
FIRST, WE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF
BIT ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF THESE AIRPLANES.
THESE AIRPLANES. THE AVENGER WAS BUILT BY
THE AVENGER WAS BUILT BY GRUMMAN, AND GENERAL MOTORS.
GRUMMAN, AND GENERAL MOTORS. YOU HAVE A GENERAL MOTORS
YOU HAVE A GENERAL MOTORS AIRPLANE?
AIRPLANE? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. ABOUT THE FIRST THOUSAND OF TEN
ABOUT THE FIRST THOUSAND OF TEN THOUSAND WERE BUILT BY GRUMMAN,
THOUSAND WERE BUILT BY GRUMMAN, AND THEN GENERAL MOTORS TOOK
AND THEN GENERAL MOTORS TOOK OVER THE PRODUCTION BECAUSE
OVER THE PRODUCTION BECAUSE GRUMMAN COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH
GRUMMAN COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING THEY WERE BUILDING.
EVERYTHING THEY WERE BUILDING. >>AND THE INDICATION THAT IT IS
>>AND THE INDICATION THAT IT IS A GM MANUFACTURED AIRPLANE IS
A GM MANUFACTURED AIRPLANE IS WHAT?
WHAT? >> IS THE "M" AT THE END, TBM,
>> IS THE "M" AT THE END, TBM, TORPEDO BOMBER, M IS IT WAS
TORPEDO BOMBER, M IS IT WAS BUILT BY GM.
BUILT BY GM. >>A GRUMMAN, DESIGNATED BY WHAT.
>>A GRUMMAN, DESIGNATED BY WHAT. >>F.
>>F. >>IT WAS TORPEDO LAUNCHED?
>>IT WAS TORPEDO LAUNCHED? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >>CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE
>>CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF YOUR AIRPLANE.
ORIGIN OF YOUR AIRPLANE. >>THIS PARTICULAR AIRPLANE WAS
>>THIS PARTICULAR AIRPLANE WAS BUILT IN 1945.
BUILT IN 1945. IT FLEW OFF THE USS VILLA GULF,
IT FLEW OFF THE USS VILLA GULF, WHICH WAS A SMALL AIRCRAFT
WHICH WAS A SMALL AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE PACIFIC.
CARRIER IN THE PACIFIC. THIS ONE ACTUALLY SAW ACTION IN
THIS ONE ACTUALLY SAW ACTION IN THE WAR IT DROPPED BOMBS IN
THE WAR IT DROPPED BOMBS IN OKINAWA, AND WE LEARNED RECENTLY
OKINAWA, AND WE LEARNED RECENTLY IT WAS SITTING ON THE DECK OF
IT WAS SITTING ON THE DECK OF THE CARRIER NO TOKYO BAY WHEN
THE CARRIER NO TOKYO BAY WHEN THEY SIGNED THE SURRENDER.
THEY SIGNED THE SURRENDER. YOU CAME TO BECOME OWNER, HOW?
YOU CAME TO BECOME OWNER, HOW? >> WELL, ONE NIGHT AT THE FARGO
>> WELL, ONE NIGHT AT THE FARGO AIR MUSEUM, THEY CON CONVINCED I
AIR MUSEUM, THEY CON CONVINCED I SHOULD OWN IT.
SHOULD OWN IT. >>I WON'T ASK WHAT THE OCCASION
>>I WON'T ASK WHAT THE OCCASION WAS.
WAS. (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>EVERY PILOT I HAVE EVER MET
>>EVERY PILOT I HAVE EVER MET DREAMS OF OWNING A WARBIRD.
DREAMS OF OWNING A WARBIRD. I WASN'T REALLY LOOKING FOR ONE,
I WASN'T REALLY LOOKING FOR ONE, WASN'T REALLY QUALIFIED
WASN'T REALLY QUALIFIED FINANCIALLY OR EXPERIENCE WISE,
FINANCIALLY OR EXPERIENCE WISE, BUT WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY
BUT WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF, I HAD TO TRY.
PRESENTED ITSELF, I HAD TO TRY. >>YOU HAVE OWNED IT FOR HOW
>>YOU HAVE OWNED IT FOR HOW LONG?
LONG? >> ABOUT SIX YEARS NOW.
>> ABOUT SIX YEARS NOW. SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE
SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO OF THE AIRPLANE, AND I
VIDEO OF THE AIRPLANE, AND I WANT TO SHOW THIS VIDEO IN
WANT TO SHOW THIS VIDEO IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE IT WILL SHOW
PARTICULAR BECAUSE IT WILL SHOW YOU THE WINGS OF THIS AIRCRAFT.
YOU THE WINGS OF THIS AIRCRAFT. BECAUSE IT WAS ON AIRCRT
BECAUSE IT WAS ON AIRCRT CARRIER, IT HAD TO HAVE ITS
CARRIER, IT HAD TO HAVE ITS WINGS FOLDED.
WINGS FOLDED. AS YOU CAN SEE THE WINGS ARE
AS YOU CAN SEE THE WINGS ARE FOLDING.
FOLDING. THE AIRPLANE HAS 52 FEET WING
THE AIRPLANE HAS 52 FEET WING SPAN, BUT.
SPAN, BUT. EVEN THE SMALL CARRIERS THEY
EVEN THE SMALL CARRIERS THEY WOULD HAVE UP TO 30 OF THEM ON A
WOULD HAVE UP TO 30 OF THEM ON A CARRIER.
CARRIER. >> YOU MENTIONED IT TOOK OFF --
>> YOU MENTIONED IT TOOK OFF -- TAKES OFF AT 500 FEET.
TAKES OFF AT 500 FEET. >>CARRIER THAT ONE FLEW OFF OF
>>CARRIER THAT ONE FLEW OFF OF ONLY HAD 500-FOOT DECK.
ONLY HAD 500-FOOT DECK. SO IT HAD TO GET OFF OF
SO IT HAD TO GET OFF OF 500 FEET.
500 FEET. ALTHOUGH THEY DID HAVE CATAPULTS
ALTHOUGH THEY DID HAVE CATAPULTS IN WORLD WAR II.
IN WORLD WAR II. THIS AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED TO BE
THIS AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED TO BE CATAPULTED, ALSO.
CATAPULTED, ALSO. >>I FIRST SAW YOUR AIRCRAFT AT
>>I FIRST SAW YOUR AIRCRAFT AT THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT
THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION FLY IN IN OSHKOSH,
ASSOCIATION FLY IN IN OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN, THIS SUMMER.
WISCONSIN, THIS SUMMER. DO YOU FLY TO A LOT OF AIR SHOWS
DO YOU FLY TO A LOT OF AIR SHOWS TO SHOW OFF THE WARBIRD THIS.
TO SHOW OFF THE WARBIRD THIS. >>YES.
>>YES. THE AIRPLANE'S PRIMARY MISSION
THE AIRPLANE'S PRIMARY MISSION NOW IS EDUCATION.
NOW IS EDUCATION. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT DROPPING
OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT DROPPING BOMBS ON ANYTHING.
BOMBS ON ANYTHING. SO WE USED EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE
SO WE USED EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE CAN TO FLY TO AIR SHOWS AND MEET
CAN TO FLY TO AIR SHOWS AND MEET THE VETERANS TO SHOW IT TO THE
THE VETERANS TO SHOW IT TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND JUST RAISE
YOUNG PEOPLE AND JUST RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PIECE OF
AWARENESS OF THE PIECE OF HISTORY.
HISTORY. >>AND HOW MANY OF THESE ARE
>>AND HOW MANY OF THESE ARE LEFT?
LEFT? >> THERE IS ABOUT A HUNDRED THAT
>> THERE IS ABOUT A HUNDRED THAT EXISTS, BUT ONLY 15 THAT FLY.
EXISTS, BUT ONLY 15 THAT FLY. >>IN THE WORLD?
>>IN THE WORLD? >> IN THE WORLD OF 10,000 BUILT.
>> IN THE WORLD OF 10,000 BUILT. >>WHY HAVE YOU TAKEN IT UPON
>>WHY HAVE YOU TAKEN IT UPON YOUR SHOULDERS TO MAKE SURE YOU
YOUR SHOULDERS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ONE OF THE 15?
HAVE ONE OF THE 15? >> WELL, I GUESS, LIKE I SAID
>> WELL, I GUESS, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, OWNING A WAR BIRD IS
BEFORE, OWNING A WAR BIRD IS EVERY PILOT'S DREAM.
EVERY PILOT'S DREAM. WHAT I DIDN'T FORESEE WAS HOW
WHAT I DIDN'T FORESEE WAS HOW QUICKLY IT WOULD CHANGE FROM
QUICKLY IT WOULD CHANGE FROM BRAD'S BIG POWERFUL TOY TO
BRAD'S BIG POWERFUL TOY TO CARETAKERS OF A PIECE OF
CARETAKERS OF A PIECE OF HISTORY.
HISTORY. >>HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GONE FROM
>>HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GONE FROM HOME?
HOME? >> OH, THIS SUMMER WE HAVE BEEN
>> OH, THIS SUMMER WE HAVE BEEN DOING SHOWS, PROBABLY THREE
DOING SHOWS, PROBABLY THREE WEEKENDS A MONTH, AND THEN REST
WEEKENDS A MONTH, AND THEN REST OF THE TIME WE ARE WORKING ON
OF THE TIME WE ARE WORKING ON IT.
IT. >> YOUR WIFE GOES WITH YOU?
>> YOUR WIFE GOES WITH YOU? >> FOR MOST SHOWS, SHE DOES.
>> FOR MOST SHOWS, SHE DOES. SHE VERY MUCH ENJOYS MEETING THE
SHE VERY MUCH ENJOYS MEETING THE VETERANS AND JUST BEING A PART
VETERANS AND JUST BEING A PART OF THE WHOLE THING.
OF THE WHOLE THING. >>WHO WANTS TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE
>>WHO WANTS TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE MORE, YOU OR YOUR WIFE?
MORE, YOU OR YOUR WIFE? >> IT TURNS OUT IT IS HER.
>> IT TURNS OUT IT IS HER. IT TURNS OUT IT IS HER.
IT TURNS OUT IT IS HER. >>WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO UP
>>WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO UP TO THE PERU AIRPORT WHERE THE
TO THE PERU AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT IS HOUSED.
AIRCRAFT IS HOUSED. BRAD WAS NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE US
BRAD WAS NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF A WALK AROUND OF
A LITTLE BIT OF A WALK AROUND OF THE AIRPLANE.
THE AIRPLANE. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. >>AVENGER CAME WITH 42600.
>>AVENGER CAME WITH 42600. 2600 CUBIC INCH ENG I.
2600 CUBIC INCH ENG I. THIS PARTICULAR VERSION MAKES
THIS PARTICULAR VERSION MAKES 1900-HORSEPOWER BE AND VERY FUEL
1900-HORSEPOWER BE AND VERY FUEL THIRSTY.
THIRSTY. BUT VERY POWERFUL.
BUT VERY POWERFUL. NEEDED TO GET AN 18,000-POUND
NEEDED TO GET AN 18,000-POUND AIRPLANE OFF OF 500-FOOT
AIRPLANE OFF OF 500-FOOT CARRIER.
CARRIER. AND IT DID IT.
AND IT DID IT. >> THIS AIRPLANE WAS DESIGNED
>> THIS AIRPLANE WAS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO CARRY ONE 2,000
PRIMARILY TO CARRY ONE 2,000 PANDORE PE DO, WHICH YOU SEE UP
PANDORE PE DO, WHICH YOU SEE UP IN HERE, A 14-FOOT LONG,
IN HERE, A 14-FOOT LONG, 2,000-POUND, HAD ABOUT
2,000-POUND, HAD ABOUT 500 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVE IN IT
500 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVE IN IT THE AIRPLANE COULD CARRY
THE AIRPLANE COULD CARRY 2,000 POUNDS OF ORDINANCES,
2,000 POUNDS OF ORDINANCES, WHETHER IT WAS IN BOMBS,
WHETHER IT WAS IN BOMBS, TORPEDO, OR IN THIS CASE, WE ARE
TORPEDO, OR IN THIS CASE, WE ARE CARRYING 500-POUND BOMB UNDER
CARRYING 500-POUND BOMB UNDER EACH WING. YOU CAN PUT DEPTH
EACH WING. YOU CAN PUT DEPTH CHANGES, OR EXTRA FUEL RANGE.
CHANGES, OR EXTRA FUEL RANGE. OUTBOARD OF THAT, WE HAVE WHAT
OUTBOARD OF THAT, WE HAVE WHAT THEY CALL THE ZERO LAUNCH
THEY CALL THE ZERO LAUNCH ROCKETS, AND THESE ROCKETS WERE
ROCKETS, AND THESE ROCKETS WERE SOLID FUEL ONCE THEY ARE
SOLID FUEL ONCE THEY ARE IGNITED, THEY WERE IGNITED AND
IGNITED, THEY WERE IGNITED AND THEY HAD HARDENED STEEL TIPS,
THEY HAD HARDENED STEEL TIPS, AND THEY PRIMARILY USE THEM FOR
AND THEY PRIMARILY USE THEM FOR PUNCHING HOLES IN SUBMARINES.
PUNCHING HOLES IN SUBMARINES. THIS IS ANOTHER FEATURE THAT WE
THIS IS ANOTHER FEATURE THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO
HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE.
HAVE. THIS APS4 FORWARD LOOKING RADAR
THIS APS4 FORWARD LOOKING RADAR UNIT.
UNIT. WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THIS
WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THIS AIRPLANE IN THE WAR CARRYING A
AIRPLANE IN THE WAR CARRYING A UNIT JUST LIKE THIS THAT WAS TO
UNIT JUST LIKE THIS THAT WAS TO FIND SHIPS AT NIGHT OR
FIND SHIPS AT NIGHT OR SUBMARINES SO THEY COULD TORPEDO
SUBMARINES SO THEY COULD TORPEDO OR BOMB THEM.
OR BOMB THEM. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE WITH THIS
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE WITH THIS AIRPLANE THAT IT ACTUALLY HAS
AIRPLANE THAT IT ACTUALLY HAS COMBAT HISTORY.
COMBAT HISTORY. I DROP BOMBS ON OAK NOW WITH A
I DROP BOMBS ON OAK NOW WITH A AND HAS A BULLET HOLES IN IT.
AND HAS A BULLET HOLES IN IT. THERE WAS A BULLET HOLE THAT
THERE WAS A BULLET HOLE THAT CAME IN BACK OF THE PILOT AND
CAME IN BACK OF THE PILOT AND ONE IN FRONT OF THE PILOT.
ONE IN FRONT OF THE PILOT. AS PART OF OUR CONTINUED
AS PART OF OUR CONTINUED RESTORATION, WE WERE ABLE TO
RESTORATION, WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE ORIGINAL BALTERATE.
LOCATE ORIGINAL BALTERATE. TYPICAL OF HOW HARD SOME OF THE
TYPICAL OF HOW HARD SOME OF THE PARTS ARE TO FIND, THIS
PARTS ARE TO FIND, THIS PARTICULAR BALTURATE WAS BURIED
PARTICULAR BALTURATE WAS BURIED IN BARBER'S POINT, HAWAII, IN A
IN BARBER'S POINT, HAWAII, IN A CLEAN UP EFFORT AFTER THE WAR,
CLEAN UP EFFORT AFTER THE WAR, AND WAS EXCAVATING PROBABLY IN
AND WAS EXCAVATING PROBABLY IN THE 90'S.
THE 90'S. SO WHEN WE GOT IT SEVERAL YEARS
SO WHEN WE GOT IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IT WAS A BALL OF CORROSION
AGO, IT WAS A BALL OF CORROSION WITH BULLDOZER MARKS, AND A
WITH BULLDOZER MARKS, AND A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS OUT IN IOWA
GREAT GROUP OF GUYS OUT IN IOWA HELPED ME RESTORE IT TO WHERE IT
HELPED ME RESTORE IT TO WHERE IT IS NOW, AND INSTALL IT.
IS NOW, AND INSTALL IT. IT IS ANOTHER GREAT ORIGINAL
IT IS ANOTHER GREAT ORIGINAL PIECE.
PIECE. A COUPLE OF THINGS ON THE TAIL
A COUPLE OF THINGS ON THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE HERE, FIRST OFF
OF THE AIRPLANE HERE, FIRST OFF IS TAIL HOOK.
IS TAIL HOOK. THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAD
THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAD RETRACTIBLE TAIL HOOK FOR
RETRACTIBLE TAIL HOOK FOR LANDING ON THE CARRIERS,
LANDING ON THE CARRIERS, OBVIOUSLY.
OBVIOUSLY. SOMETHING ELSE BEING MOST WORLD
SOMETHING ELSE BEING MOST WORLD WAR II, THIS ONE INCLUDED, H
WAR II, THIS ONE INCLUDED, H FABRIC CONTROL SURFACES.
FABRIC CONTROL SURFACES. ON ALUMINUM RIBS, BUT IT IS
ON ALUMINUM RIBS, BUT IT IS STRETCHED FABRIC BE AND THEY DID
STRETCHED FABRIC BE AND THEY DID THAT FOR WEIGHT.
THAT FOR WEIGHT. PROBABLY THE MOST REWARDING
PROBABLY THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT TAKING THE AVENGER
THING ABOUT TAKING THE AVENGER AROUND IS TALKING TO THE
AROUND IS TALKING TO THE ORIGINAL CREW MEMBERS AND
ORIGINAL CREW MEMBERS AND HEARING THEIR STORIES AND SEEING
HEARING THEIR STORIES AND SEEING THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH IT,
THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH IT, SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN DOING
SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS LAST YEAR IS HAVING
THIS LAST YEAR IS HAVING ORIGINAL TBM CREW MEMBERS SIGN
ORIGINAL TBM CREW MEMBERS SIGN THE INSIDE OF OUR DOOR.
THE INSIDE OF OUR DOOR. WE HAVE GOT A FAIRLY SHORT
WE HAVE GOT A FAIRLY SHORT WINDOW LEFT TO BE ABLE TO TALK
WINDOW LEFT TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THOSE GUYS.
TO THOSE GUYS. IT IS AN HONOR FOR US TO HAVE
IT IS AN HONOR FOR US TO HAVE THEM SIGN.
THEM SIGN. BRAD, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE
BRAD, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE SIGNATURES ON
BIT MORE ABOUT THE SIGNATURES ON THAT DOOR.
THAT DOOR. HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO YOU?
HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO YOU? >> WELL, IT TURNS OUT THE
>> WELL, IT TURNS OUT THE INTERACTION WITH THE VETERANS IS
INTERACTION WITH THE VETERANS IS BY FAR THE MOST REWARDING PART
BY FAR THE MOST REWARDING PART OF OWNING THE AIRPLANE.
OF OWNING THE AIRPLANE. THEY ALL HAVE SUCH AMAZING
THEY ALL HAVE SUCH AMAZING STORIES AND DID SUCH AMAZING
STORIES AND DID SUCH AMAZING THINGS.
THINGS. YOU NEVER TALK TO ONE THAT JUST
YOU NEVER TALK TO ONE THAT JUST PUT IN THEIR TIME.
PUT IN THEIR TIME. THEY HAVE ALL GOT TREMENDOUS
THEY HAVE ALL GOT TREMENDOUS STORIES AND MANY OF THEM HAVE
STORIES AND MANY OF THEM HAVE NOT EVER EVEN TOLD THEIR STORIES
NOT EVER EVEN TOLD THEIR STORIES TO ANYONE.
TO ANYONE. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY ARE WY
FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY ARE WY SEE THE AIRPLANE.
SEE THE AIRPLANE. SO THIS LAST YEAR WE HAVE
SO THIS LAST YEAR WE HAVE STARTED HAVING THEM SIGN THE
STARTED HAVING THEM SIGN THE DOOR ANY TIME WE RUN INTO A
DOOR ANY TIME WE RUN INTO A VETERAN, AND THAT'S BEEN
VETERAN, AND THAT'S BEEN REWARDING FOR BOTH OF US.
REWARDING FOR BOTH OF US. >>I NOTICED THE TWO BULLET HOLES
>>I NOTICED THE TWO BULLET HOLES IN THE AIRPLANE.
IN THE AIRPLANE. DOES THAT GIVE YOU A SPECIAL
DOES THAT GIVE YOU A SPECIAL SENSE WHEN YOU ARE FLYING THAT
SENSE WHEN YOU ARE FLYING THAT AIRPLANE, AND YOU KNOW THIS WAS
AIRPLANE, AND YOU KNOW THIS WAS A PLANE THAT WAS SHOT AT AND HIT
A PLANE THAT WAS SHOT AT AND HIT BY ENEMY GUNFIRE?
BY ENEMY GUNFIRE? >> OFTENTIMES WHEN I AM FLYING
>> OFTENTIMES WHEN I AM FLYING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FOR SHOWS, I
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FOR SHOWS, I WILL SIT AND THINK OF THE FACT
WILL SIT AND THINK OF THE FACT THAT I AM SITTING IN A PIECE OF
THAT I AM SITTING IN A PIECE OF HISTORY, AND HOW FAR AWAY FROM
HISTORY, AND HOW FAR AWAY FROM THE PACIFIC IT IS HOW MANY YEARS
THE PACIFIC IT IS HOW MANY YEARS AND HOW MANY MILES, AND WHO
AND HOW MANY MILES, AND WHO COULD HAVE FORESEEN GUYS LIKE ME
COULD HAVE FORESEEN GUYS LIKE ME WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH THESE
WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH THESE 70 YEARS AGO.
70 YEARS AGO. >>
>> >>FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NOT HEARD A
>>FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NOT HEARD A WARBIRD FLY, IT IS THE SOUND OF
WARBIRD FLY, IT IS THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE AS MUCH AS THE
THE ENGINE AS MUCH AS THE APPEARANCE OF THE AIRPLANE.
APPEARANCE OF THE AIRPLANE. WHEN THOSE 14 CYLINDERS CRANK
WHEN THOSE 14 CYLINDERS CRANK UP, THERE IS A CERTAIN -- I MEAN
UP, THERE IS A CERTAIN -- I MEAN DO YOU FEEL THAT IN THE COCKPIT?
DO YOU FEEL THAT IN THE COCKPIT? >> I DON'T FEEL IT IN THE
>> I DON'T FEEL IT IN THE COCKPIT QUITE AS MUCH AS YOU DO
COCKPIT QUITE AS MUCH AS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPLANE.
OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. BUT I VERY SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER
BUT I VERY SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER THE VERY FIRST TIME I SAW THIS
THE VERY FIRST TIME I SAW THIS AIRPLANE FIRE UP AND WHEN I
AIRPLANE FIRE UP AND WHEN I COULD FEEL THE PERCUSSION IN MY
COULD FEEL THE PERCUSSION IN MY CHEST AND FEEL IT ON THE RAMP,
CHEST AND FEEL IT ON THE RAMP, AND IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.
AND IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. >>YOU DO, AND YOU FEEL IT.
>>YOU DO, AND YOU FEEL IT. >>YES.
>>YES. >>IN ADDITION TO HEAR IT.
>>IN ADDITION TO HEAR IT. >>YES, ABSOLUTELY.
>>YES, ABSOLUTELY. >>SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE 14
>>SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE 14 CYLINDERS, THAT JUST SAYS POWER.
CYLINDERS, THAT JUST SAYS POWER. THERE IS A LOT OF POWER THERE.
THERE IS A LOT OF POWER THERE. >>LET'S TURN TO -- YOU DON'T OWN
>>LET'S TURN TO -- YOU DON'T OWN JUST AN AVENGER. YOU HAVE OTHER
JUST AN AVENGER. YOU HAVE OTHER AIRCRAFT IN YOUR OWNERSHIP.
AIRCRAFT IN YOUR OWNERSHIP. >>YES, THAT WHOLE FLYING HOBBY
>>YES, THAT WHOLE FLYING HOBBY IS KIND OF OBSESSION.
IS KIND OF OBSESSION. I HAVE A36 BONANZA WE USE FOR
I HAVE A36 BONANZA WE USE FOR TRAVEL, AND HELICOPTER LOCATED
TRAVEL, AND HELICOPTER LOCATED AT MY HOUSE, AND ALSO A
AT MY HOUSE, AND ALSO A STEERMAN.
STEERMAN. >>THE STEERMAN, IS THAT
>>THE STEERMAN, IS THAT OBVIOUSLY OPEN COCKPIT?
OBVIOUSLY OPEN COCKPIT? >> UH-HUH.
>> UH-HUH. >>IS THERE A DIFFERENT FEEL FROM
>>IS THERE A DIFFERENT FEEL FROM FLYING THE OTHER AIRCRAFT THAT
FLYING THE OTHER AIRCRAFT THAT ARE CLOSED IN?
ARE CLOSED IN? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY. THE STEERMAN IS A VERY UNIQUE
THE STEERMAN IS A VERY UNIQUE AIRPLANE TO FLY.
AIRPLANE TO FLY. IT IS JUST A LOT OF FUN AND KIND
IT IS JUST A LOT OF FUN AND KIND OF BRINGS BACK THE ROARING 20'S
OF BRINGS BACK THE ROARING 20'S FEEL.
FEEL. (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>ROARING 20'S FEEL.
>>ROARING 20'S FEEL. >>THAT'S WHAT I PICTURE.
>>THAT'S WHAT I PICTURE. >>AS A MATTER OF FACT, THAT'S
>>AS A MATTER OF FACT, THAT'S APPROPRIATELY STATED BECAUSE
APPROPRIATELY STATED BECAUSE THIS STEERMAN MAN WAS FIRST
THIS STEERMAN MAN WAS FIRST BUILT IN CALIFORNIA IN 1926.
BUILT IN CALIFORNIA IN 1926. >>OKAY.
>>OKAY. >>THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT SO WELL.
>>THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT SO WELL. THEY FORMED THE COMPANY AND
THEY FORMED THE COMPANY AND ESTABLISHED IT IN WICHITA AND
ESTABLISHED IT IN WICHITA AND STARTED BUILDING STEERMEN IN
STARTED BUILDING STEERMEN IN 1927 IN WICHITA, THE MOST COMMON
1927 IN WICHITA, THE MOST COMMON OF WHICH IS THE 75.
OF WHICH IS THE 75. MODEL 75 WHICH YOU WILL SEE MANY
MODEL 75 WHICH YOU WILL SEE MANY OF AT THE GALESBURG NATIONAL
OF AT THE GALESBURG NATIONAL STEERMAN FLY IN.
STEERMAN FLY IN. PHOTOGRAPHER TODD PILAN AND I
PHOTOGRAPHER TODD PILAN AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT TO
HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT TO GALESBURG TO SEE THE STEERMAN
GALESBURG TO SEE THE STEERMAN FIRE UP AND FLY IN THE SKIES.
FIRE UP AND FLY IN THE SKIES. HERE IS ONE READY TO TAKE OFF,
HERE IS ONE READY TO TAKE OFF, BRAD.
BRAD. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU ARE GOING UP AND READY TO TAKE
ARE GOING UP AND READY TO TAKE OFF?
OFF? >> IN A STEERMAN?
>> IN A STEERMAN? >> YEAH.
>> YEAH. >>I RICH IT HAD BETTER
>>I RICH IT HAD BETTER VISIBILITY.
VISIBILITY. >>YOU ARE IN THE SECOND SEAT
>>YOU ARE IN THE SECOND SEAT BACK.
BACK. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. THE STEERMAN WAS PRIMARY TRAINER
THE STEERMAN WAS PRIMARY TRAINER FOR WORLD WAR II AIRPLANES SUCH
FOR WORLD WAR II AIRPLANES SUCH AS THE AVENGER.
AS THE AVENGER. >>SO YOU ARE IN THE SECOND SEAT
>>SO YOU ARE IN THE SECOND SEAT BACK SO YOU CAN SEE OFF TO ONE
BACK SO YOU CAN SEE OFF TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER?
SIDE OR THE OTHER? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING STRAIGHT
YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING STRAIGHT AHEAD.
AHEAD. >>AND WHEN YOU ARE UP IN THE A
>>AND WHEN YOU ARE UP IN THE A AIR LIKE THIS, THERE IS A
AIR LIKE THIS, THERE IS A SPECIAL FEEL YOU GET?
SPECIAL FEEL YOU GET? >> YES.
>> YES. ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY. IT IS JUST A PURE FUN FEEL.
IT IS JUST A PURE FUN FEEL. I AM NOT SURE HOW I WOULD
I AM NOT SURE HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE IT.
DESCRIBE IT. >>IS IT WINDY?
>>IS IT WINDY? >> IT IS WINDY.
>> IT IS WINDY. YOU GET A LITTLE BUFFETED, BEST
YOU GET A LITTLE BUFFETED, BEST TO WEAR GOGGLES.
TO WEAR GOGGLES. >> WELL, NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE A
>> WELL, NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE TODD GO FLYING IN
CHANCE TO HAVE TODD GO FLYING IN A STEERMAN, BUT WE GOT TO
A STEERMAN, BUT WE GOT TO INTERVIEW A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AT
INTERVIEW A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AT THE STEERMAN FLY IN IN
THE STEERMAN FLY IN IN GALESBURG.
GALESBURG. THEY HAD VERY COMPELLING
THEY HAD VERY COMPELLING STORIES.
STORIES. ONE WAS AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOT.
ONE WAS AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOT. FOR A LIVING, HE FLIES A TRIPLE
FOR A LIVING, HE FLIES A TRIPLE 7 FOR AMERICAN, BUT WHAT HE
7 FOR AMERICAN, BUT WHAT HE REALLY LOVES IS BEING UP IN THE
REALLY LOVES IS BEING UP IN THE AIR WITH THE WIND IN HIS FACE.
AIR WITH THE WIND IN HIS FACE. >>THIS IS THE BIGGER ENGINE, THE
>>THIS IS THE BIGGER ENGINE, THE 450, BRATLY ENGINE.
450, BRATLY ENGINE. IT WAS USED AS CROP DUSTER AFTER
IT WAS USED AS CROP DUSTER AFTER THE WAR, WHEN THE LARGER ENGINE
THE WAR, WHEN THE LARGER ENGINE WAS ON AIRPLANE. IT IS AIRPLANE
WAS ON AIRPLANE. IT IS AIRPLANE THAT A LOT OF AIR SHOW PILOTS
THAT A LOT OF AIR SHOW PILOTS BUILT CAREERS IN AFTER THE WAR
BUILT CAREERS IN AFTER THE WAR BECAUSE YOU CAN PUT A WING
BECAUSE YOU CAN PUT A WING WALKER UP ON TOP.
WALKER UP ON TOP. IT IS THRILL TO FLY TO DO
IT IS THRILL TO FLY TO DO AEROBATICS IN.
AEROBATICS IN. IT WAS A WONDERFUL MERIT
IT WAS A WONDERFUL MERIT TRAINER.
TRAINER. THERE IS MYSTIQUE ABOUT IT,
THERE IS MYSTIQUE ABOUT IT, FLYING OPEN COCKPIT IS JUST A
FLYING OPEN COCKPIT IS JUST A LOT OF FUN. MY FATHER FLEW
LOT OF FUN. MY FATHER FLEW STEER MAN'S DURING THE WAR,
STEER MAN'S DURING THE WAR, NTUMULA ISLAND.
NTUMULA ISLAND. I GREW UP KNOWING ABOUT
I GREW UP KNOWING ABOUT STEERMAN'S.
STEERMAN'S. I WENT INTO AVIATION, WHAT I DO
I WENT INTO AVIATION, WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING.
FOR A LIVING. IN '89 I PURCHASED THIS NOT
IN '89 I PURCHASED THIS NOT KNOWING ILLINI FATHER FLEW.
KNOWING ILLINI FATHER FLEW. HE HAS A COUPLE FLIGHTS IN THIS
HE HAS A COUPLE FLIGHTS IN THIS LOGBOOK.
LOGBOOK. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN I
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE.
PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE. IT WAS A THRILL TO KNOW THAT
IT WAS A THRILL TO KNOW THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THIS.
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS. I MANAGED TO GET HIM UP IN THE
I MANAGED TO GET HIM UP IN THE ERA COUPLE TIMES BEFORE HE
ERA COUPLE TIMES BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY.
PASSED AWAY. IT IS A PAINFUL DECISION OVER
IT IS A PAINFUL DECISION OVER SEVERAL YEARS TO FINALLY PART
SEVERAL YEARS TO FINALLY PART WITH THE AIRCRAFT, DECIDED TO
WITH THE AIRCRAFT, DECIDED TO SELL IT.
SELL IT. THERE IS R THERE ISN'T ANY ONE
THERE IS R THERE ISN'T ANY ONE REASON.
REASON. THERE IS JUST A CONFLUENCE OF
THERE IS JUST A CONFLUENCE OF EVENTS THAT CAME ABOUT TO HAVE
EVENTS THAT CAME ABOUT TO HAVE ME COME TO THIS DECISION.
ME COME TO THIS DECISION. I HAVE HAD A LIFETIME OF
I HAVE HAD A LIFETIME OF WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF THIS AIRCRAFT. I HAVE DONE THINGS I
AIRCRAFT. I HAVE DONE THINGS I NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD GET TO
NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD GET TO DO, FORMATION FLYING AND
DO, FORMATION FLYING AND AEROBATICS AND GIVING RIDES TO
AEROBATICS AND GIVING RIDES TO VETERANS AND JUST ONE EXPERIENCE
VETERANS AND JUST ONE EXPERIENCE AFTER ANOTHER.
AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE TOUCHED A FEW LIVES.
I HAVE TOUCHED A FEW LIVES. >>I HAVE HAD A LIFETIME OF
>>I HAVE HAD A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.
MEMORIES WITH THE AIRPLANE. SO I HAVE DONE A LOT OF THE
SO I HAVE DONE A LOT OF THE THINGS I HAVE WANTED TO WITH THE
THINGS I HAVE WANTED TO WITH THE AIRCRAFT.
AIRCRAFT. BUT MY WIFE AND I ARE READY TO
BUT MY WIFE AND I ARE READY TO MOVE ONTO TRY OTHER THINGS IN
MOVE ONTO TRY OTHER THINGS IN LIFE.
LIFE. THIS AIRCRAFT HAS DOMINATED OUR
THIS AIRCRAFT HAS DOMINATED OUR LIFE FOR 25 YEARS AND HAS
LIFE FOR 25 YEARS AND HAS INFLUENCED A LOT OF THE
INFLUENCED A LOT OF THE DECISIONS WE MADE.
DECISIONS WE MADE. WELL, WE ARE READY TO MOVE ON
WELL, WE ARE READY TO MOVE ON AND DO OTHER THINGS IN LIFE,
AND DO OTHER THINGS IN LIFE, TOO.
TOO. IT WILL BE BITTERSWEET.
IT WILL BE BITTERSWEET. MY HOPE IS SOMEONE ELSE WITH A
MY HOPE IS SOMEONE ELSE WITH A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT
LOT OF ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT AVIATION WILL BUY IT AND
ABOUT AVIATION WILL BUY IT AND HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS I FLY IT.
HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS I FLY IT. >>YOU MENTIONED YOU FLY IT.
>>YOU MENTIONED YOU FLY IT. WHERE DO YOU TAKE THE STEERMAN.
WHERE DO YOU TAKE THE STEERMAN. >>THE STEERMANNY JUST PURCHASED
>>THE STEERMANNY JUST PURCHASED LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.
LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. WE ARE MOSTLY DOING SOME REPAIRS
WE ARE MOSTLY DOING SOME REPAIRS TO IT AND I HAVEN'T FLOWN IT
TO IT AND I HAVEN'T FLOWN IT VERY MUCH AT ALL.
VERY MUCH AT ALL. >>WHEN IT IS RESTORED, HOW OLD
>>WHEN IT IS RESTORED, HOW OLD IS THE PERSON WHO IS RESTORING
IS THE PERSON WHO IS RESTORING IT?
IT? >> WELL , ACTUALLY WE ARE MOSTLY
>> WELL , ACTUALLY WE ARE MOSTLY DOING THAT.
DOING THAT. SO 40'S, 50'S.
SO 40'S, 50'S. WE DON'T HAVE ANY ELDERLY PEOPLE
WE DON'T HAVE ANY ELDERLY PEOPLE WORKING ON IT.
WORKING ON IT. >> BUT YOU DON'T HAVE VERY YOUNG
>> BUT YOU DON'T HAVE VERY YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING ON IT EITHER.
PEOPLE WORKING ON IT EITHER. >>NO, WE REALLY DON'T.
>>NO, WE REALLY DON'T. >>THERE HAPPENS TO BE A YOUNG
>>THERE HAPPENS TO BE A YOUNG PERSON WORKING ON STEERMAN, AND
PERSON WORKING ON STEERMAN, AND HE WAS AT THE GALESBURG FLY IN
HE WAS AT THE GALESBURG FLY IN AS WELL.
AS WELL. HE AND HIS FATHER RESTORE
HE AND HIS FATHER RESTORE STEERMEN, BUT THE YOUNGER ONE
STEERMEN, BUT THE YOUNGER ONE ACTUALLY MAKES HIS LIVING
ACTUALLY MAKES HIS LIVING RESTORING THESE AIRCRAFT.
RESTORING THESE AIRCRAFT. LET'S HEAR THEIR STORY.
LET'S HEAR THEIR STORY. >>THE POWER PLANT ON THIS
>>THE POWER PLANT ON THIS PARTICULAR AIRPLANE IS WHAT WHAT
PARTICULAR AIRPLANE IS WHAT WHAT IT LEFT THE FACTORY WITH IN '42
IT LEFT THE FACTORY WITH IN '42 TO CON TEN INTAL A6 ENGINE
TO CON TEN INTAL A6 ENGINE PRODUCES 220-HORSEPOWER WE
PRODUCES 220-HORSEPOWER WE CRUISE, AT 220.
CRUISE, AT 220. EVERY ONE OF THESE PLANES HAS A
EVERY ONE OF THESE PLANES HAS A HISTORY.
HISTORY. SOME MORE UNIQUE THAN OTHERS,
SOME MORE UNIQUE THAN OTHERS, BUT THEY ARE ALL GOT THIS
BUT THEY ARE ALL GOT THIS WONDERFUL STORY, WORLD WAR II
WONDERFUL STORY, WORLD WAR II TRAINERS, THEY WERE USED BY THE
TRAINERS, THEY WERE USED BY THE ARMY AIR CORPS AND U.S. NAVY.
ARMY AIR CORPS AND U.S. NAVY. THIS PARTICULAR AIRCRAFT, WE
THIS PARTICULAR AIRCRAFT, WE SENT OFF, MY SON DID, TO THE
SENT OFF, MY SON DID, TO THE SMITHSONIAN, AND TO THE AIR
SMITHSONIAN, AND TO THE AIR FORCE.
FORCE. THEY KEEP THESE RECORD CARDS OF
THEY KEEP THESE RECORD CARDS OF HISTORY IN THEIR ARCHIVES ON
HISTORY IN THEIR ARCHIVES ON MICRO FISCHE.
MICRO FISCHE. FEW WEEKS LATER WE GOT LETTERS
FEW WEEKS LATER WE GOT LETTERS BACK FROM BOTH INSTITUTIONS
BACK FROM BOTH INSTITUTIONS TELLING US THIS AIRCRAFT AVENG
TELLING US THIS AIRCRAFT AVENG AVENGER, FROM SWEETWATER TEXAS,
AVENGER, FROM SWEETWATER TEXAS, AIR FORCE SERVICE PROVIDERS. IT
AIR FORCE SERVICE PROVIDERS. IT IS ONLY WASP TRAINER RESTORED
IS ONLY WASP TRAINER RESTORED BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL HOW IT WAS
BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL HOW IT WAS AT AVENGER FIELD.
AT AVENGER FIELD. IT WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT DESIGNED
IT WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT DESIGNED AIRCRAFT.
AIRCRAFT. IT HAS ITS CHALLENGES LIKE ANY
IT HAS ITS CHALLENGES LIKE ANY OLD AIRCRAFT, OR ANY OLD PIECE
OLD AIRCRAFT, OR ANY OLD PIECE OF MACHINERY.
OF MACHINERY. I ENJOY THE HISTORY.
I ENJOY THE HISTORY. THESE THINGS ARE FLYING NATIONAL
THESE THINGS ARE FLYING NATIONAL MONUMENTS, THEY STAND THROUGH
MONUMENTS, THEY STAND THROUGH ALL TIME BE AND TRAIN THE NATION
ALL TIME BE AND TRAIN THE NATION TO FLY FOR THE WAR.
TO FLY FOR THE WAR. >>ALL THE WORK ON THIS AIRCRAFT
>>ALL THE WORK ON THIS AIRCRAFT IS DONE BY MY SON P I HELP HERE
IS DONE BY MY SON P I HELP HERE AND THERE WHERE I CAN.
AND THERE WHERE I CAN. >>IT IS DEFINITELY A DYING ART
>>IT IS DEFINITELY A DYING ART BEING ABLE TO REBUILD THESE
BEING ABLE TO REBUILD THESE AIRPLANES AND FLY THEM
AIRPLANES AND FLY THEM PROFICIENTLY.
PROFICIENTLY. THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING I AM
THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING I AM SEEING.
SEEING. I ONLY KNOW THREE OR FOUR OTHER
I ONLY KNOW THREE OR FOUR OTHER PEOPLE IN MY AGE BRACKET DOING
PEOPLE IN MY AGE BRACKET DOING THIS.
THIS. >>I WANT TO THANK BOB HARRISON
>>I WANT TO THANK BOB HARRISON WHO IS THE -- ONE OF THE PEOPLE
WHO IS THE -- ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIRECTS THAT FLY IN IN
WHO DIRECTS THAT FLY IN IN GALESBURG FOR ARRANGING FOR
GALESBURG FOR ARRANGING FOR THOSE INTERVIEWS.
THOSE INTERVIEWS. WE HEARD THE YOUNGER ONE OF THE
WE HEARD THE YOUNGER ONE OF THE PORTERS SAY THAT HE SAYS IT IS A
PORTERS SAY THAT HE SAYS IT IS A FLYING TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY.
FLYING TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY. IT IS A MONUMENT.
IT IS A MONUMENT. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >>IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU -- ARE
>>IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU -- ARE YOU MAINTAINING A BIT OF HISTORY
YOU MAINTAINING A BIT OF HISTORY FOR US?
FOR US? >> YES, AS I SAID EARLIER,
>> YES, AS I SAID EARLIER, CARETAKERS THE PIECE OF HISTORY
CARETAKERS THE PIECE OF HISTORY IS REALLY THE ROLE WE HAVE TAKEN
IS REALLY THE ROLE WE HAVE TAKEN UP.
UP. IT IS NOT JUST ME.
IT IS NOT JUST ME. I HAVE A COMMITTED GROUP OF
I HAVE A COMMITTED GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS THAT WORK ON PLANE
VOLUNTEERS THAT WORK ON PLANE NEARLY EVERY DAY.
NEARLY EVERY DAY. FOR ALL OF US, IT IS A
FOR ALL OF US, IT IS A COMMITMENT TO THE PIECE OF
COMMITMENT TO THE PIECE OF HISTORY.
HISTORY. >>HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE FUTURE
>>HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF WAR BIRDS?
OF WAR BIRDS? >> WARBIRDS, THEY HAVE SURVIVED
>> WARBIRDS, THEY HAVE SURVIVED AND THRIVED THROUGH SEVERAL
AND THRIVED THROUGH SEVERAL GENERATIONS ALREADY. I LOOK FOR
GENERATIONS ALREADY. I LOOK FOR THE FUTURE OF WARBIRDS TO BE
THE FUTURE OF WARBIRDS TO BE VERY BRIGHT AS LONG AS WE CAN
VERY BRIGHT AS LONG AS WE CAN CONTINUE TO GET THE HUNDRED LOW
CONTINUE TO GET THE HUNDRED LOW LEAD FUEL THAT THEY REQUIRE, AND
LEAD FUEL THAT THEY REQUIRE, AND AS LONG AS THERE IS PEOPLE LIKE
AS LONG AS THERE IS PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO ARE WILLIT
MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO ARE WILLIT TAKES TO PUT THEM IN THE AIR.
TAKES TO PUT THEM IN THE AIR. >>WHEN YOU SAY ONE HUNDRED, THE
>>WHEN YOU SAY ONE HUNDRED, THE OCTANE LEVEL.
OCTANE LEVEL. ONE HUNDRED OCTANE LEADED FUEL.
ONE HUNDRED OCTANE LEADED FUEL. >>IS THAT DIFFICULT TO FIND?
>>IS THAT DIFFICULT TO FIND? >> NOT YET, BUT THE E.P.A. IS
>> NOT YET, BUT THE E.P.A. IS WORKING HARD AGAINST IT!
WORKING HARD AGAINST IT! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>YOU CAN'T USE REGULAR -- I
>>YOU CAN'T USE REGULAR -- I MEAN THAT'S A SPECIAL FUEL JUST
MEAN THAT'S A SPECIAL FUEL JUST FOR THESE KINDS OF PLANES?
FOR THESE KINDS OF PLANES? >> IT IS THE SAME KIND OF FUEL
>> IT IS THE SAME KIND OF FUEL THAT MODERN AIRPLANES USE ALSO,
THAT MODERN AIRPLANES USE ALSO, BUT MODERN AIRPLANES CAN BE
BUT MODERN AIRPLANES CAN BE FAIRLY EASILY CONVERTED FOR
FAIRLY EASILY CONVERTED FOR OTHER TYPES OF FUEL AT LEAST IN
OTHER TYPES OF FUEL AT LEAST IN COMPARISON TO THESE.
COMPARISON TO THESE. AND THERE IS SO FEW OF THEM
AND THERE IS SO FEW OF THEM FLYING THAT NO ONE WILL MARKET A
FLYING THAT NO ONE WILL MARKET A CONVERSION.
CONVERSION. >>SO, WHEN I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT
>>SO, WHEN I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT YOUR PASSION, I WAS AT THE
YOUR PASSION, I WAS AT THE OSHKOSH AIR SHOW, AND SIGN SAID
OSHKOSH AIR SHOW, AND SIGN SAID THAT YOU WERE FROM EUREKA, AND
THAT YOU WERE FROM EUREKA, AND SOMEHOW EUREKA AND AVENGER OWNER
SOMEHOW EUREKA AND AVENGER OWNER AND GENERAL OLD AIRCRAFT OWNER
AND GENERAL OLD AIRCRAFT OWNER DOESN'T MATCH.
DOESN'T MATCH. NO OVER TO EUREKAANS, BUT IN
NO OVER TO EUREKAANS, BUT IN EUREKA ILLINOIS, AND BUYING
EUREKA ILLINOIS, AND BUYING AIRPLANES?
AIRPLANES? >> UNFORTUNATELY, WE LIVE IN
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE LIVE IN WHAT JANE AND I CALL THE
WHAT JANE AND I CALL THE AVIATION DEAD ZONE HERE IN
AVIATION DEAD ZONE HERE IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER PLACES
THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER PLACES IN COUNTRY THAT WARBIRDS THRIVE.
IN COUNTRY THAT WARBIRDS THRIVE. THIS JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN TO BE
THIS JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THOSE AREAS.
ONE OF THOSE AREAS. SO I AM GLAD WE CAN HAVE ONE
SO I AM GLAD WE CAN HAVE ONE HERE AND EXPOSE PEOPLE TO IT.
HERE AND EXPOSE PEOPLE TO IT. >>HOW FAR DO YOU FLY?
>>HOW FAR DO YOU FLY? >> WELL, FRIDAY I WILL BE TAKING
>> WELL, FRIDAY I WILL BE TAKING THAT AIRPLANE TO MEMPHIS FOR AN
THAT AIRPLANE TO MEMPHIS FOR AN AIR SHOW.
AIR SHOW. WEEKEND AFTER THAT, UP TO
WEEKEND AFTER THAT, UP TO ELKHART.
ELKHART. AND THAT'S ABOUT THE LIMIT OF
AND THAT'S ABOUT THE LIMIT OF THE ECONOMICAL RANGE FOR AN AIR
THE ECONOMICAL RANGE FOR AN AIR SHOW TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO
SHOW TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BRING US.
BRING US. >>IT TAKES WHAT KIND OF FUEL --
>>IT TAKES WHAT KIND OF FUEL -- I MEAN HOW MUCH FUEL TO FLY THIS
I MEAN HOW MUCH FUEL TO FLY THIS THING?
THING? >> IN A SLOWED DOWN ECONOMY
>> IN A SLOWED DOWN ECONOMY CRUISE, WE STILL FLIGHT PLAN A
CRUISE, WE STILL FLIGHT PLAN A HUNDRED GALLONS PER HOUR.
HUNDRED GALLONS PER HOUR. ONE HUNDRED GALLONS PER HOUR OF
ONE HUNDRED GALLONS PER HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME?
FLIGHT TIME? >> YES.
>> YES. >>ANOTHER TWO OR THREE GALLONS
>>ANOTHER TWO OR THREE GALLONS OF OIL PER HOUR ON TOP OF THAT.
OF OIL PER HOUR ON TOP OF THAT. THAT'S HOW THEY ARE DESIGNED.
THAT'S HOW THEY ARE DESIGNED. >>SO YOU KEEP IT IN THE MIDWEST?
>>SO YOU KEEP IT IN THE MIDWEST? >> FOR MOST PART, YES!
>> FOR MOST PART, YES! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>THE HELICOPTER AND BONANZA ARE
>>THE HELICOPTER AND BONANZA ARE PERSONAL IN NATURE.
PERSONAL IN NATURE. >>THEY ARE.
>>THEY ARE. >>THE STEERMAN, WHEN IT IS
>>THE STEERMAN, WHEN IT IS REBUILT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO
REBUILT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?
DO WITH IT? >> I HAVE NO IDEA.
>> I HAVE NO IDEA. YOU ARE A IC CONSENT AGENDA TO R
YOU ARE A IC CONSENT AGENDA TO R R R R R R R E --
YOU ARE ADDICTED TO OLD AIRCRAFT.
AIRCRAFT. >>THEY ARE JUST NEAT OLD
>>THEY ARE JUST NEAT OLD AIRPLANES.
AIRPLANES. I APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT INTO
I APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT INTO AND APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO
AND APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO PRESERVE A BIT OF HISTORY.
PRESERVE A BIT OF HISTORY. BRAD DECKERT OF EUREKA,
BRAD DECKERT OF EUREKA, ILLINOIS, THANKS FOR THE
ILLINOIS, THANKS FOR THE STORIES.
STORIES. >>THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>>THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH
WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE."
ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE." PLEASE JOIN US THEN.
PLEASE JOIN US THEN. >>FUNNY HOW THESE AIRPLANES GET
>>FUNNY HOW THESE AIRPLANES GET UNDER YOUR SKIN. YOU BUY THEM.
UNDER YOUR SKIN. YOU BUY THEM. FALL IN LOVE WITH EM THIS.
FALL IN LOVE WITH EM THIS. YOU HAVE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE
YOU HAVE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FLYING THEM BE AND PEOPLE KEEP
FLYING THEM BE AND PEOPLE KEEP THEM FOR A LOT OF YEARS.