Veterans Air

Jack Stettner loved life. He was proud of his family, his WWII service, and his role in co-founding Veterans Air. He would have been 97 today. I celebrate his life in a fashion he would approve. ...

Strategic ingenuity for WW II production of bombers, fighters, transports and trainers is our own American monumental victory. The "juggernaut" story is told by author, historian Fred Johnsen for General Aviation News. Read about the strong significance to Veterans Air Express of this story....

A Video Library gets added to the Veterans Air Express webpage. A fitting addition on the 5th anniversary date of this legacy research project....

One gorgeous summer day at Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus, three students and I delved into a conversation about Veterans Air Express. The outcome? This 3-part video....

Part 1 of 3-part video featuring unfolding Veterans Air history is released today. Founder's daughter, Gaye Lyn, tells the story to student research project at Embry-Riddle Florida....

Any invite to talk about Veterans Air delights me. But a live interview by a Prescott radio talk show host to publicize my own talk at Embry-Riddle? That's pretty sweet! It is fun sharing the story with D. J. Fone on 21 Jan 2020. Come listen....

The history of 1945 Veterans Air has recently attracted varied (and rather large, may I add?) aviation audiences as our research unfolds more crew, flight and non-sked era details....

First DC-3s ferried from Valdosta military base by Veterans Air. Valdosta. Not a common name. Valdosta. Why does it sound so familiar? Trip planning through Georgia, I see the name several times on a map. It rings a bell. But nothing comes to mind – until 20 miles north of Valdosta on 27 June this past summer while heading south to Florida. I remember! A Pilot Running Log maintained by then soon-to-be DC-3 Chief Pilot Robert Chambers shows entries in Nov and Dec 1945 from VD to LV, when Veterans Air ferries its first two DC-3s to Louisville, KY, for civilian conversion. The aircraft are evidentially stored at VD while awaiting sale by the U. S. government’s Reconstruction Finance Corporation. R.F.C. is Veterans source for acquiring the DC-3s with some much appreciated intervention by founder Saunie Gravely’s West Virginia Senator Harley Kilgore. BINGO! I pull off the road inside city...

Research becomes easier and more enjoyable having historians and memorabilia treasure hunters interested in your topic. Come read about five such aviation history aficionados....

Unexpected connections and poignant moments mark two very different experiences on June's Veterans Air research trip. Visit Texas and Georgia with me....

Stories told about their dads John Noll and Robert Chambers by Buffy Noll and Bob Chambers. Come learn more about these two Veterans Air pilots....

Another fun, improbable gathering of Veterans Air "kids." Buffy Noll, Bob Chambers and their spouses Jack and Diana. In Texas. On the first official stop of Gaye Lyn's June 2019 VAE research trip....

John Schaus passed away in July. An honor to know him, a joy to call him friend. I will miss his cheerful phone calls and always-welcomed vivid stories. Come learn about this Veterans Air DC-3 pilot. God-speed, Kind Sir....

Amazing how 4,872 miles can roll by without boredom. Meeting special people and continuing Veterans Air research recently spread out over 33 days....

Team me up with Liz Wilcox, creator of The Virtual Campground and TVC YouTube...and watch us go! Liz gave me eleven minutes. And I gave her the story of how Gracie, the Veterans Air Ground Transport RV, enhances and extends my research. Come watch...and bring popcorn....