John Corpening. Encouragement. Introductions. Forgotten Flights listing. And sad condolences.

On 9/20/2017 2:45 PM, Gaye Lyn VAE wrote:
Hello, to you. Remember me? You included my Dad’s “two” 1945, non-sked
air lines in Forgotten Flights …and sent me an original of one of
their brochures. That lady!
I’m reaching out to you at this moment because I think you live in “the
path” of my next Veterans Air trek — and I’d be oh! so delighted to get
a chance to meet you. I’m fairly certain I’m headed for Northwestern’s
Transportation Library for a couple days, probably 10/24 – 10/28. I’ve
bought a small RV specifically to cover some research ground. This
upcoming trip will be about 4,400 miles. And it looks as though, while
I’m in NJ, I’ll be giving a presentation on V.A.E. at the Aviation Hall
of Fame of New Jersey . November 15 at 7:00 pm. I’m very excited about
that!

So, am I correct about where you live? If so, and if you’re interested,
please be in touch with me.

Meanwhile, hope all is well and you are thriving.

My very best,
g.
Gaye Lyn
Veterans Air Express & Veterans Air Line
Founder, 1945: Saunie B. Gravely | Current day Researcher: Gaye Lyn
Gravely

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On Saturday, June 2, 2018, 11:02:59 AM CDT, Gaye Lyn wrote:

Hello to you, John.

Hope all is well in your world.

I’m still at it. And, like last September (see email below), I am
about to embark on another extended research jaunt – leaving Thursday.
This one will include a detour to the Airliners International convention
in DC. I’ve been invited to present my research findings as one of the
seminar speakers. I’m absolutely delighted – and I am hoping you may be
there. Any chance? I’d love to meet you. My assigned date & time
will be either Friday or Saturday, July 13 or 14th. I’m equally excited
by the fact that several Veterans Air families live in the surrounds of
DC – three of them plan to attend my talk, and a fourth may come from
North Carolina. I’m organizing a “family gathering” on Saturday night
for those who do make it.

John, I’m also writing today to see if maybe we can talk on the phone in
the next day or two. It would be nice to reconnect and I’d love your
input on resources I will and/or may visit as I traverse Arizona,
California and Oregon in my RV.

Through Steve Bobinsky at Embry-Riddle Prescott, I’ll be able to utilize
their Hazy Library (if not on this trip, then my next one).
Steve introduced me to Alan Bender and I will visit him on June 20 in
Oregon.
I have “applied” to UC Berkeley Transportation Studies librarian asking
if I may avail myself of their archives. I’ve not heard back yet.
Speaking of libraries, your suggestion to me about Northwestern’s
Transpiration library is much appreciated. After several
extraordinarily helpful email exchanges in June 2015 with Roberto
Sarmiento (I’m sure you recognize the name), he actually recommended I
exhaust their online resources before trekking to NW. Back then and
again this morning, I shook my head & smiled at his totally inaccurate
email sign-off:
Sorry I could not be of much help. Sincerely, Roberto

Hope to hear from you, John.
My very best,
Gaye Lyn

Gaye Lyn Gravely
Current day Researcher
Saunie Gravely, Founder, 1945
Veterans Air Express & Veterans Air Line
w: VeteransAir.org

——————————————————————————–

On 6/2/2018 10:42 AM, john corpening wrote:

Thanks for your email. I MAY be in Washington for the airline show on
Friday the 13th. … I will answer your email in more detail and also
will give you a
call. … So glad you continue to pursue the history of VAE/VAL !

John

——————————————————————————–

On Saturday, June 2, 2018, 12:05:29 PM CDT, Gaye Lyn wrote:

John, delighted to hear from you. Better if you were not facing surgery
– but wish you the quickest of recoveries.

I will definitely be in DC on the 13th, so, via modern-day technology,
we will find each other. Look forward to hearing from you in the
meantime.

Thanks for your response.Take care of you.
Gaye Lyn

——————————————————————————–

On 6/25/2018 5:00 AM, john corpening wrote:
Regarding Airliners International/August 13th

… Unfortunately I will not be attending AI in
DC. Make sure you meet David Stringer from “Airways” magazine. They
will have a table. David is a superb
airline historian and has published two seminal articles on the
Non-skeds. He would LOVE to talk to you.
Have a wonderful time at Airlines International and
take care.

John Corpening

——————————————————————————–

On 6/26/2018 11:05 AM, Gaye Lyn wrote:
John, good morning.

Very glad to hear from you and to know that the surgery went well.
That’s the good news. But sorry that recovery is hampering your plans.
Good for you for respecting the process and giving yourself time. I am
disappointed that you won’t be at AI. Was really looking forward to
finding you in the masses and finally getting a chance to meet.

I appreciate the heads up on David Stringer. Alan Bender has made the
same recommendation. So I shall not fail to introduce myself. In case
you have not seen the announcement of the AI speakers, take a look at
the attachment they recently published.

My RV trip as I outlined it to you some weeks ago has really gone
extremely well. I spent a full day in the Embry-Riddle Hazy Library in
Prescott with the help of a tenacious, delightful librarian (as I find
most librarians to be) and had a delightful meeting with Steve Bobinsky.
He has taken great interest in my research and, subsequent to our
visit, has made introductions for me to new contacts. From Prescott I
made my way to Oregon. Our many previous conversations and email
exchanges made my visit with Alan Bender really terrific. I’m extremely
glad that I made the trip. I am now in northern CA in a lovely forested
RV park, headed southbound, very circuitously making my way to DC.

John, not today or tomorrow, but once your back in the saddle, I’d like
to be back in touch. I’m 3+ years into my research ( which I can’t
believe…It seems like only yesterday!). And I feel better equipped to
revisit the subject of research “sources” which you and I spoke about
very e arly in my project. I’d like to explore the likely source
regarding Veterans Air Express losing their registration due to “illegal
passenger charters to Europe.” That could only have been accomplished in
our DC-4s, the first of which, NX58003, made five UN relief flights to
Prague and Warsaw between April 16 and June 16, 1946. Our second DC-4,
NC57777, underwent conversion from military war paint to a Veterans Air
silver cargo bird at Hendricks Field/Sebring FL. It was completed by
our Florida staff of mechanics and pilots who put it into service late
June, 1946. By late-August, NC57777 made the sixth and last UN flight
— this one to Athens returning September 10, 1946.

On September 18, pilot logbook records show this aircraft, NC5777, was
flown to Oakland, CA … the first DC-4, NX58003, having been delivered
there the previous month, August 24th. The purpose was for Matson to
install dump valves in both aircraft, plus other work. However, they
didn’t have the monies due to Matson for the work and Matson sued
Veterans (or attempted to). A precedent-setting legal case ensued
between Matson and the U.S. government since the aircraft were leased
from our government. Sadly, Veterans was ultimately forced into
receivership – the filing taking almost a year – on May 19, 1947.

John, I present these details to you as I know them in hopes of filling
some gaps and/or clarifying the record. I have often wondered what else
the DC-4s did…particularly DC-4 NX58003 after its last UN flight on
June 16, 1946 until the flight to Matson in August. Veterans never had
possession of the DC-4s after delivery to Matson. Otherwise, there is
little wiggle room for extensive activity in the above dates. Some of
those UN flights were flown back to back with different crews. As for
the DC -3s, beyond your references to summer passenger flights at the
Cape and to Miami, for which I also have some logbook entry
verification, I have found little else. Perishable cargo flights were
the initial basis of our business, however, I have not yet found any
records for those flights. Don’t know if the National Archives would be
my source (seems doubtful) or some sort of Federal records which I will
pursue at our New Mexico State Library this summer.

John, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this. I never expected to meet
some of the men that flew for my dad or to find their families. The more
I learn and the more people I meet, the more I want to learn and the
more people I want to meet. Somehow I know I’m preaching to the choir
here. I’ve become a fairly good, but not yet excellent, detective and
puzzle solver. And that is definitely my goal. I cannot imagine the
amount of time and effort you have put into Forgotten Flights and its
editions – but I certainly have a deep appreciation and respect for the
effort.

Most important of all, continue your mending. Be better soon. And we’ll
talk at your leisure. I just happen to have all this information at my
fingertips this morning because I am reorganizing and polishing my AI
presentation.

My very best,
Gaye Lyn

Gaye Lyn Gravely
Current day Researcher
Saunie Gravely, Founder, 1945
Veterans Air Express & Veterans Air Line
w: VeteransAir.org

——————————————————————————–

On Saturday, July 28, 2018, 7:46:51 PM CDT, Gaye Lyn wrote:

Well, John, I’m back, only a week ago yesterday!

Hope you are more than on the mend and actually out and about.

Thought you might like a DC report. I only very briefly introduced
myself to David Stringer at his booth. He was extremely busy and I
decided to wait until after his talk to have a conversation with him.
However, that opportunity did not present itself. He was swamped after
his talk and, since I was in the batter’s box and still needed to
confirm my A/V setup, I did not wait for him to free up. I had given him
my business card and I will contact him through his website today or
tomorrow.

As for attendance at my talk, it was very disappointing. There were
only 11 or 12 people from the conference itself who showed up. In part,
my conclusion is that this group was the wrong audience. They’re
commercial airline enthusiasts, seemingly trending to more current day
than historic topics, and Veterans Air was, of all things, a non-sked!
My real audience, it occurred to me later (hindsight always being
20/20), were the exhibitors, not necessarily the convention attendees.
But the exhibitors couldn’t break away from their booths. Also, I am a
totally unknown entity. David and Charles Kennedy had very nice crowds
– between 30 and 50.

Nonetheless, I’m still tickled to have been invited and glad that I
accepted the opportunity. It was well worth the effort because I
really dug into some of my early research to update my presentation…
and that allowed me to put a few more pieces of Dad’s air line puzzle
together. And because two of the Veterans Air families did come to hear
the story and then we partied afterwards . And because I made new
contacts. And because I got to introduce Shea Oakley to Harry and got
to meet Shea’s terrific wife, Kat. And because Harry shot some footage
of the presentation which I will eventually review and use for snippets
on my website.

So, big nutshell, but there you have it.

I have a question for you, John. Have you heard of or were you ever a
member of CHAW — Conference of Historic Aviation Writers ? Do you know
what happened to them? Or know of any spinoff or similar current
organization? Just thought I’d ask you, because if I’m going to
continue making presentations, and I would like to, I need an audience
that’s really interested in my subject. Now isn’t that a big DAH??!!

Again, be well. Look forward to hearing from you at your leisure. I’ll
let you know if I hear from David Stringer.

My best,
Gaye Lyn

Gaye Lyn Gravely
Current day Researcher
Saunie Gravely, Founder, 1945
Veterans Air Express & Veterans Air Line
w: VeteransAir.org

——————————————————————————–

On 7/29/2018 8:20 AM, john corpening wrote:

Thank you for your update regard AI/DC. The fact is that most airline
“enthusiasts” are unaware of the non-sked group. If they are
aware of it (in general terms) they are NOT interested in learning more.
The primary reason I chose to photocopy my book is because I knew
there was very little interest in the topic except for “real” airline
historians who understand the non-skeds role in the
industry. If I would have print 10,000 copies (the usual minimum run
from a Chinese printer) I would still have thousands of unsold
copies. At this point I don’t think I will be printing a new edition
which would have included VAE/VAL corrections. Oh well, just the facts
of life. Take care.

John

——————————————————————————–

On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 2:08:50 PM CDT, Gaye Lyn wrote:

Hello, John.

I hope this finds you well and thriving. It’s that time of year again
— and I’m wondering if you are attending Airliners International in
Atlanta?

Turns out I will be there as well – strictly as a attendee. I will be
meeting with David Stringer on Wednesday, the 19th. I met him only
briefly last year in DC. But we’ve been in touch a number of times and
were making arrangements for a real chat session in Atlanta. David
Stringer, as you well know, is a huge exception to AI attendees who, as
you so aptly put it in your last email, are unaware of the non-sked
group. If they are aware of it (in general terms) they are NOT
interested in learning more. Better informed today that I was in April
2015 when I began this adventure, I consider myself tremendously
fortunate to have made contact and friendships with you, David, Alan
Bender, and, of course, my first mentor of great enthusiasm, Shea Oakley.
My introduction to Alan Bender came from Steve Bobinsky at Embry
Riddle Prescott. And so it goes.

My plan in Atlanta is to visit the Collectibles Show on Thursday
afternoon. Beyond that, I’m in a holding pattern until I make final
arrangements for a poignant, yet exciting visit just south of Atlanta to
the fatal crash site of Veterans Air DC-4, NX58003 — many decades after
she was in our service. She had been converted to the Carvair ATL-95
Hull #5 and was in service to a company based at Griffin Municipal
Airport at the time of the crash. I am meeting up with Bruce McSwiggan
, son of the then owner Robert McSwiggan. Bruce actually logged over
3000 miles in “our” aircraft. Some story, huh?

I do go on! Long story short, John, I’m hoping to bump into you in
Atlanta. I’m traveling by RV this time, so not staying in the host
hotel. I’ll be headed to southern Florida after Atlanta for visits with
two Veterans Air families. And a possible meeting with my newest Embry-
Riddle introduction in Daytona Beach — which I hope to reveal to you
when we get together!

Please be in touch, John. It would be a great treat to meet you.

My very best,
Gaye Lyn

——————————————————————————–

On 6/5/2019 7:34 AM, john corpening wrote:
Hello Gaye Lyn,

Nice to hear from you. I will not be attending Airliners International
in Atlanta this year. Too many competing events ! I wish you
safe travels on your quest for Veterans information ! David Stringer is
arguably the world’s foremost airline historian of our era.
In that he is very interested in the non-skeds makes your acquaintance
with him important. Hope the two of you have a great
chat session. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

——————————————————————————–

On Wed, 05 Jun 2019 08:03:21 -0600 Gaye Lyn wrote

Hi, John. So nice to hear from you. Sorry we won’t get to meet in ATL.
If you ever go to or know about an event that would be beneficial for
me to attend, please tell me about it. That and any aviation writers or
historian groups that make any sense for me. I’d value your input.
Safe travels yourself.
My very best to you,
Gaye Lyn
Gaye Lyn Gravely
Current day Researcher
Saunie Gravely, Founder, 1945
Veterans Air Express & Veterans Air Line
w: VeteransAir.org

——————————————————————————–

On Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:36:55 -0700 Gaye Lyn wrote

Hello, John.

I’m back! I had not abandoned my research for sure, but I needed a
break (or brake) of sorts. Now, after a 6+ month hiatus, just this
a.m., I reengaged. I was delighted to come across this years-long-chain
of emails that you and I built. What a review for me! From Sept 2017!
Couldn’t help but want to add another chapter!

For now, I’ve got plenty of stationary work to do. For openers, while
my Premium Fold3 membership is still active, I thought I’d run thru the
100+ names of Veterans Air crews, mechanics, etc. again to supplement my
existing files. Plus there are some aviation database links I
squirreled away over the years that I never explored. High priority,
too, is I want/need to review and organize the considerable amount of
digital and paper data I have accumulated. Makes me shudder to think
about the scads and scads of research you must have amassed for
Forgotten Flights.

That’s it for now, John. Look forward to hearing from you if time
permits.

My best,
g.

——————————————————————————–

From “Gaye Lyn”
To “john corpening”
Date 8/16/2022 8:15:37 PM
Subject It’s Gaye Lyn from Veterans Air Express sending condolences.

Dear Family Member who may be opening this email.

I just learned today of John’s passing last year. My last email this
January was too late. David Stringer let me know via email. I am so
very sorry and am sending best wishes to you.

John and I never did get to meet face to face. We tried in both 2020
and 2021 to met up at the Airliners International annual event, but
couldn’t make it happen. He listed my Dad’s 1945 Veterans Air Express
company in Forgotten Flights – and kindly sent me a signed copy. I am
truly sorry he is gone.

Sincere regards,
Gaye Lyn