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.
Read more →
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
Read more →
Unexpected connections and poignant moments mark two very different experiences on June’s Veterans Air research trip. Visit Texas and Georgia with me.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
Amazing how 4,872 miles can roll by without boredom. Meeting special people and continuing Veterans Air research recently spread out over 33 days.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
Accepted an invitation to share Veterans Air Express history at Airliners International 2018 Convention in Washington DC this July. It’s the World’s Largest Airline Collectibles Show. What fun. And got to meet some non-sked aficionados, too.
Read more →
Jammed ten pounds in a five-pound bag…and still had more to share. But I sure had fun telling the Veterans Air Express story at NJ Aviation Hall of Fame last November. I was delighted (and pleasantly stunned) by Executive Director Shea Oakley’s introduction. There’s a YouTube in this post that captures the evening…Dad’s concept, the WWII vets who joined him, a historic UNRRA flight, some conjectures why the airline folded…and more. Give it a look-see.
Read more →