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Winter 2006-07BY SCOTT F. EATON, NHAHS MEMBEROn September 19, 2006 I flew into Manchester/BostonRegional Airport from Plymouth, Massachusetts with two ArmyAir Force veterans of World War II—the B-17G Flying Fortressof the Collings Foundation and fellow NHAHS member BobFortnam. Although representing Nine-O-Nine, the 140-missionsurvivor of the 91st Bomb Group, our B-17G was built in 1945and never saw combat. But Bob served as a 21-year-old 2nd lieutenant and B-17 co-pilot in the 305th Bomb Group. On October8, 1943, during his second mission, he crash-landed his damagedB-17F Wally’s Wagon in occupied Holland. Bob then spent 19months as a POW. This was his first time in a B-17 since then, andhe carried photos of his crew and the wreck of Wally’s Wagon. Iwon my flight in an NHAHS raffle, but Bob had earned his.Bob and I, along with Wiggins Airways employees WalterDebus, Lonnie Brinson, and Neil Benson, and a crew of four,began our ride at the Plymouth Airport. As passengers we hadbuckled ourselves onto padded plywood seats which were bolted to the floor and bulkheads of the waist section. We had a viewstraight down the green interior of the fuselage through the bombbay to the cockpit. Although Nine-O-Nine shook at the end of therunway when the 1,200 HP Wright Cyclone engines were run upwhile the brakes were set, the take-off at 12:40 p.m. was smoothand easy. We released our safety belts and toured the aircraft.Nine-O-Nine was not heavily loaded. It normally carries nomore than 1,700 gallons of 100-octane aviation gas, comparedwith the wartime capacity of 2,780 gallons, and at cruise consumes 200 gallons per hour. It can take off from a hard runwayin only 1,500 to 2,000 feet because its usual take-off weight is40-42,000 pounds, well below the wartime maximum of 65,500pounds.The dominant physical sensation throughout the flight washearing the engine noise—not a rumble but a constant roar—evenwhile I wore earplugs. Nine-O-Nine has no soundproofing or insulation. With the outside around 80 degrees, it was warm in the tightspaces of the plane, which occasionally rocked a little in the humidair at our cruise altitude of 1,500 feet and sedate pace of 140 milesan hour. How different it had been for Bob and other B-17 airmento fly and fight in such a thundering aluminum tube at 25,000 feetInside This IssueAeronautTHEOld Soldiersand subzerotemperatures.I spent most ofmy time in the navigator’s andbombardier’s stations behind the plexiglas nose, the best seat in the house to view the sunnyNew England landscape below. Bob often stood just behind thepilots. Since he is a 34-year Air Force Reserve veteran, retiredBob Fortnam “at the controls” of the B-17. Photo by Scott EatonColonel, and a Certified Flight Instructor, Bob observed our flightwith a professional’s eye as we passed the Norwood Airport andHanscom AFB. We were vectored by Boston approach controlto go east of Nashua Airport and west of Manchester. As I sawthe Manchester airport out the navigator’s side windows, a crewmember signaled us to return to our seats. We touched the runway at 1:20 p.m. in a landing so smooth that Bob gave me a lookOLD SOLDIERS, TO PAGE 2PAGE 2PAGE 3-5PAGE 7From the Cockpitby Scott WestoverMember NewsEvents Past & FutureA Publication of the New Hampshire Aviation Historical Society
From the CockpitMy dad chuckled through the intercom as I skidded into the downwindleg of the first pattern we flew together.“Did they teach you how to use the rudder?” he joked. I was a newly mintedprivate pilot, and he was my first passenger. He was also the reason I learnedhow to fly. My father, Dean Westover, isa retired crop duster and corporate pilot who lost his medical when I was alittle boy. I grew up hearing his aviation stories and learning to instinctivelyshield my eyes from the sun and “lookin front of the sound” every time anairplane droned overhead.In my 20s I finally had the timeand money to complete my private pilottraining. My motivation was the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the worldmy father had lost a couple of decadesearlier. Part of me believed I could get itback for him. I completed my trainingin secret and shared the news only afterI had my certificate in hand. From thatmoment, our relationship has taken tothe sky. In many ways I really did reclaim part of that world my father hadlost. I will never forget watching his collar flap wildly in the front open cockpitas we rolled my Acro Sport II for thefirst time.The people I have met throughaviation are remarkable, and they inspire me to play a part in preserving thehistory that has been such an importantMeet DirectorStephen F. ChristySteve was born in Atlanta, GA andspent his early years in the south. In 1971he graduated from Northwestern StateUniversity, Natchitoches, LA with a B.A.in History. During high school and college Steve worked for the Mt. WashingtonRailway Co., in Fabyn, NH as a track crewlaborer, fireman, steam locomotive engineer and assistant shop foreman.Mr. Christy began his banking careeras a teller at the Mascoma Savings Bank inLebanon, NH. He left Mascoma, returning 5 years later as VP and Loan Officer.In 1990 he was elected President and CEOand Director of the Executive Committee.He is currently Director and Chairman ofthe NH Bankers Association.Steve’s vast involvement in civic affairsincludes several medical organizations,the Lebanon Opera House, MontshireMuseum of Science in Norwich, VT andthe Rotary Club of Lebanon. Currentlyhe is a member of the Lebanon AirportAdvisory Committee.Steve has had a life long interest inaviation. He realized his dream of flyingfifteen years ago when he obtained his private pilot license. In the fall of 2001, Stevepurchased a wrecked Cessna 195 and hadit restored. Today, N4352V is based atKLEB.As a history major in college, Steveenjoys his involvement with NHAHSand the AviationMuseum as well asowning and flyinga “piece of aviationhistory.”Scott WestoverOLD SOLDIERS, cont. from page 1showing that he was really impressed.It was a terrific ride. After NineO-Nine parked at the New HampshireAviation Museum, the crew let Bob sit inthe co-pilot’s seat he had vacated nearly 63years before. Lieutenant Fortnam had finally returned to base.Steve Christy and hisrestored Cessna 195.NHAHS file photoPage 2part of my life. As your president, andwith a lot of help from some very dedicated people including vice-presidentJack Ferns, I’ll work to insure that ourorganization is a reflection of the special community that each of us hasdiscovered in our own way. I am excited to meet more of our members andpromote our mission. I am also excited to hear your ideas. If you have amoment, feel free to drop me an emailat tookyflyer@tds.net. The Aeronaut Winter 2006-07
Member NewsNHAHS Members Receive 2006“Granny Award”Welcome,New Members!Long time NHAHS members EdBrouder and Maurice “Moe” Quirin werehonored at the September 2006 AnnualMeeting and Banquet at the ManchesterCountry Club with the coveted “GrannyAward” for their outstanding contributions topreserving NH aviation history. Ed and Moehave been willing volunteers at NHAHS andmuseum events helping to research the accuracy of museum exhibits and producing theDVD “History on the Move.”Most recently, they have fulfilled theirdream of producing a written history ofthe Manchester Airport; “Manchester’sAirport: Flying Through Time” has justbeen published and released. The NHAviation Historical Society is proud tohave been a financial supporter of this tru-Fall 2006Wylie and Linda Apte No. Conway, NHTony and Nina AmatoMilton, DEChester CloughLondonderry, NHJohn F. EganNashua, NHArthur AllenByfield, MARobert StevensConcord, NHCarroll E. WinchHooksett, NHLuther “Smitty” SmithConway, NHDavid W. GrahamBoston, MAE. Stan BrownCtr. Ossipee, NHCharles WallisBeverly, MADiane CooperLaconia, NHEdward D.McKenzieAlbany, NHEdward H. LeeManchester, NHMichael PouliotCandia, NHChris JobinGoffstown, NHMalcolm CurrierLondonderry, NHRay ChadwickBedford, NHMerrill LewisManchester, NHRichard & Edie McGillenDerry, NHBenjamin LubelczykManchester, NHJames McCabeSunapee, NHJanice PeelingHampton Falls, NHJanet CorlissDerry, NHDon CummingsBedford, NHMartin FeuerAtkinson, NHDonald BourassaWindham, NHJoseph CourisManchester, NHJohn NewallManchester, NHDave & Karen Testerman Franklin, NHBob & Lorene Molloy Manchester, NHChris and Eileen Nevins Hampton, NHBradley BrownManchester,NHJohn Todorovic FamilyHenniker, NHShawn MorrillMerrimack, NHJoseph MarroneMerrimack, NHMarti GorhamMeredith, NHBarry & Donalda OttoHudson, NHFrank KeefeManchester, NHRobert SchroederHooksett, NHJoe & Carol AlosaConcord, NHThe first “graduating class” of Aviation Museum volunteers whose wide range ofskills and experience include a couple of former bomber pilots, transport pilots, air crew,mechanic, model makers and just plain “aeronuts.”Back row left to right:Ed Josephson, ChetHam, Dave Desilets,Bob Fortnam and BobBaxterFront row left to right:GeorgeWest,BobLaFleur, Chet Clough,Merrill Lewis, “Jake”Johnson and PaulScarlettDID YOU KNOW?NHAHS member Ed Brouder of Manchester, NH was recently honored at the11th annual Good Samaritan Awards for his community volunteerism in the area ofmedia?NHAHS member Dick Meyers of Belmont, NH was the ONLY American to participate as a pilot in the World Famous Schneider Air Race in England?NHAHS extends its sympathies to the Labombarde Family on the passing ofmember, supporter and aviation pioneer Phil Labombarde of Nashua, NH.Manchester, NHLebanon, NHLebanon, NHHampton, NHPage 3“Moe” Quirin accepting “Granny Award” onbehalf of himself and Ed Brouder who was unable to attend. Photo by Dave BlanchetFirst Group of Museum VolunteersNew Life MembersBarry LussierSteve Christy“Dino” VlahakisMike Hartly informative and comprehensive work. The Aeronaut Winter 2006-07
Annual Banquet andSilent AuctionFriday Evening,September 22, 2006Photos by Dave BlanchetAntique Lindbergh Tapestry donated byMike McKendryMARKO the master magician and hisassistant Lindsay WestoverSilent AuctionSamplingFran Weaver, left, and Deb Blanchetcelebrate after “checking in all theguests”Original compostion donated by RonBoucher/Hatfield Gallery1940’s USO Radio ShowNH Aviation—The WWII YearsMuseum Exhibit Unveiled September 17, 2006Wings of Freedom TourAll photos by “Dino” VlahakisSeptember 18-20, 2006TOP LEFT: Collings Foundation B-17 and B-24 on theramp at MHT adjacent to the Aviation Museum of NHNHAHS members Jaye Duffy, Rep. KenBoard member Steve Lord & Weyler and Pat Duffy chat with MarilynNHAHS life member Barry Thyng of Pittsfield, NHLussierLEFT: JackFerns, MikeMcKendry andJim Tamposi,Jr. enjoy theview outside thecamouflaged tentTOP RIGHT: Tour Project manager BobHough, left, checking security at MHTRIGHT:Brig. Gen.Harrison R. Thyng - Pittsfield,NH museum exhibit panelBOTTOM: Old meets newPage 4 The Aeronaut Winter 2006-07
Thank You,VolunteersSpecial Thanks to all our Sponsors,Donors and Volunteers for Making OurSeptember Events A Great SuccessCarla Ferns Events CoordinatorGold Star SponsorsWings of Freedom TourBob Hough Tour ManagerSteve AdamsEd BrouderAndy DayBrian CorlissJack FernsLondonderry Police DepartmentSteve LordTom MalafronteManchester Airport OperationsKen Miles/The Collings FoundationJosh NehileyTSAThe Granite GroupWiggins AirwaysSilver Star SponsorHTA Consulting EngineersMuseum CorpsBailey/DonovanC & M Restorations & RenovationsThe Collings FoundationManchester Historic AssociationNH State LibraryEdwards and KelceyPittsfield Historical SocietyState of NH - DOTTexas Woman’s UniversityWright MuseumMuseum OpeningSeptember Events Sponsored in Part by a Grant From TheNH Charitable Foundation-Otto Fund-Piscataqua RegionDonorsTony & Nina AmatoAscutney AviationJean BatchelderRobin BoivinDaniel Webster CollegeFrank KeefeAnthony LiguoriManchester Country ClubBarbara MillerRobert and Cecile SaffordPaul SmithAnn SpragueDr. Christine SweeneyMargaret SweeneySilent Auction DonorsApplebee’sBallooning AdventuresBalsams Grand ResortRon Boucher/Hatfield GalleryValerie CashinChrista McAuliffe PlanetariumCommon Man - ConcordCommon Man Inn – PlymouthVinny DevinoPatrick DuffyE.W. PooreEast Coast HangarsHampshire PewterDon HebertHistory FlightRobert & Gale FureyRob HollandBob HoughHoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc.JBI HelicoptersLake Sunapee Country ClubM & M PhotographyManchester Historic AssociationManchester Monarchs/Monarchs Care FoundationMichael McKendryMountain View Grand Resort & SpaNHAHSScouting MuseumSee Science CenterSouthwest AirlinesPage 5 The Aeronaut Dick Ludders ChairmanBob BaxterRon BrenderChester CloughGeorge ComtoisDave DesiletsVinny DevinoEd JosephsonBob LaFleurBob FortnamChet HamDon Hebert“Jake” JohnsonMerrill LewisMike McKendryPaul ScarlettJack SheaGeorge WestBanquet & AuctionDonna AkerleyDave BlanchetDeb BlanchetBetty BlandJohn FernsSherri FernsMike GulaShannon GulaDeirdre O’ConnorFran WeaverWinter 2006-07
The View from 35-17Concord, New Hampshire in 1918, joinedthe Naval Air Corps, becoming a flight instructor who later served with the NavalAir Transport Service in the Pacific theater.Also featured is the Norden bombsight, aWWII innovation that made precisionbombing possible.Grenier Field was one of several bases used to train personnel on the deviceand perform practice bomb runs over JoeEnglish Mountain in New Boston, NH. Ifyou want to know more about these people the amazing things they did during thewar you need to visit the museum wheretheir fascinating and compelling storiesare told in words and objects. And remember, for you, our members, admissionis completely free.On September 30 we participated inManchester’s widely publicized MuseumDay, when several of the city’s culturalagencies opened their doors to the publicfor a free day. The day was a great successfor us as we attracted close to fifty visitorswho enjoyed the exhibit, toured our newlyopened and beautiful building and spentlavishly in our gift shop.September also saw two large andbeautifully restored WW II aircraft parkedoutside our museum; one a B-17, the other a B-24. They were flown here courtesyof the Collings Foundation, a non profit educational institution which flies theseairplanes around the country, offeringtours of their interiors and flights for folkswho want to get a real feel for the bombers. The Collings Foundation reportedthat approximately 1,000 people touredBY GEORGE COMTOIS,Director of Collections and ProgramsMuch to report for this quarter as themuseum has opened on a limited, buthopefully soon to be expanded scheduleof Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. This is something we could not havedone without the help of the following volunteers: Bob Baxter, Ron Brender, ChetClough, Dave Desilets, Bob Fortnam,Chester Ham, Jake Johnson, RobertLaFleur, Merril Lewis, John Medicus, PaulScarlett, Jack Shea, Ed Josephson, FranWeaver, and George West. We need moresuch givers to manage the front desk, greetvisitors, answer questions and handle giftshop sales. Admission to the museum isfree for members with a requested donation from non members.Our first full gallery exhibit, NewHampshire Aviation: the WW II Years - ThePeople, Planes and Purpose, designed and installed by Bailey/Donovan Associates isa great success. The show features fourhistorically important New Hampshireaviators: Harrison Thyng, who, flying aSpitfire, was the first American pilot toshoot down a German fighter; HaroldBuker, captured by the Germans after hisB-24 was shot down over the North Seaand who spent the rest of the war in StalagLuft III; Anita Paul, who was fascinatedwith flight since age six, became a WASP(Women’s Air Force Service Pilot) at age18 ½, served througout the war then retired to become a cloistered nun aka SisterTeresa; and John Wayne Ferns, born inthe planes. Also visiting that day was ourfirst official school group from CalvaryChristian School and a group from theTilton Veterans Home. One of our volunteer guides, Bob Fortnam, himself piloteda B-17 during the war and was capturedby the Germans after being forced downin Holland, making what he calls, an “offairport landing,” was on hand with lots ofstories to tell.Speaking again of volunteers, weneed more of you, not only for front deskduty but to do other museum work as well,especially in our archives which are presently being evaluated by two grant-fundedprofessional archivists. By way of a bonus, the project archivists will be offering aworkshop later this year to train volunteersin basic archival processing and preservation techniques. Not only will this help us,it will aid those of you seeking to organizeand preserve your own personal papersand photographs. This will provide an ideal opportunity to learn how the pros do itand will help you preserve your history foryou, your children, your grandchildren,and your great grandchildren.l.So why not give joining our pioneervolunteer corps some serious thought.You needn’t dedicate your life to it, justa few hours a month. The view here atrunway 17-35 is quite exciting and oftenbeautiful, plus you’ll get to meet some especially pleasant and interesting people.That’s it for now, fly carefully andI’ll see you next newsletter if not soonershould you visit the museum or better yet,call 669-4820 to volunteer.Recent GrantsAwarded toNHAHSThe Norden Bombsighton display as part of theWWII exhibit at theAviation Museum. Photoby “Dino” VlahakisThe NH Charitable FoundationOtto Fund-Piscataqua Region forgeneral support of the September 2006Events.The Bean Foundation for the development and construction of educational,interactive museum exhibits.Page 6 The Aeronaut Winter 2006-07
Events Past & FutureUpcoming EventsMember & Guest EventSATURDAY DECEMBER 2,2006 10:30 AMMember/guest event hosted by Bob Jesurum of Port City Airand Thomas Haas of Great Bay Aviation at the PCA Facility, 104Grafton Drive, Pease International Tradeport, Portsmouth, NH.Book SigningSATURDAY DECEMBER 9, 2006 10:00 AM - NOONBook signing with Ed Brouder and Moe Quirin at theAviation Museum featuring the much anticipated debut of their 5year project “Manchester’s Airport: Flying Through Time”.Books will be available for sale at 35.00 each and personalized by the authors.Historic Marker DedicationTBA SPRING 2007Dedication of NH State Historic Marker “GranvilleHomestead” in Madison, NH.“Manchester’s Airport:Flying Through Time”Here’s a unique opportunity to support New Hampshire’saviation history and learn about one of the Granite State’s aviation icons at the same time. Long time members and friends ofNHAHS Ed Brouder and Maurice “Moe” Quirin have completedand published their much awaited history of Grenier Field, nowknown as Manchester/Boston Regional Airport. Their book is titled Manchester’s Airport: Flying Through Time.The NHAHS is a proud sponsor of this important work.In fact, the Society helped fund the project and is now in theprocess of recouping our investment through the sale of books.With more than 400 pages and loads of pictures, the book isa great value at 35.00. It makesa terrific gift for an aviation enthuMAKESsiast or anyone with an affinity forA GREATNew Hampshire. NHAHS benHOLIDAY GIFTFOR THEefits financially only from booksAVIATIONsold directly by us, which are availENTHUSIAST!able through the museum gift shop,the website, and at member events.You can download an order form atwww.NHAHS.org or stop by the museum gift shop Fridays andSaturdays between 10:00 and 4:00.For an extra special gift, or to add to your personal collection, plan to stop by and have you book signed by Ed and Moeon Saturday December 9th from10:00 to noon at the AviationMuseum of New Hampshire.Page 7 Member Event—June 17, 2006All the things you never knew abouthelicopter operations!JBI Helicopters in Pembroke, NH hosted the June memberevent at the Brigham Heliport.NHAHS member Joe Brigham started Joe Brigham, Inc. in1983 and in 1995 sold the company to Ray Newcomb.Joe presented the program and tour of thefacility. Who knew helicopters harvested cranberries,set power lines, stocked fish,serviced the AMC huts inthe White Mountains andstarred in movies. Next timeyou watch “Ransom” see ifyou can spot Joe Brigham.Thespecialraffle winner of the ride in Our tour guide.Joe Brigham. Photo bythe B-17 was Scott Eaton Jack Ferns.of Manchester, NH, whoshared his experience in this issue.Many thanks to Ray and Donna Newcomb for hosting thisevent and to Joe and Cathy Brigham for the tour and cook out.“99s” Holds Meeting in NHThe Northern New England Chapter of the 99’s heldtheir June 24,2006 meeting at the Aviation Museum of NHPHOTO: NHAHS member, Georgia Pappas, earns her “wings” on theWright Flyer Simulator under the watchful eye of “instructor” Bob Hough.The Aeronaut Winter 2006-07
NHAHS Membership ApplicationYES! I want to become a member of the New Hampshire Aviation Historical Society!Please check the appropriate box and enclose your check for dues made payable to the NH Aviation Historical Society. 25 Individual 40 Couple 50 Family 100 Gift 150 Gift 200 gift 500 Life MemberAll memberships &gifts are tax deductible. 500 Corporate (annually)OtherNameAddressCity State ZipTelephone EmailSpecial interestsPO BOX 3653 CONCORD, NH 03302-3653EMAIL: nhahs@nhahs.orgContactInformation2007 OfficersScott Westover, PresidentJack Ferns, Vice PresidentPat Duffy, TreasurerDick Ludders, Secretary2007 Board of DirectorsSteve ChristyVincent DevinoDon HebertSteve LordMike McKendryPhyllis StiblerSteve Berardo, Imm. Past Pres.NHAHSPO Box 3653Concord, NH03302-3653(603) 669-4820www.nhahs.orgEDITORSScott WestoverCarla FernsDESIGNSusan GB FosterPO Box 3653Concord, NH 03302-3653NHAHSThe Gee Bee Model A Sport Plane (pictured inthe society’s logo) was the first plane built by theGranville brothers in Boston, Massachusetts. Theybuilt nine in Spring field, Massachusetts followedby a series of sportsters (monoplanes) and finallyleading to the famous Gee Bee supersportster racers, one of which established a new world land-airspeed record. It was flown by James Doolittle.MAIL THIS FORM & PAYMENT TO:
as a teller at the Mascoma Savings Bank in Lebanon, NH. He left Mascoma, return-ing 5 years later as VP and Loan Officer. In 1990 he was elected President and CEO . Museum of Science in Norwich, VT and the Rotary Club of Lebanon. Currently he is a member of the Lebanon Airport Advisory Committee. Steve has had a life long interest in
