VictoryGirl

Crash of 'Galloping Ghost' into the box seating area, Reno Air Races

We grieve the loss of friends and strangers in the tragic crash of Jimmy Leeward’s ‘Galloping Ghost’ P-51 at Reno, Friday, September 16th.   From our Victory Girl booth behind the stands, we witnessed the P-51 spiraling apparently straight for us, then veering left somewhat to crash into the box seating, where our friends George and Wendy Hewitt sat, killing them and others instantly.

With all the debris and injured, it was difficult to tell who was where. It was some time before it was confirmed that George and Wendy were both killed.  George and Wendy had wandered into our booth earlier, waiting for the Unlimited races to run.  We joked about their drive up from Arizona (they had elected not to fly the Navion into Stead) being the longest part of their vacation.

Chris and Hans keep encountering early thunderstorm activity, which is delaying their flight west into Wyoming, and then south to Ogden, Utah.  They’ve made it as far as Le Mars, Nebraska today, and had a tough time finding a hotel room, with a construction convention of some kind also happening.

More storm clouds roll over Le Mars field, Nebraska

The Le Mars airport folks were kind enough to provide an airport car to get into town, however, so Chris and Hans could mosey around and find a good watering hole for the afternoon.  Time to charge up all the electronic gadgets and watch weather…

As we start stirring in our hotel room this morning, we hear an ominous rumble.  Was  that thunder?  A peek outside confirms the worst.  Its raining, and lightning flickers here and there.

Thats the midwest for you.  No forecast for thunderstorms was predicted before noon, and for the first time, we left the airplane outside.  We check the radar and there’s a hefty system right over us, and it looks like it won’t pass until noon.   So much for the early break….

At West Bend other aircraft owners are milling about, mostly waiting for a break to get into AirVenture.  Hans and Chris will have to sit on those wet seats, and, with any rain while they’re in the air, they’ll get just as much in the cockpit as outside…. I’m catching a 1:00pm commercial flight out of Milwaukee, so I have to leave the boys to their own devices by 11:00am.

In between layovers I find that Chris and Hans made it  to Fort Dodge Iowa, before having to put down because of low ceilings.   In fact, all through their flights today they’ve had to set it down for weather conditions.  But this is another good opportunity to try the local brews…

I get to LAX in time to hit evening traffic with Terri.  There is PILES of work waiting for me, dogs to walk, kids to pick up, laundry to do…

Its another early morning drive to AirVenture.  Noted nature and aviation photographer Moose Peterson, for Warbird Digest,   wants us up as soon as the field opens at 6:00am.  With parking, and getting an escort to the taxiway, etc., we don’t actually lift off from AirVenture until about 7:00am.

We follow the Bonanza photoship on takeoff, and head north just a few miles.  There Moose has us do slow S-turns around the edge of the lake, edge  below them for overhead shots, and then they pull ahead of us to get the ‘sun-in-your-eyes’ shots.   At one point, the photo ship is a good 100 yards away. Chris is doing a straight and level flight when Moose says over the radio ‘Don’t look so serious, Chris!”.   Yikes!

The last maneuver they want is a hard break to the right, so they can get us with the high wing up.  I’m glad Chris warned me, as when the que was given, we snapped hard enough down and to the right that my forehead popped the stick and I was glad I didnt eat breakfast…

We zoomed down toward the lake and got a ‘beautiful!’ from the photoship.

Our instructions were to land at Waupaca airport, 11 miles north of the lake, so we land there about 8:00am, and fill up.   After a wait, we connect with the EAA photographers, and were told we needed to be staged back at Waupaca at 3:00pm.   With the rest of the day to kill, we head down to Fond du Lac, (we don’t want to go into AirVenture and get stuck….) where Hans, acting as an excellent ground assist, waits with the rental car.

We need to get the bazookas, already packed up, over to the Sonex Aircraft hangar, where our friend and fellow Porterfield owner Jason Algra works.  He has kindly offered to help us ship the 200 lb crate straight from the field, back to California.

Between us and the Sonex hangar, unfortunately, is 2 active runways, hundreds of aircraft and thousands and thousands of people.  I do what I do best, trot over to the warbird headquarters and wheedle some assistance out of the very helpful volunteers there.  Bill, director of the flightline, hears of our plight and brings his jeep.

We get a grand tour of the flight areas on our way to Sonex. There is something to having ‘go-anywhere-at-AirVenture’ car pass!

The bazooka box makes it safely to Sonex (although Bill says we can’t blame him if the bazooka box ends up mysteriously in his basement in Fond du Lac….).

We drive back to Fond du Lac in plenty of time to fly back up to Waupaca for the evening photo shoot. Because of all the aircraft in the area, we stay 800 feet up, and below the 1800 AGL traffic into AirVenture.

Several other aircraft are also waiting for photo flights; a stunning early Stearman, an Italian light sport aerobatic, a T-34 in Navy colors, and a Thorpe-18A.

Its a bit of a wait and the vending machines are out of order. Hmmm…didnt carry 2 pounds of beef jerky across the country for nothing, I guess.   While we wait we get the pilot briefing from EAA photo pilot Bruce, who’s done this for over 30 years in his Cessna 210.

We’re up second, behind the light sport. We take off about 6:30pm, and head south, back to the lake.  We can see the light sport in the distance, zooming upside down, spouting smoke. The photographer says brightly “Okay!  You can go rightside up now, and head left…..”

Bruce puts us through more slow S-turns, left and right.  He spends time putting us closer to the photographer (he’s already warned us “no dopey faces!”).  More turns, and yep, another request to ‘break hard to the right”.   I was ready this time, and kept all my body parts away from the stick….

Its 8pm before we finally fly back to West Bend airport, where Chris and Hans will depart for home tomorrow morning.  The weather today has been stunning, and tomorrow’s forecast shows thunderstorms forming in the afternoon, giving Chris and Hans plenty of time to head out in the morning.

It’s 7:30am, and already we’re on the field at Oshkosh, preparing to move 02766 from the fields and onto the large concrete display pad called ‘Warbird Alley’ where the ‘Warbirds in Review’ interview will be held today at 10:00am.  02766 is taxied by Chris about a 1/2 mile around a large block of other warbirds to the front entrance of Warbird Alley, while photographers snap pictures of this unusual liaison aircraft hung with bazookas!

‘Warbirds in Review’ presentations strives to allow audiences a chance to hear combat pilots tell their story.  Tom Rozga was the first ‘Warbird’ presentation of this year’s AirVenture, and he carried off the presentation with concise, interesting accounts of his flight time as a Marine Corps Observation Co. in VM04 during WWII.   50-plus Rozga relatives showed up as true roadies to hear thier ‘Pop’s story.   Chris and I were also on stage with Tom, but we left most of the presentation time to Tom, as he was definitely the main attraction.

Tom’s timeslot was shared by another  veteran  pilot who flew PT-26s and other aircraft during WWII, so the audience got to hear some of this story as well.

The EAA audio/video crew filmed the event, and the local Milwaukee TV channels showed up to get Rozga on film for the 9:00pm news.  Following the presentation, many Airventure attendees came up to Tom to say ‘thanks’ for his service, ask questions and to share their stories too.

Another veteran, WWII VM05 pilot Mertin Hansen was also in attendance, assisted by L5 owner Duncan Holland of Tennessee.   Mr. Hansen was familiar with the pilots of VM04 and he had additional interesting stories to tell of flights in the OY-1s.

After the hubub of the presentation finally died down somewhat, 02766 was moved back to the field area, where the Rozga family gathered with folding chairs and ice-chests, for an afternoon at the air show.    Jim Busha finished up more interviews for his magazine article, while photographers from Warbird Digest and others took numerous photos of the airplane, Mr. Rozga and family.

EAA photographer Jake Peterson gets the 'Pilot Smile' from Rozga

We met a man  from Minnesota who mentioned he was building a Stinson 10A, and thought he knew someone in our area (Upland, CA) that had Stinsons too.  Turned out, he was buying parts from our hangar-neighbor, John Findley…small world!

After a long day of visiting and discussing the history of VM04 (and many details we are still filling in), we removed the bazookas from 02766, and packed them away, ready to be shipped back home.  We got more than one wistful look from the air-to-air photographers who’d asked if 02766 could please fly with them installed?   Maybe after the FAA paperwork is done….

Tommorrow, we plan to take off out of Oshkosh for the air-to-air flights and not return to Oshkosh, but instead land the plane back at West Bend, and avoid the congestion.  Another busy day ahead….

Finally!  5:15am we check the weather, and there’s  a cell of thunderstorm activity to the south of us, and clear to the west- we’re goin in to Oshkosh!  The plane is rolled out and on the taxiway by 7:15am, and we’re off the runway by 7:30, with a brisk wind from the west.    With the three days of delay getting into Oshkosh for weather, we assume that everyone and their brother would be doing the same thing we are- trying to get in before the crowds.

But as we hit all of our check points at Ripon, the railroad tracks, Fisk and finally into the downwind at Oshkosh, we’re very suprised at the light traffic levels.  There were two aircraft ahead of us in the pattern, and none behind.   We rocked our wings a couple miles out and dove for the green dot when instructed, although there were no other aircraft on the runway when we came in, just about 7:55am.  Chris landed just ahead of his ‘dot’, and groused about getting it right next time, but he did a great job as usual, planting the old girl onto the runway and making it stick.

02766 was parked adjacent to the  Marine Corps Pacific Theater re-enactors area, with olive drab tents and jeeps parked everywhere.  We had an easy time checking in, with the help of Warbird director Connie Bowlin- thanks Connie!  

Tommy Rozga, son of Tom Rozga, arrived soon after with the bazooka crate stuffed into the back of his van.   We hoisted it out and soon had the bazookas installed on the wing struts, much to the interest of passers-by.

Tom Sr.  also showed up on Sunday, to get the lay of the land before his presentation on Monday morning.  Annalise, daughter of Tomand Gloria,   husband Allen, daughter Melissa, husband Steve, another Rozga daughter, Maryellen, and friend Mary, along with a grandson Jason and his wife also showed up on Sunday to check out 02766 before the big day.

We’d made arrangements with the Warbird headquarters that Tom Sr. and his wife Gloria could get a ride from the nearby Hilton Hotel, direct to the Warbird headquarters, so they wouldnt need to walk the 1/2 mile in from the parking lot.  The Rozgas were planning to bring at least 50 family members and friends to hear Tom Sr. speak, so we were busy helping Tommy get parking passes, tickets, etc. 

Jim Busha, editor of the EAA Warbird magazine and full-time police detective, interviewed Tom Sr. for an upcoming article in the Warbird magazine, while we made arrangements with the EAA photographer for a air-to-air photo shoot with 02766.   Things were coming together!

The day passed quickly, there was much to do. But we had time to visit again with Sam Tabor, owner of Air-Tab Restorations (a great L-5 expert) and his wife Sheri, who had piloted their restored L-5 and Cub onto the field on Saturday.

 By  7:00pm we all met for dinner at a local restaurant, and heard some more great family stories before heading to the hotel.   By now I’m looking at another night of 4 hours of sleep, after updating the web blog.  zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

We’ve been watching weather, holding off from bringing 02766 into Osh Kosh and having the airplane outside with rough weather.   Tonight another system is forecast to come through (its beautiful at the moment), but be gone by 8:00am Sunday.  

So we’ll wait another day.   In the meantime, we  visit the West Bend farmer’s market and find cookie dough on a stick, rows of fresh vegetables, honey, baked goods, smoked fish and coffee stalls.  We stopped back into the Grasshopper for some coffee and breakfast.

We drive up to Osh Kosh to check out the warbird layout.   Most of the pavilions are up, and people are busy stocking merchandise, unpacking boxes and moving display aircraft around.   It doesnt look like there’s nearly as many aircraft there as when we were there a few years ago, but the impending weather could be holding many from arriving early.

We need to get Chris’ headset earpieces replaced, but the Bose shop isnt open for business yet.   Neither is Aircraft Spruce, where we need to get velcro for hans’ flight suit.   We wander around and check out the new Warbird Alley, where 02766 will be on display for Monday, July 26th. 

Its getting hot and humid, but there’s some cloud cover and a breeze on occasion.    With no eatery joints yet open on the field, we wander into Osh Kosh proper and get some lunch and check out antique stores for straight edge razors (we’ll have to ship them home, Chris has found at least 5 antique blades that are in great condition and really good prices).

Antique shopping aside, we do get a great look around Osh Kosh, and then head back to the hotel, where we’re going to meet some of the Rozgas for dinner.

Tom Rozga Sr., Gloria, Tom’s wife, Tommy Rozga (son) and his wife Bunnie take us to a wonderful restaurant, the Fox and Hounds, buried in the nearby hills.  It’s a gracious old tavern that’s been a local favorite since the ’30s.  Even out in the countryside, it was buzzing with the dinner crowd.   We had wonderful fish, garlic mashed potatoes and pasta, and had to take some of it home it was so much food!

Tom gets an update on how to get into the show with the bazookas.  They arrived at the Rozga’s business on Friday. 

More tommorrow!

With the weather looking poorly this morning, and also for Saturday evening (’50% strong thunderstorms, large hail), we’ve decided  to leave the airplane hangared at West Bend and take it in early Sunday morning, where the weather is predicted to be great for the rest of the week. 

We get a chance to see the countryside, and set out under stormy skies to find some real Wisconsin cheese.   We find it at Cedar Valley Dairy, in Washington County. The string cheese was  excellent, as well as the cheddar cheese curds (yes, they squeaked!).

We want to see more of Lake Michigan, so we head to Port Washington, a great fishing village.  Lunch at Wooster’s Bar was seafood enchiladas, and after a walk on the loooong seabreak.

Dinner was in downtown West Bend, at Grasshoppers, where we had salmon, cold carrot soup and silky pecan pie.   We’ve been checking weather all day, and it remains consistent; another storm system coming in Saturday night.

02766 WILL stay at West Bend today. It’s raining and lightning here already, and the forecast shows it to get stronger later, before moving out Saturday night.  We had planned to go into Osh Kosh today, while the traffic is light- but we’ll delay until weather clears.

Friday July 22 radar West Bend

Headed into East Troy Municipal and Sam Tabor's Air-Tab Restorations

With only 80 miles to go to our final destination, we can take our time this morning.  We get to De Kalb airport and return the courtesy car, thank you Tom Cleveland!  Theres a stiff breeze blowing, but it’s right down the runway and we roar out about 10:30am, headed to East Troy Municipal, to see warbird restoration expert Sam Tabor, who also has an L-5.  40 miles due north and we set down to visit Sam, and all the wonderful projects he’s working on.

Chris an Sam Tabor of Air-Tab Restorations

Just 4 days before the official opening of Osh Kosh and Sam is crazy busy, working on two P-51s and a couple of T-6 Texans that need to be ready for the airshow-yikes!   We don’t want to disrupt schedule, so we visit for just a bit and continue on to our last stop before Osh Kosh- West Bend Airport.

Sam's L-5, an awesome restoration

Allen, mechanic for West Bend airport covers up 02766

Sam gives us a number at the West Bend FBO and we call ahead to make sure there’s hangar space for 02766. There is a ‘strong storm’ warning for Saturday, and we want to take no chances that 02766 will be outside in rough weather.    We’ll keep a close eye on the storm system, and we will delay going into Osh Kosh until Sunday (forecast for scattered t-storms later in the day), if the storm forecast persists.

Havana Cigar and Lounge has a great cigar selection

Lake Michigan looking quiet--for now!

We get the old girl hangared at West Bend (thanks, Danny!) and Allen, the line mechanic gets us to  B Mitchell airport, Milwaulkee, where we’re picking up our rental car and Hans Bergen, who will fly the homeward route with Chris.

We get to sightsee a bit –including the inside of ‘Havana Cigar and Lounge’ - where we pick up a box of Mi Amor cigars to enjoy later.   We cruise a nearby park and view a skeet-shooting site on Lake Michigan.  After getting Hans, we meander our way back to West Bend, and enjoy local beer and cheese curds.  Yum!

Getting a drink of Oil- Ann Arbor

After a wonderful breakfast made by Marla at the Queen’s Residence, we caught a taxi back to Ann Arbor field, where Mark, owner of Aviation Center had put up the OY-1 for the night.   ‘Lady Satan’ got her morning cup of oil as we packed up.  It was only a 15 minute flight to Oakland-Troy, where Lee and his wife Faith were waiting, along with a news reporter and photographer. 

It was great to talk to Lee Sutkus and Faith, and get to peruse his father, John Sutkus’ personal log book, which held the history of his flights beginning with  military flight training in 1943 up to flights over Korea in F4Us in the early 1950s.    Exciting to us were the entries that recorded Mr. Sutkus’ flights in 02766 on Iwo Jima, and again later in Hawaii when they returned home after the campaign.

The local marine reserve unit, the Marine Wing Support Group 47 represented by Col. Mike McCarthy and Lt. Col Lyndell (correct..?-will check that…) were also  on hand to see 02766 and get some pictures.  Both Lee and Faith took flights in the aircraft;  Faith has both fixed wing and helicoptor flight time and was delighted to record the time in her log book.

Lee Sutkas, son of VM04 pilot J. Sutkas and Jerri

After a restful lunch and more conversation, we made preparations to continue our journey westward.  Lee and Faith entrusted us with their father’s log book, to keep with the airplane, in tribute to his service with VM04.  We are honored to accept such a gift and it will be cared for as the piece of history it is. 

We head southwest after leaving Oakland-Troy, down towards Indiana, where we land at Goshen Field, a great little airport with history back to WWII.  It was 107 and 90% plus humidity however, so we didnt tarry long.  We then made a due west course, to skirt the lake, and after passing Joliet field, we again headed north to De Kalb field, in Illinois, due west of Chicago.

Chris Col Mike McCarthy and Lt. Col airplane talk

Col. Mike McCarthy & Lady Satan

Dave ‘Dakota’ and the airport manager Tom Cleveland were waiting for us. We’d arranged an overnighter at Tom’s field so we could meet Dave (a client of ours) and deliver some Victory Girl stickers.   (The stickers are enroute- we mailed them instead…).     Chris did a great job of landing the old girl into a brisk 16 knot crosswind, and Tom and his crew quickly pulled 02766 into a cavernous hangar and gave us use of the airport courtesy car.  Thanks you guys! 

We enjoyed good company  and good food at Johnnys Chophouse before getting to a hotel and doing a faceplant.   Tommorrow, West Bend and we meet up with son Hans Bergen.

Tom Cleveland of De Kalb airport 16 knots, crosswind at De Kalb

Left the Farwell’s this morning.  Ground fog hung close at the field until about 8:30am when we saw blue. We took off, waving goodbye to 2-Beer Bob, and Monty, circling up so we could get over the top of what looked to be broken clouds. 

The ‘broken cover’ soon turned out to be solid overcast, and Chris decided we might not have enough gas to see the overcast through till it broke.  We  found a small hole and landed, just 35 miles away from Benton at a quiet grass strip at Jersey Shore (P96).  There we checked weather ahead and around.  700 foot ceilings were ahead of us for 100+ miles, and our next gas stop at Clarion was still IFR.  We decided to wait it out.

Bill, working on an engine at Jersey Shore, kindly let us use his van for a quick trip into town for a cold drink.  Checking weather on the IPad every hour, we finally left at 1:30, when ceilings were 1800 and visibility was 6 miles. 

Then, it was a race across three states! We wanted to get to Ann Arbor Michigan, by dark to meet up with Mr. Sutkas and his family early Wednesday morning.

Everything worked out great. Weather was perfect, and the FBOs were happy to sell us some gas.  We landed three times and then headed into Ann Arbor by about 7:00pm, where our Aviation Center FBO guys put ’Lady Satan’ into a hangar, and found us a lovely bed and breakfast in town, the ‘Queen’s Residence’ (we highly recommend it!).

A good steak dinner and some coconut cream pie was all we needed to round out a great day!

Doug Greenwood, son of Harold P. Greenwood, pilot of VM04, was able to drive up from Vienna, Virginia (5 hours!) to see the plane his father flew in WWII, and to take a ride himself.  As a pilot himself, Doug thoroughly enjoyed the OY-1 flight, and marveled that his father flew this craft, without defenses over enemy territory.  Doug signed the 02766 flight log.

Doug also brought with him a loaded scrapbook full of pictures of the VM04 unit during their training time at Quantico, Virginia, where they picked up the bulk of their OY-1s, as well as many combat pictures.   We also got to see the map H. Greenwood (‘Greenie’) carried on the island, still showing the pencil marks of the targets he and his Observer spotted and reported back to the battleships.  He also brought newspaper clippings, an original Hawaiian Islands Navigational chart, circa 1944, and even a handwritten flight assignment for a day’s flights on Iwo.

Doug, a retired English professor from Georgetown University, printer and still part-time writer, said his father was kidded about being anal-retentive, as he wrote everything down in tiny, neat handwriting, and carefully stored his notes until he came home from the war.  He also took pictures for the unit, of which Doug has many.   ‘Greenie’s’ personal flight log has records of flight time of 02766 on Iwo, but he was unable to bring that with him today.

Doug, Monty and Chris and I got to enjoy another wonderful meal made by Pam Farwell,  while a thunderstorm soaked the countryside. Afterwards we heard more stories from Doug about his dad, and checked up on weather for our morning flight out.  We could get some ground fog, but otherwise, the thunderstorm activity should clear before dawn.  We’ll be turning on the GPS Spot tommorrow, as we leave Benton and head west.

It was great to meet Doug, and he’s now part of the VM04 -02766 family! It was also wonderful to meet the Farwells, and enjoy their warm hospitality, good food and friendly dogs.  Chris won’t let me take one of the Great Dane-mastiff puppies home in the airplane, although at 9 weeks old, one just might fit…..

Sunday weather turned out to be perfect; not too warm, light puffy clouds and 5 knots– time to do some flying!  We were invited to the Indiana County (Jimmy Stewart) Airport, about 129 km away for an informal fly-in lunch. Mike Evans and his father-in-law flew his Piper Arrow, and Monty Hittel and Bob Brewington flew Bob’s Cessna Cardinal alongside, (well, they TRIED to keep up….:))

We got a great view of the Pennsylvania countryside going over Williamsport, Penn State University, and some serious woods and coal mines!  We met great folks and, of course, we also met folks that knew our friends –the aviation world is small indeed!

We gassed up, and flew back via Eaglesmere, Merritt Field, that had a neat little museum containing some rare Travel Airs, and an early Cessna C-2 among other treasures. Back to Benton Chris did some more grass strip landings (a rarity for us concrete-jungle types in LA).

We enjoyed a monster pizza feast at the Farwell’s and then back to the Benton field to watch Mike Evan’s wife Jen compete in the barrel races.

We’re also watching weather, and eye-balling the largish thunderstorm activity to the west.

After 10 hours of commercial flying, we arrive, groggy and grumpy to Wilkes-Barre, PA, where we were immediately cheered up by Mike Evans and Monty Hittel, who’d arrived in Mike’s Piper Arrow from Benton, PA to pick us up. A beautiful flight over the green countryside had us landing at the grass field of Benton Airport, while the annual rodeo was in progress to the north side of the field.

First things first!  We check up on OY-1, and she’s safe and comfy in Mike’s hangar, who’s graciously stored her in his hangar since Mike and Chris left in April.

We are FAMISHED, and cruise into town for a great salad and Piroigis (spelling?) -our first!  Potato-filled pasta, fried in butter and onions- MMM, good!  Then Rick Farhill gives us a chance to see the countryside up close in a driving tour.

At dusk Ted Farhill,  shows me how ‘dusters take off in a Cub from thier home hangar and a 30 degree slope-  swoop downhill and lift off over the trees!  Better than Disneyland!   I get a birds-eye-view of the peaceful Pennsylvania farms, as we head to Benton  and the OY-1, where Chris  and Joe Farhill are gassing her up for some warmup laps around the valley. Ted and Monty follow in the Supercub.

When landing, Chris, Joe Farhill, Ted, Monty and Mike Evans review some radio issues with the OY-1, as there wasn’t transmission between the two aircraft in flight.

In the meantime, Chris Lefavre has been busy on the west coast, and has found another VM04 family,  the Greenwoods.  Harold E. Greenwood, VM04 pilot, has since passed away, but his sons Jonathon and Doug live in Virginia, and have offered to come up and share their father’s experiences with us on Monday!!  Thanks Chris for finding them!

Its nearly time! Chris and Mike left ‘Lady Satan’ in good hands in Benton, Penn in April this year, among some of her original VMO4 crewmembers.

Now, we return to Pennsylvania (Chris B. and myself) to fly ‘Lady Satan’ westward, to visit a few more VMO4 crew members and family, and a stop into Osh Kosh, WI, for the gynormous EAA AirVenture fly-in, where ‘Lady Satan’ will be featured in the ‘Warbird Alley’.

We’ll keep the blog updated with pictures of our return across the States, and the people/airports we encounter.  Stay tuned!

Mike and Chris have made it to Benton, and have finally had the chance to update us on their last few days on the east coast.  Here’s some pictures and Frenchie’s report!

We arrived home Tuesday night, April 5,  after beating out snow in Pennsylvania.    ”Lady Satan’ is currently in the safe hands of all the Benton Airport crew staying warm in Monte Hittle’s hangar.  Thank you Monte.  They didn’t want the old girl to feel lonely; they  wanted to make sure we knew they would “sacrifice” and exercise ’Lady Satan’s’  legs if needed. They certainly are givers aren’t they…..!   Because of the excitement and lack of cell and internet service, I have not reported in for a few days.  I apologize. I have pondered for hours how to really explain what what opportunity was given to us.  I really do wish that everyone had the chance to do what we just did. I don’t think I can truly write it down to where all the feelings and experiences are shared but I will do my best.

A little background.  A couple years ago, Mike Polley, Bob Cable and Chris Bergen purchased OY-1 02766,  knowing she had a WWII history on Iwo Jima but not much had been verified.  One morning over coffee at Maniac Mikes (Cable Airport), Mike Polley showed me the combat diary for VMO-4 that came with the airplane.   We started to see the same names over and over again.  Names like Lt.’s Thomas Rozga, K.E Kelley, Pfc Asher Banning and Pfc Robert Guss.  As we read on, we wondered if we could find these guys still alive. 

We didnt have a grand plan or anything, we just wanted to hear their story.  When you read the diary and realize what these fine men did, you realize we can’t really repay what they did for us.  Knowing that,   bringing them their airplane was all we could come up with.  It just had to be done and that was that.  None of us questioned bringing them their airplane.  It is a tremendous honor to be allowed to do this. I suspect that anyone that has been following this blog would do the same thing and not take a second thought either. 

First we found Tom Rozga, Robert Guss, Asher Banning and Grover Pickell and Virgil Herring.  We visited Grover Pickell last year near his home in San Marcos area.  As I met with them, they gave me  names of other crew members.  Robert Guss sent me a picture of the VMO-4 logo with the signatures of all the members.  That is how we found Robert “Bob” Vincent.  Robert Guss told me that Bob lived in Benton, PA.  More names came up and I found families of guys who had passed (Kelley, Hutchins, Bergeron, Sutkus, Drabot, Hull, Tomes, Eckler).  Currently, I’ve only found 5 living members. The sons of Lt. John Sutkus found their dad’s logbook.  He had logged 6 hours of combat missions on Iwo Jima flying OY-1 #02766. Amazing. We hope that when the word spreads, more members will be found.  I would like to feel that this trip closed the journey but until I can find all the VMO-4 members, living or dead, we will  keep searching (I’m sure my wife will love that). 

Carrying on.   On Sunday, Mike and I saw a break in the storm that was just west of us and we left Advance, NC for Pennsylvania.  We would push all the way north then attempt Virginia and Maryland if the weather held later.  We started early from Twin Lakes Airport and were escorted north by Larry Melton and Bill Englert in Larry’s L-5G.  What a beautiful start to a day that will stay with me forever.  Thanks for flying our wing gents!  They broke off after about 50 miles and we made our first stop at Falwell Airport in Virginia.  Some of the locals at Advance had warned me not to go in there at night if not familiar.  That had gone in one ear out the other  until the time I turned base leg to land and I saw the uphill 5-degree slope on the side of a mountain.  “So that’s why he warned me not to go there at night”.  The old girl handled it fine and was stopped in about 200 feet.  After the owner of the field came out and fueled us, Mike flew the next leg into Maryland.  Headwinds all the way, of course.

 On Saturday, I had called the airport manager of Joe Zerbey Airport, Bill Willard.  I explained for about 30 seconds what we were doing and he was very appreciative and said the weather looked good there.  He told us that anything we needed he would get for us.  Robert Guss and his brother-in-law agreed to drive from Pottstown, Pa  to Lavelle, Pa where  Asher and Marlene Banning were meeting us.  Asher doesn’t drive anymore and Marlene agreed to drive him there.  Thank you Marlene. 

When we arrived, Bill had about 30 people on the ramp waiting for us, including the reporters and locals.  Upon parking, Mike and I were met by two of the most genuine men around, Asher Banning and Robert Guss.  Both were very excited to see their plane from 66 years ago.  The two of them had not seen each other since 1981 at the VMO-4 reunion. After talking with them by phone for two years, it was amazing to finally meet them this far away from home.  Both of them told us about their experiences and I hope they can stay in touch with each other after we leave.  Robert Guss told us that Bob Vincent held the squadron speed record for time it took to run from the hut to his foxhole (couple hundred feet) in 7 seconds.  They both spoke very highly of the other men in their squadron and Bob Vincent.  Apparently in 1981 when the guys got togehter for the reunion, Bob Vincent told all the members of the squadron “you guys don’t pay for a thing. It’s all on me”.  Two years later Bob Vincent passed away.  I’m sorry we did not meet Bob.  I hope he knows.

Asher said that he joined the Marines a month after high school graduation and went to Perris Island, SC.  for boot camp as did Robert Guss.   He  was 118 pounds- just at the weight limit.  Robert Guss was also about 125 pounds and just squeaked by. Both of them were fabric repairmen on VMO-4 aircraft and patched bullet holes after returning flights.  However many bullet holes you see when the plane lands… you  double it.  What goes in one side….goes right through the other. They stayed busy. Both of them were injured on Saipan after a Japanese air raid according to the combat diary, but when asked if they got the Purple Heart, they refused it.  During that raid, Mtsgt. William King, Cpl Frank “Fili” Fedele and Cpl. Cyril D. Kass were killed.

After spending a hour or so with them at the airport, the Bannings treated us to lunch in Cressona Pa. the heart of “Coalcracker” Country. It was much appreciated.  I offered both of them a flight in the plane but apparently they got enough of it back in 1945.  About that time, Mike Evans and Monte Hittle flew over to meet us from Benton and escort us back by air.  The weather and darkness were approaching, so we had to cut the meeting short. I could have spent weeks with both of them.  If you met them, you would just want to give them a big hug too. That’s just the type of guys they are. I hope we meet again.

On to Benton.  Boy were we surprised.  A more fitting end to the journey could not have been imagined.  When we followed Monte and Mike on the upwind, we were able to see about 100+ people lined up along the runway.  I couldn’t help but give one more pass before landing.  It’s the law anyway.  FAR 91.02766 reads: When flying a cool airplane from WWII and completing a 30 hour flight, the pilot in command must complete a photo flyby. Don’t want to break any laws. I was honored when Mike let me make the final flight into Benton. Thanks Mike. 

After making the best landing I could on the grass strip (no pressure), we parked and were greeted by what seemed to be the whole town.There we met Bob Vincent’s son Doug and Bob’s granddaughter Shannon Hartkorn (Esther Vincent was still in Florida as was Rodney Vincent). Everyone was excited to see it and Mike and I were able to toast the squadron with ice cold Yuengling Beer, given to us by Bill Willard at Joe Zerbey Airport. (Yuengling is Americas oldest brewery and based in Pennsylvania).  The feeling upon arrival was overwhelming. We were so honored to have the town come out. What a fitting tribute to these men.  The media took notes(check out Bentonnews.net, Pottstown Republican and The Press Enterprise PA.).  

After spending the next hour talking to visitors,  we put ’Lady Satan’  in the hangar and were treated to dinner by our new Benton Family.  We went to the Sub Shop on the river for a killer “Cheeseburger Sub” (with peppers of course). We then were adopted by the Farwell Family who lives in the hills above town and run a crop dusting business.  The Farwell’s have taken an area that is hard for traditional fixed wing dusters and made it possible by using Bell 47 Helicopter.  The whole family is involved.  I don’t think I have come across a family so devoted to Faith, Family and Flying. The hospitality they showed us was something I cant do justice by writing about it in just one paragraph.  Needless to say Mike and I got along fine with them.  They run their operation out of their home and the hangar is filled with project airplanes and helicopters because they cant see aircraft parts just get thrown away (Sound familiar? See Megan, I’m not the only one).

 We got fed 3-4 times a day while we watched  for weather to fly out. We stayed at Joe and Becky Farwell’s house for 2 nights and felt very welcomed. Joe Farwell is a former Army Helicopter pilot and served 2 tours in Iraq (thanks,  Joe).   Rick Farwell took Mike and I on a simulated spray run in the helicopter and we both decided we are in the wrong business. What a blast.  On our last night we were treated to a great homecooked meal at Joanne and Dick Karshner’s who live next to the Farwells.  I will start the diet tomorrow….. and this time I mean it. The Farwells and Monte Hittle shuttled us around for 2 days waiting for good weather.  We can’t thank you guys enough for all you have done for us.  I measured the distance to Cable Airport and it’s only 1,988 miles away.  See you next week?

Let’s recap.  This quest covered about 3,000 miles, 31 hours of flying, a case of oil, 350 gallons of fuel, 23 glasses of sweet tea and lots of fried okra and 2 cop cars.  We gained 100′s of new friends, saw America the way it should be seen, from 500-1000 feet and hopefully showed the heroes of VMO-4 that the real America loves them and treasures every day of freedom they gave to us. Every place we stopped and were taken care of was good for the soul.  I still believe I can not write in a way that really explains what this trip was.  But please ask us when you see us and we will try and tell you.  Enjoy the pictures. Thanks Jerri for putting this blog together I would not have even thought of it without you. Pass the word to all the Marines you know and maybe we can find the rest of VMO-4

Thank you Marines! 
Chris and Mike

They MADE IT!

Chris Le Fave and Mike Polley have successfully gotten the OY-1 ‘Lady Satan’ to Benton, Pennsylvania today, the last stop on their east coast ‘VMO-4′ journey.  They left Advance, North Carolina this morning, with Larry in his Korean-era L-5 off their wing, in clear weather.   They flew on to Layette, Pennsylvania, where they were met by Asher Banning, and Robert Gus, two additional crew members of the original WWII VM0-4 unit on Iwo Jima.   The pair hadnt seen each other in 30+ years,  and ‘Lady Satan’ for 66 years!

After greetings,  Mike, and Chris hopped the  OY-1  on to Benton, Pennsylvania.  There the whole town turned out to meet the plane, with the mayor, the president of the local VFW unit, and many residents of the town at the airport.   Mike and Chris are now staying with some locals, enjoying dinner and a well-deserved rest.   There is very poor cell service, and no internet access, so we’ll have to wait for an offical ‘Frenchie Report’  and photos  when Chris gets near a computer….

The boys have enjoyed this trip immensely, and  thank everybody for the amazing generosity and cordiality of everyone they’ve met.   When they arrive on the west coast we’ll get more info on ‘Lady Satan’s status.   Chris (Bergen) and I (Jerri Bergen) are now in planning stages of bringing ‘Lady Satan’ home in July, possibly detouring through  Osh Kosh, WIS.  for a Marine  Corps VMO reunion being held there this year.   We’ll await to hear from the boys sometime tommorrow….

Asher Banning and Robert Gus of the original VMO-4 unit

Chris and Mike are waiting out high winds in Advance, NC. They’re enjoying the countryside, hangin’ with a fellow L-Bird pilot.  Here’s the scoop..

“Today is Saturday the 2nd.  The day started with a great formation flight with Larry and his L-5G , a later model almost identical to ‘Lady Satan’.  This morning we knew we had winds coming  predicted to be 40-50 MPH.  They were.  So we started early as #2 right behind Larry off his 2600′ grass strip.  We made a formation pass back over Twin Lakes Airport where we picked up another airplane.  Bill and Cheryl took off in  Bill’s  RV-3 as camera ship.  We   flew around the valley in absolutely beautiful skies for a great photo shoot.  The wind showed up twenty minutes after we landed.

Larry then took us to “Snook’s BBQ” outside of town where we had some great BBQ pork, fried okra, huspuppies and my favorite…sweet tea.  A great hole-in-the-wall place! Mike and I   gave our hosts a break and borrowed Larry’s truck to drive all the local farm roads we could find.  We decided that  we are totally messed up as far as compass headings go in a car.  We did find another airport (go figure) and asked them how to get back to Advance, NC.  If you have never been to North Carolina, I highly recommend visiting.  It is beautiful country.  We even visited “Boone’s Cave” which is a set of caves on the Yadkin River supposedly near the family farm of Daniel Boone.

Tomorrow is set to be a beautiful flying day.  I have talked to both Asher Banning and Robert Guss and they are excited about us coming up.  This may be the first time Robert and Asher have seen each other since WWII and I know its the first time they have seen 02766 for 66 years.  Larry is possibly going to join us for the flight to Pennsylvania, making it a 2 ship flight to Lavelle, Pa.

The hospitality from all involved has been amazing.  In 9 days we have not rented a car yet but have not had to walk  (except for the free car that Mike broke).  We have been treated like celebrities and two other people offered up their hangars and homes last night.  Just good people all around.  I suppose everyone I know at Cable would do the same thing.  I guess it comes with the love of flying.

Wish us luck as Sunday will be the last leg of our trip.  After visiting Robert Guss, Asher Banning and the Benton folks, we are  looking to head home.

Mike and Chris have seen a patch of blue- and have  launched northward, headed to BENTON,  Pennsylvania.     After a day’s flying, Frenchie heads to the nearest computer, checks weather, uploads his photos, updates friends and family, and sends me the blog notes.  See Mike’s comment under chris’ picture!

Here’s Frenchie’s report!    

 ”We pushed out of Leesburg today and headed north.  There is a break in the weird weather and we decided this would be our chance to try and make Pennsylvania to see Robert Guss, Asher Banning, and the crew at Benton Airport that Bob Vincent used to call home. 

Our first stop was Waycross, Ga after crossing the Okefenokee Swamp in Northern Florida.  That was about a 40 mile stretch of nothing but trees, water and swamp (no roads, no civilization but lots of gators). That’s about the time you really start to hear all the funny little noises your engine makes.  Waycross was a great little airport that had free BBQ and sweat tea for those coming and going to Sun and Fun. We fueled, ate and headed north as fast as we could.  Next stop was Barnwell, SC, an old WWII army field.  I landed with about a 40 degree crosswind but the old girl did me well.  We checked weather and started to see a weather system working over North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania that was producing a weird color on the weather map that we are not familiar with….snow. 

Next was Twin Lakes Airport in North Carolina which had an interesting twist.  One of the locals, Bill, said his friend has an L-5 at a small airport nearby and asked if we would stick around for him to come see our bird.  We waited and met Larry from Advance, NC.  After telling Larry where we were headed and trying to beat the weather, he insisted we fly into his private airstrip and keep the plane in his hangar with his L-5.  He told us the airport was on the map but all we had to do was take off from Twin Lakes, turn 030 degrees and go 3 miles.  But then when you get there make sure you come in over the river and watch out for the trees then taxi up the road to his house.  Well, after searching for it for about 15 minutes, Larry took off in his L-5 and met us in the air to guide us in. 

Larry has a beautiful L-5 that is very similar to ours.  The plan for tomorrow is to meet Larry in the morning and make a “dawn patrol” run in the North Carolina countryside.  After that we will go as far north as we can before the weather stops us.  I will send pictures tomorrow.” 

6 hours of flying turns into 3 hours of computer time for Frenchie...

The Sun N Fun Airshow, where ‘Lady Satan’  was scheduled to be today was hit by a suprise tornado that overturned 30 + aircraft, blew tents away and pushed in hangar doors. No serious injuries though. (EAA photos,  above)

By the fates or lucky chance,  ‘Lady Satan’ was  still safely hangared in Leesburg, FL, as the weather was still too stormy to make the 90 nm flight to the show.    From what we hear on news channels and the AOPA website, Sun N Fun has been suspended, because of the tornado damage.

Chris, Mike and Terri, along with the Rozga/VM0-4  crew,  have been visiting at Leesburg, instead of Sun N Fun.  Here is Frenchie’s report…

“The old line that “the lord works in mysterious ways” is true.  What you wish for may not be the best thing for you!  All the hoping and praying that we could get Tom down to Sun and Fun turned out not to work out.  The weather never cooperated so we have stayed in Leesburg about 90 miles north for the last 3 days.  But many of you may have heard that a severe storm and tornado ripped through the Sun and Fun Fly-in today destroying about 40 airplanes, tents and buildings.  Had Mike and I made it down there yesterday, we would have been there with Tom and his family today and right in the middle of the storm.  The tornado does not care if you have a one of kind airplane that is the only one back from Iwo Jima or a mass produced airplane from the 60′s with bad paint and a burned out engine….it just tosses it like a feather.  luckily they are currently showing only minor injuries to those involved. 
 
Taking a step back, it was clear that besides the airshow, this trip has been a blessing.  We are here with Tom, our hero.  We are here with Esther and Rodney Vincent and their friends from Pennsylvania and we are here with The Kelley Family: Jeff, Lori and Karen.  The airshow is just a place.  These people are why we are here.
 
Tom and Gloria were very gracious hosts for all of us.  Keep Tom, Gloria and the entire Rozga Family in your prayers.  On the day we arrived, actually 2 hours before, Tom found out that his brother passed away.  I’m sure it has been heavy on his mind but he never let it show.
 
This afternoon everyone got together at the hangar where the plane is kept.  Karen is the daughter of Lt. Karl Elton Kelley who was the second Marine pilot on Iwo Jima.  Lt. Harvey Olsen was the first by a few seconds.  Tom called Karl one of his best officers and a great pilot.  Jeff, Karl’s grandson, served in the Army and Air Force and was very proud to see his grandfather’s plane.  Jeff looks very much like Karl as Tom pointed out.  All three of the Kelley crew got to sit where their namesake did and experienced his point of view in the pilots seat. Lori is the one that found the article about Tom on the Internet and when she commented on the article, that is the only way I found her. hence why we spent today together. Karen brought her dads Air Medal to show us and numerous photos of the group on Iwo Jima.  Amazing.
 
The Vincents also joined us but had to keep going to south after visiting the airplane. It was an honor to have them with us.  We are sorry that Bob could not be around to see his plane again.
 
It currently appears that Sun and Fun will be closed indefinitely after today.  We will see what the weather holds Friday and head north for Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Cross your fingers and pray for good weather.
 
A LETTER FROM TOM ROZGA
 
 I became the Commanding Officer of VMO-4 right after Capt. N Blaha was wounded , during a Jap  bombing raid and then he was evacuated from the island of Saipan. This was about the 8th day of the battle of Saipan.  So I was the C.O. for the rest of that battle. Then we went to Tinian and soon we were on our way for the battle on the Island of Iwo Jima.  Through all three of these invasions, I was very proud of what the men of VMO-4 had accomplished.    Since then, what Mike, Chris and company have accomplished in getting the history of VMO-4 together, in locating so many of the men, getting in touch with many of the surviving relatives of the VMO-4 men, they have done a marvelous job and I want to thank them in behalf of all the men of the squadron.  Through their efforts, I have learned of the accomplishments of all the men, living and those who have passed away, The accomplishments that you made , after the war had ended,  on a whole your deeds were tremendous  – - were brilliant, you were/are terrific!!!  Thank you for letting me be a part of your life!!!   Tom Rozga .

Chris, Mike and now Terri are in Florida, at the Rozga house.  No Sun N Fun today, but they still had a full day…. Chris reports…

“Today is one week since we snuck out of Cable into the vast weather system  also known as the  United States.  You might remember my comparison of 5-year-olds with crayons and red on the radar screen.  Well, Ron Meyer obviously was looking at the same radar we were today.  He told me the 5-year-old is loose again with the crayons.  Today in central Florida we had an incredible storm pass through.  Lightening, thunder, wind and tornados.  Well we didn’t make it to Sun and Fun.
 
We went to Leesburg Airport where the OY-1 is being housed in a hangar and took Tom out to see his girl again.  Tom had a few of his friends come out and join us.  What Tom didn’t know was that we had shipped out the bazookas ahead of time and today we were going to put them on.  Tom was there as they went on and helped install them.  Tom was very excited and asked where we got them.  I reminded him that some questions are better left unanswered since I don’t know if the Russian mafia has figured out that Mike wrote them a bad check for the bazookas. Anyway, Tom really enjoyed the new additions.  Mike test flew the plane with the added gear and there were no problems and it looks really cool!
 
Later this evening we were able to meet the wife and son of Robert “Bob” Vincent, Esther and Rodney who had just arrived from Benton, Pa to see Bob’s plane that he worked on in WWII.  Bob passed away in 1983 and was a pilot after the war.  Bob was assigned to VMO-4 for all three invasions of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
 
Tomorrow we hope to have good weather so Mike and Tom can fly the OY-1 down to Sun and Fun and Tom can share with everyone what he and his squadron did.  We are also hoping to meet Lori Kelley who just arrived in Lakeland tonight with her family.
 
On a side note.  While talking to Tom this morning and looking at the combat diary for VMO-4, Tom told me a story very nonchalantly as if it was just another day.  In 1944, when the the 4th Marine division invaded Saipan, Tom was one of the firt two pilots to land on Saipan after launching from sea.  It was also the first time an OY-1 had ever taken off an aircraft carrier.  We already knew Tom was the first Marine pilot on Iwo Jima when he walked ashore to look for a suitable place to land for his squadron on D-day +2.  But then today, he told me that 3 days before the invasion of Tinian, his squadron received a distress call from a lost American reporter that had gotten onto Tinian before the US had.  The reporter needed to get out and put out the call to anyone listening on the radio.  After verifying it was not an ambush, Tom flew to Tinian in a OY-1 to the only strip there and picked up the reporter 3 days before the invasion by any other US forces.  So….. Tom was one of the first pilots on Saipan and to take off from a carrier, was the first pilot on Tinian and was the first pilot on Iwo Jima when he walked ashore.  It’s amazing what these men did.
 
If you have any veterans that you know and they haven’t told you their story, ask them.  You will be surprised what you hear.  If you wait too long though, they may not be around to ask…….”

Mike and Chris got some good weather and bolted out of Georgia, arriving safely at Leesburg Airport, Florida.  Here’s Chris’  report:

“Today is Tuesday the 29th of March.  66 years ago today, OY-1 #02766 and the members of VM0-4 were still at sea being transported back to hawaii and would not arrive until the 6th of April.  Mike and I had it easy compared to them.

After 2 days in Cordele, GA, the weather finally let us out. About 2pm today, we got enough sky to go south before another severe storm is set to hit Wednesday.  It paid off.  We arrived in Leesburg, FL, about 4pm, six days after we started.  There to greet us was the squadron commander of VM0-4 from WWII, Thomas P. Rozga and his wife Gloria. Tom flew this airplane along with the other pilots of VM0-4 while they served on Iwo Jima. What an honor it is to be here with this man and his bride of 64 years.  Tom gave Gloria a quick tour of his old girl before we tucked her away in the hangar to avoid bad weather.   We will be spending more time with the girl tommorrow, and Tom hopes to show her off to his friends here in Florida.

We were ordered not to get hotel rooms by the Commander, and of course, Mike and I do as we’re told. We’re treated like kings, in the Hotel  de Rozga.  After finally putting on the first pair of fresh clothes in 6 days, we were given a tour of the ‘Villages’, the most incredible retirement community you’ve ever seen.  The Villages is amazing, but can you guess what’s missing? Yup. No Airport.  We had a great dinner in the private club and heard new stories about VM0-4 and the Rozga family.

Everything worked out perfectly.  Had we not pushed out two days early from Southern California, there is no way we could have made it here in time. We arrived on the day we planned.  Of course you all read the adventures we had to get here. We werent sure what was going to happen after Saturday.

Tommorrow the Vincents will be coming here and Lori Kelley will be coming in to Lakeland to the airshow.  We hope to be able to get everyone together in the next few days.  Terri Polley, Mike’s better half (see Mike, no lying) will be here tommorrow as well.

A Good day!”

Today is Monday the 28th, day two of Cordele, Georgia.  For those of you who did not run over to the map and look it up, Cordele is about 2, 282 miles east of Cable Airport and 274 miles from our destination.  So close but yet so far.  As some of you may have seen on the news, there is a “little” storm system that is covering the southeast United States.  Well, we are looking at it right now.  Those that are familiar or even if you are not, when you look at a radar image of the U.S., when there is no color on the map, that is a good thing.  Well currently, the southeast looks like a 2 year old spent 5 hours coloring the map with  red Crayolas.  Red is never good on the radar.  I don’t know whose kid it was but when I find him……… 

It was interesting yesterday…today….not so much.  The ceiling never got above 500 feet here in Cordele so at 4pm our time, we decided it was time to go back to the hotel after checking the weather every 10 minutes for the last 6 hours (as if our checking was going to change a 1,000 mile long storm line. Duh).   The gentlemen at the airport office who probably has been laughing at us all day, met me in the pilots lounge and without me even asking, he handed me the keys to the same car from yesterday and said “you’all probably want these again?!”  I took them like a whipped pup.  So we headed back to town.  Mike needed a haircut so we went to Bud’s Barber Shop.  Bud was a nice guy and let Mike in about 5 minutes before closing.  When we tried to leave, the car finally died.  The old girl had had enough.  I called the airport to let them know and see if there was another car we could use.  Nope.  Yesterday when the gentleman said we had the good one of the three, he really meant they had 3 cars but 2 ran.  The other poor suckers who are stuck here in the storm got the other one.  So we walked to the  hotel. 
 
All is not lost.  Today worked out.  Because we stayed here in Cordele, the granddaughter of Lt. Karl Elton Kelley, Chrissy Kelley drove down from Atlanta to see her grandfathers’s airplane from WWII.  Chrissy’s father Karl Elton Kelley, Jr. was killed in Vietnam when she was 3 so she grew up with her grandfather as a role model and was very close to him.  She was not able to make it to Florida to see the plane, unlike her sister Lori Kelley, who is meeting us there on Wednesday.  She brought her friend Tessa Cross whose grandfather was a crewman on LST’s that used the Brodie System (small world).  Tessa is also a 4th cousin to the Wright Brothers.  Chrissy brought a picture of her grandfather from his later years and it took about 2 seconds to recognize him in the picture we have of the VMO-4 Officers.  She was very happy to see and be part of the plane.  Magically, the ceiling lifted above the airport and the surrounding 3 miles to 1,310 feet so we could take Chrissy up in the same plane her grandfather flew 66 years ago.   Tessa got a flight too.  We got to hear stories of her grandfather and what he was like.  He was a perfect southern gentlemen. I pictured nothing else. 
 
I told today’s events out of order.  Before we killed the car and after the girls left, Mike and I were bored so we drove to the next county to see what was there.  We went to Arabi and Ashburn, Ga.  Besides the overcast, the country is beautiful.  We saw the sign for the Crime and Punishment Museum in Ashburn so we went.  They are closed on Mondays.  We stopped by one of the 100′s of open cemeterys in Georgia and came across one with the graves of Civil War families.  We don’t have many cemeterys in California with whole acres of graves dating past 1830.  A lot of history.  On the way back, we stopped by “BJ’s Diner” in Arabi.  It was gamble, looking at the outside, but we risked it.  When we walked, in they were closed.  The family was already packing up to close but the lady who was obviously in charge told us we could still eat but she could only make us a hamburger and fries.  We agreed and she said it was the “best hamburger around” (it was).  After that we pretty much could not understand anything anybody there  said to us but they were very nice.  Nice enough that Mike and I were planning on going back for breakfast until Mike killed the car. (By the end of this trip Mike is really gone wish he was the one writing this.)
 
All in all it was a good day even with the bad weather.  No matter what happens, we still flew an old WWII taildragger across the United States. Life is good!

Frenchie’s Report for SUNDAY, 27th:

Well last night we made it to Waynesboro, Miss.  The airport is about 3 miles from town .

 
Upon arrival we had a 5 minute conversation on the unicom frequency with Joe, the only other pilot on the airport.  Not that we were tying up the frequency for anyone else…since we were the only guys up for 3 countys.  Joe ended up giving us a ride into town and took us to the “best fried chicken” in Mississippi called none other than “Mississippi Fried Chicken”  Keep it simple.   Southern hospitality was great as the girl who ran the counter told us her mom was the airport manager.  Both mike and I ordered the 3 piece meal.  When we got to the hotel to eat it, we each had about 5 extra pieces along with fried pickles and fried okra. 
 
More importantly, when we arrived, David and Ernest Twiner were waiting for us to land after we flew over their house.  Ernest AKA “E.T. from Missisippi” (his nickname, not mine) is a pastor in town.  His son David is just like Mike and I and stares at the sky when planes go over, hurrys to the airport when he sees them come in, but said he’s never been flying before.  So Mike did what any good pilot would do and asked him if he wanted to hop in as Mike taxied the plane back to the tie downs.  David lit up and jumped in before Mike finished talking.  We knew he was hooked.   If someone gets that excited to taxi in a plane, then there is no way we can leave without taking him flying at least once….
 
Mike agreed to take David flying first thing Sunday morning.  David had spread the word and David’s mom and friend Cole came out to check out the flight.  We couldnt take Cole up since his parents weren’t around to approve it.  Next time Cole! Remember Cole check out “Young Eagles”, “Civil Air Patrol” and “Be a Pilot” on the internet. David loved it and showed Mike all the landmarks of Waynesboro.  David and family were very appreciative.
 
We pushed on to Greenville Alabama where the gas was locked and nobody was around.  The sign on the door said to call Frank or Travis.  Well we spoke with Travis’ wife who said Travis had already left for Sun and Fun (where we are headed).   She thought Frank wasnt answering because he probably already left for church.  She was nice enough to come down on Sunday and give us fuel and oil. 
 
We quickly left after waiting on gas for an hour when we saw a big line of thunder storms building just north of us.  For the next hour and a half Mike did a great job of checking weather on the GPS keeping me out of the worst of it.  We finally made it to Cordele, Georgia to sit out the storms coming in.  When we fueled up, Mike was putting away the gas hose and got cut.  Bill, the man that maintains the airport told Mike that it was probably the copper wire that the hose is wrapped in that got him.  He then told Mike “thats why we have this leather glove here”.  (You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink).

  Bill gave us the airport car to take to town for lunch.  We quickly found that, maintanence was not a priority for this car.  It wanted to die at stoplights and full throttle meant 35 MPH.  I told myself to make sure I advise them when we get back about the problems. When we got done with lunch, we walked out to find one hell of a thunderstorm about 10 minutes away from the airport. After hurrying back at 35 MPH, we just got the plane put into a shade hangar when then hail, thunder, lightning and 40 MPH sideways winds hit. After putting the plane away, I told Bill about the car running so poorly and he said “yep, and that’s the good one of the three” (I guess he already knows) So,…here we stay, in Cordele Georgia. ”

There’s been several stops today, and the boys had yet another great day of meeting new airport friends.  Back at Cable Airport in California, we’ve just shipped off two pair of headsets to Florida, as it seems both Chris and Mike’s headsets produce too much static to safely listen/navigate the busy Sun N Fun traffic.  We’ve also shipped ‘Lady Satan’s display poster, also to be used at the show.  The boys have stopped in Waynesboro, Miss. for the night. Here’s Chris’  report:

“After downing  many glasses of sweet tea and a good southern meal of fried catfish, hushpuppies and crawfish, we finally got  to sleep on Friday night.

 Today,  Saturday, Scott and Bubba loaded up in their Cessna 182 and had us follow them in the OY-1 to Scott’s Father’s ranch about 12 miles west of Lufkin where we landed on his grass strip.  The strip is 2600 feet long, has a hill in the middle (or jump depending on how you look at it), doglegs to the left and has a pond on one side.  The old girl took it like a champ!  We were greeted by Mr. Landry who lives in a 120 year old wood shack  but has a new 3000 square foot (+-) hangar on his ranch for his Stearman, Luscombe, Cessna 180 and Lightsport.  Are these guys great or what!  Not only that but he has a 600 yard rifle range (runway)  where he shoots his rifles everyday.  We were greeted at the front porch of his cabin by the big black lab AKA “porchdog” that was a love but deaf because he swam too much in the pond  and an infection caused his hearing loss.  That did not stop him from smiling and wagging his tail!  Mr. Landry showed us his collection of rifles that cover every wall of the house.  Being a sniper, I was drooling!  Not only does he have an M-1, he has a whole wall top to bottom dedicated to M-1′s. The next room is for M-1A’s. After that, he flew back to Angelina in his Luscombe off our wing to go to breakfast.  

Once back at Angelina, The airport guys came out to meet “Lady Satan”.  We enjoyed meeting all the guys there.  A gentlemen named Buzz Patrick came out to see her. Buzz was an OV-10 driver in Vietnam and has a keen appreciation for what this plane did and what Tom Rozga and the boys were doing.  The OV-10 was used as a forward air control plane up until the late 90′s.  Mr Odom, another Texas gentleman, stopped in to see the girl.  Mr Odom flew T-6′s in Korea also as a forward air controller.  We picked the right airport didn’t we!  Mr. Odom also flew F-86′s later on.  Thank you both for your service.

Thanks to everyone in Lufkin Texas for showing us what good people are made of!  Thanks Scott, Bubba, Ricky, Linda, Josh, Jacob and rest of the crew!

We left Angelina and headed east for Opelousas, La.  After 3 days in Texas we finally crossed out into Louisiana.  Our first stop was St. Landry Parish Airport where we met the nephew of pilot, Lt. Karl Elton Kelley Sr, Dallas Kelley.  Dallas was able to sit in and see the plane his uncle flew on Iwo Jima 66 years ago.  Dallas enjoyed the stop and took many photos to share with his boys.  We are waiting on the gusty minds to stop before we head east to the area of Mobile AL.  for the night. ”

  Mike sent back a picture of the pre-dawn takeoff at Pecos, today, Friday morning.  The right magneto has failed at their next stop, Iraan, Texas.  We’ve got a spare magneto here at the hangar in California, and we’re on alert to FedEx it out if  needed.  

Frenchie fills in the day’s details for us:

 ”Today started at 0530 in Pecos Tx with take off at 0700.  While trying for Ozona Tx, we had the bad mag and fog that put us down in Iraan Tx. No fuel but a neat small town.   The local airport mechanic, IA, FAA (Mike) fixed the mag problem with a mirror and small screwdriver purchased from Aircraft Spruce of Texas (AKA Carquest).  Down for 1.5 hours and back we went to Ozona Tx.  Another friendly airport.  Fuel and go to Taylor Tx. 
 
In Taylor they have only one airport courtesy car. A retired Dodge Intrepid police car.  Still has the lights and radio.  And the back doors still don’t open from the inside. We shared it with the pilot who had just flown into Taylor,  a US Army Wounded Warrior named Todd. 

Todd, the US Army Cav Scout is undergoing rehab for injuries he received in Afgahnistan in 2009.  Todd and his family showed us where the best BBQ in Taylor was and so we went to Muellers BBQ in downtown.  We had a great lunch with a good group of people.  Thanks Todd for what you did.
 
After standing down for the Texas afternoon winds, we headed east where we were trying to make Lousiana.  A 40 degree crosswind  at 15 knots made us rethink that decision and we made a far better one.  Instead we turned left for Angleina Airport in Lufkin Tx.

  Upon arrival, we were greated by two fellow aviation buffs Scott and Bubba.  Scott gave us his truck to borrow for the night to get in and out of town.  After tying down the plane, Scott and Bubba treated us to ice cold Shiner Bock at their hanger and man was it good after the longest travel day yet.  Come to find out that Scott is the Chief of Police of Lufkin TX but I suspect he’s a full time pilot who just has to work for a living.  Sound familiar?   Scott and Bubba are very interested in the plane and are considering flying to Sun  n Fun next week to meet Tom.  Saturday morning, they are going to introduce us to some of their airport heroes.  A close friend of theirs was a Corsair driver in WWII and still comes to airport everyday.

Tommorrow will start early as we plan on spending most of the day in Lufkin.  We were invited to the ranch that belongs to Scott’s father in-law.  His dad had a 2600 foot strip on his ranch where he keeps his Stearman, Luscombe and other assorted planes (and gun collection)  Is this a great trip or what?
 
We have not met a mean person yet in Texas or anywhere on this trip for that matter.  Is it airport people or is just what happens when you leave California?

(see the ‘findmespot’ URL at the top of this post, to track their progress on ”Lady Satan’s”  GPS) 

Chris Le Fave, co-pilot/observer, writes this about today’s  flight…

“ As of day 2 we made it to Pecos TX where we will sit out the 35 MPH winds until Friday.  85 degrees and very friendly.  We have internet acess today but we may not have anymore as we go east. 
 
66 years ago today  this airplane (02766) was on a transport ship being ferried back to Hawaii after serving for two months on Iwo Jima under the command of 1st Lt. Thomas P. Rozga.  Tom is the man we are going to see in Florida.  It is an honor to take this plane to her pilot!
 
Today we made it to Cochise Arizona on our first leg and had to land short on the runway because the USAF Academy cadets were towing and flying gliders in the middle of the runway.  No Problem.  We did get there too early and no one was there to give us fuel.  After a few minutes, the nice lady who runs the pumps got dressed and came out of her trailer to unlock the fuel. At her side was her small white airport dog that decided that while we were getting pictures, he would pee on the right landing gear.  Holy water….I guess? 
 
Next leg, I flew to West Texas airport, East of El Paso.  We were greeted by the welcoming commitee of locals that just happened to be at the picnic benches and enjoyed seeing the plane.  After fueling and grabbing two homemade sandwiches from the airport fridge, we headed to Pecos.  We have had a good tailwind the whole way. The longest stretch without fuel was the West Texas to Pecos and we had no problem with plenty in reserve.
 
Upon arrival in Pecos, we were greeted by the 3 airport “Porchdogs” a golden, a black lab and a mutt.  They did not pee on the airplane  once Mike and I fed them our leftovers, They agreed to guard the plane til morning.  We will try and push through the rest of Texas Friday if we can.
 
We are switching off Pilot/Copilot as we have both decided that 1.5 hours in the back is about all your butt can handle.  Picture this though.  In WWII, The intial squadron of VMO-4 flew from Quantico VA to Miramar, CA in the same airplanes.  The poor enlisted man in the back had to be in the back the whole 3,000 miles.  Ouch!  We owe alot to these guys.

Mike and Chris make it to Stellar, AZ on Wednesday, a private airpark smack in metropolis Phoenix, where they visit with good friends.  This shot is on takeoff- headed to Cochise, AZ.     So far, light winds,  high clouds.    The L-5 just recently got new observation glass (the ‘greenhouse windows in the roof), and was fitted for the replica bazookas (they don’t fire though)..

The bazookas create lots of drag, and, cause more than a little consternation for FAA officials, and so they’re used only for static display. 

As of 9:30, ‘Lady Satan’ has left Cochise, and is headed to T27, near El Paso, Texas!

Getting ahead of weather, the boys leave early

‘Lady Satan’ is enroute to Florida, from Upland, California, ahead of a brisk storm system currently sweeping Southern California.  The boys left today at 3:15pm, and arrived at Blythe around 5:15pm. Mike Polley and Chris Le Fave take essentials for the 5 day flight– a flight jacket,  protein bars and an extra set of underwear.     All other gear (spare parts, bazooka guns, historic flight log, etc.) have been shipped ahead. 

Lt. Joe Moser in his handpainted A-2

Victory Girl had the honor of creating some unique   artwork on one of our lightweight lambskin A-2s for WWII veteran Lt. Joe Moser, a P-38 pilot with 44 missions.  Joe was shot down in enemy territory, captured by the Germans and  sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp, where he spent 18 months.  With the help of  the Bravo 369 Foundation (www.bravo369.org), Joe Moser got to fly a P-38 again, with the help of Steve Hinton and the Planes of Fame, at Chino Airport, Chino, Ca.    Watch the YouTube clip, here, for a summary of Joe’s amazing military experience and ’45th Mission….’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep8vLXqevnw

Sgt. Michael T. Washington, of the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008. He is remembered, along with other fallen members of his unit in this riding jacket, commissioned by his father (also Michael Washington). Mike Sr., also a Marine, continues to honor his son’s service in support of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines at memorial events across the nation.

Click the image above to view Terri’s video of her flight with  B-25J ‘Pacific Princess’ of Chino, CA, and 16 other B-25Js in tribute to the last surviving Doolittle Raiders, on April 15-18, at the Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio.   The Doolittle Raiders were a group of B-25 pilots and crew who flew B-25Js from the USS Carrier ‘Hornet’ in April, 1942  to attack Tokyo, Japan, along with several other industrial targets on the Japanese mainland, and  deliver a tremendous morale booster to Americans during a dark time of WWII.   Today there are only 8 Doolittle Raider crewmembers left alive from that historic raid, and three braved bitter cold weather in Ohio to thank the crews of these B-25s for their rememberance of this historic flight.

Terri  Polley, of VictoryGirl participated as video crew member for the trip from Chino, to Ohio and back, and even earned her ‘Combat Camera’ patch from the Air Force photographers there!  If you have issues getting to the video, do a search on YouTube for ‘Victorygirl, B-25J Pacific Princess’.

Lt. Thomas Rozga and 'Lady Satan' on Iwo Jima

When an L-5B came available for sale  a while back, we became interested in it because it had combat history.  The L-5B had a ‘war diary’ with its paperwork, that showed the squadron of L-5Bs had been delivered to Marine unit VM04 in Sept of 1944, in Hawaii.  Records note the squadron  then shipped to Saipan and on to Iwo Jima, in support of the  historic invasion, February, 1945.    A  name appearing frequently in the logbooks was ‘Lt. T. Rozga.’   Curious, members of the hangar gang at Cable began making inquiries, and located a  Thomas Rozga, now 88 years old, in Florida who flew L-5Bs on Iwo Jima 65 years ago.

Thomas Rozga was suprised to hear this little airplane still existed, and arrangements were made for Mr. Rozga to come to California and fly this L-5B once again.  When we purchased the L-5B, it carried Marine OY-1 markings, but  didnt have  military nose art.   Mr. Rozga’s son, Tom Jr. , sent the picture (above), of his dad standing next to the L-5B ‘Lady Satan’.       Before Mr. Rozga’s arrival, we  (Terri Polley) re-painted ‘Lady Satan’ on the cowling, just as it was in WWII.

Mr. Rozga, with his two sons Tom and John, visited Cable Airport, and Tom Sr. sat in the L-5B, exactly 65 years to the day, after the invasion of Iwo Jima.  Mike Polley took Tom up, who took the stick and flew for a while, before Mike landed back at Cable airport.   Mr. Rozga, over lunch, related to us the various missions he took in this L-5B, including a hair-raising night mission where he flew the southern beach of Iwo Jima, scouting enemy positions while 16 inch rounds whistled around him from US battleships pounding the island.

We were honored to attend the Iwo Jima Survivor’s Banquet with Mr. Rozga, Tom and John Rozga at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA.  on Saturday, Feb 20th,  65 years plus 3 days of D-Day, Iwo Jima.

65 years to the day after flying 'Lady Satan' on Iwo Jima

To read the full article, go to the MARCH issue of the CABLEGRAM at http://www.cableairport.com/cablegram/march/Page_4.html