Tag Archives: barnstormers

Dreams of Waco UPF-7s

A very long time ago, my best friend, Paul, rather jinxed me.  He introduced me to one of the airplanes I have always wanted to fly, rebuild, own, and showcase: the Waco UPF-7. (Found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuRT7fstFxs.) The UPF-7 is a … Continue reading

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Back in the Old Days

The old days.  What is the definition of “the old days?”  It depends on your point of view, that point of view being age.  If you are young, the old days were back in kindergarten, perhaps.  If you are in … Continue reading

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Sun ’N Fun–The Day After

Okay, this is not officially the day after Sun ’N Fun, but it is for me. Often, I have said I want my 20-year-old body back; each day I live, it becomes more evident I am now well beyond 29 … Continue reading

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What Sun ’N Fun Is All About

Sun ’N Fun is all about camaraderie. Pure and simple, it boils down to people who like flying and building airplanes getting together in fellowship. There is not one group of people to better “hang out” with than those who … Continue reading

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A Guy Named Joe

Here in Central Florida, there once was a guy named Joe. Joe was a fairly well known aviator, antiquer, and homebuilder. His day job was flying Lears and DH-125s for a bank; his passion was flying antiques and homebuilts. Timing … Continue reading

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107 Years

A century plus seven years. It is almost too much to comprehend, especially when you give some thought to the amazing accomplishments which have taken place since then. It was 107 years ago today the Wright Brothers officially “cracked the … Continue reading

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The Jenny and the Barnstormers

One of my favorite airplanes is the Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny.”  Benjamin Thomas, an Englishman working for Thomas Sopwith of Sopwith aeroplane fame, designed the Jenny and the airplane went into production in 1915.  It became the most important Army training … Continue reading

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The Barnstormers

After the First World War, aviators returned to America in search of their fortunes in aviation.  For a mere $400 or $500 each, they were able to acquire training aircraft from the government, the most common of which was the … Continue reading

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Ernest K. Gann

If you are a pilot and you enjoy reading, I hope you have a chance to read some of Ernest K. Gann’s works.  If you want to have a sense of aeronautical history coupled with vicarious learning about flying, you … Continue reading

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The Summer of ’86

My birthday is in June and Paul’s follows in July. I have known Paul since fifth grade, when we were in Mrs. Waterhouse’s class together. Fifth grade was a long time ago. Right after we got to know one another, … Continue reading

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