District II - 2010/10

October 2010 145
LOCATED in the southernmost section of
Cedar Creek Park is the Aerodrome. Since
1975, it has provided a great facility for RC
aeromodelers to enjoy their hobby. Modelers
of all ages, of all backgrounds, and from all
parts of Long Island use the Aerodrome daily
throughout the year.
With their love of airplanes also comes
their love of aircraft history. Of special
interest are those aircraft and the pilots who
flew them during military conflicts in the past
100 years.
Cedar Creek Park was the site of a
Department of Military Aeronautics training
facility. It was opened during World War I to
train military pilots to fly Jennies, a popular
aircraft of the times.
The field was commissioned in the spring
of 1918 and named in honor of a highly
decorated American Ace: Major Raoul
Lufbery. Major Lufbery was a World War I
aviation war hero and ace pilot who gave his
life for his country. Lesser known than
American Ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Lufbery
showed Rickenbacker how to survive air
combat and Rickenbacker wrote, “Everything
I learned, I learned from Lufbery.”
The story about how this all transpired is a
feature article in MA September 2010, and
well worth the time to read it.
The committee to honor Major Lufbery
was formed with Charles Lando, chairman;
Harvey Schwartz, co-chairman; Russell
Rhine, researcher; and Edward Smits, Nassau
County Historian.
They worked together for two years
researching, writing, and meeting with the
Nassau County Supervisor and finally the
legislature in their quest to change the name
of Cedar Creek Aerodrome to Lufbery Field.
They received letters supporting their
research from Andrew Parton of the Cradle of
Aviation; Dr. Natalie Naylor, Long Island
Historian; and Josh Soren of the Wantagh
Preservation and Historical Society.
The plan was submitted through past
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi to
the Nassau County Legislature, which led to
the approval to name the field Lufbery
Aerodrome. AMA club presidents Ted
Evangelatos of the Merokes; Roy Coniglioh,
Hempstead Harbor Aero Modelers Society;
Bob Grassick, Long Island Cobras; Steve
Robinson, Whitman Flyers; and John Filman
of the Nassau Flyers assisted in the field
dedication. Members of these clubs
frequently use the field.
This was an outstanding effort by the
committee that led to the renaming of this
historic aviation site. For more information,
check out the Merokes RC Club’s Web site
and download the June 2010 Smoke Signals
newsletter.
Ernie Schack and Bob Cook with the new
Lufbery sign.
I had the privilege of joining Roy Wilson,
president of the Atlantic County Skyblazers
and CD of the Spring Old-Timer Meet held at
Strawberry Field in Mays Landing, New
Jersey, in May. This was my first experience
with these powered RC Old-Timer aircraft.
Just because they are radio controlled doesn’t
mean they are easily controlled in the 10-15-
knot windy conditions. There were 12
competitors who braved the weather that
brought periodic showers.
You could hear RC history as the
Ohlssons, McCoys, Super Cyclones, and Rice
Brown Juniors were fired up. The almostrocketlike
performance of these aircraft was
amazing.
Winners of the event were O&R Sideport,
Marv Stern; Brown Junior LER, Steve
Boucher; ABC Ignition, Roy Hulse; First
Playboy, Steve Boucher; ABC Glow, Mike
Salvador; 1/2A Texaco, Roy Wilson; and 1/2A
Texaco Scale, Chuck Kime.
Pilots of the SAM Old-Timers meet.
Mike Salvador prepping his Kerswap.
A Scram and a Rambler ignition aircraft being
readied for flight.
Hugo Mercoli with his Class B Playboy.
Marvin Stern getting ready to fly.
Until next month, Keep ’em Three in the
Green.
District II
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Gary Fitch
1298 Slab City Rd.,
Franklinville NY 14737;
Tel.: (716) 341-2813
www.amadistrictii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Frank Granelli,
Rockaway NJ; (973)
625.4995; [email protected]
Tom Murray, Basking Ridge NJ;
(908) 766-5656;
[email protected]
Tony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (908)
420-6901; [email protected]
Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville NY;
(315) 635-6370;
[email protected]
Terry Terreniore, Endicott, NY;
(607) 748-8246; amad2terry@
stny.rr.com
Eric Williams, Schenectady NY;
(518) 356-2057;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Kevin Coleman, Middletown NJ;
(212) 975-2988; kcoleman@
cbs.com
CL and FF Contest
Coordinator: Dave King, South
Plainfield NJ; (908) 769-5149
Webmaster: Ray Kappes,
Clifton Park NY; webmaster@
amadistrictii.org
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District I1 Web site
or see a previous issue of MA.
District II Volunteers
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