District IX - 2012/08

Jim Shaw sent me this article about the
recent activities at the Vintage Aero
Flying Museum.
“The day started out dreary and
rainy. We loaded up the van and
were on our way to Platte Valley
Airport in Colorado. We are headed
for the Vintage Aero Flying Museum
(VAFM) to meet up with the other
Colorado Dawn Patrol. We fly with
the Colorado Dawn Patrol, Chapter 90
of the International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA), and the full-scale
aircraft at the VAFM group also are
named the Colorado Dawn Patrol.
“As we approached the VAFM site,
the clouds started to break up and it
looked like a great day was dawning
on us. The VAFM museum is a littleknown
site that has a great collection of
World War I items and is home to the
following aircraft: Fokker Dr.I, D.VII,
and D.VIII, all in flying condition.
“There are two S.E.5as and they are
in the process of rebuilding a 1915
Spad. We set up a display area that
had the following models: a S.E.5a, a
Sopwith Pup, a PT-19, and a Kadet
Senior as well as a simulator for the
visitors to use. About 1 p.m., the Fokker
Dr.I, D.VII, D.VIII, and the S.E.5a fullscale
versions started up and taxied out
to the runway.
“They all took to the air and we were
treated to a great show with all these
planes doing low flybys and chasing
the S.E.5a around the sky. Looking at
pictures does not do justice to these
planes as they fly by at about 85 to 90
mph.
“Next year should be even better
as they expect to have the Spad and
Jim Shaw sent me this article about the
recent activities at the Vintage Aero
Flying Museum.
“The day started out dreary and
rainy. We loaded up the van and
were on our way to Platte Valley
Airport in Colorado. We are headed
for the Vintage Aero Flying Museum
(VAFM) to meet up with the other
Colorado Dawn Patrol. We fly with
the Colorado Dawn Patrol, Chapter 90
of the International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA), and the full-scale
aircraft at the VAFM group also are
named the Colorado Dawn Patrol.
“As we approached the VAFM site,
the clouds started to break up and it
looked like a great day was dawning
on us. The VAFM museum is a littleknown
site that has a great collection of
World War I items and is home to the
following aircraft: Fokker Dr.I, D.VII,
and D.VIII, all in flying condition.
“There are two S.E.5as and they are
in the process of rebuilding a 1915
Spad. We set up a display area that
had the following models: a S.E.5a, a
Sopwith Pup, a PT-19, and a Kadet
Senior as well as a simulator for the
visitors to use. About 1 p.m., the Fokker
Dr.I, D.VII, D.VIII, and the S.E.5a fullscale
versions started up and taxied out
to the runway.
“They all took to the air and we were
treated to a great show with all these
planes doing low flybys and chasing
the S.E.5a around the sky. Looking at
pictures does not do justice to these
planes as they fly by at about 85 to 90
mph.
“Next year should be even better
as they expect to have the Spad and
Jim Tiller, our associate vice president
from South Dakota, previously
submitted an article regarding the
Wings Across America (WAA) aircraft.
I received an interesting note from Dan
Deckert in Benton City, Washington,
about that article.
“I want to give you a little story after
getting this month’s MA magazine
and seeing your district report. Nice
article about the WAA bird from Jim
Tiller. The individual pictured is of Jon
Lundgren but it went past that for me.
“I ‘met,’ for lack of a better term, Jon
through RCG. Jon was in Afghanistan
when I contacted him. My wife and
I were fortunate enough to be able
to send him goodie packages during
his stint while serving the citizens of
America. Jon sent some goodies back
to me for the wife that we absolutely
loved. How sweet was that?
“When Jon came back from
Afghanistan, he emailed me that he was
being stationed in Rapid City, South
Dakota. Bingo! Another plus because he
was in my old stomping grounds, since I
was raised 30 miles from Rapid City in
a little town called Whitewood. Believe
me; I knew the country very well.
“Jon and I have stayed in touch over
the years through email and it’s always
a pleasure to hear from him. What was
really interesting was that the WAA bird
hit our club and I was able to attend
during the flight with three family
members flying the bird: a father, son,
and grandson. Then I got to see Jon with
the bird in MA. Absolutely sweet!
“Pretty amazing just how this hobby
touches so many people in disparate
ways. I hope I can get back to Rapid
City one of these days, get the chance
to fly in the area, and meet some of the
club members.”