Model Complete

Earlier, I mentioned the British modeler, Darius Aibara, who was doing a 1:48 vacuform C-133A. It is now complete, replicating 40143 as it apeared when it was delivered to Dover. Truly fantastic work. Here is the link:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32383&st=100

He has also worked up a Thor missile on its transporter to go along with the C-133.


Cal Taylor

Reunion Planning Post #11

Crew Colleague, Tom Talbert can't make the Reunion, but he sent a picture of his cap purchased in 1965......wish it could talk!! That is one tired looking cap!!

We're over half way there!!

As of 13 Feb, we have received payment for 54% of you!! 65 Crew Colleagues have paid $6,770 for 114 people to attend the reunion.

That leaves 54 of you who told us you planned to attend (with 96 people) that we haven't heard from yet.

PLEASE GET THOSE CHECKS IN THE MAIL
$60 PER PERSON FOR BOTH THE FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENTS

Made out to: Cargomaster Association,
Memo: May, 2010, C-133 Reunion
Mail to: Sandy Sandstrom, 34772 Frontier Road, Lewes, DE 19958-2649

For more details on event schedules and features, please go to Update #10 on this Crew Blog.

Click on: Reunion Planning Post #10

C-133 Article in September

Last week, I spoke with John Sotham, once an editor with Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine. He has also talked to several people at the AMC Museum and got inside of 90536. John is doing an article about the C-133 to appear in a special issue of SA&S. I also pointed John toward several other people with lots of C-133 experience. I'm looking forward to it.

Cal Taylor

Reunion Planning Post #10

OFF TO A GREAT START!!

As of 7 Feb, Sandy has received payment from 43 Crew Colleagues, paying for a total of 77 people. Pretty good for the first three weeks. Keep those cards and letters AND CHECKS coming!

Our list shows that 114 of you had told us you plan to attend with 203 people. So we still have 71 of you for 126 people to "show us your money!" Hopefully by the first of March.

THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT RESPONSE!!

Our Planning Committee has connected with a professional photographer who will be milling around the Hangar Social event on Friday, taking any photos you want of yourself, a group of buddies with the airplane, whatever, delivering on the spot for a modest fee.

Here's the planned schedule:

Friday, 7 May:
0900-1600 AMC Museum open for visits
1600-1900 Hangar Social/Crew Meetings with hors d'oeuvres and cash
bar; photographer available, dinner on your own.

Saturday, 8 May:
0900-1600 AMC Museum open for visits
1300-1730 Hospitality Suite @ DD Hotel for casual gathering
1730 Cash Bar before Dinner
1830 Sit-down Banquet Dinner
1930 Program with Speaker

As always, let me know by e-mail (rehanson342@me.com ), or cell phone (651-249-9541) if you have any questions.

PLEASE GET THOSE CHECKS IN THE MAIL
$60 PER PERSON FOR BOTH THE FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENTS

Made out to: Cargomaster Association,
Memo: May, 2010, C-133 Reunion
Mail to: Sandy Sandstrom, 34772 Frontier Road, Lewes, DE 19958-2649

Skimming Earth's Atmosphere

Thanks to C-133 Crew Colleague, Carl Benedict, for the following video link.

Fasten your seat belt for a fantastic ride.

This video is a once in a lifetime experience of a British civilian getting
a flight at over 70,000 ft. in a U-2 spy plane. Please note at the take-off
the assist wheels on the outer edges of the wings which drop off upon
take-off. The wings are so long that they need temporary support until
lift-off. What is not shown is at the landing the plane actually slows to a
small enough speed that two guys are actually able to grab the wing tips and
put those assist wheels back on.

The civilian getting the ride is the host of the car show Top Gear on BBC
shown through Europe at 9:00 pm Sunday night in Belgium. The views are
spectacular as the U-2 flies at altitudes which constitute "SPACE."

Use your full screen and sound as this is a high-quality film clip, 10
minutes long.

Click on: U-2 Flight

Rick Spencer Published Again!

Our 133 Crew Colleague and Book of the Month Reviewer, Rick Spencer, is periodically published by the Caesar Rodney Institute. Here is the opening to his latest:

Do Not Take Lightly the Perils of Peace

Is Peace beyond Humanity’s Reach

By Richard Spencer, Ph.D.

Upon completing college, teaching a year, and waiting to be drafted, I volunteered for active duty with the USAF in 1961. The country soon became embroiled in the Berlin Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the start of the Vietnam War, the India/Chinese Border War, and a continuing worldwide commitment to the Cold War. I became directly or tangentially involved in all of these while flying thousands of miles every month delivering military cargo. We always considered “peace as our profession” and we were proud to serve the country.

However, during all of these years, those of us in military uniform were largely derided by the public as those who somehow pursued war rather than those who served the country in order to protect its citizens from the ravages of war. We were not seen as purveyors of peace, and it was always an eerie feeling when in public and while in uniform to be treated as the enemy. After all, this was only a few years after the end of WWII and we had great reverence for veterans of that era, many of whom were family members. As well, there was the same public distrust of public and federal law enforcement officers. What had gone wrong? We were at War.

For the full article, click on:
Do Not Take Lightly the Perils of Peace

Reunion Planning Post #9

CORRECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE PHONE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLICIZED (302-667-2840 or 2841) FOR THE EAGLES' REST ON-BASE ACCOMMODATIONS WERE ERRONEOUS!
THE CORRECT NUMBERS FOR RESERVATIONS ARE:

302-677-2840 or 2841

OR you can call: 888-AF LODGE, then extension DOV
(same as: 888-235-6343, extension 368)

I apologize for the error!
My thanks to Charlie Feathers in Florida for the catch!

Dick Hanson

Also note the following new Comment:

I just made a reservation today (at the Eagles' Rest for Friday & Saturday nights) and I would suggest that those interested do so quickly! I was surprised and hope it sticks.

Rick Spencer

Reunion Planning Post #8

OK, my friends! It's time to ante up! SIXTY BUCKS is the number, as previously suggested. Our Planning Committee has done the math, made the deposits on the space, the food, and the beverages. We are out on a limb! The good news is, YOU came through! We had to get a bigger room. Here's the current standing on our Registration List: 110 "Yes" responses, 7 "No," with plans for 196 people at the Friday Hangar Social, and an even 200 at the Saturday Banquet! Awesome response!!

PLEASE GET THOSE CHECKS IN THE MAIL....$60 PER PERSON

Made out to: Cargomaster Association,
Memo: May, 2010, C-133 Reunion
Mail to: Sandy Sandstrom, 34772 Frontier Road, Lewes, DE 19958-2649

No later than March 1st.........but the sooner the better.....we already have a budget deficit, and we're not even a Government operation!

We're talking hot hors d'oeuvres Friday (you're on your own for dinner), and a First Class sit-down Eastern Bayshore Dinner with great selections (cash bar at both events). Stay tuned for specific times, a great speaker you'll enjoy, a memorial table, a souvenir, and photo ops.

Make your own reservations for accommodations (see earlier post on lots of local options).

Click on: Reunion Planning Post #6

The best deal is on-base quarters, the Eagles' Rest, across from the Golf Club (BOQs in our day) are $39/night, with good breakfast/lunch across the street, call 302-677-2840 or 2841 (available to all, couples included).

Or the premium spot is right there where we're having the Banquet at the Dover Downs Hotel. Call 800-711-5882, and tell them you want the C-133 Event rate.

And everything in between!

Let me know by e-mail at rehanson342@me.com if you have any questions! It's only 16 weeks away!! :)

U-2 Deadstick Landing

Thanks to Ted Feindt for the following link to an AMAZING story:

Click on: Cortez Aviation Heritage Celebration

Remember our story about how flying the C-133 consisted of hours and hours of sheer boredom, interrupted by moments of stark terror? This guy's stark terror lasts quite a few moments! The video starts out pretty slow, but you need to hear the story. It's worth it!

Virtual Aircraft Museum

Thanks to Rick Spencer and Jack Slocombe for the following link to an incredible database:

For you aircraft buffs, this is a keeper.This is the most comprehensive collection of aircraft info that I have ever seen. Want to check out almost any airplane ever built in the World? Old, new, military, civilian? Browse this site for a few minutes. You will be amazed at what has been done in airplane design. The amount of info available is unbelievable.

Click on: Virtual Aircraft Museum

Click here to go directly to the listing for:
Douglas C-133 Cargomaster
then scroll down to see Comments by some of our own Crew Colleagues!

BYU Salutes USAF Academy

Thanks to Rick Spencer for this inspiring video!

1:48 (!) Vacuform C-133

Now, here is a beautiful C-133 model project. They keep getting bigger. George Maiorana's will be about 1:12, but this vacuform model from Darius Aibara, in England, is "only" 1:48. That is 39" long with a 44" wingspan. He has done truly beautiful interior work. Check out the cockpit.

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32383

Cal Taylor

Rick Spencer Published Again!

Our 133 Crew Colleague and Book of the Month Reviewer, Rick Spencer, is periodically published by the Caesar Rodney Institute. A couple of his recent articles relate to books he's reviewed on this blog. To read the two articles, please click on the following:

#1 Individual Liberty vs Government Authority

Here's an excerpt from this article:

While teaching graduate level Economics in Delaware during the 90's, I used The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayekas a required secondary reading. Hayek was the 1974 Nobel Prize winner in Economics and a proponent of the Austrian school that free markets enhance mankind’s liberty. Every week my students were to write a one-page summary of each chapter, and to report about personal discussions they had with others.

Go here to read Rick's December, 2007, review of The Road to Serfdom, and his April, 2009, Follow-up on this blog.


#2 To Shut the Door on Utopia

Here's an excerpt from this article:

I would refer those lacking such appreciation of this era to The Black Book of Communism by Stephane Courtios, et al, which outlines how Communism was the great and evil story of the twentieth century and at its zenith, ruled a third of mankind. Communism seemed poised to spread indefinitely and then it collapsed like a house of cards. It violated one of the basic tenets of civilization: "Thou shalt not kill."

Go here to read Rick's November, 2007, review of The Black Book of Communism on this blog.

Click here to learn about The Caesar Rodney Institute.

Greatest Generation Mustangs

Thanks to Rick Spencer for the following link to an exceptional video. It highlights the importance of a real Reunion......truly the "window of opportunity is closing." Watch this, be thrilled, then come to our 133 Reunion in May (be sure to click the little icon -- the little box with the arrow in the lower right portion of the picture; then click on the x to close the controls -- and watch it full screen):

Click on: GRAY EAGLES FILM BY CHRIS WOODS

Almost 29 minutes of beautiful photography, a great story, great men, and a gorgeous airplane! Really well done! If you've ever felt attached to an aircraft, and been re-united with a restoration, you're gonna love this one!

Come join us in Dover in May! You won't fly in a Mustang, but you can sit in the seat of a C-133! (B Model S/N 90536, shown in photo above)

Low Pass

Thanks to Sandy Sandstrom for this "breath taker!"

Reunion Planning Post #7

Sandy Sandstrom is preparing for a Planning Committee meeting on January 11th. Immediately after that, we will post another update, and broadcast another message to our e-mail list. At that time, we expect to announce the final cost of the formal Events (the Friday Hangar Social & Saturday evening Banquet @ the Dover Downs Hotel), and the timeline for payment.

We'll also update any other plan details that are finalized. They'll be discussing such things as progress on scheduling a banquet speaker, reunion souvenir items that could be available, and how to honor Crew members who have passed on.

Meanwhile, many of you have already made your reservations for accommodations. If you need information previously posted, click on: Planning Post #5 or Post #6.

Based on research feedback early this year, we have made no formal reunion plans other than the two events mentioned above. That leaves it up to individuals or small groups to make their own plans for Friday dinner, and Saturday morning for other activities like golf outings and lunch.

If you have any input for our Planning Committee.....comments, suggestions, questions, whatever....please e-mail me before Jan. 10th at: rehanson342@me.com .

And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

1607th ATW patch

Becky Fogdill's father was Andrew Dill. She is looking for a 1607th ATW patch. Anyone who might have a spare?

Her email is fogdill@verizon.net.

Cal Taylor

Letter in AF Mag

Blowing my own horn a bit. The Dec 2009 AF Magazine published my letter about how essential the C-133 was to the ICBM program. An earlier article about ICBMs totally disregarded the process of getting the rockets to and from their launch facilities. Another article in Airlift Tanker Quarterly, Fall 2009, page 20, about airlift history, skipped straight from the C-124 to the C-5. Once again, "C-133, what's that?"

Master model builder

Check out what this true craftsman has done, making models from aluminum. NOT a beer can!!! Imagine a C-133 model built this way.

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/park.htm

Look at the Corsair and Mustang that he built.

Cal Taylor

Reunion Planning Post #6

Here is all of the information we've gathered. The advantage of the blog is, it's accessible to all of you anytime. Plus I can add in live links, (in red) to other websites that makes it easy for you to navigate (I know, you're not all navigators, but you can do it!). And if you want to scan all of the numbered blog posts related to Reunion Planning, just scroll to the bottom of the latest one, and click on the Label: Reunion Planning, and you'll see them all without the other stuff in between (it's like opening a file of one topic).

Dover Area Accommodations
(PF = Pet Friendly) (Dupont Hwy is Rt 13)

USAF Billeting Office Dover AFB for Eagles' Rest

Call 302-677-2840 or 2841

Best Western Galaxy Inn 1700 E. Lebanon Rd. 302-735-4700

(across Hwy 113/Rt 1 from North Gate of the Base)

Comfort Inn of Dover (PF) 222 S. Dupont Hwy. 302-674-3300

Comfort Suites (PF) 1654 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-736-1204

Country Inn & Suites 764 Leipsic Rd. 302-667-0505

Days Inn 272 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-674-8002

Dover Downs Hotel 1131 N. Dupont Hwy. 800-711-5882

(advise Reservation person you want C-133 Event rates)

Hampton Inn Dover (PF) 1568 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-736-3500

Holiday Inn Express 1780 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-678-0600

Little Creek Inn (PF) 2623 Little Creek Rd. 302-730-1300

MainStay Suites (PF) 201 Stover Blvd 302-678-8383

(New; located on Rt 113 between the Base and downtown, next to American Legion. Rates among the lowest, & provide Military rates + tell them you’re with the “Old Shaky” group. Directions: Exit 98 from Rt 1 South, right onto Rt 8 West, then Left onto Rt 13 South. Left lane, bear left @ split to Rt 1 South; MainStay is on your left. From there to AMC Museum, take right Turn onto Rt 113 North, left at first light onto Rt 113 South toward “Beaches” past Dover AFB on left.)

Ramada Inn 348 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-734-5701

Red Roof Inn 652 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-730-8009

Residence Inn Dover (PF) 600 Jefferic Blvd. 302-677-0777

Sheraton Dover Hotel 1570 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-678-8500

Sleep Inn & Suites (PF) 1784 N. Dupont Hwy. 877-424-6423

Super 8 Motel 348 N. Dupont Hwy. 302-734-5701

Fairfield Inn & Suites, 655 N. Dupont Hwy., 302-677-0900