DOVER REUNION NEWS FLASH!!

Here is some very exciting news about the upcoming Reunion in Dover on May 9/10, 2014:
GEORGE MAIORANA IS COMING AND BRINGING HIS JUST COMPLETED GIANT 133 MODEL!!!

For those of you who have been following our blog the last couple of years, you know about George's major project to build this giant model…he's been working on it 5 years…..AND FOLKS, IT'S BUILT TO FLY with electric motors!!! IT IS AMAZING!!! Now I need to quickly add, he may not be able to fly it at our Reunion for lots of reasons, but he will be able to taxi it around the Museum area.

Here's the short story:

George lives in, and has spent most of his life in SE Michigan, born in 1942, joined the USAF in January, 1962; spent a year at Lackland in electronics training to become a Crypto System Equipment Repairman; then on operational assignment at Fuchu Air Station in Japan until separation in January, 1966 at Travis AFB; then 27 year career at Xerox back in Michigan until early retirement to raise a family of five kids, now with five grandkids, and became a "full time" airplane modeler.

I suggest you Google "George Maiorana" for lots of info and pictures of his modeling competition.

Here's his own story of his FLYING C-133 project that has now become 62008:

"Being stuck at home (in 2009) I was itching to do something different (i.e. not modeled before) and the only documentation I had for a model was the C-133. The C-133 met all my criteria for a model project. A few days spent on sizing it and I was sure it would fly (the determining factor was if the nacelle size to house the motors didn't make the model too large) . So I began. Time is cheap, as are the dollars for materials."

C-133 Model scale:  1:16.5  length 9.45'  wingspan 10.78'  tail height 2.92'  prop diameter 13.09”

He has already provided us with dozens of photos taken during the build process that have been posted on our blog. Now we have a CD with all of them that we'll be showing at the Reunion. Here's a small sample:

The size of this masterpiece, and detail are truly phenomenal! What a privilege for us to have George bring it to our Reunion.

Don't miss this!! Get your Registration forms (see attached) and checks in the mail………NOW!

Dick Hanson

Another Giant 133 Model Update

Hi,

Spent the last week making my documentation folder. I had to go back and make some changes to "bits and pieces " of the model.  Got her back together this morning and took some pictures with the flaps down.

Enjoy,

George

Cal Taylor Comment: Realistic even to the black water stain on the fuselage.

Giant 133 Model Update

Hi guys,

Well, I'm just about done. Got the vortex generators, stall strip, and a few  other "bits and pieces" installed. The airframe is complete and now it's time to build some flying props, install the batteries and balance her.

Attached are some pictures of the model and of the prototype which is located in Dayton.

Cheers,

George.

2014 Dover Reunion Details, Post #2

Since sending out the first e-blast four days ago, I've had replies from 24 of you, 21 Yes for 35 people, 3 can't make it. Great start!

Just received Dover Downs Hotel info from Hank Baker:

Call Dover Downs 866-473-7378, Booking code GC13314. Friday cost $169, SAT.$189, SUN,#139.00 PLUS tax !! Cut Off date 4/21. Info ref. Robin Price C-133 Reunion.

KEEP THOSE e-MAIL REPLIES COMING! AND REGISTRATIONS WITH CHECKS!

2014 Dover Reunion Details, Post #1

ATTEN—HUTT!! Last Call for Reunion Hall!
This is the LAST Last Hurrah! 
The Diamond Anniversary of our Beloved 133!!

Are you still there??? Come Join Us in Dover in May. Please send an e-mail that you will come! To: rehanson342@me.com

Friday, May 9th: Crew mingling at the AMC Museum, with buffet ribs & chicken, cole slow and BEER & WINE PROVIDED!

Saturday, May 10th: Crew mingling at the Museum in the afternoon; Reception at Hospitality Suite at Dover Downs, followed by a 3 course Banquet & Program, Cash Bar.
 
BARGAIN PRICE OF $50 PER PERSON, FOR BOTH DAYS!!!

Ask for Cargomaster Association Group Room Rates at Dover Downs while they last!
 
Here's the Registration Form (make your own with the same info), and send with a check to one of the addresses shown below NO LATER THAN MARCH 15th!
 
Let me know any questions by e-mail reply at rehanson342@me.com  !

Hope to see you in Dover in May!


                                     C-133 Reunion Registration
                             At AMC Museum and Dover Downs
                                           May 9 and 10, 2014

NAME____________________________    GUEST NAME __________________

ADDRESS __________________________________________________________

PHONE _____________________ E-MAIL _______________________________

Price of Friday Social AND Saturday Banquet: $50.00 per person
Does not include accommodations!

SQ/UNIT __________________________________________________________

I/WE WILL ____    WILL NOT ____  ATTEND THE REUNION IN MAY, 2010

NUMBER ATTENDING:      ____   FRIDAY SOCIAL  
                    ____   SATURDAY BANQUET


PLEASE Mail Registration with check ASAP!
NO LATER THAN MARCH 15th!
 
Hangar Social at AMC Museum Friday; and Banquet Saturday at Dover Downs

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:  Cargomaster Association
               
MAIL TO: 

HANK BAKER
8457 WESTVILLE ROAD
CAMDEN, DE 19934

OR

DICK HANSON
10849 FALLING WATER LANE, UNIT C
WOODBURY, MN 55129

Aviation Axioms

Thanks to Ted Feindt (navigator, 1st ATS, early 60s):

No matter what else happens, fly the airplane. Forget all that stuff about thrust and drag, lift and gravity.
It's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.
If you're ever faced with a forced landing at night, turn on the landing lights to see the landing area.  If you don't like what you see, turn' em back off.
A check ride ought to be like a skirt, short enough to be interesting but still be long enough to cover everything.
Speed is life, altitude is life insurance.  No one has ever collided with the sky!
Always remember you fly an airplane with your head, not your hands.
Never let an airplane take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
"Unskilled" pilots are always found in the wreckage with their hand around the microphone.
If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger; if you pull the stick back, they get smaller.  (Unless you keep pulling the stick back-then they get bigger again.)
Hovering is for pilots who love to fly but have no place to go.
The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.  Landing is the first!
Everyone already knows the definition of a 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away.  But very few know the definition of a 'great' landing.  It's one after which you can use the airplane another time.
The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.
IFR: I Follow Roads.
A Marine knows he’s landed with the wheels up when it takes full power to taxi.
Those who hoot with the owls by night should not fly with the eagles by day.
A helicopter is a collection of rotating parts going round and round and reciprocating parts going up and down—all of them trying to become random in motion.
Helicopters can't really fly—they're just so ugly that the earth immediately repels them.
Pilots believe in clean living.  They never drink from a dirty glass.
Things which do you no good in aviation:  Altitude above you. Runway behind you.  Fuel in the truck.  Half a second ago. Approach plates in the car.  The airspeed you don't have.
Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.
A good simulator check ride is like successful surgery on a corpse.
Asking what a pilot thinks about the FAA is like asking a tree what it thinks about dogs.
An airplane may disappoint a good pilot, but it won't surprise him.
Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment.
There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing.  Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.
It's best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.
Any attempt to stretch fuel is guaranteed to increase headwind.
A thunderstorm is never as bad on the inside as it appears on the outside.  It's worse.
A pilot is a confused soul who talks about women when he's flying, and about flying when he's with a woman.
The last thing an Air Force pilot does before leaving the aircraft after making a gear up landing is to put the gear selection lever in the 'down' position.
Try to keep the number of your landings equal to the number of your takeoffs.
Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory.
You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.
Be wary when someone says, "Let me show you something"
If an airplane crashes and doesn't catch fire it is usually out of gas.
Flying at night improves your hearing, that explains night noises.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
Keep looking around; there's always something you've missed.
You can't rewrite the laws of aerodynamics.
There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold, pilots!
The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the pilot cool.  Want proof?  Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out into a sweat.
Flying is the perfect vocation for a man who wants to feel like a boy, but not for one who still is.
If something doesn't seem right it probably isn't.
The difference between a fighter pilot and a pig? A pig doesn't sit at a bar until 0300 waiting to pick up a fighter pilot.

Giant 133 Model Update

Hi Guys,

Hope all is well with you and your families. Have a great 2014.

I've been working on a lot of little "bits and pieces" to the plane. The rudder, elevator, ailerons, and flaps are finalized and connected to their servos. I have gone over the entire airframe and "dirtied" up the aluminum. The pictures show the wing and flap fairings final install.  Still no vortex generators-soon.

All well here. Just touching bases with an update.

Cheers,

George

Giant 133 Model Update

Hi Guys,

Just keeping in touch.

It's probably difficult to see any progress from these photos but I have been working on it. I have wing tip lights installed (operational).  Close to getting the landing and and vert fin lights installed. I have made 300 vortex generators  (see photo) and will install them after all the wing farings are installed. Finished up the nacelles with drain outlets,  installed the outboard nacelle LE lights and got the fuel dump tubes made.

While I'm waiting for parts for the lights I'll begin finishing the tail section.

Cheers,

George

NOTE: A visitor to the site has pointed out a website called "Premium Wood Designs" where you can buy a "hand-carved mahogany wood model" of a C-133, with an 18" wingspan, for $155.10. 

Click on:  
http://www.premiumwooddesigns.com/C_133_Cargomaster_p/ac133t.htm . 

They also offer, literally, hundreds of other wood models of aircraft, helicopters, military vehicles, cars, truck, motorcycles, etc.....

Giant 133 Model Update

Hi,

Managed to get the static props and flap fairings done this week. The next couple of weeks will be spent on doing the vortex generators  Should prove to be an interesting task.

Cheers,

George

C-133 Escort for C-121

This came to me via All Experts.com and direct email. Does it ring a bell with anyone? If it does, please contact me (Cal Taylor) so I can close the loop with Terry Hart.

I served on the USS Lookout, AGR-2, as a Radarman out of Davisville, RI from late 1960 until late 1964. In 1960 or 1961 we were on station about 300 miles due South of Otis. In the middle of the night we were contacted by an RC 121 out of Otis. He was at the time of initial contact some 80 miles Southeast of us and was descending through 5,000 feet. He had lost two engines and was unable to maintain altitude. He informed us he was going to ditch and requested we vector him alongside and prepare to pick them up.

The weather that night was terrible. We had 20 to 30 foot seas, 40 to 60 knots of wind, and zero visibility. We replied that there was zero chance of survival if he ditched. Following some discussion it was decided that possibly he would be able to remain airborne after he passed below about 100 feet on the ground effect. Fortunately that turned out to be true. His ground speed after setting down on the ground effect was only about 90 knots! He also informed us that he   had dumped as much fuel as he could and still make it back to Otis. Also that they were throwing everything out a door that they could to reduce their weight.

As I recall they had between 39 and 59 (don't remember the exact number but it ended with a 9) souls on board which surprised me. We were communicating on 121.5 and 243.0 and a Mats C-133 returning from Europe overhead what was going on and contacted us. He said he had plenty of fuel and if we would vector him for an intercept he could escort the 121 back to Otis. This is what we did. I remember them discussing the fact that Otis was several hundred feet above sea level and wondering how they would be able to climb enough to clear the cliff and be able to land at Otis if they made it back. Fortunately by the time they got there they had burned off enough fuel weight and thrown enough additional stuff out the door and were able to make a successful landing.

I am now 72 and will never forget what happened that night. I would very much like to know the tail number of that aircraft, who those folks were in that airplane, if any of them are still alive, as well as any other details of that extraordinary event.

Terry Hart, Sr.
Waynesboro, PA

Giant 133 Model Update

Good morning,

Things are moving along. I have 99% of the graphics applied and worked on some of the nose tid bits (radome,wipers, defroster ?). Began working on the static props this morning.

Cheers,

George

The model is looking great. I like seeing LtC Larry Doyle and LtC Don Flanders in the AC and CP seats, respectively. That was the front end crew when 62008 was delivered to the NMUSAF on St Patrick's Day, 17 Mar 1971.

The rest of the crew was
1Lt Don Zartner, CP
Capt James G. Gibson, II, Nav
Capt Bobby E. Battle, Nav
TSgt William Reilly, FET
MSgt Francis L. Dugat, FET
TSgt Richard A. Kjer, LM



Cal Taylor

September 23, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Giant 133 Model Update

Hi,

It's been a couple of weeks and thought you may be curious as to how the painting of the top turned out.  It went well so I got into applying the graphics to the forward fuse.  Here are a few pictures.

I'll be working on the rest of the graphics and then begin work on the static display props.  Props in the pictures are paper mockups.

Cheers and best wishes,

George

C-5A Retirement to AMC Museum

Click on this Facebook link for video of final pass & landing of Zero-One-Four!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201560153462731 

Or go to the AMC Museum Facebook page for more info:

https://www.facebook.com/AMCMuseum

Thanks to Dick Strouse

LAST DOVER REUNION SET!!

SAVE THE DATES!!!!

WHAT: Diamond Anniversary of Dover C-133 Crew Colleagues (Air & Ground Crews!)

WHEN: FRI/SAT, 9/10 MAY 2014

WHERE: DOVER DOWNS, "A" BALLROOM

The LAST, LAST HURRAH! The 60th Anniversary of the first contracts released to build this legendary aircraft! Exactly four years ago, on 7/8 May 2010, we had our last "big" reunion, billed as "The Last Hurrah." But we weren't finished yet! So in 2012, we had a "mini" reunion, attended mostly by colleagues living in the local Delaware area. Now we want to give it one last shot for a big one, and hope some of you from around the country can make it, AND BRING YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS!

Thank you for the great response to our survey about scheduling this momentous event! Hank Baker and his planning team are on the case, making plans. The good news is, they picked a date & reserved a place. The bad news is, they had to pick one weekend, and of course they went with the majority and appropriate space availability, but unfortunately there will be some who preferred June and can't make it. So we hope a large number of you can adjust your calendars to fit, and we'll make special efforts to keep those of you who can't, connected with the action.

Many details can now be planned, but the general idea is to have a similar event exactly four years after the last "big one" in 2010. And we really hope some of you around the country can make travel plans to fit. So we're excited about a Crew Meeting in the AMC Museum Hangar and buffet dinner Friday afternoon and evening. Free time Saturday morning for golfers and re-connectors to make your own plans. More casual gatherings in the Museum early afternoon Saturday, then a Reception in a Hospitality Suite at Dover Downs in the later afternoon, before a big Banquet Saturday evening.

These gatherings are a lot about the fellowship of reminiscing the old "war stories." One idea is to give YOU a chance to share your favorite "133 Story" at the Banquet. So be thinking about that…..and stay tuned to e-mail blasts and this blog at CargomasterRaster.

Please let me know questions & suggestions any time. And pass this around to your network to catch anyone who's not on my e-mail list, and make sure they let me know their contact info so I can add them!

Wishing you well,

Giant C-133 Model Update

Hi Guys,

Well, after a trauma filled month, I'm back on the C-133. The first week back consisted of building a fixture to rotate the fuse so that I could install the belly bands.

Belly bands are completed and I'll be installing windows this coming week.

As for the trauma, the Tu-4 pictured in my last update met a terrible death on the first practice flight. I believe #4 quit on a down wind leg and she rolled over and spun in from 200 feet into holding pond located next to the runway. 'Nuf said.  Heart stopping and ugly!

On the bright side, My Chinese AEW Tu-4 was accepted to the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, IN.   Pictures attached.

Cheers,

George

Giant 133 Model Update

Breaking News from Super-modeler, George Maiorana!

I have placed the C-133 build on hold until the end of July.  I'm in the process of getting my Tu-4 ready for the Scale NATS held in Muncie, IN, this July 12th.

I've gotten the "itch" to get my planes into the air so the 133 has to take a back seat for a while.  I still plan on having it flying in the Spring of 2014.

I can't promise anything, but your 60th Anniversary Reunion at Dover would be a great place to fly the 133 if you could get us permission to fly it there. Just a thought for now.  All depends on my health and financial situation.

Best regards,

George

Here's his Tu-4:

Survey Response Update

Again, thank you for the great response!

As of this morning, we've had 79 responses to the survey. That's a 46% response rate (79 out of 172 e-mails sent. EXCELLENT!!)

61 people said YES (Very likely to attend, will plan on it). 13 said MAYBE! 5 said No (can't travel).

The 74 saying YES and MAYBE accounted for an expected attendee total = 143 people! (16 singles, 49 couples, 6 said they'd bring 2 guests each, and 2 said they could bring as many as 9 guests total).

Preferences favored the Maxi = 83% to Mini = 17%, and the Mid-May dates (60% to 40% for Mid-June).

IF YOU HAVE NOT RESPONDED YET, PLEASE DO SO NOW! We need all the input we can get, and would like to grow that expected attendee number.

79 of you have provided some valuable information to help our planning, but it leaves us with some issues to struggle with:

1. The "preference survey" did not tell us how many of the "June Preferences" would or would not be able to make a reunion scheduled in May. We're hoping many of you could, even though you prefer June. If you indicated a June preference, please let me know by e-mail whether you can make a May reunion?

2. Considering some MAYBEs could turn in to NO, and some "June Preferences" can't make it in May, the expected attendee total is actually less than 143. IF the right number is 125, that's about half the number we had in 2010. So the question becomes, what is Half-a-Maxi-Reunion?

Any additional input you can provide to help the planning decisions would be appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Dick Hanson
e-mail: rehanson342@me.com

BG Jack Randolph Cram, USMC

A bit off the C-133 topic. The Naval Air Station (NAS), Ft. Lauderdale Museum has posted my latest article on its site. http://www.nasflmuseum.com/events-blog.html It is "Jack Randolph Cram: Airport Manager to Marine General."

While researching the Olympia (WA) Army Airfield, I found the name of the Olympia Airport's first manager. He turned out to be very interesting! The first pilot hired by WA State, the first Olympia Airport manager, a key person working for CAA to develop the civilian pilot training program, a certified Marine hero at Guadalcanal! Would you believe sinking a Japanese troop transport with torpedoes launched from a PBY! Then commanded a Marine PBJ (NA B-25 in Marine service) ship-busting unit from Saipan, Iwo and Okinawa. Later commanded a major Marine unit at Pohang, Korea. And more.

Your Survey Response

THANK YOU!!  

Within the first 24 hours, 36 of you responded! Great start, but…..

If YOU haven't yet, please do so now (see the e-mail message sent earlier).

EARLY PREFERENCES: So far, 81% of you prefer a Maxi-Reunion (full weekend like 2010, rather than one afternoon like 2012). So far, 34 of you indicated 62 will attend (10 singles & 26 couples). That's enough for a Mini, but doesn't justify a Maxi (need at least 100!). So we will  at least have a Mini-Reunion in Spring, 2014, in Dover. Also, your preference for timing isn't clear yet (it's 52% for Mid-May & 48% for Mid-June).

NEED MORE INPUT!!

Please let us know ASAP if you haven't already!

Diamond Anniversary Reunion Survey

If I have a current e-mail address for you on my list, you should have received the following e-mail survey today. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP! If you didn't get one, please let me know your name & address at rehanson342@me.com .

During early May, Hank Baker convened his local planning committee for their initial discussion of the Diamond Anniversary Reunion of Dover C-133 Crew Colleagues in the spring of 2014 at Dover AFB. They need some input from YOU!!

The goal is to provide the incentive for those around the country to travel to Dover for this One Last Celebration of our Camaraderie! BOTH FLIGHT CREWS & GROUND CREWS!

For openers, we have four simple questions:

1. Would you prefer: (it makes a difference in expense, but this is probably our last Hoorah!)

    a. The 2010 Maxi-Reunion model that took place over a full weekend with all the trimmings, or…

    b. The simple Mini-Reunion of 2012 that took place in one afternoon in the hangar?

2. Would you prefer the Reunion to be:

    a. Mid-May, 2014, or…

    b. Mid-June, 2014?

3. How certain are you that you would attend?

    a. Yes. Very Likely (will put it on my calendar and plan to come).

    b. Maybe. Really want to, but too early to tell.

    c. No. Wish I could, but doubt I can make it.

4. If you plan to attend, how many guests would you bring in addition to yourself?

    a. None

    b. One

    c. Two

    d. Three

    e. More than three

We want to encourage your children, grandchildren, family members and friends to be a part of the grand finale that began some 60 years ago, and is now an Air Force Legend: The Crews of the C-133 Cargomaster heavy cargo transport!

To get as much response as possible to this survey, here are several user-friendly ways you can reply:

1. The simplest is to click on the following hot link which will take you to an online MonkeySurvey. Just click on your answers to each of the four questions, then Done: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LRRL672  

2. OR, you can click on Reply to this e-mail message and list your four answers, then Send it back to me.

3. OR, if you have access to a printer and prefer doing it by hand, print out this e-mail, clearly mark your answer to each of the four questions, and snail mail it to me: Dick Hanson, 10849 Falling Water Lane, Unit C, Woodbury, MN 55129.

Finally, attached is the Program from the 2010 Maxi-Reunion to refresh your memory. Please review it and suggest by Reply to this e-mail any changes that you deem appropriate. We need your feedback!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Your C-133 Diamond Anniversary Reunion Planning Committee

PS: We will search diligently for a "big name" entertaining USAF member for our keynote speaker.

By…..

Dick Hanson

10849 Falling Water Lane, Unit C

Woodbury, MN 55129

Cell:  651-249-9541

Email:  rehanson342@me.com

Linkedin Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=54376019&trk=tab_pro

Facebook Wall: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1441451645

Website:  www.hansonsouvenir.com

PPS: Check with your old buddies and make sure they got a copy of this e-mail and ask them to respond. We have 171 e-mail addresses on this list. If they didn't get one, let me know their e-mail address and I'll add it to the list. If they don't do e-mail, let me know their home mailing address and I'll send them a hard copy.