Gen Jack Cram

For Gordy Smith, who left a Comment in Oct 2014 on my Jun 2013 post: Please contact Cal Taylor at firstfleet@aol.com to answer some questions about Gen Cram. I also have a contact with Gen Cram's grand-niece, Molly Boggs. Any info you have would improve the bio I wrote about Gen Cram.

133s in the Sino-Indian War of 1962

Happy 2016! Our combination Author/Historian/Reunion Emcee, Rick Spencer, has connected on this subject that should be interesting to any of us crewing 133s in ’62, especially those actually involved in "An emergency airlift of supplies was sent to Calcutta” (a quote from a related article in the “Economist”) like he was. I highly recommend you click on the links to the WSJ & Economist articles and Sign-in/Register if you’re not a Subscriber. Here’s his story for your follow-up:

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Good Day All C-133 Crewmembers:

                               We need your assistance!

There is a rich history throughout our many missions embedded within that service we provided the country during the years of the C-133, mostly the ‘60’s.  Much of this history now lies among our surviving veterans and from time-to-time we are reminded of it.

It was especially so for me while reading a recent WSJ’s book review of JFK’s Forgotten Crisis, by Bruce Riedel.  Riedel has produced a “… readable and timely account…” of the Sino-Indian War that began 20oct62.  It brought back the memory that I was on the first plane to take CIA cargo into India via a SAM mission, so I thought Riedel might be interested as a matter of curiosity as he is a bit younger.  He was delighted to hear from me and I am now in the process of attempting to recreate that flight from memories of old for his files.

Bruce O. Riedel is one of America’s leading experts on U.S. security, South Asia, and counter-terrorism. He is currently a senior fellow in the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He also serves as a senior adviser at Albright Stonebridge Group. Bruce is a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst and counter-terrorism expert, serving in the Agency for 29 years until his retirement in 2006.

I then directed Bruce to our website and suggested that almost all of the CIA cargo and the actual historic memories lie within the surviving crew members who participated and that we can access them via our website.

Thus, this is a call for any and all who participated in those flights to contact Mr. Riedel via his e-mail in order to set up how they would like to communicate with him as he would like all the history that he can obtain for his file of that era and that particular conflict..  The Sino-Indian War of 1962 truly is a forgotten war.

Mr. Riedel can be contacted through his e-mail: briedel@brookings.edu and would very much like to hear from you.

Also, here is the link for the WSJ review of the book that jolted my memory as it will yours: http://www.wsj.com/articles/when-kennedy-stared-down-mao-1450742247; 

and another in the Economist: 
http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21684764-war-echoes-down-decades-clash-titans

Thank you very much for your help in this project of bringing our service history alive. 

Richard L. Spencer, 

Navigator, 39^th ATS DAFB, 1962-65

Click on: http://www.amazon.com/JFKs-Forgotten-Crisis-Tibet-Sino-Indian/dp/0815726996/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452192968&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ABruce+Riedel 

Bruce Riedel: briedel@brookings.edu 

  

Price change Unsung Giant

The price for my book, Remembering an Unsung Giant, is now $24.95. Shipping and handling to US addresses is $5.05. Washington addresses add $2.25 for sales tax.

Plenty of copies are available.

Cal Taylor

133 Cockpit Video

Thanks to Dick Strouse, here's a link to an amazing 360 degree tour! Even the sextant port in the ceiling! Bring back the memories!

Click on: http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/media/067/C-133A%20Flight%20Deck%20Overview.html

Which bird is that? What museum? I think it's not 2008 at Wright Pat is it?

On 11/06/15 Gus Ogushwitz answered:

This is indeed Balls-8. Blow up the navigator panel to maximum magnification. Look just below and to the left of the altimeter. You will see a tag "Radio Call 62008". Thank you, Dick Strouse, for this wonderful treat. Highlight of my day!

Paul R. ("Gus") Ogushwitz, former Nav, 1 MAS, Dover AFB.

November 6, 2015 at 2:54 PM

Gus, you must be a young guy. When I was a nav with the 1st it was called the 1st ATS. That was 1962 to 1964.

Jack ("Slocs")Slocombe , former nav, 1st ATS, Dover AFB.

January 27, 2016 at 4:47 PM

 

 

Wake Island Hotel 1941

An article in Feb 42 Air Trails had this picture of the PanAM Wake Island Hotel as it looked before combat scalped the island. This predates even the old Drifter's Reef!

Bob McMurry's Recollections

Capt Bob McMurry flew C-133A 40140 to the Paris Air Show in Jun 1959. While there, he demonstrated the C-133's ability to fly low passes with two engines out on the side toward the reviewing stand, where French Pres. Charles DeGaulle was watching.

McMurry has completed a fascinating autobiography that gives a great picture of an Air Force pilot's life from WWII into the 1960s. My review is as follows:

A heartwarming tale of the life of an aviator in World War II and after. My eyes were misty from the first pages. This is a complete story, not just wartime and military service. The anecdotal format is an excellent way to tell the story through important events in his life. Bob and Jeanne McMurry were in the first generation of Air Force people who lived in many countries and experienced life in new cultures. They went from rubble-strewn Munich in 1946 to civil war-torn Greece then to California's Hamilton Air Force Base  and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. He was the high time pilot on the Berlin Airlift and endured challenging missions in Italy, Iceland and the Azores. Together, they  experienced Paris, the Pyramids and Venice and welcomed a daughter born in Germany. At Travis AFB, California, they raised two daughters and explored Northern California. One daughter witnessed an airplane crash that claimed the life of a dear family friend. At the 1959 Paris Air Show, McMurry flew a magnificent demonstration of the largest Air Force transport before witnesses including French President Charles DeGaulle.

Once retired from the Air Force, in 1964, McMurry continued flying with the airlines. He added 13,000 airline hours to 20,000 flown in the military His personal and professional performance brought  recognition as the airline pilot of the year in 1980.

Throughout the book, McMurry's love of his wife and family is a constant thread. They shared life in all its facets, from his marriage to 18-year old Jeanne to her passing 68 years later, surrounded by her family. After that, they all moved on to care for one another as the years caught up with him.

This is a personal and loving tale of Bob McMurry's years in life and the air. I recommend it very highly  and salute him as, indeed, a Proud Pilot who had reason for that appellation.

If you are interested, please contact him via his daughter's email, gail@hotwithheart.com 

Nebraska Crash Memorial

Jerry Penry, of Denton, Neb., sent the following:

I stopped in Palisade, Nebraska, last week and talked to some of the local residents about the possibility of getting a memorial sign placed for the men who died in the crash north of that town on 6 February 1970.  The local residents are very interested, so we will proceed slowly.  If you are interested, I will keep you updated.

 

I've done several memorials for WWII crash sites and have investigated every WWII crash in Nebraska that involved a fatality.

 

Here is my website:  www.NebraskaAirCrash.com

His web site is excellent. The memorial plaques are permanent and good-looking. I will provide any assistance I can.

Giant 133 Model For Sale

Where do you think it belongs? Our Dover AMC Museum, right? Remember this highlight from our Last Hurrah Reunion in May, 2014? If somebody can come up with $6,500, it''s "Ours!"

Master Modeler George Maiorana now says, "2014 at Dover is etched in my mind.  A very wonderful experience. It's at the top of my memory list of modeling experiences. Be well!"

  

 Here's a quick link to a YouTube video of the model in action as a National Champion in RC competition: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka_1Jcf3nJ0

Tempelhof Flughafen

For those who landed there a time or two, here's an interesting look at Tempelhof Flughafen now.

Click on: http://www.thirtythousand.us/2015/05/29/tempelhof/#.VWyzkmfJBhE

CalTaylor

Remembering 62014 Crash at Goose Bay

Thanks to Dick Quimby, helped by the ever alert and knowledgeable Cal Taylor, we've connected with a very determined friend in Canada, Chris Charland. Dick noticed a listing in his Nov, 2014, issue of AF magazine about an event Chris had planned for the 50th Anniversary of that tragic loss.

Cal added: "That notice concerned Chris Charland's long-time effort to have a plaque installed at Goose to memorialize the crew on that crash. In the end, it did not come about...  He still wants to see it happen. Chris was a 12-year old boy scout returning from a hike when he saw the crash."

Here's what Chris had to say about it:

G’day Gentlemen

The ceremony was supposed to held in November, but we had a pair of terrorist attacks here in Canada that put everything on hold.  The ops tempo accelerated and Defcon went up a notch.  My plan now, is to have the ceremony in June of this year.  That gives plenty of lead time for some of the dignitaries that said they would have attended with a bit more notice.

I have talked to a female cousin of the children of Guy (Vassalotti, AC of the 1st ATS crew lost in the crash) and hope to talk to them sometime in the near future.

Take care and look forward to hearing from you all.

Cheers...Chris

Chris Charland
USAF PAO
4722d/722d SUS
June 1991 – May 2003
 
Later, he added:

I designed the plaque which is 8 1/8 by 12 inches and made of brass.  It is already mounted as part of the memorial at the museum at Goose Bay.  I am not going to change the dedication date.

Dedicated to the crew of  MATS 1^st Air Transport Squadron          C-133 Cargomaster s/n 56-2014 on the 7^th of November 2014 at

5 Wing Goose Bay'

Aircraft Commander - 1^st Lieutenant Guy L. Vassalotti

Co-Pilot - Captain Charles L. Jenkins

Flight Examiner - Major Frank X. Hearty

Navigator - 1^st Lieutenant Douglas H. Brookfield

Flight Engineer – Technical Sergeant John. A. Kitchens

Flight Engineer – Technical Sergeant Norman H. Baron

Loadmaster – Airman 1^st Class Shelton Toler

                       “Forever Remembered”

A bit of trivia for you all.  2014 was the 50th anniversary of the crash.  It is also the last four digits of the aircraft’s serial number.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I feel like I have a special bond with the fallen airmen and their families.

And here's Chris' first hand account of the crash:

The Crash of USAF C-133 Cargomaster at Goose Bay

by Chris Charland

They say that every person experiences a certain event in their lives whether it be good or bad that leaves an indelible mark on their psyche.  Mine came at 16:49 hours on the 7^th of November, 1964.

The day had been relatively an uneventful one for myself and fellow Boy Scouts.  We were slowly making our back way home to Spruce Park after a day of hiking and survival training north of R.C.A.F. Station Goose Bay, Labrador.  It was a calm evening with light snow falling. Our hike homeward bound took us along a path just below Hamilton River Road and north of the fuel tank area where 100,000-gallon overhead tanks were located.  There was a van waiting on Hamilton River Road to take us the rest of the way back to our homes in Spruce Park   

As I was getting ready to climb inside, I instinctively looked skywards when I heard the sound of an approaching aircraft.  I had no idea of the impending doom as I followed the navigation and landing lights down after it had taken off from Runway 09.   In a heartbeat, there was a terrific flash of light, the likes of which I had never experienced before or since.  The monster fireball lit up the sky from horizon to horizon.  The first thing that instantly came to my mind was a nuclear bomb. You have to understand the Cold War mentality at the time.  The United States and Russia both had their fingers on the button ready to launch weapons against each other at a moment's notice.  Tension between them was akin to a large rubber band being pulled to its maximum length.  Any more and it would have snapped.

There was a dull thud of the aircraft impacting followed by a loud

whooshing sound as the fuel ignited.  The wreckage came to rest close to one of the 100,000-gallon tanks.   We were just about back into Spruce Park when the first of the emergency vehicles passed us.  Later at home, the T.V. station located on the American side, known as Goose Air Base, was broadcasting an appeal for all off duty emergency personnel to report to their respective units to assist with the crash.  The sky stayed lit up for hours after.  

The ill-fated aircraft that crashed was a Douglas C-133A Cargomaster s/n 56-2014 from Military Air Transport Service’s 1^st Air Transport Squadron, based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.   It arrived at Goose Bay 01:55 hours local time.  After a 15-hour crew rest, they proceeded to depart enroute to Thule Air Base, Greenland with a stop enroute at Sondestrom Air Base, also in Greenland.  They were loaded with meat and other provisions

   The first departure attempt was delayed due to a technical issue. The aircraft sat for a period of time without being de-iced before making a second try.  At between 120 and 150 feet, the aircraft’s starboard (right) wing suddenly dropped 20 to 30 degrees.  The aircraft commander managed to momentarily regain a level attitude.  The aircraft then rolled to the left.  The port wing dropped even more quickly and was almost vertical.  The aircraft commander was unable to do anything.  At 16:49 hrs local time, the Cargomaster struck the ground in a left wing down, nose high attitude. 

After an intensive investigation, the accident investigation board determined the primary cause was a power stall.  The most probable reason was structural icing of the wing and /or vortex generators that had accumulated ice over the 15-hour layover.

  

 
 

Once again, there was a posting on Facebook saying that the C=133 was built to carry ICBMs. As the old radio program had it, "T'ain't so, McGee!" I know this is an old topic but part of my intention when writing my book was to address various C-133 myths.

My research has shown that, if anything, the ICBMs were sized to fit into the C-133. The C-133 design was frozen BEFORE final design of any of the ICBMs. The first purchase contract for the C-133 was dated 1 Sep 53. The C-133 Definitive Contract AF33(600)-22452 was dated 17 May 54. Convair got the first Atlas contract on 14 Jan 55, for a missile 10 feet in diameter. Whether this design change was related to the C-133 as a potential ICBM hauler is unknown. This was smaller than the initial Convair design of Atlas in 1953. Atlas D was the first operational Atlas ICBM, making its first flight on 14 Apr 59, three years after the first flight of the C-133. Titan was contracted to Martin in Oct 1955. Minuteman design studies began in 1956 and Saturn grew out of studies in 1957 by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency. Saturn was too big for C-133 transport, though its engines were moved by the Cargomaster. It is clear that the C-133 design was set well before that of any of the ICBMs. The closest sizing of the C-133 to the missiles to be carried was the modification of the aft cargo doors to make a larger opening and easier loading of the ICBMs. This was the C-133B. Interior cargo compartment dimensions remained the same, however, as in the C-133A.

Cal Taylor

Master Model Builder Mentor

Hi,

Here are some pictures of Skip Mast's electric C-130. 130 inch span.

He was with me when I took the pictures of 2008 in Dayton back in 2001.  Remember, I had told you that he was going to build the C-133 with me but had to back out of the project because of family issues. Skip was my mentor in RC scale. He is responsible for me building all these large planes.

Happy holiday,

George

PS Later today from George:

Hi,

Just to let you know that Skip maidened the 130 this afternoon.  All went well.  He said it flew better than any of his other 130s.

George

The Legacy Lives!

Anyone, ever associated with a USAF C-133 Heavy Cargo Transport shares a unique bond. Flight crews, ground crews, families of crews, all have a living connection, not just because it was a unique airplane. But the airplane itself is the ultimate symbol of uniquely shared experiences.

This blog post attempts to sample the memories of those experiences through three dramatic moments, "The Last Flight" of the real thing in Aug, '08, when a "very old girl" C-133A S/N 61999 flew from her "commercial home" in Alaska (known in her commercial after-life as N199AB) back to California to become the "Travis Bird" in her final resting place.

Here was the post on this blog on 30 Aug 2008: "...the airplane launched on its final flight. Takeoff at McChord was 0800 and landing at Travis at 1101 PDT. At shutdown, the airplane had logged some 18,250 flight hours with more than 6,100 landings. Thanks to all those who made this last flight possible. It will be an excellent display in the Travis Museum."

 And here's the same "old girl" in live action in May, '68, with a memory from Fred Dietsch (as posted on this blog on 22 Apr 2010): "I am attaching a photo of 61999 which I believe I took while flying between Andersen, Guam and Mactan, Philippines. My pilots were Capt Stan Bryk and Capt Bill Gilbert. We left Andersen on 18 May 68 in 62010; 61999 was right behind us so we made some lazy "S" turns and waited for them. They were cleared 2000 feet above us. When they caught up we flew loose formation to Mactan. The other Nav. (I think it was Jim Woody) and we took turns navigating."

 
To view the spectacular 5:48 video, "The Last Flight," be sure to click on HD, Full-screen, and crank up the sound to relive (as Jimmy Ratcliff, 1st ATS A/C in the 60s, says in the Comments) "Sweet music to old ears!"

Click on: http://vimeo.com/6194717

Then come back to this blog post for more memorable connections! 

OK, Memorable Moment #2 was in May, 2014, when Master RC Model Builder George Maiorana brought his Magnificent Replicate of C-133A S/N 62008 on display at the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB to our Crew Colleague Reunion in Dover, and taxied it around the apron in front of our own C-133B S/N 60536:

Click on:  http://bcove.me/dekgngx5 

 And here are two photos of the model inside the cargo compartment of 0536, and with the remarkable builder, George Maiorana, in front of 0536:

The final Memorable Moment came in July with the Maiden Flight of George's model in Muncie, IN, where he achieved National Champion status:

And here is the message just received from George with the link access to a 12:40 video of The First Flight! Again, click on Theater Screen or Full Screen & turn up the sound! AMAZING!!


Hi,

 Here is quick link to the video:  http://youtu.be/ka_1Jcf3nJ0http://youtu.be/ka_1Jcf3nJ0

There will be an article on the plane in the October issue of Model Aviation magazine. Their video of the maiden flight will be posted on their site when the issue is released.

Fair skies,

George

We just heard from Randy Chambers, the grandson of a former 133 Crew Chief:

He said...

"What a beautiful model! My grandfather Cmsgt Jack Chambers was Crew Chief on the C-133 2008 when it set the weight lift record."

August 10, 2014 at 10:59 PM 

World's Tallest Symbol of Freedom & Hope

Thanks to Andrew Fleming for this inspiring video:

Standing 400 feet tall, the new Acuity Insurance Flagpole is the tallest flagpole in North America.  Located on the Acuity Insurance headquarters campus in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, along Interstate 43 between Milwaukee and Green Bay, the pole supports a 60-foot-wide by 120-foot-long American flag.  Located at the base of the flagpole is a brick paver patio featuring the names of Sheboygan County residents killed in active duty.

Flagpole Facts:
400-foot flagpole weighs approximately 420,000 pounds
There are two versions of the 60- by 120-foot flag:
- 220 pound flag is flown during normal conditions
- 350 pound flag is flown during harsher weather
Each star is 3 feet high and each stripe is 4 1/2 feet wide
680 cubic yards of concrete used in foundation
Over 500 gallons of paint cover the pole
11-foot diameter at base tapers to 5 1/2-foot diameter at top
Three pendulum-style tuned mass dampers reduce movement and vibration
Designed to withstand a low temperature of -42°F


Click on: http://mortenson.wistia.com/medias/tejnwpitig

HUGE SUCCESS!! NATIONAL CHAMPION!!

Congratulations to George Maiorana!! Your Dover 133 Fan Club is thrilled by your achievement!! And so proud to have had the privilege of meeting you and seeing your baby up close and personal at our Reunion. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Hi,

What a wonderful week we had with the C-133. Here are some pictures of her flying. Dave flew her about 16 times from Thursday's maiden till the end of the contest on Sunday afternoon.

We took first place in our division (Team Scale). Because I had many problems with my 3 blade props we had to fly with 2 blades. I'm sure there are better pictures out there and video also.

More to come when available.

Smiles all around here.  :))

George

                                                 Dave, our pilot 

Maiden Flight

Just got the following from our Giant 133 Model-maker, George Maiorana. And below is his full power, ground run-up photo (tethered to the fence) on 7/05.

Check out the NATS event in Muncie, IN, where he’s making his Maiden Flight: http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx . Click on Nats Schedule, to see George’s category, 2014 RC & CL Scale Nats.

Dick H.

From: George
Subject: C-133 maiden flight
Date: July 10, 2014 at 6:59:07 AM CDT


Hi,

All packed and off to the NATS to tempt fate :-)

Back Monday.

George

Classic 133 Incident

Breaking news from Giant 133 Model-maker George Maiorana!

Does this bring back more memories or what???

Hi Guys,

Well it's been a traumatic week here. I was running up the C-133 to full power and checking static thrust (19.5 lbs) when #3 threw a blade. The resulting instant vibration tore the motor off the fire wall and took a chunk out of the cowl. It was a moment that I reflected upon for an hour or so.  The good part of the problem is that the blade went into the garage about 30 feet and not thru the fuse or me. Had to count my blessings. Another blessing is that it happened here and not in the air (total disaster if it had occured in the air).

I took all 6 of my props and did a complete mod B to them. Yesterday I ran all 6 props in a "bunkered" test stand for 4 minutes at WOT. All survived. The motor mount and cowl are repaired and I just came in from running up the plane teathered to a fence. What an awesome sound.  No problems!  So I'll begin getting all my ground support equipment sorted out ready for the trip to the AMA NATS.

The "plan" is for me to arrive at the site Thursday afternoon (July 10th) and set the plane up ready for the maiden. My pilot, Dave along with his wife Vicki, plans to be at the site Thursday afternoon around 6 PM and take her up. If he gets there early enough and all goes well we may be able to get a second flight in.  Friday we will get the plane static judged and fly some more.  Contest is Saturday and Sunday with two judged flights each day.

Here is a link to the AMA NATS news and you can keep track what is going on during the contest.     http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx

Cross your fingers :-)

George

Computer Simulation of Model 133 Flight

Paul (Gus) Ogushwitz connected with me a couple of years ago when he discovered our CargoMasterRaster blog, and we were planning another Reunion. His background and interests collided with our very special "Giant 133 Model Maker" George Maiorana, who created such a sensation at our Reunion with his model. The following message from Gus, and the material he has provided via links is self explanatory. Enjoy the amazing story of Gus' background and his computer simulation of George's model.

Gus predicts that George's model 133 can fly successfully in Muncie, Indiana next month.

Note his interest in hearing other stories. I will pass along any feedback from our list.

Dick Hanson

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Paul R. Ogushwitz"
Subject: C-133 Model Simulations
Date: June 26, 2014 1:53:05 PM CDT
To: "Mr. Richard Hanson"

Hi Dick,

Here is link to my long-overdue report on computer simulations George's model C-133:

 https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100982744/Computer%20Simulations%20Of%20Maiorana%20Model%20C-133A.pdf

I wrote the report with the     www.cargomasterraster.blogspot.com    community in mind.  If you see fit to post the link there, please do so before George flies the model.  Last I heard, maiden flight scheduled for 9 July 2014.


Also, you might like to include the link to my article about a C-133 mission to Easter Island:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100982744/USAF%20C-133%20Mission%20To%20Easter%20Island%20December%201970.pdf

I would love to read other C-133 stories that our colleagues might write.  Turns out to be very easy to sign up and post items on DropBox.  If you get some responses, then I respectfully suggest you start another list -- like "C-133 War Stories" or whatnot -- on the right side of the blog (where "Book Reviews" and "Blog Archive" are located).

Best regards,
Gus.

Dover Reunion Banquet