http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=WikiSysop 2026-10-31T03:58:56Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.39.0 http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9481 2026-10-10T21:13:31Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> This work will be the most complete Invader Reference ever published. The entire set spans 20 volumes, with the first volume expected to be released in early 2027. The set will not be released in order, but they will be released as soon as each volume in complete. Feel free to email us at Invader Historical Foundation @gmail.com with questions. Or find us on Facebook. [[https://www.facebook.com/InvaderHistorical]]<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9480 2026-10-10T21:11:10Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9479 2026-10-10T21:11:02Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[Link:https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9478 2026-10-10T21:10:44Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7|Form]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9477 2026-10-10T21:10:28Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7|Google Form]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9476 2026-10-10T21:10:14Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[Google Form|https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9475 2026-10-10T21:09:51Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> I am actively working on Volume 19 of the Encyclopedia Set: Personnel. As such, I am seeking information about people who have flown or crewed Invaders in any capacity for possible inclusion. This ranges everything from military combat crews to people who have restored their plane for their museum. Firebomber pilots and crew are another area of particular interest. It could be your or a relative that you know you know of. <br /> <br /> See the graphic below for more details. <br /> <br /> Submit your information here: [[https://forms.gle/QLnjLBzdDKs73hYb7]]<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9474 2026-10-10T21:04:38Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|800px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9473 2026-10-10T21:04:21Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|1000px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9472 2026-10-10T18:15:41Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png|800px]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|1000px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9471 2026-10-10T18:15:15Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|1000px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9470 2026-10-10T18:15:07Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png|1000px]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9469 2026-10-10T18:14:56Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png |1000PX]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9468 2026-10-10T18:14:47Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png |1000px]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9467 2026-10-10T18:14:27Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png |1000PX]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9466 2026-10-10T18:13:52Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png | Px:1000]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9465 2026-10-10T18:13:17Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Call for Records */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> [[File:callforrecords.png]]<br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9464 2026-10-10T18:12:29Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* The Encyclopedia Set */</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==<br /> <br /> [[File:ENTIRE SET.png]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=File:ENTIRE_SET.png&diff=9463 2026-10-10T17:57:13Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div></div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=File:Callforrecords.png&diff=9462 2026-10-10T17:51:12Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div></div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Encyclopedia&diff=9461 2026-10-10T17:49:27Z

<p>WikiSysop: Created page with &quot;==Call for Records== ==The Encyclopedia Set==&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>==Call for Records==<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Encyclopedia Set==</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=9460 2026-10-10T03:25:45Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* 2026 UPDATES */</p> <hr /> <div>[[File:IHFBanner.jpg|1000px]] [[File:AHRN Logo.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> '''Welcome to the Invader Historical Foundation website!'''<br /> <br /> '''This page is currently under construction as we port all of our data into this format. It will take some time. Please be patient.''' &lt;/br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> We're always looking for more information - especially photos! If you have Invader information you’d like to share, please let us know! We are interested in all Invader references. &lt;/br&gt;<br /> <br /> '''If you would like to support our mission, kindly consider a donation to help us acquire records and pay for hosting. [https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=SZ5NVZMW3RSDW&amp;source=url|Donate]'''<br /> &lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> =2026 UPDATES=<br /> '''Website Updates'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I took some time away from this work for personal reasons, but I'm back and now actively working on research and updating this site once again. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Invader Encyclopedia'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I am currently working on a 20 Volume [[Invader Encyclopedia]] Set. I am actively seeking personnel information for inclusion on this project. See the Encyclopedia Page for more details. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Aviation History Research Network'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I started this idea back in 2022, but its more important than ever now. If you are an aviation historian, take a look at the [[Aviation History Research Network]] page to learn more. <br /> <br /> &lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> ==The Plane==<br /> *[[About the Invader]]<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]<br /> <br /> ==Operations==<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Conflict]]<br /> *[[Invader Squadrons]] (US AF Only)<br /> *[[Invaders by Country]]<br /> *[[Civilian Operators]]<br /> *[[Clandestine Operations]]<br /> *[[Illegal Invaders]]<br /> *[[Research Projects]]<br /> *[[Round the World Flights]]<br /> <br /> ==The People==<br /> *[[List of Invader Crew]]<br /> *[[Stories from the Field]]<br /> <br /> ==The Research==<br /> *[[About the Foundation]]<br /> *[[What is an Online Museum]]<br /> *[[The Aviation History Research Network]]<br /> *[[Friends of the IHF]]<br /> *[[Invader Mysteries]]<br /> *[[Help IHF]]<br /> *[[Links &amp; Sources]]<br /> *[[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Miscellaneous==<br /> *[[Invader Products and Media]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=9459 2026-10-10T03:25:33Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>[[File:IHFBanner.jpg|1000px]] [[File:AHRN Logo.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> '''Welcome to the Invader Historical Foundation website!'''<br /> <br /> '''This page is currently under construction as we port all of our data into this format. It will take some time. Please be patient.''' &lt;/br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> We're always looking for more information - especially photos! If you have Invader information you’d like to share, please let us know! We are interested in all Invader references. &lt;/br&gt;<br /> <br /> '''If you would like to support our mission, kindly consider a donation to help us acquire records and pay for hosting. [https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=SZ5NVZMW3RSDW&amp;source=url|Donate]'''<br /> &lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> ==2026 UPDATES==<br /> '''Website Updates'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I took some time away from this work for personal reasons, but I'm back and now actively working on research and updating this site once again. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Invader Encyclopedia'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I am currently working on a 20 Volume [[Invader Encyclopedia]] Set. I am actively seeking personnel information for inclusion on this project. See the Encyclopedia Page for more details. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Aviation History Research Network'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I started this idea back in 2022, but its more important than ever now. If you are an aviation historian, take a look at the [[Aviation History Research Network]] page to learn more. <br /> <br /> &lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Plane==<br /> *[[About the Invader]]<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]<br /> <br /> ==Operations==<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Conflict]]<br /> *[[Invader Squadrons]] (US AF Only)<br /> *[[Invaders by Country]]<br /> *[[Civilian Operators]]<br /> *[[Clandestine Operations]]<br /> *[[Illegal Invaders]]<br /> *[[Research Projects]]<br /> *[[Round the World Flights]]<br /> <br /> ==The People==<br /> *[[List of Invader Crew]]<br /> *[[Stories from the Field]]<br /> <br /> ==The Research==<br /> *[[About the Foundation]]<br /> *[[What is an Online Museum]]<br /> *[[The Aviation History Research Network]]<br /> *[[Friends of the IHF]]<br /> *[[Invader Mysteries]]<br /> *[[Help IHF]]<br /> *[[Links &amp; Sources]]<br /> *[[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Miscellaneous==<br /> *[[Invader Products and Media]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=9458 2026-10-10T03:25:23Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>[[File:IHFBanner.jpg|1000px]] [[File:AHRN Logo.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> '''Welcome to the Invader Historical Foundation website!'''<br /> <br /> '''This page is currently under construction as we port all of our data into this format. It will take some time. Please be patient.''' &lt;/br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> We're always looking for more information - especially photos! If you have Invader information you’d like to share, please let us know! We are interested in all Invader references. &lt;/br&gt;<br /> <br /> '''If you would like to support our mission, kindly consider a donation to help us acquire records and pay for hosting. [https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=SZ5NVZMW3RSDW&amp;source=url|Donate]'''<br /> &lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> ==2026 UPDATES==&lt;br/&gt;<br /> '''Website Updates'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I took some time away from this work for personal reasons, but I'm back and now actively working on research and updating this site once again. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Invader Encyclopedia'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I am currently working on a 20 Volume [[Invader Encyclopedia]] Set. I am actively seeking personnel information for inclusion on this project. See the Encyclopedia Page for more details. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Aviation History Research Network'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I started this idea back in 2022, but its more important than ever now. If you are an aviation historian, take a look at the [[Aviation History Research Network]] page to learn more. <br /> <br /> &lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Plane==<br /> *[[About the Invader]]<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]<br /> <br /> ==Operations==<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Conflict]]<br /> *[[Invader Squadrons]] (US AF Only)<br /> *[[Invaders by Country]]<br /> *[[Civilian Operators]]<br /> *[[Clandestine Operations]]<br /> *[[Illegal Invaders]]<br /> *[[Research Projects]]<br /> *[[Round the World Flights]]<br /> <br /> ==The People==<br /> *[[List of Invader Crew]]<br /> *[[Stories from the Field]]<br /> <br /> ==The Research==<br /> *[[About the Foundation]]<br /> *[[What is an Online Museum]]<br /> *[[The Aviation History Research Network]]<br /> *[[Friends of the IHF]]<br /> *[[Invader Mysteries]]<br /> *[[Help IHF]]<br /> *[[Links &amp; Sources]]<br /> *[[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Miscellaneous==<br /> *[[Invader Products and Media]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=9457 2026-10-10T03:24:55Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>[[File:IHFBanner.jpg|1000px]] [[File:AHRN Logo.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> '''Welcome to the Invader Historical Foundation website!'''<br /> <br /> '''This page is currently under construction as we port all of our data into this format. It will take some time. Please be patient.''' &lt;/br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> We're always looking for more information - especially photos! If you have Invader information you’d like to share, please let us know! We are interested in all Invader references. &lt;/br&gt;<br /> <br /> '''If you would like to support our mission, kindly consider a donation to help us acquire records and pay for hosting. [https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=SZ5NVZMW3RSDW&amp;source=url|Donate]'''<br /> &lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> ===2026 UPDATES===&lt;br/&gt;<br /> '''Website Updates'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I took some time away from this work for personal reasons, but I'm back and now actively working on research and updating this site once again. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Invader Encyclopedia'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I am currently working on a 20 Volume [[Invader Encyclopedia]] Set. I am actively seeking personnel information for inclusion on this project. See the Encyclopedia Page for more details. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Aviation History Research Network'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I started this idea back in 2022, but its more important than ever now. If you are an aviation historian, take a look at the [[Aviation History Research Network]] page to learn more. <br /> <br /> &lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Plane==<br /> *[[About the Invader]]<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]<br /> <br /> ==Operations==<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Conflict]]<br /> *[[Invader Squadrons]] (US AF Only)<br /> *[[Invaders by Country]]<br /> *[[Civilian Operators]]<br /> *[[Clandestine Operations]]<br /> *[[Illegal Invaders]]<br /> *[[Research Projects]]<br /> *[[Round the World Flights]]<br /> <br /> ==The People==<br /> *[[List of Invader Crew]]<br /> *[[Stories from the Field]]<br /> <br /> ==The Research==<br /> *[[About the Foundation]]<br /> *[[What is an Online Museum]]<br /> *[[The Aviation History Research Network]]<br /> *[[Friends of the IHF]]<br /> *[[Invader Mysteries]]<br /> *[[Help IHF]]<br /> *[[Links &amp; Sources]]<br /> *[[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Miscellaneous==<br /> *[[Invader Products and Media]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=9456 2026-10-10T03:24:34Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>[[File:IHFBanner.jpg|1000px]] [[File:AHRN Logo.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> '''Welcome to the Invader Historical Foundation website!'''<br /> <br /> '''This page is currently under construction as we port all of our data into this format. It will take some time. Please be patient.''' &lt;/br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> We're always looking for more information - especially photos! If you have Invader information you’d like to share, please let us know! We are interested in all Invader references. &lt;/br&gt;<br /> <br /> '''If you would like to support our mission, kindly consider a donation to help us acquire records and pay for hosting. [https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=SZ5NVZMW3RSDW&amp;source=url|Donate]'''<br /> &lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> =2026 UPDATES=&lt;br/&gt;<br /> '''Website Updates'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I took some time away from this work for personal reasons, but I'm back and now actively working on research and updating this site once again. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Invader Encyclopedia'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I am currently working on a 20 Volume [[Invader Encyclopedia]] Set. I am actively seeking personnel information for inclusion on this project. See the Encyclopedia Page for more details. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Aviation History Research Network'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I started this idea back in 2022, but its more important than ever now. If you are an aviation historian, take a look at the [[Aviation History Research Network]] page to learn more. <br /> <br /> &lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Plane==<br /> *[[About the Invader]]<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]<br /> <br /> ==Operations==<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Conflict]]<br /> *[[Invader Squadrons]] (US AF Only)<br /> *[[Invaders by Country]]<br /> *[[Civilian Operators]]<br /> *[[Clandestine Operations]]<br /> *[[Illegal Invaders]]<br /> *[[Research Projects]]<br /> *[[Round the World Flights]]<br /> <br /> ==The People==<br /> *[[List of Invader Crew]]<br /> *[[Stories from the Field]]<br /> <br /> ==The Research==<br /> *[[About the Foundation]]<br /> *[[What is an Online Museum]]<br /> *[[The Aviation History Research Network]]<br /> *[[Friends of the IHF]]<br /> *[[Invader Mysteries]]<br /> *[[Help IHF]]<br /> *[[Links &amp; Sources]]<br /> *[[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Miscellaneous==<br /> *[[Invader Products and Media]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=9455 2026-10-10T03:24:16Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>[[File:IHFBanner.jpg|1000px]] [[File:AHRN Logo.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> '''Welcome to the Invader Historical Foundation website!'''<br /> <br /> '''This page is currently under construction as we port all of our data into this format. It will take some time. Please be patient.''' &lt;/br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> We're always looking for more information - especially photos! If you have Invader information you’d like to share, please let us know! We are interested in all Invader references. &lt;/br&gt;<br /> <br /> '''If you would like to support our mission, kindly consider a donation to help us acquire records and pay for hosting. [https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=SZ5NVZMW3RSDW&amp;source=url|Donate]'''<br /> <br /> <br /> =2026 UPDATES=&lt;br/&gt;<br /> '''Website Updates'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I took some time away from this work for personal reasons, but I'm back and now actively working on research and updating this site once again. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Invader Encyclopedia'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I am currently working on a 20 Volume [[Invader Encyclopedia]] Set. I am actively seeking personnel information for inclusion on this project. See the Encyclopedia Page for more details. <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> '''Aviation History Research Network'''&lt;br/&gt;<br /> I started this idea back in 2022, but its more important than ever now. If you are an aviation historian, take a look at the [[Aviation History Research Network]] page to learn more. <br /> <br /> &lt;br/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==The Plane==<br /> *[[About the Invader]]<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]<br /> <br /> ==Operations==<br /> *[[List of Invaders by Conflict]]<br /> *[[Invader Squadrons]] (US AF Only)<br /> *[[Invaders by Country]]<br /> *[[Civilian Operators]]<br /> *[[Clandestine Operations]]<br /> *[[Illegal Invaders]]<br /> *[[Research Projects]]<br /> *[[Round the World Flights]]<br /> <br /> ==The People==<br /> *[[List of Invader Crew]]<br /> *[[Stories from the Field]]<br /> <br /> ==The Research==<br /> *[[About the Foundation]]<br /> *[[What is an Online Museum]]<br /> *[[The Aviation History Research Network]]<br /> *[[Friends of the IHF]]<br /> *[[Invader Mysteries]]<br /> *[[Help IHF]]<br /> *[[Links &amp; Sources]]<br /> *[[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Miscellaneous==<br /> *[[Invader Products and Media]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=One_Kill,_No_Credit&diff=9454 2026-10-09T23:06:41Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>IHF NOTE: This story was related to IHF Researcher Johnathan Clayborn personally by Mr. Carroll during an in-person discussion in 2005. He has presented the story here to best of his ability and recollection. Any errors in the details below are assumed to be Mr. Clayborn's error in transcribing the story. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> It was early 1953. The squadron had taken off for night ops, as per our normal operations. <br /> On this night we were all split up across Korea looking for targets of opportunity. <br /> We searched all night and blasted a few trucks into the recycle heap. We dropped our bombs on a section of track and circled the area one last time to survey the damage before heading back. <br /> <br /> That's when we heard it, THACK THACK THACK THACK, the sound of bullets striking our plane! <br /> The pilot, Cpt. Emil Pindzola, immediately took evasive action, but the sound came again. <br /> I looked frantically out of the windows in the back, scanning the ground for the AA battery, but I couldn't see the tell-tale muzzle flash anywhere. <br /> Suddenly, our Navigator shouted over the intercom &quot;Bogey at 3 o'clock! It's a damn plane!&quot; <br /> I looked out the window just as the bastard flew by. Finally, I had something to do. I flipped the periscope on and tracked the plane with the turret. <br /> It was hard to see him in the dark, but I tracked what I thought was the faint glimmer of light reflecting off the canopy. <br /> <br /> He opened up on us again and his muzzle flash confirmed his position, I gave him a little lead time and then opened up with my double barrel .50s. <br /> I could smoke coming from the engine as he turned and broke off. I called up to the cockpit. &quot;Get after him! I hit him, he's smoking. Don't let him get away!&quot; <br /> Captain Pindzola was pissed that enemy had the nerve to shoot up his plane so he obliged. <br /> <br /> Even with the damage to the engine, this plane was still just a little faster than we were. <br /> Officially, the tech sheet said we could fly 355 mph, but with no ordnance and more than half of our fuel gone, we were a little lighter and we could push it closer to 370, maybe 375. <br /> This little plane, small single-engine fighter, even with a damaged engine was doing about 390. He was slipping away from us. <br /> <br /> The Captain occasionally gave him a burst from the forward guns, just to let the plane know we were still back here. We must have chased him a good 10 minutes in the pre-dawn morning when our Navigator, Lt. Roy L. Compton, warned us that we were coming up on the border. We had standing orders not to cross the border and not to engage targets on the other side. If we went down behind enemy lines... <br /> <br /> Captain Pindzola asked him if he was sure and told him he should double check. Roy asked me how badly I wanted to get this sonabitch. <br /> I told him very badly using a colorful analogy I don't quite recall, and Roy said he might be mistaken about where the border was. <br /> About 5 minutes past the border and the enemy plane slowed and turned into a tight turn, he was circling back around on us. <br /> He climbed up and then dropped down on us from above. <br /> <br /> He opened up right at the same time that I did, my turrets could track him anywhere he wanted to go. <br /> He ripped a few dozen holes into our topside and I blew his engine up. <br /> I watched with grim satisfaction as the fiery streak of his plane streaked down past us and exploded into the mountainside below. <br /> Roy said he thought it was high time we hightailed it back across the line and returned to base, the sun would be up soon. <br /> <br /> We landed and our crew chief met us at the revetment. We disembarked the plane and were walking to base when he called us back. <br /> &quot;What the hell did you guys do to my plane?&quot; We all looked at each other. I shrugged and said &quot;One of the trucks had an AA gun on it.&quot; <br /> The crew chief stared us down. &quot;No it didn't.&quot; <br /> Roy backed me up, &quot;Of course it did. Shot us all to hell.&quot; <br /> The chief folded his arms and didn't move. &quot;Then maybe the Captain would like to explain why he was doing aerobatic maneuvers in plane that is expressly prohibited from doing loops or rolls?&quot; <br /> Pindzola was flustered, &quot;wait, what are you talking about?&quot;. <br /> <br /> The chief walked over and pointed to a few holes on the bottom of the wings. &quot;These holes here, sure, I'll buy that they came from an AA gun.&quot; <br /> He climbed up on top of the plane and pointed very dramatically, &quot;but unless you were flying upside down or the AA gun can float, there's no way in God's Green Earth that these holes up here came from an AA gun. So, I'll ask again, what happened?&quot; <br /> <br /> We all looked at each other, we knew wed been caught. Emil waved him over and the chief climbed down and joined us. <br /> &quot;Look, we were jumped by a fighter, he must have thought we were easy pickings being faster and more agile, but Fred put a few holes in his engine and he was limping. We finished him off and shot him down.&quot; <br /> I jumped in, &quot;I shot him down.&quot; <br /> We all laughed. &quot;That's great, You should report that and I'll finally get to add a plane marker to the old' girl.&quot; <br /> Roy cleared his throat. &quot;If you do that, you'll probably be working with a new flight crew by the end of the week. You see, we had to chase that bastard all the way across the border.&quot; <br /> <br /> The chief just stared deadpan. &quot;We shot him down on their side of the border,&quot; Emil said again. <br /> The chief shook his head. &quot;oh, shit. You better not report that! If you report that you shot it down at all they'll want to verify the crash site, and when it's not on our side of the border they'll have your asses in a sling. You'll all probably be court-martialed for disobeying an order.&quot; <br /> And so, with the crew chief covering our secret, he didn't report it. We chased him, we shot him down, but you wont ever find a record that we did that because claiming credit for that kill wasn't worth the ass-chewing that would have come our way. But I'd be lying if it wasn't satisfying. Our chief did paint an aerial kill marker, way up inside of the nose wheel landing bay where no one else would ever see it.<br /> <br /> <br /> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> IHF Notes: Mr. Carroll later said that something about this incident was the 2nd biggest regret of his life as he was on his deathbed, but he declined to explain what about the mission was regretful. I've been trying to get in touch with the families of Emil Pindzola or Roy Compton, and so far have only had a brief conversation with one of Emil's sons. <br /> <br /> This incident will not show up on the US Aerial Victories count at all because it was never reported, so no US-based record would confirm the details. <br /> I did look into the records deeper. On 5 January 1953 an La-11 night-fighter squadron from the 4th Regiment, 2nd Division, led by deputy regiment commander Wang Tianbao, moved from Shanghai to Liaoyang airfield to join the fighting. So there definitely were propeller driven fighter planes in the area who were attacking targets at night in early 1953. While this doesn't prove Mr. Carroll's story by itself, it does lend some additional creditability, and so far I've been able to verify everything else he told me, so that, coupled with his deathbed confession, makes me believe this actually occurred. I am attempting to locate North Korean or Chinese records for a pilot who mysteriously disappeared in Early 1953.</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Changes&diff=9453 2023-12-31T15:38:44Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>Changes by type: <br /> <br /> *[[Cockpit Changes]]<br /> *[[Propeller Changes]]<br /> *[[Gunner Compartment Changes]]<br /> *[[Engine Changes]]<br /> *[[Wing Changes]]<br /> *[[Invader Paint and Markings|Paint Changes]]<br /> *[[Invader Weapons|Weapon Changes]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=The_Aviation_History_Research_Network&diff=9452 2023-12-04T18:33:42Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* What is the AHRN? */</p> <hr /> <div>[[File:AHRN Logo.png|right|300px]]<br /> <br /> The Invader Historical Foundation is proud to be the sponsor agency for the Aviation History Research Network.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==What is the AHRN?==<br /> The Aviation History Research Network is a fellowship of dedicated and passionate aviation history researchers. The main purpose of the ARHN is: <br /> <br /> * To Tell the stories of the past for future generations<br /> * To honor those who gave their lives in support of freedom<br /> * To promote and support best practices in historical research techniques among members<br /> * To share resources, documents, and expertise among members<br /> * To share skills and information among members<br /> * To coordinate research efforts so that duplicate work is avoided<br /> * To investigate how technology may be used in realm of historical research<br /> * To mentor and guide new members who wish to pursue historical research<br /> * To provide public education about our areas of study<br /> <br /> ==AHRN Library==<br /> The AHRN Library is an online repository hosted by the IHF which features a 2TB hosting size of different resources. <br /> <br /> ===Photos===<br /> The AHRN Library contains more than 16,000 images of planes and crew, with more being added all of the time. This is one of our first projects to update and expand. <br /> <br /> ===Documents===<br /> The AHRN library contains entire microfilm reels from the USAFHRA including, Accident Reports, Missing Air Crew Reports, Inventory Records, Unit Histories, Mission Logs, and more. <br /> <br /> There are also a number of select documents from the US Navy, including inventory and accident reports. <br /> <br /> A growing number of FAA documents are also included on select airframes, including ownership &amp; registration paperwork, accident reports, airworthiness reports, and other similar documents. <br /> <br /> There are also a number of member-created databases and files on airframes, accidents, and similar cross-reference and look-up tools. <br /> <br /> The library also hosts a series of white papers regarding best practices on research methods, and explorations of new technology within the field.<br /> <br /> ==Individual Members==<br /> Individual members are associated with the organizations who are direct members of the Aviation History Research Network, or they may be honorary members who have been granted status with the Network based on their contributions to the field. <br /> <br /> All researchers on this list are competent and capable researchers, and this list is in no way reflective of their abilities, but rather it is a measure of their involvement and contributions to the Network directly. <br /> <br /> Senior Researchers have a deep invested interest in the success of the AHRN and its member organizations and have contributed significantly to its success, either by contributing documents, material, financial resources, or in other ways of significant importance. This may include white papers, guidebooks and written information, or other documents of a research-related focus. <br /> <br /> Member Researchers have a long history with the AHRN members at large and have contributed information and ideas on an as-needed basis. They are willing to help and assist where they can. <br /> <br /> Associate Researchers are those who have a new relationship with the Network and have simply not yet invested enough time or resources to be counted among the more senior members. They are a very welcome addition to the Network, and we hope that they will become the future of our group. <br /> <br /> ===Senior Researchers===<br /> *Baugher, Joseph, PhD (Honorary) - Baugher's Serial Number Database<br /> *Cantin, David, MBA - Commemorative Air Force<br /> *Clayborn, Johnathan, MS - Invader Historical Foundation<br /> *Fulwiler, Richard - OnMark Aviation Expert<br /> *Henderson, Donald - 13th Bomb Squadron Association<br /> *Prucha, Rick - 416th Bomb Group Archive<br /> *Simpson, Martin J. (Honorary) - Douglas A/B-26 Invader Site<br /> <br /> ===Member Researchers===<br /> *Hammerbeck, Christopher - 12th Bomb Group<br /> *Roeder, Jim - Aviation Historian, Author<br /> *Sayles, Wayne - 416th Bomb Group Archives<br /> *Thompson, Scott - Aviation Historian, Author<br /> *Voss, John - Fuselage Codes<br /> <br /> ===Associate Researchers===<br /> *Miller, Rod - Aviation Addicts &amp; Friends&lt;br/&gt;<br /> *Thomasson, Doyle - Invader Historical Foundation<br /> *Zhou, Jing - B-17 Flying Fortress.de<br /> <br /> ==Organization Members==<br /> *The 12th Bomb Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/220719786577306<br /> *The 13th Bomb Squadron Association - https://13thbombsquadron.net/<br /> *The 416th Bomb Group Archive - https://www.416th.com<br /> *B-17 Flying Fortress - https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/<br /> *USAAF Fuselage Codes - http://fuselagecodes.com/<br /> <br /> ==Research Related Information==<br /> *[[Research Notes]]<br /> *[[Guide to Accident Reports]]<br /> *[https://416th.com/Maps/WWII_Maps.html WWII Maps]<br /> *[https://416th.com/TypicalMission_Formation.html Mission Formation Information]<br /> *[https://416th.com/Aircraft/AircraftIdentifiers.html Aircraft Identifiers]<br /> *[https://416th.com/missions/Mission_LL_And_Target_Info.html Target Identifiers]<br /> *[https://416th.com/Aircraft/DouglasFuselageNumbers.html Nose Numbers] and [[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> ==White Papers==<br /> [[Media:Facial-Recognition-as-a-Tool-for-Archival-Research.pdf|Facial Recognition as a Tool for Archival Research - Johnathan Clayborn, MS, 2022 ]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=The_Aviation_History_Research_Network&diff=9451 2023-05-10T06:12:57Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>[[File:AHRN Logo.png|right|300px]]<br /> <br /> The Invader Historical Foundation is proud to be the sponsor agency for the Aviation History Research Network.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==What is the AHRN?==<br /> The Aviation History Research Network is a fellowship of dedicated and passionate aviation history researchers. The main purpose of the ARHN is: <br /> <br /> * To promote and support best practices in historical research techniques among members<br /> * To share resources, documents, and expertise among members<br /> * To share skills and information among members<br /> * To coordinate research efforts so that duplicate work is avoided<br /> * To investigate how technology may be used in realm of historical research<br /> * To mentor and guide new members who wish to pursue historical research<br /> * To provide public education about our areas of study<br /> <br /> <br /> ==AHRN Library==<br /> The AHRN Library is an online repository hosted by the IHF which features a 2TB hosting size of different resources. <br /> <br /> ===Photos===<br /> The AHRN Library contains more than 16,000 images of planes and crew, with more being added all of the time. This is one of our first projects to update and expand. <br /> <br /> ===Documents===<br /> The AHRN library contains entire microfilm reels from the USAFHRA including, Accident Reports, Missing Air Crew Reports, Inventory Records, Unit Histories, Mission Logs, and more. <br /> <br /> There are also a number of select documents from the US Navy, including inventory and accident reports. <br /> <br /> A growing number of FAA documents are also included on select airframes, including ownership &amp; registration paperwork, accident reports, airworthiness reports, and other similar documents. <br /> <br /> There are also a number of member-created databases and files on airframes, accidents, and similar cross-reference and look-up tools. <br /> <br /> The library also hosts a series of white papers regarding best practices on research methods, and explorations of new technology within the field.<br /> <br /> ==Individual Members==<br /> Individual members are associated with the organizations who are direct members of the Aviation History Research Network, or they may be honorary members who have been granted status with the Network based on their contributions to the field. <br /> <br /> All researchers on this list are competent and capable researchers, and this list is in no way reflective of their abilities, but rather it is a measure of their involvement and contributions to the Network directly. <br /> <br /> Senior Researchers have a deep invested interest in the success of the AHRN and its member organizations and have contributed significantly to its success, either by contributing documents, material, financial resources, or in other ways of significant importance. This may include white papers, guidebooks and written information, or other documents of a research-related focus. <br /> <br /> Member Researchers have a long history with the AHRN members at large and have contributed information and ideas on an as-needed basis. They are willing to help and assist where they can. <br /> <br /> Associate Researchers are those who have a new relationship with the Network and have simply not yet invested enough time or resources to be counted among the more senior members. They are a very welcome addition to the Network, and we hope that they will become the future of our group. <br /> <br /> ===Senior Researchers===<br /> *Baugher, Joseph, PhD (Honorary) - Baugher's Serial Number Database<br /> *Cantin, David, MBA - Commemorative Air Force<br /> *Clayborn, Johnathan, MS - Invader Historical Foundation<br /> *Fulwiler, Richard - OnMark Aviation Expert<br /> *Henderson, Donald - 13th Bomb Squadron Association<br /> *Prucha, Rick - 416th Bomb Group Archive<br /> *Simpson, Martin J. (Honorary) - Douglas A/B-26 Invader Site<br /> <br /> ===Member Researchers===<br /> *Hammerbeck, Christopher - 12th Bomb Group<br /> *Roeder, Jim - Aviation Historian, Author<br /> *Sayles, Wayne - 416th Bomb Group Archives<br /> *Thompson, Scott - Aviation Historian, Author<br /> *Voss, John - Fuselage Codes<br /> <br /> ===Associate Researchers===<br /> *Miller, Rod - Aviation Addicts &amp; Friends&lt;br/&gt;<br /> *Thomasson, Doyle - Invader Historical Foundation<br /> *Zhou, Jing - B-17 Flying Fortress.de<br /> <br /> ==Organization Members==<br /> *The 12th Bomb Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/220719786577306<br /> *The 13th Bomb Squadron Association - https://13thbombsquadron.net/<br /> *The 416th Bomb Group Archive - https://www.416th.com<br /> *B-17 Flying Fortress - https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/<br /> *USAAF Fuselage Codes - http://fuselagecodes.com/<br /> <br /> ==Research Related Information==<br /> *[[Research Notes]]<br /> *[[Guide to Accident Reports]]<br /> *[https://416th.com/Maps/WWII_Maps.html WWII Maps]<br /> *[https://416th.com/TypicalMission_Formation.html Mission Formation Information]<br /> *[https://416th.com/Aircraft/AircraftIdentifiers.html Aircraft Identifiers]<br /> *[https://416th.com/missions/Mission_LL_And_Target_Info.html Target Identifiers]<br /> *[https://416th.com/Aircraft/DouglasFuselageNumbers.html Nose Numbers] and [[Nose Numbers]]<br /> <br /> ==White Papers==<br /> [[Media:Facial-Recognition-as-a-Tool-for-Archival-Research.pdf|Facial Recognition as a Tool for Archival Research - Johnathan Clayborn, MS, 2022 ]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Reference_Test&diff=9450 2023-03-19T14:28:49Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big &lt;ref&gt;E. Miller, ''The Sun'', (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23–5.&lt;/ref&gt; In fact, it is very big &lt;ref group=&quot;footnotes&quot;&gt; Take their word for it. Don't look directly at the sun!&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TCxiuAZx49a2mUUY_26P8q8IIe6XUB0s/view?usp=sharing]<br /> <br /> ==Notes==<br /> &lt;references group=&quot;footnotes&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> &lt;references /&gt;</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Reference_Test&diff=9449 2023-03-19T14:28:06Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big &lt;ref&gt;E. Miller, ''The Sun'', (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23–5.&lt;/ref&gt; In fact, it is very big &lt;ref group=&quot;footnotes&quot;&gt; Take their word for it. Don't look directly at the sun!&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [File:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TCxiuAZx49a2mUUY_26P8q8IIe6XUB0s/view?usp=sharing]<br /> <br /> ==Notes==<br /> &lt;references group=&quot;footnotes&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> &lt;references /&gt;</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Reference_Test&diff=9448 2023-02-24T14:02:26Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big &lt;ref&gt;E. Miller, ''The Sun'', (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23–5.&lt;/ref&gt; In fact, it is very big &lt;ref group=&quot;footnotes&quot;&gt; Take their word for it. Don't look directly at the sun!&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TCxiuAZx49a2mUUY_26P8q8IIe6XUB0s/view?usp=sharing]]<br /> <br /> ==Notes==<br /> &lt;references group=&quot;footnotes&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> &lt;references /&gt;</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Reference_Test&diff=9447 2023-02-24T14:01:51Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big &lt;ref&gt;E. Miller, ''The Sun'', (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23–5.&lt;/ref&gt; In fact, it is very big &lt;ref group=&quot;footnotes&quot;&gt; Take their word for it. Don't look directly at the sun!&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[Image:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TCxiuAZx49a2mUUY_26P8q8IIe6XUB0s/view?usp=sharing]]<br /> <br /> ==Notes==<br /> &lt;references group=&quot;footnotes&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> &lt;references /&gt;</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Reference_Test&diff=9446 2023-02-24T14:01:38Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big &lt;ref&gt;E. Miller, ''The Sun'', (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23–5.&lt;/ref&gt; In fact, it is very big &lt;ref group=&quot;footnotes&quot;&gt; Take their word for it. Don't look directly at the sun!&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [Image:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TCxiuAZx49a2mUUY_26P8q8IIe6XUB0s/view?usp=sharing]<br /> <br /> ==Notes==<br /> &lt;references group=&quot;footnotes&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> &lt;references /&gt;</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9445 2023-01-24T21:23:23Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Hangar Fire */</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 12 Sep 1998&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;&gt;Calgary Herald - 15 Jul 1984&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt; Ft. MacMurray Times - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 May 1998&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9444 2023-01-24T21:22:20Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Hangar Fire */</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 12 Sep 1998&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;&gt;Calgary Herald - 15 Jul 1984&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt; Ft. MacMurray Times - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 May 1998&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9443 2023-01-24T21:21:19Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Crew */</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 12 Sep 1998&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;&gt;Calgary Herald - 15 Jul 1984&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt; Ft. MacMurray Times - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 May 1998&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9442 2023-01-24T21:20:32Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Crew */</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 12 Sep 1998&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;&gt;Calgary Herald - 15 Jul 1984&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt; Ft. MacMurray Times - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9441 2023-01-24T21:19:53Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Crew */</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 12 Sep 1998&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;&gt;Calgary Herald - 15 Jul 1984&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate - 17 Apr 1992&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt; Ft. MacMurray Times - 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9440 2023-01-24T21:17:07Z

<p>WikiSysop: </p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;&gt;Newspaper Article 12 Sep 1998&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Spray,_Ltd&diff=9439 2023-01-24T21:05:16Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Crew */</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; style=&quot;float:right; margin-left: 10px;&quot;<br /> !colspan=&quot;4&quot;|Air Spray, Ltd<br /> |-<br /> |[[File:Air Spray logo 2017.png|200px|center]]<br /> |-<br /> |'''Founded:''' 1987<br /> |-<br /> |'''Headquarters:''' Edmonton, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Bases:''' Edmonton, Alberta&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Red Deer, Alberta<br /> |-<br /> |'''Status:''' Active<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> = History =<br /> [[File:AirSpray Logo.gif|center|The Original Air Spray logo]]<br /> <br /> Air Spray Ltd. was incorporated in 1954 by Dave Harrington as a crop spraying company in the Wetaskiwin, Alberta area.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ 2015-04-15 &lt;/ref&gt; It later expanded into mosquito control with a contract awarded by the City of Edmonton in 1956. However, in the meantime, the aerial wildfire suppression industry was in its infancy with government agencies seeking a solution to the ever-growing problem of controlling wildfires destroying timber and threatening communities. In response to this need, Air Spray Ltd. was one of a handful of companies in North America that shut down its crop spraying operations and converted its aircraft to fight wildfires.<br /> <br /> With the conversion of two Stearman bi-plane aircraft to the air tanker role, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded the first ever aerial wildfire suppression contract issued by the Alberta Government.  In June 1960, three Air Spray Stearmans flew to New Brunswick to spray for budworms and later in the season fought a large forest fire in British Columbia for the rest of the season.&lt;ref&gt;https://nbstearmans.com/companies-canada/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> [[File:Air Spray Headquarters WM.jpg|300px|right|A photo showing the original Airspray logo on their headquarters building in Edmonton, Canada.]]<br /> <br /> In 1961 Air Spray Ltd. switched to the larger and faster TBM Avenger aircraft to provide Alberta with air tanker services. While the TBM Avenger was a relatively effective air tanker, the industry was looking to a next generation alternative in the form of a faster, medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft. The Douglas Invader was identified as the ideal aircraft to become an air tanker. Built in the United States between 1943 and 1945 and used extensively during the Korean war, its powerful twin Rolls Royce engines provided the aircraft with speed and the ability to carry a large payload of fire retardant.  It also came equipped with a bomb bay ideal for the installation of a tank to hold the retardant. Several companies throughout North America saw the potential of the A26 and the industry rapidly grew with dozens of Invaderss converted to air tankers during the 1960s and 1970s.<br /> <br /> In 1967 Air Spray Ltd. was reincorporated as Air Spray (1967) Ltd. and the company purchased one 1945 Douglas Invader for conversion to an air tanker. After conversion was complete, the company added a Cessna 310 to serve as a birddog aircraft (or lead plane) and Air Spray was awarded a contract for the group by the Province of Alberta. The company was later awarded a contract with the Yukon government for two more Invaders. In 1973 Air Spray's maintenance facilities were relocated from Edmonton, Alberta to the Red Deer Regional Airport at Springbrook, Alberta&lt;ref&gt;https://vancouversun.com/news/Lightning+strikes+highway+collision+spark+season+forest+wildfires/9998731/story.html&lt;/ref&gt; due to the availability of an aircraft hangar and to allow space for expansion. During the next few years, the company expanded, carrying out several seasonal contracts with various provincial governments. The fleet grew an average of one tanker per year, eventually including 22 Invader air tankers (now retired) and 8 Cessna 310 bird dog aircraft operating under contract.<br /> <br /> Air Spray is an Approved Maintenance Organization with Transport Canada&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot;&gt;http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAS-SAC/aooar.aspx?id=104-90&amp;lang=eng&amp;typ=1 &lt;/ref&gt; and a Repair Station with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)&lt;ref&gt;http://av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp?certno=7AQR696N&lt;/ref&gt; and therefore during the summer months, when most firefighting aircraft are on location around the country, the Air Spray staff perform general aircraft maintenance and repairs.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/business/Air_Spray_Aviation_continues_to_grow_254538831.html &lt;/ref&gt; In Canada, Air Spray also carries out maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of general aviation customer aircraft under the trade name of Springbrook Aerospace.&lt;ref name=&quot;management1&quot; /&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has focused on expansion outside of Canada. In 2012 Air Spray expanded its operation into the United States with the establishment of Air Spray USA Inc including an air tanker maintenance facility in Chico, California.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20121031011647/http://www.chicoer.com/fromthenewspaper/ci_21874357/canadian-company-settling-at-chico-airport-converting-plane ''ChicoER.com'', 28 October 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; As well, Air Spray has operated several aircraft in Coahuila&lt;ref&gt;http://www.albertalocalnews.com/business/Air_Spray_flying_to_Mexicos_aid_120958514.html?period=W&amp; &quot;Air Spray flying to Mexico’s aid&quot;&lt;/ref&gt; Mexico to combat wildfires.<br /> <br /> More recently, the company has purchased the BAe 146 passenger jet aircraft for conversion to an air tanker.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.chicoer.com/article/ZZ/20121028/NEWS/121029617 &lt;/ref&gt; Air Spray also added Air Tractor AT-802 &quot;Fire Boss&quot; Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to its fleet in 2013.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3338292-151/tiny-tankers-a-big-help-in-prineville.html &quot;&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray has been involved in fighting many large wildfires including the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire|2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, the 2011 Slave Lake, Alberta wildfire and in 2016, the company was involved in fighting the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire.&lt;ref&gt;CBC New report about the Fort McMurray fire, broadcast May 8, 2016.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In 2018, Air Spray Ltd. was awarded a contract for aerial firefighting by the Government of Manitoba. The Wildfire Suppression Services Contract was issued by the Manitoba Sustainable Development Agency and is for a period of 10 years. Air Spray is working in partnership with Babcock International to carry out the contract. The contract includes the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba's fleet of seven Canadair water-bomber amphibious aircraft (four Canadair CL-415s and three CL-215s), supported by three Twin Commander “bird-dog” aircraft. Manitoba retains ownership of the water-bomber aircraft, parts, inventory, special tools and equipment but care and custody is transferred to the contractors.<br /> <br /> ==Firefighting==<br /> These images show action shots of AirSpray tankers engaged in fire-fighting activities. <br /> <br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew==<br /> *Braden, William &quot;Vance&quot; - Mechanic&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Carelton, Kirk - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Covlin, Richard &quot;Rick&quot; - Assistant to the owner&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Pilot (KIA)&lt;ref name=&quot;CH-15-JUL-1984&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Duncause, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Garrett, Darcy - Maintenance&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Hamilton, Don - Owner&lt;ref name=FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; <br /> *Mains, Bob - Maintenance Manager&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-MAY-1998&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Muise, Perry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Peel, Gordon &quot;Gord&quot; - Operations Manager/Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-17-APR-1992&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Robinson, Berry - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> *Wever, Bert - Pilot&lt;ref name=&quot;12-SEP-1998&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Some photos of the pilots and crew of Airspray. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Air Spray crew WM.jpg|300px|Some of the pilots of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray crew at Dawson City tanker base WM.jpg|300px|Some of the crew at Dawson City tanker base.]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory father in AirSpray tanker 4 (2) wm.jpg|300px|Airspray pilot Jory]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Salvage workers prepare to strip Tanker #3]]<br /> <br /> ===In Memorium===<br /> *Unknown - died 24 Apr 1980, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada<br /> *Davidson, Thomas James - Aged 35 - died 13 Jul 1984, Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br /> <br /> ==Hangar Fire==<br /> On Monday, the 16th of October, 2000, the main hangar facility at Red Deer Airport caught fire and burned to the ground. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Red Deer Advocate, 18 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. The loss was tremendous. One worker, 37-year-old William &quot;Vance&quot; Braden of Red Deer, was hospitalized in critical condition with second and third degree burns covering much of his body. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Fort MacMurray Today, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;. Braden was an airplane mechanic employed by Air Spray and is believed to have started the fire accidentally when sparks ignited aviation fuel inside of a plane that he was working on&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> Firefighters received the call about the blaze at 2:34PM but did not arrive on scene until 2:55PM. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt; The fire smoldered well into the next day and the burning asbestos from the hangar posed a health hazard that forced people to stay away from the site until the afternoon of the 17th. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;<br /> <br /> Not including the loss of the building itself, the company lost an estimated $10 Million dollars in aircraft during the conflagration. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Reports vary from 5 to 7 planes lost in the blaze. &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. Among the confirmed planes destroyed were a $3 Million Lockheed Electra&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;&gt;Edmonton Journal, 19 Oct 2000&lt;/ref&gt;, Douglas Invader Tanker #31 ([[44-35893]]). &lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Turbo Commander bird dog aircraft&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, a Cessna 310 birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;, and a Cessna 120 Birddog&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. In addition to the hangar and the planes, the company also lost all of the spare parts for the entire fleet, plus the majority of the tools used to maintain the planes&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=EJ-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;. <br /> <br /> The group of 35 mechanics who typically maintain the planes during the winter months were used in repairing and rebuilding the fleet in time for the next fire season in Apr 2001&lt;ref name=&quot;RDA-18-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;FMT-19-OCT-2000&quot;/&gt;.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Red Deer Advocate - 18 Oct 2000-2.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Edmonton Journal - 18 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> [[File:Fort McMurray Today - 19 Oct 2000.png|300px]]<br /> <br /> =Aircraft=<br /> <br /> The WW2 era A-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers by fitting the old bomb bay with a 900 US gallon aluminum tank to hold the retardant or slurry, a mixture of clay, water and dye which is released over a fire.&lt;ref&gt;Bell, Gord &quot;History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service&quot; November 2011 published by BC Forest Service&lt;/ref&gt; The A-26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Flying at a speed of 210 knots, the A-26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet.<br /> <br /> In 1986 Air Spray was awarded a contract by the Alberta Government for the operation and maintenance of four Canadair CL-215 air tankers. Air Spray operated and maintained the four aircraft for 17 years. In 1998, Air Spray purchased two Canadair CL-215 aircraft and was the first private owner and operator of this type of aircraft in the world. A third CL215 aircraft expanded the range of operation to include forest fire suppression missions in Yukon, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In early 2009 the Air Spray CL215 aircraft were sold to Turkish Aeronautical Association.<br /> <br /> In 1994, Air Spray added to its fleet the Lockheed L-188 Electra, a fast, maneuverable turboprop plane which was converted to carry large loads of fire retardant (3000 US gallons). The more powerful vehicle contributed to a better margin of safety for pilots. Air Spray used the Electra in British Columbia firefighting operations in 1994 and did so for Alberta a year later. The larger turbine aircraft eventually took over the work of the A-26 fleet which was retired at the end of the fire season in 2004.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20130215093821/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/content/view/3584/38/&lt;/ref&gt; In 2013, Air Spray had the largest fleet of L-188 air tankers in the world.&lt;ref&gt;http://www.osoyoostimes.com/airborne-firefighters-are-only-minutes-away-from-assisting-those-in-and-around-osoyoos/ &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Spray approached the former Aero Union in California to manufacture a tank for the L-188 Electra that would surpass the existing 12 door tank used by the industry on some air tanker aircraft at the time. After certification by Air Spray, the Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) was installed on the L-188 Electra. This improved design consisted of two doors operated by an on-board computer to control the amount of the opening releasing the retardant at any one time, from a long straight line to a full drop of 3,000 US gallons of retardant, better meeting the individual demands of each fire situation. Air Spray is the current owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RADS tank for the Electra L-188 air tanker.<br /> <br /> In addition to its fleet of air tankers, Air Spray has operated a number of &quot;bird dog&quot; aircraft in support of its air tanker activities.&lt;ref&gt;https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090902/http://www.springbrookwaskasoo.com/news1104.htm &lt;/ref&gt; The crew aboard the bird dog includes a pilot and one or two air attack officers (AAO), who locate the fire, determine the optimal flight path for the following tanker, and recommend effective retardant dispersal patterns.<br /> <br /> ==Paint Schemes==<br /> Air spray used several different paint schemes over the years. <br /> <br /> Among the earliest Paint Schemes was this style, dated 1973. The plane was mostly white, with a blue tail and trim. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]]<br /> <br /> Airspray's next paint scheme was an all-yellow paint scheme with black numbers and the name &quot;Airspray&quot; in big block letters down the side of the aircraft. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> <br /> The third and final paint scheme was also all-yellow, but the planes now featured nose-art in addition to the black numbers. Black stripes ran the length of the plane. This photo was taken in May 1995 and shows the third paint scheme in use by that time. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> <br /> ==Fleet==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Tail Number<br /> !USAF S/N <br /> !Canadian Registry<br /> !Nose Type<br /> !Name<br /> !Arrived<br /> !Left<br /> !Comments<br /> |-<br /> |1<br /> |[[44-35875]]<br /> |C-FPGF<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Firefighter<br /> |1970<br /> |2004<br /> |Was airworthy Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |2<br /> |[[44-35898]]<br /> |C-FPGP<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Holy Smoke<br /> |July 1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3328G, airworthy Sep 2004.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Sold and sent to Randall MacFarlane of Brisbane, Australia. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show that she was disassembled and may have been sold to Adelaide Warbirds of Parafield, Adelaide, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |3<br /> |[[43-22660]]<br /> |C-FEZX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |The Lost Invader<br /> |1989<br /> |29 Jun 2000<br /> |Written off near Grande Prairie, Alberta 29 Jun 2000&lt;br&gt;<br /> Wreckage stored dismantled at Red Deer. <br /> |-<br /> |4<br /> |[[44-35444]]<br /> |C-FTFB<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |White Flag&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Miss Red Deer<br /> |1971<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N7656C. Was airworthy in Sep 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> January, 2012 - Moved to Taiwan for display at the Air Force Museum next to RoCAF Academy in Kangshan, Taiwan as a &quot;Black Bat&quot;.<br /> |-<br /> |5<br /> |[[44-35217]]<br /> |C-FFIM<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1983<br /> |13 Jul 1984<br /> |Written off near Calgary, Alberta 13 July 1984<br /> |-<br /> |6<br /> |[[44-34724]]<br /> |C-FBVH<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |<br /> |24 Apr 1980<br /> |Written off near Slave Lake, Alberta 24 Apr 1980<br /> |-<br /> |8<br /> |[[44-34738]]<br /> |C-GWLU<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Old Yeller<br /> |May 1975<br /> |16 Oct 2000<br /> |Ex/ N600D, damaged beyond repair in hangar fire at Red deer 16 Oct 2000<br /> |-<br /> |9<br /> |[[44-35581]]<br /> |C-GWJG<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Jun 1976<br /> |1 Jul 1982<br /> |Written off near Watson Lake, Yukon 01 Jul 1982<br /> |-<br /> |10<br /> |[[44-35708]]<br /> |C-GXGY<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |Dec 1976<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N5530V, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last records show sent to Classic Aircraft Museum of Hillsboro, Oregon.&lt;br&gt;<br /> It is still on display there, now named &quot;Lead Sled&quot;. <br /> |-<br /> |11<br /> |[[44-35661]]<br /> |C-FCBK<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1979<br /> |12 Aug 2004<br /> |Written off at High Level, Alberta 12 Aug 2004<br /> |-<br /> |12<br /> |[[44-35524]]<br /> |C-FCUI<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Silver Fox<br /> |22 Jun 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9401Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.<br /> |-<br /> |13<br /> |[[44-35857]]<br /> |C-FZTC<br /> |<br /> |Pogo 2O&lt;br&gt;<br /> Lucky Jack<br /> |Aug 1979<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9300R&lt;br&gt;<br /> Present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |14<br /> |[[44-34523]]<br /> |C-GTOX<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Hasta Luego<br /> |Jan 1982<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9174Z, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold 18 Oct 2010 to Robin P. Murray of Strathmore, Australia. <br /> |-<br /> |20<br /> |[[44-34136]]<br /> |C-FKBM<br /> |<br /> |Not Named<br /> |2 May 1985<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N8017E. &lt;br&gt;<br /> Still present at Reed Deer Airport as of Feb 2022. <br /> |-<br /> |26<br /> |[[43-22653]]<br /> |C-GPTW<br /> |<br /> |Fire Kat<br /> |1989<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N9402Z&lt;br/&gt;<br /> She was sold to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, Australia in 2010. &lt;br&gt;<br /> satellite images show that the plane sat as a derelict without her tail or control surfaces until 2019 when the museum closed. By 2021 the entire site has been demolished and all of the planes are gone. Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |27<br /> |[[44-35810]]<br /> |C-GPUC<br /> |Glass Nose<br /> |Not Named<br /> |1981<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N9403Z, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |31<br /> |[[44-35893]]<br /> |C-GHCC<br /> |<br /> |No Sweat<br /> |1982<br /> |16 Oct 2004<br /> |Ex/ N4812E, destroyed Air Spray hangar fire 16 Oct 2004<br /> |-<br /> |32<br /> |[[44-35948]]<br /> |C-GHLX<br /> |<br /> |Bugs<br /> |15 Jul 1987<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N161H&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Now with Champagne Aviation Museum, Urbana, Ohio. It is planned to be restored but is currently not airworthy. <br /> |-<br /> |36<br /> |[[44-35456]]<br /> |C-FAGO<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Dragon Lady<br /> |20 Apr 1983<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N330WC, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br/&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sold to Minter Field Air Museum, Shafter,CA &lt;br&gt;<br /> Satellite images show it parked behind the museum still wearing the Airspray colors as of Feb 2022. No work has been done on the plane. <br /> |-<br /> |56<br /> |[[44-35497]]<br /> |C-FOVC<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Safe Passage<br /> |1995<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N3426G, was airworthy Sep 2004&lt;br?<br /> Current status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |58<br /> |[[44-34121]]<br /> |C-GHZM<br /> |<br /> |Fire Eaters<br /> |18 Jan 2001<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N4804E, purchased for spares use. Still present at Red Deer Feb 2022.<br /> |-<br /> |98<br /> |[[44-34778]]<br /> |C-GWLT<br /> |Hard Nose<br /> |Trail of 98<br /> |May 1975<br /> |2004<br /> |Ex/ N67943, previously flown as Tanker 7.&lt;br&gt;<br /> Last notes show it was sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba and painted as a Canadian warbird, flown in the airshow circuit. &lt;br&gt;<br /> After more than a decade it was put up for sale in 2019, present status is unknown. <br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As of September 2019, Transport Canada lists 43 aircraft registered to Air Spray.&lt;ref name=&quot;tcfleet&quot;&gt;TCregister Air Spray 2019-09-22&lt;/ref&gt; As of February 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists six AT802A Air Tractors to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee. (N349AS, N358AS, N376AS, N379AS, N397AS, N398AS)&lt;ref name=&quot;faa&quot;&gt;http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=0390308&amp;Statetxt=UT&amp;conVal=0&amp;PageNo=1 &lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> In addition Transport Canada lists a Douglas A-26 Invader but with a cancelled certificate.&lt;ref&gt;https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12014&amp;rfr=RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7C%7C&amp;mn=%7C%7C&amp;sn=%7C%7C&amp;on=AIR+SPRAY%7C&amp;m=%7C%7C&amp;print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details CF-ZTC&lt;/ref&gt; There are, at last count, three derelict Invaders parked at the Red Deer Airport that were ex-Air Spray craft that have been dropped from inventory.<br /> <br /> ==Accidents and incidents==<br /> * June 30, 2000: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FEZX) air tanker was extensively damaged in a forced landing near the Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta. As the pilot made his approach to runway 25, he advised the air traffic controller that he had lost power in one of his engines. Moments later, he lost power in the second engine. After realizing he wasn't going to make the runway, he initiated a crash landing. The Invader came down in a field near the airport, bounced back into the air again, and then hit the ground and slid about 400 ft before colliding with a road bank which spun the aircraft around and tore off the left engine. The pilot suffered minor injuries. It was later determined that the airplane had run out of fuel.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2000C0585 Air Spray (ASB 3)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> * August 12, 2004: An Air Spray Douglas B26C Invader (C-FCBK) was on departure from High Level Airport, Alberta, to Rainbow Lake, Alberta, when the pilot rejected the takeoff run at approximately 90 knots due to a power loss on one of the engines. The pilot released the load of fire retardant on the runway, however the aircraft was unable to stop in the remaining distance and came to rest in a drainage ditch approximately 1,200 ft beyond the threshold of the runway, spilling a significant amount of fuel. The aircraft was substantially damaged, however there was no post impact fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant sustained serious injuries.&lt;ref&gt;accident 2004C1528 Air Spray (ASB 11)&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> =Bases=<br /> [[File:Airspray Bases.png|1000px|center]]&lt;br&gt;<br /> From these bases, AirSpray could provide forest fire-fighting capabilities to anywhere in Alberta. Edmonton was the headquarters, and Red Deer was a major base. The rest of the bases appear to have been smaller bases used on an as-needed basis. <br /> <br /> *Dawson City<br /> *Edmonton<br /> *Ft. McMurry<br /> *Ft. Smith<br /> *Loon River<br /> *Pincher Creek<br /> *Red Deer<br /> *Steen River<br /> <br /> ==Red Deer==<br /> This was a tanker base that AirSpray used to fight forest fires from. After the Invader fleet was retired in 2004, they were placed into storage at Red Deer.<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Aug 2002 shows Red Deer Airport with 2 &quot;Squadrons&quot; of Air Spray planes present. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Aug 2002.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> This satellite photo from Apr 2005 shows Red Deer airport with all of the remaining Invaders, 14 in total, in open storage after being retired at the end of 2004. &lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:Red Deer - Apr 2005.png|600px]]<br /> <br /> =Images=<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (5) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (6)Andy Graf WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Andy Graf showing 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1. Red Deer, CAN. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 (3) Yakfreak WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Yakfreak Showing a close-up of the nose art on 44-35875 as C-FPGF in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray Tanker 1 WM 1 Jan 87.jpg|300px|A head-on photo of Tanker #1 taken on 1 Jan 1987.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray 1 with ladder down. Via Michael Sowsun WM.jpg|300px|A Michael Sowsun photo of Airspray Tanker #1 in flight.]]<br /> [[File:44-35875. C-FPGF. AirSpray 1 WM.jpg|300px|A beautiful shot of the plane in her Air Spray livery.]]<br /> [[File:Tanker 1. Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Ruud Leeuw showing 44-35975 after being retired from service.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. Calgary Int 1973.Dave Welch WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Dave Welch showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd at the Calgary International Airport in 1973.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (6) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. Ex-John Lear. Ex-Airspray. Owned by MacFarland in Australia. 2006 WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (3) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (4) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (2). Michael Besenthal WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Michael Besenthal showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (7) WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2 (5). Steve Tournay. 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Photo by Steve Tournay showing 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd in 1995.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray Holy Smoke WM.jpg|300px|A close-up show of the nose art while in the service of Air Spray.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898. CF-PGP. AirSpray 2. John Olafson WM .jpg|300px|Photo by John Olafson showing 44-35898's nose art while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Tanker 2. Robert Frola wm.jpg|300px|A Robert Frola image of 44-45898 as Air Spray Tanker #2]]<br /> [[File:Dirk Jory with AirSpray tanker2 WM.jpg|300px|Pilot Dirk Jory pictured with 44-35898 while in the service of Air Spray, Ltd.]]<br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-7. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]] <br /> [[File:44-35898 undergoing disassembly in Australia Sep 2017-6. Reevers WM.jpg|300px|44-35898 while being disassembled in Australia.]]<br /> <br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (2) WM.jpg|300px|Air Spray Tanker #3 wearing an unusual paint scheme.]] <br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Los Iinvader in Ft Mcmurry wm.jpg|300px|Air Spray, Ltd Tanker #3, 43-22660, at Ft. McMurry, Canada. Date unknown.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader wm.jpg|300px|A close-up shot of the nose art for Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 reload at Ft Mcmurry WM.jpg|300px|A photo showing Tanker #3 at Fort McMurry, Canada]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray tanker 3 on a practice run wm.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (16) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 on a practice run while serving with Air Spray]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray Drop (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 dropping slurry on a forest fire.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (3) WM.jpg|300px|43-22660 as Air Spray Tanker #3. Date and location unknown.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 at Pincher Creek WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 during operations at Pincher Creek.]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Red Deer. May 1995 WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 at Red Deer Airport, May 1995]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 Crash landing wm.jpg|300px|A photo showing the crash landing of 43-22660 as tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray The Lost Invader Ruud Leeuw WM.jpg|300px|A Ruud Leeuw photo showing the crash damage to Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3. Crash Landing WM.jpg|300px|An unknown person standing next to Tanker #3 after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:Airspray tanker 3 Crash (2) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 preparing to be salvaged after the crash.]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 wm.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:AirSpray 3 in Red Deer 2002 - 2.jpg|300px|A 2002 photo showing the remains of Tanker 3 after being stripped for parts]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew (2) WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:Airspray crew WM.jpg|300px|Workers in the process of stripping Tanker #3]]<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (4) WM.jpg|150px|Tanker #3 in flight over Canada]]<br /> <br /> =Research Notes=<br /> Look into this photo. Tanker #3 was allegedly written off in 1982, but Tanker #3 allegedly didn't join the fleet until 1989, seven years later. So how can they be in the same photo together?&lt;br&gt;<br /> [[File:43-22660. C-FEZX. AirSpray 3 (5) WM.jpg|300px|Tanker #3 (center) flanked by Tanker #10 (in white, left) and Tanker #9 (right) sometime before 1982.]]<br /> <br /> =References=<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Air Spray]]</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Commando_Chronicles&diff=9438 2023-01-22T03:42:24Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Epilogue */</p> <hr /> <div>IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity's sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. <br /> <br /> https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/1534082/Robert-L-Gleason<br /> <br /> =Contents=<br /> <br /> =Forward=<br /> <br /> =Introduction=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 1=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 2=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 3=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 4=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 5=<br /> =Chapter 6=<br /> =Chapter 7=<br /> =Chapter 8=<br /> =Chapter 9=<br /> =Chapter 10=<br /> =Chapter 11=<br /> =Chapter 12=<br /> =Chapter 13=<br /> =Chapter 14=<br /> =Epilogue=<br /> <br /> As this narrative makes clear, my military career was strongly influenced by two larger-than-life figures -- General Curtis E. LeMay and Brigadier General Benjamin King. General LeMay was a person of much renown, admired and almost worshiped by those who knew him. He was also disliked and distrusted by others who only thought they knew him. General LeMay spent the majority of his military career in the highest echelons of power interacting -- and often clashing -- with the political and industrial giants of his time.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> Brigadier General Benjamin King was most at home in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft or commanding a cutting-edge tactical unit. He was most comfortable when interacting with privates, NCOs, and officers of the line.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> Some of the recognition that has eluded Ben King throughout most of his military career is now beginning to come forth. In 1995, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, a coveted award that he now shares with such notables and aviation giants as Wiley Post, Brigadier General Robinson Risner, Colonel James Jabara, and others of equal stature. As one may expect, the person who gave his introduction speech was General John. L. Piotrowski.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ==Ben King==<br /> A final tale.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> It is fitting that I close my memoirs with a final tale involving Ben King that occurred a few months after I had started my last Air Force active duty assignment with the CORONA HARVEST study group. After I had been there for a few weeks, my phone rang. When I answered I heard, &quot;Hello, Bob, this is Ben King. I have been reading your mail.&quot; King often starts a conversation with an expression that either bewilders you or immediately puts you on the defensive -- it must be an old fighter pilot tactic to always seek a position of advantage. Because I had not seen or heard from the General in about seven years, I was bewildered. After expressing my pleasure to be speaking with him, I asked what he meant about the &quot;reading my mail&quot; comment, and he responded that a while back he had been detailed as the president of a selection board for promoting officers to the rank of permanent Colonel. Suddenly the light came on.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> About a year earlier, while serving as Deputy Chief, MACVSOG in Vietnam, I had been notified by Air Force Headquarters that I had been passed over for promotion to the rank of permanent Colonel. I had been a temporary Colonel for several years. By way of explanation, the reader should know that the normal progression to the rank of Colonel was to first be promoted to a temporary rank for a few years and if your performance was satisfactory, a permanent promotion would follow.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> In my case I had one problem. During the latter days as Commander of the 605th Air Commando Group, an incident had occurred that resulted in a letter of admonition written to me from the Commander, U.S. Air Force Southern Command. In brief, this incident had involved a party given for our Squadron by the West Virginia Air National Guard, the unit that had been training with us in Panama for about a month. The party had been held in the Officers Club swimming pool area. A few men had stayed on, following the party. About midnight I was awakened and told that one of my officers had drowned in the pool. Although I had left the party about 6:00 p.m., as Commander I was still held accountable. Thus the letter of admonition. (It stopped short of a reprimand.) I had already been selected for promotion to the grade of temporary Colonel, so my next record review was for permanent Colonel; and then up popped this letter.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> When I received the pass-over notification I was furious. The only recourse was to write a letter of appeal. I was advised by the senior USAF Personnel officer in Saigon that I would be wasting my time, for no one had ever heard of a case in which an appeal changed the decision of a permanent promotion board. Nevertheless, I wrote several pages of intemperate prose outlining why I should not have been passed over. I did not challenge the letter of admonition. I did however, stridently defend my record, both forward and backward, and included my volunteering for JUNGLE JIM, although I still could not reveal the nature of that early interview. I emphasized my several tours in Vietnam (all voluntary), including my present assignment as deputy to Colonel (later Major General) Jack Singlaugh, who had requested me for this position. I then drew a sharp contrast between my service record and the service of a number of unnamed Colonels in the Pentagon who had requested an early retirement rather that go to Vietnam even once. It was an angry two-page letter, and I knew that some of those non-combat-type officers might well be serving on the review board. If so, I would be dead. From what I had been told, however, I had little to lose.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> I was notified a few months later that I had been granted a permanent promotion. At the time I thought that the letter I wrote must have been a hell of a good effort. Little did I know that my old Commander was the president of that board.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> However, in the phone conversation Ben King said that my letter made his position very easy to uphold, and that all except one member of the board voted in my favor. Maybe. Maybe not. In any event, Ben King, true to his colors clear to the end, added,&quot;Bob, the only officer who voted against you was a stupid-ass Colonel from SAC who probably spent his entire military career running post exchanges and commissaries.&quot; On previous occasions when King would lash out at SAC or bomber pilots I would tactfully deflect the comment. This time, however, I was compelled to agree with the General.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> For all of General King’s many friends, I add this: the old fighter pilot’s pilot may be a little worn in body but he is still stout in heart. After retiring, he started performing in the amateur rodeo circuit in Arizona. He was, as he puts it, a team roper, heading and heeling steers. He kept this up until the horse, which he had ridden for 16 years, began to grow tired — not King mind you — just the horse. Since he was one of the few rodeo ropers who still had five fingers on both hands, he decided to give the horse a break and retire.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> And so, it was back to the cockpit for King, but now in his own Cessna. For a few years he served in the Arizona Civil Air Patrol (CAP). There he was one of only two fully qualified instrument pilots in that unit. Although no longer in the CAP, Ben continues to fly, spending his summers in Alaska, Canada, or the Northern United States. In the winter he trucks on down to Mexico and fishes. He is six years out of his latest cancer operation (in his throat area) and is doing well. As one of his fishing buddies, retired Commando &quot;Iwo&quot; Kimes, puts it, &quot;Ben can pack a full week’s supply of chow into a small satchel. About 15 cans of Ensure.&quot;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> * * *<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> The most memorable events of these years of my life centered not around what I did or did not do. Rather, they focus on the achievements of others. It is impossible for me to recall each person’s individual accomplishments. Any successful Commander is a reflection of the men behind him. And in that regard, one element of the Command Force deserves special recognition — the non-commissioned officer corps. In an outfit like ours, this is particularly true, and there is a reason for it. These people were given much more responsibilities and opportunities for initiative than in other Air Force units, and they delivered.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> Some I have covered in this narrative. Others include such stalwarts as Dan Fletcher, a C-46 crew chief; First Sergeant Markham; Jerry Giesler; Harry Bishop; and Bennie Williams. They represent just the tip of a iceberg of this outstanding talent pool. I add to this list an equal number of dedicated officers such as Captain Loris Miller, Bruce Jennings, Captain Ross Hobby, Floyd Amundson, and scores of others whose names and faces are stored forever on my mind’s hard drive but are not immediately recoverable. Unlike the iceberg that sank the H.M.S. Titanic, this iceberg kept the Commandos afloat. Many are dead now, but none are forgotten.<br /> <br /> =Appendix A=<br /> ==A Positive Perspective==<br /> <br /> They did not die in vain.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> One of the most difficult things for many Vietnam veterans is to find a convincing and redeeming answer to the question, &quot;Was it worth it?&quot; While researching material for this book, I came upon the following e-mail submission on the TLC &quot;Brotherhood&quot; network (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia).&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> These musings, more than any document, official or unofficial, that I had previously read, nicely encapsulates a thoughtful and persuasive answer to this agonizing question.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> The author of this letter is Colonel Jimmie H. Butler, USAF (Ret.). Colonel Butler is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a highly decorated Vietnam veteran with over 240 combat missions to his credit. He is the author of several works, both fictional and nonfictional dealing with the Vietnam conflict. His Air War College thesis, Crickets on a Steel Tiger, won him the Air Force Historical Foundation’s highest award in 1980.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> Colonel Butler lives in Colorado Springs where he established the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in 1993. He is presently writing A Special Calling, a thriller about international terrorism in a space-age environment.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> His e-mail letter to the TLC Brotherhood network follows:&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''One of the lessons of the Vietnam war was that we had to try a lot of different schemes, tactics and weapons to try and overcome the handicaps of the rules we fought under. When people point out to me that we sacrificed 58,000 lives and for what results, I think in terms of some of the things we tried that built up the effectiveness of the combat forces of the U.S. Some of these lessons would have made some difference if we ever had ever taken on the Russians in open combat, and some made a big difference in Desert Storm.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Some examples: Tactical air refueling: Prior to the Vietnam War, air refueling had been almost the exclusive preserve of SAC, (Strategic Air Command), and for TAC, (Tactical Air Command), employments to get fighters across the oceans. In SEA (Southeast Asia) the air refueling inbound and outbound of a large strike force of fighters became a routine day to day operation. Helicopter Gun ships: Enough said.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Air Rescue Behind Enemy Lines: Some was done in Korea, but I don’t think the U.S. had anything like the resources that deployed to SEA and rescued so many downed crew members. Think about how we started with HHA3 Huskies (helicopters) in 1965 and emerged with HH-53 Super Jollies helicopters by the end of the war. Aeromedical Advances: Again, the old Bell helicopters brought some casualties to MASH (field hospital) units in Korea, but probably nothing compared to the advancements of Dust-Off (emergency medical evacuation from the battlefield), and other helicopter pickups that rushed many wounded soldiers to advanced field hospitals. When my roommate was diagnosed with TB (later re-diagnosed as suffering from meliodosis) in December 1967, he was out of NKP (a military base in Thailand) by the time I finished my current combat mission and was in Japan by that evening. From 1965 to 1970 (minus my year at NKP), I was traveling back and forth across the pond in C-141s. I didn’t keep track of the number of times when my aircraft had been reconfigured as an airborne hospital ward to fly injured troops back to better medical care in the states.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Smart Bombs: In 1967 we seldom hit the Dormer Bridge no matter how many fighter pilots, 2,000 pound bombs, etc., that we threw at it. When we went back north in 1972 after the NVA’s spring offensive I think that Smart Bombs took spans down on the first mission against the bridge. In 1967, some of the F-105s came in with Bullpup bombs. I think the fighter pilot had to follow its image and try to guide it with some kind of joy stick as he followed the Bullpup toward the target. We tried to use them against caves with only limited success. Sometimes they went ballistic and flew wherever the Bullpup decided to go with the kinetic energy it had available. Jay Hayes came back one day in his O-1 aircraft with a claim that a ballistic Bullpup had circled him on a somewhat random path.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Day to Day Control of Tactical Air Power: We learned a great deal about controlling high-speed fighters in battle areas that didn’t lend themselves to the fighter pilot being able to see and identify targets. Combining hundreds of airborne FACS (forward air controllers) with an Airfield Battlefield Command and Control Center aircraft (C-130Es flying as Cricket, Alley Cat, Moonbeam) proved the advantage of having battlefield commanders in the air and much nearer the battles than the staffs at 7th AF could ever be. Certainly there was too much micro management, but a lot of dedicated people helped negate some of those problems. You could argue that those experiences helped prove the concept of an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft, which of course grew to have their own radar aboard.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''We also proved the importance of having an airborne FAC who could race to the sound of battle (even if only at 80 knots) and take charge as a set of eyes that could see so much more than the embattled ground commander. Actually the Vietnam War was kind of a window of opportunity for FACS. We proved ourselves to be much more than just an airborne observers with the opportunity to perform many more functions than we did in World War II and Korea. We also proved that the slow FAC would be obsolete against the massed air defenses of the Warsaw Pact charging west across the Iron Curtain. Vietnam brought the testing of Fast FACS: Misty FACS flying F-105s across the DMZ (demilitarized zone) and directing air strikes in Tally Ho, the part of the North Vietnamese panhandle nearest to South Vietnam. Steve Ritchie (the only USAF fighter ace to emerge from the Vietnam War) told me he flew some of the first Fast FAC missions to control air strikes in areas too hot for Cessnas’.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Three of four FACS from the 23rd TASS, (Tactical Air Support Squadron), were sent on TDY, (temporary duty), to Ubon in April/May 1967 to ride in the back seats of jet fighters and provide a FACs expertise in using 1:50,000 scale maps to help strike targets in Mu Gia, after Lee Harley’s loss on 6 February had proven that Mu Gia’s defenses were much too tough for FACS flying 80-knot Bird Dogs.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Night/All Weather Ops: In 1967 we deployed four (I believe) F-111s to Udom (I think) and promptly lost two of them, if my memory is correct. They went out and didn’t come back. I heard later that some of the monsoon raindrops were of a size that somehow blanked out radar returns from the terrain-following radar being used in 1967. So we learned some lessons the hard way. However, such lessons led to improvements and tactics that would have let us take nuke weapons into Russia at low levels if the Russians had ever decided to take us on. Maybe that’s part of why the Russians never did.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Side-Firing Gunships: We went from Spooky (early slow flying aircraft) to Spector and on to Shadow, (more modern upgraded aircraft), in a very few years. You can all offer other examples that I haven’t come up with in this unplanned discussion. When I look back, I certainly would have felt better if my friends and all the others hadn’t been lost in a war that we didn’t win. However, I still claim that their sacrifices, and the service that everyone of us offered, was not in vain. Because we would go when called and serve with dedication and honor, the Soviets had a much trickier problem than if most of us had said &quot;screw it and let me know in Canada when the Vietnam War is over.&quot; We learned some damned tough lessons and paid a high price. However, considering how poorly the Russians learned their lessons in Afghanistan maybe we didn’t do so bad. Perhaps they learned that massive brute forced didn’t always carry the day in a protracted war. Their later demonstrations in Chechyna suggest the Russians didn’t learn enough in Afghanistan.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''So, in Vietnam, we lost the battle, but we helped win the cold war. Who knows whether or not the Russians might finally have tried us if it hadn’t been for those tough lessons we learned in the Vietnam War.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Continue to be proud. We answered the call when others didn’t, and we made a difference.&lt;br&gt;''<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Jimmie H. Butler''&lt;br&gt;<br /> ''Vietnam Veteran and Proud of it.''<br /> <br /> =Appendix B=<br /> ==Songs of FARM GATE==<br /> Air Commando songs from the early days, on the first trip to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1961, led by their “fearless leader,” Colonel Ben “WOULDN’T SAY NO” King. (From the collection of Eugene D. Rossel)<br /> <br /> The Land of the Great Monsoon<br /> (Tune: North to Alaska)<br /> We all left from Fort Walton in the Year of ’61&lt;br&gt;<br /> Along with Col King on a flight that was no fun&lt;br&gt;<br /> We went to trash the Viet Cong in the land of the great Monsoon&lt;br&gt;<br /> How did we get there? By an overloaded Goon.<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your feet are getting rotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your names have been forgotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> The bug bites itch like a son-of-a-bitch&lt;br&gt;<br /> In the land of the great Monsoon<br /> <br /> We pulled out of Montana for the land of the midnight sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> And when we got to Whitehorse we landed all but one,&lt;br&gt;<br /> Frank overflew that Yukon town on a nite that was so black&lt;br&gt;<br /> He had to make Alaska for there was no turning back<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Col bought an engine in the land of the ice and snow&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ground crew changed it quickly because we had to go&lt;br&gt;<br /> We lumbered down the Aleutian chain headed for Adak&lt;br&gt;<br /> The prop ice on the fuselage reminded us of flak&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We blasted off from Adak and the clouds were all around&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ice was bad, the weather sad, but we were Midway bound&lt;br&gt;<br /> The west wind lashed our ancient craft with a mighty force&lt;br&gt;<br /> And Maheu and Tegge were ninety miles off course<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> When we touched down at Midway it was dark as it could be&lt;br&gt;<br /> And it wasn’t any lighter when we got up at three&lt;br&gt;<br /> We took the active runway as dawn began to break&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sixty thousand gooney birds saw us off to Wake<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Now Wake’s a little island where Marines made history&lt;br&gt;<br /> And how our gooney’s got there is still a mystery&lt;br&gt;<br /> We descended on the Colonel with grog and a two piece band&lt;br&gt;<br /> And by seven in the evening the mob was out of hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Songs of the Gooney (SC-47 Crews)==<br /> (Tune: Cigarettes &amp; Whiskey)<br /> <br /> Gather around flyboys, I’ll sing you a tune&lt;br&gt;<br /> Of life with the Air Force and four ancient goons&lt;br&gt;<br /> They shook and they shuddered, protesting each mile&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they crossed the Pacific from isle to isle<br /> <br /> Departing one morning from old number nine&lt;br&gt;<br /> To Destin the Crestview for one final time&lt;br&gt;<br /> Off for Montana all day in the sky&lt;br&gt;<br /> Watching the US and A pass on by<br /> <br /> Commander’s decisions, last minute revisions&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> Next morning at four we were up and around&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through headwinds and snowstorms the goons thundered on&lt;br&gt;<br /> Three stopped at Whiethorse, but Owens went by&lt;br&gt;<br /> Oh! Elmendorf radar, oh where the hell am I<br /> <br /> The next leg’s to Adak, an island of stone&lt;br&gt;<br /> It seemed that good fortune had left us alone&lt;br&gt;<br /> We wondered why we flew this route straight to Hell&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Niles had picked it and he’s TAC Eval&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The V.C. and snake bites and bugs that bite all night&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The trip down to Midway was filled with remorse&lt;br&gt;<br /> The nav’s all had trouble with the line they called course&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through UHF DF we all got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> And came into Midway, that blundering herd<br /> <br /> One day to Wake another to Guam&lt;br&gt;<br /> They seemed like short trips to our prop driven bomb&lt;br&gt;<br /> Then on to Bien Hoa in the final test&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Lewis decided it’s time for a rest<br /> <br /> The couriers and Recon on the banks of the Mekong&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane<br /> <br /> We finally made Bien Hoa, but things here are sad&lt;br&gt;<br /> The commander is worried, morale is so bad&lt;br&gt;<br /> But he has a solution that will fix all that&lt;br&gt;<br /> A guaranteed genuine good morale hat<br /> <br /> Each week we’re inspected by Generals from Clark&lt;br&gt;<br /> They get here in daylight and leave before dark&lt;br&gt;<br /> But we’ve still got spirit, desire still burns&lt;br&gt;<br /> That someday we’ll rotate and never return<br /> <br /> The faucets they all fail, there’s no pay and no mail&lt;br&gt;<br /> It drives you crazy, it drives you insane<br /> <br /> <br /> ==The TF-28 Fighter Pilots Song==<br /> The fighter jock were fearless when they left the old home shore&lt;br&gt;<br /> They spanned the Blue Pacific in their F-124&lt;br&gt;<br /> They thought the ride on “Shakey” wasn’t very great&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they never could have made it in their TF-28<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We’re finally all together at the station of Bien Hoa&lt;br&gt;<br /> The B-26 boys are the worst we ever saw&lt;br&gt;<br /> They never miss a briefing, they’ve always got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> But you can’t fly any mission when you haven’t got a bird<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We finally got a mission in this foreign distant land&lt;br&gt;<br /> The jocks made practice air strikes, while we dropped bags of sand&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sometimes in the evening when we were free of cares&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Colonel gets us out of bed to drop a hundred flares<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> You new boys do not listen, pay no heed to what we’ve said &lt;br&gt;<br /> Bien Hoa’s a bed of roses, but we’d rather be at Stead&lt;br&gt;<br /> So hide your apprehension and conceal your many fears&lt;br&gt;<br /> Take comfort in remembering that you are volunteers<br /> <br /> <br /> =Appendix C=<br /> ==Roster of the Original JUNGLE JIM Organization==<br /> <br /> ===4400TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> United States Air Force &lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr 9, Florida<br /> <br /> Rated Officers&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDER 3 August 1961 (NUMBER P-10)<br /> <br /> Under the Provisions of Paragraph 7 Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers, this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1, Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • COL BENJAMIN H KING <br /> • CAPT DAVID L MURPHY<br /> • LT COL ROBERT L GLEASON <br /> • CAPT AARON L NILES JR<br /> • LT COL CHESTER A JACK <br /> • CAPT FRANKLIN G OWENS<br /> • MAJ RICHARD N BROUGHTON <br /> • CAPT JOHN R PATTEE<br /> • MAJ JOHN L DOWNING <br /> • CAPT RUBEN H PATTERSON<br /> • MAJ HOMA B STILLWELL <br /> • CAPT JOHN L PIOTROWSKI<br /> • CAPT THOMAS L BIGGERS <br /> • CAPT ARTHUR W PITTMAN<br /> • CAPT HERBERT W BOOTH JR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD J RICE<br /> • CAPT GEORGE F BRENNAN JR <br /> • CAPT EARL D RICHARDS<br /> • CAPT HARRY J BROWN <br /> • CAPT JOHN M ROWAN<br /> • CAPT JACK H CAPERS <br /> • CAPT RICHARD W SANBORN<br /> • CAPT HOMER J CARLILE <br /> • CAPT MARTIN G SAUNDERS<br /> • CAPT JOHN D CARRINGTON <br /> • CAPT PAUL E SHEPARD<br /> • CAPT BILLY J CHANCELLOR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD N SMITH<br /> • CAPT FRED C CLOW JR <br /> • CAPT HENRY B STEIDL<br /> • CAPT JOHN S CONNORS <br /> • CAPT IRWIN C SWETT<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R DAVIS <br /> • CAPT THOMAS H TEMPLE JR<br /> • CAPT SIEGEL M DICKMAN <br /> • CAPT GERALD F TEWES<br /> • CAPT PAUL G DONNER <br /> • CAPT ARNOLD A TILLMAN<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM E DOUGHERTY <br /> • CAPT EUGENE J WALDVOGEL<br /> • CAPT MARVIN A FITTS <br /> • CAPT LUTHER A WEBB<br /> • CAPT DONALD L GEPHART <br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R WILLIAMSON<br /> • CAPT LEROY E GLIEM <br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD J AHERN<br /> • CAPT DANIEL F GROB <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN R ALBRECHT<br /> • CAPT GERALD S HAMMER <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN W BRIGGS<br /> • CAPT JAMES M HARRIS <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R CARROLL<br /> • CAPT DAVID E HENRY <br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS B CARTER<br /> • CAPT KEITH H HILL <br /> • 1ST LT WILLIAM G CASTLEN<br /> • CAPT HENRY L KARNES JR <br /> • 1ST LT JOSEPH J CONDE JR<br /> • CAPT IRA L KIMES JR <br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F DAVIS<br /> • CAPT GEORGE R KIRBY <br /> • 1ST LT ROGER S EDWARDS <br /> • CAPT JAMES A KOSTAN <br /> • 1ST LT LOYD L ENNIS<br /> • CAPT ROBERT A LAMBERTON JR <br /> • 1ST LT RANDALL EVERETT III<br /> • CAPT JEAN D LANDRY <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES W FISHER<br /> • CAPT RICHARD F LEGEZA <br /> • 1ST LT MAURICE S GASTON<br /> • CAPT JESSE E LEWIS JR <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R HARPER<br /> • CAPT ARTHUR G LIMPANTSIS <br /> • 1ST LT JAMES L HARPER<br /> • CAPT LAWRENCE L LIVELY <br /> • 1ST LT WALTER K HENNIGAN<br /> • CAPT THOMAS C MCEWEN <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN A HOPE<br /> • CAPT JOHN R MCGAVIN <br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE L HOWARD JR<br /> • CAPT LORIS R MILLER <br /> • 1ST LT DUDLEY J HUGHES<br /> • CAPT HERMAN S MOORE<br /> <br /> B. H. KING&lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> WARREN V. TRENT&lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> <br /> ===4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> <br /> United States Air Force&lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr. 9, Florida&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDERS 4 August 1961<br /> (NUMBER P-11 )<br /> <br /> Under the provisions of Paragraph 7&lt;br&gt; Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers of this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1. Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • 1ST LT ANDREW T JESSUP<br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD K KISSAM JR.<br /> • 1 ST LT ROBERT L LESCHACK<br /> • 1ST LT JACK D LETOURNEAU<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN H LIVESAY<br /> • I ST LT ROY I LEWIS<br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F MAHEU<br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE E MARTINEZ<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A MATHISON<br /> • 1ST LT DONALD J MAXWELL<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN D MITCHELL JR.<br /> • 1ST LT JIM A MOORE<br /> • 1ST LT RALPH M NADDO<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD G PHILLIPS<br /> • 1ST LT DEXTER F POTTER<br /> • 1ST LT BOBBY K REYNOLDS<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A RUSSELL<br /> • 1ST LT CARMEN T SCARPINO<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL E SCHUELER<br /> • 1ST LT GLYNDON V SCOTT<br /> • 1ST LT WILLIE L SEIRER<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD L SELBERG<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD G SEMPLE<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN P SLAUSON<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD C TEGGE<br /> • 1ST LT LORENZ J WALKER<br /> • 1ST LT HILLARD J WALLACE<br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS R WHITE<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL R WINDELL<br /> <br /> B. F. KING &lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> Warren V. Trent &lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF &lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> <br /> Six non-rated officers were also in that original unit: Warren Trent, Administrative Officer; Captain Joe Threadgill, Flight Surgeon; Captain Tom Egleston, Combat Controller; Captain Tony Scarpace, Communications Officer; and Captain Bob Block and Lieutenant Bill Williamson, Intelligence Officers.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> It is with great regret that the author could not locate anything close to a comprehensive list of the NCOs and Airmen of this unit. However, I hasten to add that their contribution was every bit as valuable and noteworthy as those on the above rosters.</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Commando_Chronicles&diff=9437 2023-01-22T03:37:43Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Appendix A */</p> <hr /> <div>IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity's sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. <br /> <br /> https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/1534082/Robert-L-Gleason<br /> <br /> =Contents=<br /> <br /> =Forward=<br /> <br /> =Introduction=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 1=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 2=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 3=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 4=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 5=<br /> =Chapter 6=<br /> =Chapter 7=<br /> =Chapter 8=<br /> =Chapter 9=<br /> =Chapter 10=<br /> =Chapter 11=<br /> =Chapter 12=<br /> =Chapter 13=<br /> =Chapter 14=<br /> =Epilogue=<br /> =Appendix A=<br /> ==A Positive Perspective==<br /> <br /> They did not die in vain.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> One of the most difficult things for many Vietnam veterans is to find a convincing and redeeming answer to the question, &quot;Was it worth it?&quot; While researching material for this book, I came upon the following e-mail submission on the TLC &quot;Brotherhood&quot; network (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia).&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> These musings, more than any document, official or unofficial, that I had previously read, nicely encapsulates a thoughtful and persuasive answer to this agonizing question.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> The author of this letter is Colonel Jimmie H. Butler, USAF (Ret.). Colonel Butler is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a highly decorated Vietnam veteran with over 240 combat missions to his credit. He is the author of several works, both fictional and nonfictional dealing with the Vietnam conflict. His Air War College thesis, Crickets on a Steel Tiger, won him the Air Force Historical Foundation’s highest award in 1980.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> Colonel Butler lives in Colorado Springs where he established the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in 1993. He is presently writing A Special Calling, a thriller about international terrorism in a space-age environment.&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> His e-mail letter to the TLC Brotherhood network follows:&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''One of the lessons of the Vietnam war was that we had to try a lot of different schemes, tactics and weapons to try and overcome the handicaps of the rules we fought under. When people point out to me that we sacrificed 58,000 lives and for what results, I think in terms of some of the things we tried that built up the effectiveness of the combat forces of the U.S. Some of these lessons would have made some difference if we ever had ever taken on the Russians in open combat, and some made a big difference in Desert Storm.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Some examples: Tactical air refueling: Prior to the Vietnam War, air refueling had been almost the exclusive preserve of SAC, (Strategic Air Command), and for TAC, (Tactical Air Command), employments to get fighters across the oceans. In SEA (Southeast Asia) the air refueling inbound and outbound of a large strike force of fighters became a routine day to day operation. Helicopter Gun ships: Enough said.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Air Rescue Behind Enemy Lines: Some was done in Korea, but I don’t think the U.S. had anything like the resources that deployed to SEA and rescued so many downed crew members. Think about how we started with HHA3 Huskies (helicopters) in 1965 and emerged with HH-53 Super Jollies helicopters by the end of the war. Aeromedical Advances: Again, the old Bell helicopters brought some casualties to MASH (field hospital) units in Korea, but probably nothing compared to the advancements of Dust-Off (emergency medical evacuation from the battlefield), and other helicopter pickups that rushed many wounded soldiers to advanced field hospitals. When my roommate was diagnosed with TB (later re-diagnosed as suffering from meliodosis) in December 1967, he was out of NKP (a military base in Thailand) by the time I finished my current combat mission and was in Japan by that evening. From 1965 to 1970 (minus my year at NKP), I was traveling back and forth across the pond in C-141s. I didn’t keep track of the number of times when my aircraft had been reconfigured as an airborne hospital ward to fly injured troops back to better medical care in the states.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Smart Bombs: In 1967 we seldom hit the Dormer Bridge no matter how many fighter pilots, 2,000 pound bombs, etc., that we threw at it. When we went back north in 1972 after the NVA’s spring offensive I think that Smart Bombs took spans down on the first mission against the bridge. In 1967, some of the F-105s came in with Bullpup bombs. I think the fighter pilot had to follow its image and try to guide it with some kind of joy stick as he followed the Bullpup toward the target. We tried to use them against caves with only limited success. Sometimes they went ballistic and flew wherever the Bullpup decided to go with the kinetic energy it had available. Jay Hayes came back one day in his O-1 aircraft with a claim that a ballistic Bullpup had circled him on a somewhat random path.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Day to Day Control of Tactical Air Power: We learned a great deal about controlling high-speed fighters in battle areas that didn’t lend themselves to the fighter pilot being able to see and identify targets. Combining hundreds of airborne FACS (forward air controllers) with an Airfield Battlefield Command and Control Center aircraft (C-130Es flying as Cricket, Alley Cat, Moonbeam) proved the advantage of having battlefield commanders in the air and much nearer the battles than the staffs at 7th AF could ever be. Certainly there was too much micro management, but a lot of dedicated people helped negate some of those problems. You could argue that those experiences helped prove the concept of an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft, which of course grew to have their own radar aboard.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''We also proved the importance of having an airborne FAC who could race to the sound of battle (even if only at 80 knots) and take charge as a set of eyes that could see so much more than the embattled ground commander. Actually the Vietnam War was kind of a window of opportunity for FACS. We proved ourselves to be much more than just an airborne observers with the opportunity to perform many more functions than we did in World War II and Korea. We also proved that the slow FAC would be obsolete against the massed air defenses of the Warsaw Pact charging west across the Iron Curtain. Vietnam brought the testing of Fast FACS: Misty FACS flying F-105s across the DMZ (demilitarized zone) and directing air strikes in Tally Ho, the part of the North Vietnamese panhandle nearest to South Vietnam. Steve Ritchie (the only USAF fighter ace to emerge from the Vietnam War) told me he flew some of the first Fast FAC missions to control air strikes in areas too hot for Cessnas’.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Three of four FACS from the 23rd TASS, (Tactical Air Support Squadron), were sent on TDY, (temporary duty), to Ubon in April/May 1967 to ride in the back seats of jet fighters and provide a FACs expertise in using 1:50,000 scale maps to help strike targets in Mu Gia, after Lee Harley’s loss on 6 February had proven that Mu Gia’s defenses were much too tough for FACS flying 80-knot Bird Dogs.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Night/All Weather Ops: In 1967 we deployed four (I believe) F-111s to Udom (I think) and promptly lost two of them, if my memory is correct. They went out and didn’t come back. I heard later that some of the monsoon raindrops were of a size that somehow blanked out radar returns from the terrain-following radar being used in 1967. So we learned some lessons the hard way. However, such lessons led to improvements and tactics that would have let us take nuke weapons into Russia at low levels if the Russians had ever decided to take us on. Maybe that’s part of why the Russians never did.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Side-Firing Gunships: We went from Spooky (early slow flying aircraft) to Spector and on to Shadow, (more modern upgraded aircraft), in a very few years. You can all offer other examples that I haven’t come up with in this unplanned discussion. When I look back, I certainly would have felt better if my friends and all the others hadn’t been lost in a war that we didn’t win. However, I still claim that their sacrifices, and the service that everyone of us offered, was not in vain. Because we would go when called and serve with dedication and honor, the Soviets had a much trickier problem than if most of us had said &quot;screw it and let me know in Canada when the Vietnam War is over.&quot; We learned some damned tough lessons and paid a high price. However, considering how poorly the Russians learned their lessons in Afghanistan maybe we didn’t do so bad. Perhaps they learned that massive brute forced didn’t always carry the day in a protracted war. Their later demonstrations in Chechyna suggest the Russians didn’t learn enough in Afghanistan.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''So, in Vietnam, we lost the battle, but we helped win the cold war. Who knows whether or not the Russians might finally have tried us if it hadn’t been for those tough lessons we learned in the Vietnam War.''&lt;br&gt;<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Continue to be proud. We answered the call when others didn’t, and we made a difference.&lt;br&gt;''<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> ''Jimmie H. Butler''&lt;br&gt;<br /> ''Vietnam Veteran and Proud of it.''<br /> <br /> =Appendix B=<br /> ==Songs of FARM GATE==<br /> Air Commando songs from the early days, on the first trip to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1961, led by their “fearless leader,” Colonel Ben “WOULDN’T SAY NO” King. (From the collection of Eugene D. Rossel)<br /> <br /> The Land of the Great Monsoon<br /> (Tune: North to Alaska)<br /> We all left from Fort Walton in the Year of ’61&lt;br&gt;<br /> Along with Col King on a flight that was no fun&lt;br&gt;<br /> We went to trash the Viet Cong in the land of the great Monsoon&lt;br&gt;<br /> How did we get there? By an overloaded Goon.<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your feet are getting rotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your names have been forgotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> The bug bites itch like a son-of-a-bitch&lt;br&gt;<br /> In the land of the great Monsoon<br /> <br /> We pulled out of Montana for the land of the midnight sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> And when we got to Whitehorse we landed all but one,&lt;br&gt;<br /> Frank overflew that Yukon town on a nite that was so black&lt;br&gt;<br /> He had to make Alaska for there was no turning back<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Col bought an engine in the land of the ice and snow&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ground crew changed it quickly because we had to go&lt;br&gt;<br /> We lumbered down the Aleutian chain headed for Adak&lt;br&gt;<br /> The prop ice on the fuselage reminded us of flak&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We blasted off from Adak and the clouds were all around&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ice was bad, the weather sad, but we were Midway bound&lt;br&gt;<br /> The west wind lashed our ancient craft with a mighty force&lt;br&gt;<br /> And Maheu and Tegge were ninety miles off course<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> When we touched down at Midway it was dark as it could be&lt;br&gt;<br /> And it wasn’t any lighter when we got up at three&lt;br&gt;<br /> We took the active runway as dawn began to break&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sixty thousand gooney birds saw us off to Wake<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Now Wake’s a little island where Marines made history&lt;br&gt;<br /> And how our gooney’s got there is still a mystery&lt;br&gt;<br /> We descended on the Colonel with grog and a two piece band&lt;br&gt;<br /> And by seven in the evening the mob was out of hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Songs of the Gooney (SC-47 Crews)==<br /> (Tune: Cigarettes &amp; Whiskey)<br /> <br /> Gather around flyboys, I’ll sing you a tune&lt;br&gt;<br /> Of life with the Air Force and four ancient goons&lt;br&gt;<br /> They shook and they shuddered, protesting each mile&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they crossed the Pacific from isle to isle<br /> <br /> Departing one morning from old number nine&lt;br&gt;<br /> To Destin the Crestview for one final time&lt;br&gt;<br /> Off for Montana all day in the sky&lt;br&gt;<br /> Watching the US and A pass on by<br /> <br /> Commander’s decisions, last minute revisions&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> Next morning at four we were up and around&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through headwinds and snowstorms the goons thundered on&lt;br&gt;<br /> Three stopped at Whiethorse, but Owens went by&lt;br&gt;<br /> Oh! Elmendorf radar, oh where the hell am I<br /> <br /> The next leg’s to Adak, an island of stone&lt;br&gt;<br /> It seemed that good fortune had left us alone&lt;br&gt;<br /> We wondered why we flew this route straight to Hell&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Niles had picked it and he’s TAC Eval&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The V.C. and snake bites and bugs that bite all night&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The trip down to Midway was filled with remorse&lt;br&gt;<br /> The nav’s all had trouble with the line they called course&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through UHF DF we all got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> And came into Midway, that blundering herd<br /> <br /> One day to Wake another to Guam&lt;br&gt;<br /> They seemed like short trips to our prop driven bomb&lt;br&gt;<br /> Then on to Bien Hoa in the final test&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Lewis decided it’s time for a rest<br /> <br /> The couriers and Recon on the banks of the Mekong&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane<br /> <br /> We finally made Bien Hoa, but things here are sad&lt;br&gt;<br /> The commander is worried, morale is so bad&lt;br&gt;<br /> But he has a solution that will fix all that&lt;br&gt;<br /> A guaranteed genuine good morale hat<br /> <br /> Each week we’re inspected by Generals from Clark&lt;br&gt;<br /> They get here in daylight and leave before dark&lt;br&gt;<br /> But we’ve still got spirit, desire still burns&lt;br&gt;<br /> That someday we’ll rotate and never return<br /> <br /> The faucets they all fail, there’s no pay and no mail&lt;br&gt;<br /> It drives you crazy, it drives you insane<br /> <br /> <br /> ==The TF-28 Fighter Pilots Song==<br /> The fighter jock were fearless when they left the old home shore&lt;br&gt;<br /> They spanned the Blue Pacific in their F-124&lt;br&gt;<br /> They thought the ride on “Shakey” wasn’t very great&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they never could have made it in their TF-28<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We’re finally all together at the station of Bien Hoa&lt;br&gt;<br /> The B-26 boys are the worst we ever saw&lt;br&gt;<br /> They never miss a briefing, they’ve always got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> But you can’t fly any mission when you haven’t got a bird<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We finally got a mission in this foreign distant land&lt;br&gt;<br /> The jocks made practice air strikes, while we dropped bags of sand&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sometimes in the evening when we were free of cares&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Colonel gets us out of bed to drop a hundred flares<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> You new boys do not listen, pay no heed to what we’ve said &lt;br&gt;<br /> Bien Hoa’s a bed of roses, but we’d rather be at Stead&lt;br&gt;<br /> So hide your apprehension and conceal your many fears&lt;br&gt;<br /> Take comfort in remembering that you are volunteers<br /> <br /> <br /> =Appendix C=<br /> ==Roster of the Original JUNGLE JIM Organization==<br /> <br /> ===4400TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> United States Air Force &lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr 9, Florida<br /> <br /> Rated Officers&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDER 3 August 1961 (NUMBER P-10)<br /> <br /> Under the Provisions of Paragraph 7 Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers, this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1, Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • COL BENJAMIN H KING <br /> • CAPT DAVID L MURPHY<br /> • LT COL ROBERT L GLEASON <br /> • CAPT AARON L NILES JR<br /> • LT COL CHESTER A JACK <br /> • CAPT FRANKLIN G OWENS<br /> • MAJ RICHARD N BROUGHTON <br /> • CAPT JOHN R PATTEE<br /> • MAJ JOHN L DOWNING <br /> • CAPT RUBEN H PATTERSON<br /> • MAJ HOMA B STILLWELL <br /> • CAPT JOHN L PIOTROWSKI<br /> • CAPT THOMAS L BIGGERS <br /> • CAPT ARTHUR W PITTMAN<br /> • CAPT HERBERT W BOOTH JR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD J RICE<br /> • CAPT GEORGE F BRENNAN JR <br /> • CAPT EARL D RICHARDS<br /> • CAPT HARRY J BROWN <br /> • CAPT JOHN M ROWAN<br /> • CAPT JACK H CAPERS <br /> • CAPT RICHARD W SANBORN<br /> • CAPT HOMER J CARLILE <br /> • CAPT MARTIN G SAUNDERS<br /> • CAPT JOHN D CARRINGTON <br /> • CAPT PAUL E SHEPARD<br /> • CAPT BILLY J CHANCELLOR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD N SMITH<br /> • CAPT FRED C CLOW JR <br /> • CAPT HENRY B STEIDL<br /> • CAPT JOHN S CONNORS <br /> • CAPT IRWIN C SWETT<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R DAVIS <br /> • CAPT THOMAS H TEMPLE JR<br /> • CAPT SIEGEL M DICKMAN <br /> • CAPT GERALD F TEWES<br /> • CAPT PAUL G DONNER <br /> • CAPT ARNOLD A TILLMAN<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM E DOUGHERTY <br /> • CAPT EUGENE J WALDVOGEL<br /> • CAPT MARVIN A FITTS <br /> • CAPT LUTHER A WEBB<br /> • CAPT DONALD L GEPHART <br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R WILLIAMSON<br /> • CAPT LEROY E GLIEM <br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD J AHERN<br /> • CAPT DANIEL F GROB <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN R ALBRECHT<br /> • CAPT GERALD S HAMMER <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN W BRIGGS<br /> • CAPT JAMES M HARRIS <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R CARROLL<br /> • CAPT DAVID E HENRY <br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS B CARTER<br /> • CAPT KEITH H HILL <br /> • 1ST LT WILLIAM G CASTLEN<br /> • CAPT HENRY L KARNES JR <br /> • 1ST LT JOSEPH J CONDE JR<br /> • CAPT IRA L KIMES JR <br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F DAVIS<br /> • CAPT GEORGE R KIRBY <br /> • 1ST LT ROGER S EDWARDS <br /> • CAPT JAMES A KOSTAN <br /> • 1ST LT LOYD L ENNIS<br /> • CAPT ROBERT A LAMBERTON JR <br /> • 1ST LT RANDALL EVERETT III<br /> • CAPT JEAN D LANDRY <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES W FISHER<br /> • CAPT RICHARD F LEGEZA <br /> • 1ST LT MAURICE S GASTON<br /> • CAPT JESSE E LEWIS JR <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R HARPER<br /> • CAPT ARTHUR G LIMPANTSIS <br /> • 1ST LT JAMES L HARPER<br /> • CAPT LAWRENCE L LIVELY <br /> • 1ST LT WALTER K HENNIGAN<br /> • CAPT THOMAS C MCEWEN <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN A HOPE<br /> • CAPT JOHN R MCGAVIN <br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE L HOWARD JR<br /> • CAPT LORIS R MILLER <br /> • 1ST LT DUDLEY J HUGHES<br /> • CAPT HERMAN S MOORE<br /> <br /> B. H. KING&lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> WARREN V. TRENT&lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> <br /> ===4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> <br /> United States Air Force&lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr. 9, Florida&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDERS 4 August 1961<br /> (NUMBER P-11 )<br /> <br /> Under the provisions of Paragraph 7&lt;br&gt; Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers of this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1. Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • 1ST LT ANDREW T JESSUP<br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD K KISSAM JR.<br /> • 1 ST LT ROBERT L LESCHACK<br /> • 1ST LT JACK D LETOURNEAU<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN H LIVESAY<br /> • I ST LT ROY I LEWIS<br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F MAHEU<br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE E MARTINEZ<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A MATHISON<br /> • 1ST LT DONALD J MAXWELL<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN D MITCHELL JR.<br /> • 1ST LT JIM A MOORE<br /> • 1ST LT RALPH M NADDO<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD G PHILLIPS<br /> • 1ST LT DEXTER F POTTER<br /> • 1ST LT BOBBY K REYNOLDS<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A RUSSELL<br /> • 1ST LT CARMEN T SCARPINO<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL E SCHUELER<br /> • 1ST LT GLYNDON V SCOTT<br /> • 1ST LT WILLIE L SEIRER<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD L SELBERG<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD G SEMPLE<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN P SLAUSON<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD C TEGGE<br /> • 1ST LT LORENZ J WALKER<br /> • 1ST LT HILLARD J WALLACE<br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS R WHITE<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL R WINDELL<br /> <br /> B. F. KING &lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> Warren V. Trent &lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF &lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> <br /> Six non-rated officers were also in that original unit: Warren Trent, Administrative Officer; Captain Joe Threadgill, Flight Surgeon; Captain Tom Egleston, Combat Controller; Captain Tony Scarpace, Communications Officer; and Captain Bob Block and Lieutenant Bill Williamson, Intelligence Officers.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> It is with great regret that the author could not locate anything close to a comprehensive list of the NCOs and Airmen of this unit. However, I hasten to add that their contribution was every bit as valuable and noteworthy as those on the above rosters.</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Commando_Chronicles&diff=9436 2023-01-22T03:33:09Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Appendix A */</p> <hr /> <div>IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity's sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. <br /> <br /> https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/1534082/Robert-L-Gleason<br /> <br /> =Contents=<br /> <br /> =Forward=<br /> <br /> =Introduction=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 1=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 2=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 3=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 4=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 5=<br /> =Chapter 6=<br /> =Chapter 7=<br /> =Chapter 8=<br /> =Chapter 9=<br /> =Chapter 10=<br /> =Chapter 11=<br /> =Chapter 12=<br /> =Chapter 13=<br /> =Chapter 14=<br /> =Epilogue=<br /> =Appendix A=<br /> ==A Positive Perspective==<br /> <br /> They did not die in vain.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> One of the most difficult things for many Vietnam veterans is to find a convincing and redeeming answer to the question, &quot;Was it worth it?&quot; While researching material for this book, I came upon the following e-mail submission on the TLC &quot;Brotherhood&quot; network (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia).&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> These musings, more than any document, official or unofficial, that I had previously read, nicely encapsulates a thoughtful and persuasive answer to this agonizing question.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The author of this letter is Colonel Jimmie H. Butler, USAF (Ret.). Colonel Butler is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a highly decorated Vietnam veteran with over 240 combat missions to his credit. He is the author of several works, both fictional and nonfictional dealing with the Vietnam conflict. His Air War College thesis, Crickets on a Steel Tiger, won him the Air Force Historical Foundation’s highest award in 1980.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Colonel Butler lives in Colorado Springs where he established the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in 1993. He is presently writing A Special Calling, a thriller about international terrorism in a space-age environment.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> His e-mail letter to the TLC Brotherhood network follows:&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> ''One of the lessons of the Vietnam war was that we had to try a lot of different schemes, tactics and weapons to try and overcome the handicaps of the rules we fought under. When people point out to me that we sacrificed 58,000 lives and for what results, I think in terms of some of the things we tried that built up the effectiveness of the combat forces of the U.S. Some of these lessons would have made some difference if we ever had ever taken on the Russians in open combat, and some made a big difference in Desert Storm.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Some examples: Tactical air refueling: Prior to the Vietnam War, air refueling had been almost the exclusive preserve of SAC, (Strategic Air Command), and for TAC, (Tactical Air Command), employments to get fighters across the oceans. In SEA (Southeast Asia) the air refueling inbound and outbound of a large strike force of fighters became a routine day to day operation. Helicopter Gun ships: Enough said.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Air Rescue Behind Enemy Lines: Some was done in Korea, but I don’t think the U.S. had anything like the resources that deployed to SEA and rescued so many downed crew members. Think about how we started with HHA3 Huskies (helicopters) in 1965 and emerged with HH-53 Super Jollies helicopters by the end of the war. Aeromedical Advances: Again, the old Bell helicopters brought some casualties to MASH (field hospital) units in Korea, but probably nothing compared to the advancements of Dust-Off (emergency medical evacuation from the battlefield), and other helicopter pickups that rushed many wounded soldiers to advanced field hospitals. When my roommate was diagnosed with TB (later re-diagnosed as suffering from meliodosis) in December 1967, he was out of NKP (a military base in Thailand) by the time I finished my current combat mission and was in Japan by that evening. From 1965 to 1970 (minus my year at NKP), I was traveling back and forth across the pond in C-141s. I didn’t keep track of the number of times when my aircraft had been reconfigured as an airborne hospital ward to fly injured troops back to better medical care in the states.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Smart Bombs: In 1967 we seldom hit the Dormer Bridge no matter how many fighter pilots, 2,000 pound bombs, etc., that we threw at it. When we went back north in 1972 after the NVA’s spring offensive I think that Smart Bombs took spans down on the first mission against the bridge. In 1967, some of the F-105s came in with Bullpup bombs. I think the fighter pilot had to follow its image and try to guide it with some kind of joy stick as he followed the Bullpup toward the target. We tried to use them against caves with only limited success. Sometimes they went ballistic and flew wherever the Bullpup decided to go with the kinetic energy it had available. Jay Hayes came back one day in his O-1 aircraft with a claim that a ballistic Bullpup had circled him on a somewhat random path.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Day to Day Control of Tactical Air Power: We learned a great deal about controlling high-speed fighters in battle areas that didn’t lend themselves to the fighter pilot being able to see and identify targets. Combining hundreds of airborne FACS (forward air controllers) with an Airfield Battlefield Command and Control Center aircraft (C-130Es flying as Cricket, Alley Cat, Moonbeam) proved the advantage of having battlefield commanders in the air and much nearer the battles than the staffs at 7th AF could ever be. Certainly there was too much micro management, but a lot of dedicated people helped negate some of those problems. You could argue that those experiences helped prove the concept of an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft, which of course grew to have their own radar aboard.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> We also proved the importance of having an airborne FAC who could race to the sound of battle (even if only at 80 knots) and take charge as a set of eyes that could see so much more than the embattled ground commander. Actually the Vietnam War was kind of a window of opportunity for FACS. We proved ourselves to be much more than just an airborne observers with the opportunity to perform many more functions than we did in World War II and Korea. We also proved that the slow FAC would be obsolete against the massed air defenses of the Warsaw Pact charging west across the Iron Curtain. Vietnam brought the testing of Fast FACS: Misty FACS flying F-105s across the DMZ (demilitarized zone) and directing air strikes in Tally Ho, the part of the North Vietnamese panhandle nearest to South Vietnam. Steve Ritchie (the only USAF fighter ace to emerge from the Vietnam War) told me he flew some of the first Fast FAC missions to control air strikes in areas too hot for Cessnas’.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Three of four FACS from the 23rd TASS, (Tactical Air Support Squadron), were sent on TDY, (temporary duty), to Ubon in April/May 1967 to ride in the back seats of jet fighters and provide a FACs expertise in using 1:50,000 scale maps to help strike targets in Mu Gia, after Lee Harley’s loss on 6 February had proven that Mu Gia’s defenses were much too tough for FACS flying 80-knot Bird Dogs.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Night/All Weather Ops: In 1967 we deployed four (I believe) F-111s to Udom (I think) and promptly lost two of them, if my memory is correct. They went out and didn’t come back. I heard later that some of the monsoon raindrops were of a size that somehow blanked out radar returns from the terrain-following radar being used in 1967. So we learned some lessons the hard way. However, such lessons led to improvements and tactics that would have let us take nuke weapons into Russia at low levels if the Russians had ever decided to take us on. Maybe that’s part of why the Russians never did.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Side-Firing Gunships: We went from Spooky (early slow flying aircraft) to Spector and on to Shadow, (more modern upgraded aircraft), in a very few years. You can all offer other examples that I haven’t come up with in this unplanned discussion. When I look back, I certainly would have felt better if my friends and all the others hadn’t been lost in a war that we didn’t win. However, I still claim that their sacrifices, and the service that everyone of us offered, was not in vain. Because we would go when called and serve with dedication and honor, the Soviets had a much trickier problem than if most of us had said &quot;screw it and let me know in Canada when the Vietnam War is over.&quot; We learned some damned tough lessons and paid a high price. However, considering how poorly the Russians learned their lessons in Afghanistan maybe we didn’t do so bad. Perhaps they learned that massive brute forced didn’t always carry the day in a protracted war. Their later demonstrations in Chechyna suggest the Russians didn’t learn enough in Afghanistan.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> So, in Vietnam, we lost the battle, but we helped win the cold war. Who knows whether or not the Russians might finally have tried us if it hadn’t been for those tough lessons we learned in the Vietnam War.&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Continue to be proud. We answered the call when others didn’t, and we made a difference.&lt;br&gt;''<br /> <br /> Jimmie H. Butler&lt;br&gt;<br /> Vietnam Veteran and Proud of it.<br /> <br /> =Appendix B=<br /> ==Songs of FARM GATE==<br /> Air Commando songs from the early days, on the first trip to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1961, led by their “fearless leader,” Colonel Ben “WOULDN’T SAY NO” King. (From the collection of Eugene D. Rossel)<br /> <br /> The Land of the Great Monsoon<br /> (Tune: North to Alaska)<br /> We all left from Fort Walton in the Year of ’61&lt;br&gt;<br /> Along with Col King on a flight that was no fun&lt;br&gt;<br /> We went to trash the Viet Cong in the land of the great Monsoon&lt;br&gt;<br /> How did we get there? By an overloaded Goon.<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your feet are getting rotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your names have been forgotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> The bug bites itch like a son-of-a-bitch&lt;br&gt;<br /> In the land of the great Monsoon<br /> <br /> We pulled out of Montana for the land of the midnight sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> And when we got to Whitehorse we landed all but one,&lt;br&gt;<br /> Frank overflew that Yukon town on a nite that was so black&lt;br&gt;<br /> He had to make Alaska for there was no turning back<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Col bought an engine in the land of the ice and snow&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ground crew changed it quickly because we had to go&lt;br&gt;<br /> We lumbered down the Aleutian chain headed for Adak&lt;br&gt;<br /> The prop ice on the fuselage reminded us of flak&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We blasted off from Adak and the clouds were all around&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ice was bad, the weather sad, but we were Midway bound&lt;br&gt;<br /> The west wind lashed our ancient craft with a mighty force&lt;br&gt;<br /> And Maheu and Tegge were ninety miles off course<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> When we touched down at Midway it was dark as it could be&lt;br&gt;<br /> And it wasn’t any lighter when we got up at three&lt;br&gt;<br /> We took the active runway as dawn began to break&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sixty thousand gooney birds saw us off to Wake<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Now Wake’s a little island where Marines made history&lt;br&gt;<br /> And how our gooney’s got there is still a mystery&lt;br&gt;<br /> We descended on the Colonel with grog and a two piece band&lt;br&gt;<br /> And by seven in the evening the mob was out of hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Songs of the Gooney (SC-47 Crews)==<br /> (Tune: Cigarettes &amp; Whiskey)<br /> <br /> Gather around flyboys, I’ll sing you a tune&lt;br&gt;<br /> Of life with the Air Force and four ancient goons&lt;br&gt;<br /> They shook and they shuddered, protesting each mile&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they crossed the Pacific from isle to isle<br /> <br /> Departing one morning from old number nine&lt;br&gt;<br /> To Destin the Crestview for one final time&lt;br&gt;<br /> Off for Montana all day in the sky&lt;br&gt;<br /> Watching the US and A pass on by<br /> <br /> Commander’s decisions, last minute revisions&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> Next morning at four we were up and around&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through headwinds and snowstorms the goons thundered on&lt;br&gt;<br /> Three stopped at Whiethorse, but Owens went by&lt;br&gt;<br /> Oh! Elmendorf radar, oh where the hell am I<br /> <br /> The next leg’s to Adak, an island of stone&lt;br&gt;<br /> It seemed that good fortune had left us alone&lt;br&gt;<br /> We wondered why we flew this route straight to Hell&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Niles had picked it and he’s TAC Eval&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The V.C. and snake bites and bugs that bite all night&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The trip down to Midway was filled with remorse&lt;br&gt;<br /> The nav’s all had trouble with the line they called course&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through UHF DF we all got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> And came into Midway, that blundering herd<br /> <br /> One day to Wake another to Guam&lt;br&gt;<br /> They seemed like short trips to our prop driven bomb&lt;br&gt;<br /> Then on to Bien Hoa in the final test&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Lewis decided it’s time for a rest<br /> <br /> The couriers and Recon on the banks of the Mekong&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane<br /> <br /> We finally made Bien Hoa, but things here are sad&lt;br&gt;<br /> The commander is worried, morale is so bad&lt;br&gt;<br /> But he has a solution that will fix all that&lt;br&gt;<br /> A guaranteed genuine good morale hat<br /> <br /> Each week we’re inspected by Generals from Clark&lt;br&gt;<br /> They get here in daylight and leave before dark&lt;br&gt;<br /> But we’ve still got spirit, desire still burns&lt;br&gt;<br /> That someday we’ll rotate and never return<br /> <br /> The faucets they all fail, there’s no pay and no mail&lt;br&gt;<br /> It drives you crazy, it drives you insane<br /> <br /> <br /> ==The TF-28 Fighter Pilots Song==<br /> The fighter jock were fearless when they left the old home shore&lt;br&gt;<br /> They spanned the Blue Pacific in their F-124&lt;br&gt;<br /> They thought the ride on “Shakey” wasn’t very great&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they never could have made it in their TF-28<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We’re finally all together at the station of Bien Hoa&lt;br&gt;<br /> The B-26 boys are the worst we ever saw&lt;br&gt;<br /> They never miss a briefing, they’ve always got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> But you can’t fly any mission when you haven’t got a bird<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We finally got a mission in this foreign distant land&lt;br&gt;<br /> The jocks made practice air strikes, while we dropped bags of sand&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sometimes in the evening when we were free of cares&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Colonel gets us out of bed to drop a hundred flares<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> You new boys do not listen, pay no heed to what we’ve said &lt;br&gt;<br /> Bien Hoa’s a bed of roses, but we’d rather be at Stead&lt;br&gt;<br /> So hide your apprehension and conceal your many fears&lt;br&gt;<br /> Take comfort in remembering that you are volunteers<br /> <br /> <br /> =Appendix C=<br /> ==Roster of the Original JUNGLE JIM Organization==<br /> <br /> ===4400TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> United States Air Force &lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr 9, Florida<br /> <br /> Rated Officers&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDER 3 August 1961 (NUMBER P-10)<br /> <br /> Under the Provisions of Paragraph 7 Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers, this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1, Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • COL BENJAMIN H KING <br /> • CAPT DAVID L MURPHY<br /> • LT COL ROBERT L GLEASON <br /> • CAPT AARON L NILES JR<br /> • LT COL CHESTER A JACK <br /> • CAPT FRANKLIN G OWENS<br /> • MAJ RICHARD N BROUGHTON <br /> • CAPT JOHN R PATTEE<br /> • MAJ JOHN L DOWNING <br /> • CAPT RUBEN H PATTERSON<br /> • MAJ HOMA B STILLWELL <br /> • CAPT JOHN L PIOTROWSKI<br /> • CAPT THOMAS L BIGGERS <br /> • CAPT ARTHUR W PITTMAN<br /> • CAPT HERBERT W BOOTH JR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD J RICE<br /> • CAPT GEORGE F BRENNAN JR <br /> • CAPT EARL D RICHARDS<br /> • CAPT HARRY J BROWN <br /> • CAPT JOHN M ROWAN<br /> • CAPT JACK H CAPERS <br /> • CAPT RICHARD W SANBORN<br /> • CAPT HOMER J CARLILE <br /> • CAPT MARTIN G SAUNDERS<br /> • CAPT JOHN D CARRINGTON <br /> • CAPT PAUL E SHEPARD<br /> • CAPT BILLY J CHANCELLOR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD N SMITH<br /> • CAPT FRED C CLOW JR <br /> • CAPT HENRY B STEIDL<br /> • CAPT JOHN S CONNORS <br /> • CAPT IRWIN C SWETT<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R DAVIS <br /> • CAPT THOMAS H TEMPLE JR<br /> • CAPT SIEGEL M DICKMAN <br /> • CAPT GERALD F TEWES<br /> • CAPT PAUL G DONNER <br /> • CAPT ARNOLD A TILLMAN<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM E DOUGHERTY <br /> • CAPT EUGENE J WALDVOGEL<br /> • CAPT MARVIN A FITTS <br /> • CAPT LUTHER A WEBB<br /> • CAPT DONALD L GEPHART <br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R WILLIAMSON<br /> • CAPT LEROY E GLIEM <br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD J AHERN<br /> • CAPT DANIEL F GROB <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN R ALBRECHT<br /> • CAPT GERALD S HAMMER <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN W BRIGGS<br /> • CAPT JAMES M HARRIS <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R CARROLL<br /> • CAPT DAVID E HENRY <br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS B CARTER<br /> • CAPT KEITH H HILL <br /> • 1ST LT WILLIAM G CASTLEN<br /> • CAPT HENRY L KARNES JR <br /> • 1ST LT JOSEPH J CONDE JR<br /> • CAPT IRA L KIMES JR <br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F DAVIS<br /> • CAPT GEORGE R KIRBY <br /> • 1ST LT ROGER S EDWARDS <br /> • CAPT JAMES A KOSTAN <br /> • 1ST LT LOYD L ENNIS<br /> • CAPT ROBERT A LAMBERTON JR <br /> • 1ST LT RANDALL EVERETT III<br /> • CAPT JEAN D LANDRY <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES W FISHER<br /> • CAPT RICHARD F LEGEZA <br /> • 1ST LT MAURICE S GASTON<br /> • CAPT JESSE E LEWIS JR <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R HARPER<br /> • CAPT ARTHUR G LIMPANTSIS <br /> • 1ST LT JAMES L HARPER<br /> • CAPT LAWRENCE L LIVELY <br /> • 1ST LT WALTER K HENNIGAN<br /> • CAPT THOMAS C MCEWEN <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN A HOPE<br /> • CAPT JOHN R MCGAVIN <br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE L HOWARD JR<br /> • CAPT LORIS R MILLER <br /> • 1ST LT DUDLEY J HUGHES<br /> • CAPT HERMAN S MOORE<br /> <br /> B. H. KING&lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> WARREN V. TRENT&lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> <br /> ===4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> <br /> United States Air Force&lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr. 9, Florida&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDERS 4 August 1961<br /> (NUMBER P-11 )<br /> <br /> Under the provisions of Paragraph 7&lt;br&gt; Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers of this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1. Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • 1ST LT ANDREW T JESSUP<br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD K KISSAM JR.<br /> • 1 ST LT ROBERT L LESCHACK<br /> • 1ST LT JACK D LETOURNEAU<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN H LIVESAY<br /> • I ST LT ROY I LEWIS<br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F MAHEU<br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE E MARTINEZ<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A MATHISON<br /> • 1ST LT DONALD J MAXWELL<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN D MITCHELL JR.<br /> • 1ST LT JIM A MOORE<br /> • 1ST LT RALPH M NADDO<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD G PHILLIPS<br /> • 1ST LT DEXTER F POTTER<br /> • 1ST LT BOBBY K REYNOLDS<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A RUSSELL<br /> • 1ST LT CARMEN T SCARPINO<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL E SCHUELER<br /> • 1ST LT GLYNDON V SCOTT<br /> • 1ST LT WILLIE L SEIRER<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD L SELBERG<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD G SEMPLE<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN P SLAUSON<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD C TEGGE<br /> • 1ST LT LORENZ J WALKER<br /> • 1ST LT HILLARD J WALLACE<br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS R WHITE<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL R WINDELL<br /> <br /> B. F. KING &lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> Warren V. Trent &lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF &lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> <br /> Six non-rated officers were also in that original unit: Warren Trent, Administrative Officer; Captain Joe Threadgill, Flight Surgeon; Captain Tom Egleston, Combat Controller; Captain Tony Scarpace, Communications Officer; and Captain Bob Block and Lieutenant Bill Williamson, Intelligence Officers.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> It is with great regret that the author could not locate anything close to a comprehensive list of the NCOs and Airmen of this unit. However, I hasten to add that their contribution was every bit as valuable and noteworthy as those on the above rosters.</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Commando_Chronicles&diff=9435 2023-01-19T00:34:40Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* 4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC) */</p> <hr /> <div>IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity's sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. <br /> <br /> https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/1534082/Robert-L-Gleason<br /> <br /> =Contents=<br /> <br /> =Forward=<br /> <br /> =Introduction=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 1=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 2=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 3=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 4=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 5=<br /> =Chapter 6=<br /> =Chapter 7=<br /> =Chapter 8=<br /> =Chapter 9=<br /> =Chapter 10=<br /> =Chapter 11=<br /> =Chapter 12=<br /> =Chapter 13=<br /> =Chapter 14=<br /> =Epilogue=<br /> =Appendix A=<br /> =Appendix B=<br /> ==Songs of FARM GATE==<br /> Air Commando songs from the early days, on the first trip to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1961, led by their “fearless leader,” Colonel Ben “WOULDN’T SAY NO” King. (From the collection of Eugene D. Rossel)<br /> <br /> The Land of the Great Monsoon<br /> (Tune: North to Alaska)<br /> We all left from Fort Walton in the Year of ’61&lt;br&gt;<br /> Along with Col King on a flight that was no fun&lt;br&gt;<br /> We went to trash the Viet Cong in the land of the great Monsoon&lt;br&gt;<br /> How did we get there? By an overloaded Goon.<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your feet are getting rotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your names have been forgotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> The bug bites itch like a son-of-a-bitch&lt;br&gt;<br /> In the land of the great Monsoon<br /> <br /> We pulled out of Montana for the land of the midnight sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> And when we got to Whitehorse we landed all but one,&lt;br&gt;<br /> Frank overflew that Yukon town on a nite that was so black&lt;br&gt;<br /> He had to make Alaska for there was no turning back<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Col bought an engine in the land of the ice and snow&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ground crew changed it quickly because we had to go&lt;br&gt;<br /> We lumbered down the Aleutian chain headed for Adak&lt;br&gt;<br /> The prop ice on the fuselage reminded us of flak&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We blasted off from Adak and the clouds were all around&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ice was bad, the weather sad, but we were Midway bound&lt;br&gt;<br /> The west wind lashed our ancient craft with a mighty force&lt;br&gt;<br /> And Maheu and Tegge were ninety miles off course<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> When we touched down at Midway it was dark as it could be&lt;br&gt;<br /> And it wasn’t any lighter when we got up at three&lt;br&gt;<br /> We took the active runway as dawn began to break&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sixty thousand gooney birds saw us off to Wake<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Now Wake’s a little island where Marines made history&lt;br&gt;<br /> And how our gooney’s got there is still a mystery&lt;br&gt;<br /> We descended on the Colonel with grog and a two piece band&lt;br&gt;<br /> And by seven in the evening the mob was out of hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Songs of the Gooney (SC-47 Crews)==<br /> (Tune: Cigarettes &amp; Whiskey)<br /> <br /> Gather around flyboys, I’ll sing you a tune&lt;br&gt;<br /> Of life with the Air Force and four ancient goons&lt;br&gt;<br /> They shook and they shuddered, protesting each mile&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they crossed the Pacific from isle to isle<br /> <br /> Departing one morning from old number nine&lt;br&gt;<br /> To Destin the Crestview for one final time&lt;br&gt;<br /> Off for Montana all day in the sky&lt;br&gt;<br /> Watching the US and A pass on by<br /> <br /> Commander’s decisions, last minute revisions&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> Next morning at four we were up and around&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through headwinds and snowstorms the goons thundered on&lt;br&gt;<br /> Three stopped at Whiethorse, but Owens went by&lt;br&gt;<br /> Oh! Elmendorf radar, oh where the hell am I<br /> <br /> The next leg’s to Adak, an island of stone&lt;br&gt;<br /> It seemed that good fortune had left us alone&lt;br&gt;<br /> We wondered why we flew this route straight to Hell&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Niles had picked it and he’s TAC Eval&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The V.C. and snake bites and bugs that bite all night&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The trip down to Midway was filled with remorse&lt;br&gt;<br /> The nav’s all had trouble with the line they called course&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through UHF DF we all got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> And came into Midway, that blundering herd<br /> <br /> One day to Wake another to Guam&lt;br&gt;<br /> They seemed like short trips to our prop driven bomb&lt;br&gt;<br /> Then on to Bien Hoa in the final test&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Lewis decided it’s time for a rest<br /> <br /> The couriers and Recon on the banks of the Mekong&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane<br /> <br /> We finally made Bien Hoa, but things here are sad&lt;br&gt;<br /> The commander is worried, morale is so bad&lt;br&gt;<br /> But he has a solution that will fix all that&lt;br&gt;<br /> A guaranteed genuine good morale hat<br /> <br /> Each week we’re inspected by Generals from Clark&lt;br&gt;<br /> They get here in daylight and leave before dark&lt;br&gt;<br /> But we’ve still got spirit, desire still burns&lt;br&gt;<br /> That someday we’ll rotate and never return<br /> <br /> The faucets they all fail, there’s no pay and no mail&lt;br&gt;<br /> It drives you crazy, it drives you insane<br /> <br /> <br /> ==The TF-28 Fighter Pilots Song==<br /> The fighter jock were fearless when they left the old home shore&lt;br&gt;<br /> They spanned the Blue Pacific in their F-124&lt;br&gt;<br /> They thought the ride on “Shakey” wasn’t very great&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they never could have made it in their TF-28<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We’re finally all together at the station of Bien Hoa&lt;br&gt;<br /> The B-26 boys are the worst we ever saw&lt;br&gt;<br /> They never miss a briefing, they’ve always got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> But you can’t fly any mission when you haven’t got a bird<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We finally got a mission in this foreign distant land&lt;br&gt;<br /> The jocks made practice air strikes, while we dropped bags of sand&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sometimes in the evening when we were free of cares&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Colonel gets us out of bed to drop a hundred flares<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> You new boys do not listen, pay no heed to what we’ve said &lt;br&gt;<br /> Bien Hoa’s a bed of roses, but we’d rather be at Stead&lt;br&gt;<br /> So hide your apprehension and conceal your many fears&lt;br&gt;<br /> Take comfort in remembering that you are volunteers<br /> <br /> <br /> =Appendix C=<br /> ==Roster of the Original JUNGLE JIM Organization==<br /> <br /> ===4400TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> United States Air Force &lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr 9, Florida<br /> <br /> Rated Officers&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDER 3 August 1961 (NUMBER P-10)<br /> <br /> Under the Provisions of Paragraph 7 Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers, this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1, Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • COL BENJAMIN H KING <br /> • CAPT DAVID L MURPHY<br /> • LT COL ROBERT L GLEASON <br /> • CAPT AARON L NILES JR<br /> • LT COL CHESTER A JACK <br /> • CAPT FRANKLIN G OWENS<br /> • MAJ RICHARD N BROUGHTON <br /> • CAPT JOHN R PATTEE<br /> • MAJ JOHN L DOWNING <br /> • CAPT RUBEN H PATTERSON<br /> • MAJ HOMA B STILLWELL <br /> • CAPT JOHN L PIOTROWSKI<br /> • CAPT THOMAS L BIGGERS <br /> • CAPT ARTHUR W PITTMAN<br /> • CAPT HERBERT W BOOTH JR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD J RICE<br /> • CAPT GEORGE F BRENNAN JR <br /> • CAPT EARL D RICHARDS<br /> • CAPT HARRY J BROWN <br /> • CAPT JOHN M ROWAN<br /> • CAPT JACK H CAPERS <br /> • CAPT RICHARD W SANBORN<br /> • CAPT HOMER J CARLILE <br /> • CAPT MARTIN G SAUNDERS<br /> • CAPT JOHN D CARRINGTON <br /> • CAPT PAUL E SHEPARD<br /> • CAPT BILLY J CHANCELLOR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD N SMITH<br /> • CAPT FRED C CLOW JR <br /> • CAPT HENRY B STEIDL<br /> • CAPT JOHN S CONNORS <br /> • CAPT IRWIN C SWETT<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R DAVIS <br /> • CAPT THOMAS H TEMPLE JR<br /> • CAPT SIEGEL M DICKMAN <br /> • CAPT GERALD F TEWES<br /> • CAPT PAUL G DONNER <br /> • CAPT ARNOLD A TILLMAN<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM E DOUGHERTY <br /> • CAPT EUGENE J WALDVOGEL<br /> • CAPT MARVIN A FITTS <br /> • CAPT LUTHER A WEBB<br /> • CAPT DONALD L GEPHART <br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R WILLIAMSON<br /> • CAPT LEROY E GLIEM <br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD J AHERN<br /> • CAPT DANIEL F GROB <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN R ALBRECHT<br /> • CAPT GERALD S HAMMER <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN W BRIGGS<br /> • CAPT JAMES M HARRIS <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R CARROLL<br /> • CAPT DAVID E HENRY <br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS B CARTER<br /> • CAPT KEITH H HILL <br /> • 1ST LT WILLIAM G CASTLEN<br /> • CAPT HENRY L KARNES JR <br /> • 1ST LT JOSEPH J CONDE JR<br /> • CAPT IRA L KIMES JR <br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F DAVIS<br /> • CAPT GEORGE R KIRBY <br /> • 1ST LT ROGER S EDWARDS <br /> • CAPT JAMES A KOSTAN <br /> • 1ST LT LOYD L ENNIS<br /> • CAPT ROBERT A LAMBERTON JR <br /> • 1ST LT RANDALL EVERETT III<br /> • CAPT JEAN D LANDRY <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES W FISHER<br /> • CAPT RICHARD F LEGEZA <br /> • 1ST LT MAURICE S GASTON<br /> • CAPT JESSE E LEWIS JR <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R HARPER<br /> • CAPT ARTHUR G LIMPANTSIS <br /> • 1ST LT JAMES L HARPER<br /> • CAPT LAWRENCE L LIVELY <br /> • 1ST LT WALTER K HENNIGAN<br /> • CAPT THOMAS C MCEWEN <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN A HOPE<br /> • CAPT JOHN R MCGAVIN <br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE L HOWARD JR<br /> • CAPT LORIS R MILLER <br /> • 1ST LT DUDLEY J HUGHES<br /> • CAPT HERMAN S MOORE<br /> <br /> B. H. KING&lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> WARREN V. TRENT&lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> <br /> ===4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> <br /> United States Air Force&lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr. 9, Florida&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDERS 4 August 1961<br /> (NUMBER P-11 )<br /> <br /> Under the provisions of Paragraph 7&lt;br&gt; Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers of this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1. Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • 1ST LT ANDREW T JESSUP<br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD K KISSAM JR.<br /> • 1 ST LT ROBERT L LESCHACK<br /> • 1ST LT JACK D LETOURNEAU<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN H LIVESAY<br /> • I ST LT ROY I LEWIS<br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F MAHEU<br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE E MARTINEZ<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A MATHISON<br /> • 1ST LT DONALD J MAXWELL<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN D MITCHELL JR.<br /> • 1ST LT JIM A MOORE<br /> • 1ST LT RALPH M NADDO<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD G PHILLIPS<br /> • 1ST LT DEXTER F POTTER<br /> • 1ST LT BOBBY K REYNOLDS<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A RUSSELL<br /> • 1ST LT CARMEN T SCARPINO<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL E SCHUELER<br /> • 1ST LT GLYNDON V SCOTT<br /> • 1ST LT WILLIE L SEIRER<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD L SELBERG<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD G SEMPLE<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN P SLAUSON<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD C TEGGE<br /> • 1ST LT LORENZ J WALKER<br /> • 1ST LT HILLARD J WALLACE<br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS R WHITE<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL R WINDELL<br /> <br /> B. F. KING &lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> Warren V. Trent &lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF &lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> <br /> Six non-rated officers were also in that original unit: Warren Trent, Administrative Officer; Captain Joe Threadgill, Flight Surgeon; Captain Tom Egleston, Combat Controller; Captain Tony Scarpace, Communications Officer; and Captain Bob Block and Lieutenant Bill Williamson, Intelligence Officers.<br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> It is with great regret that the author could not locate anything close to a comprehensive list of the NCOs and Airmen of this unit. However, I hasten to add that their contribution was every bit as valuable and noteworthy as those on the above rosters.</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Commando_Chronicles&diff=9434 2023-01-19T00:34:19Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* 4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC) */</p> <hr /> <div>IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity's sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. <br /> <br /> https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/1534082/Robert-L-Gleason<br /> <br /> =Contents=<br /> <br /> =Forward=<br /> <br /> =Introduction=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 1=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 2=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 3=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 4=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 5=<br /> =Chapter 6=<br /> =Chapter 7=<br /> =Chapter 8=<br /> =Chapter 9=<br /> =Chapter 10=<br /> =Chapter 11=<br /> =Chapter 12=<br /> =Chapter 13=<br /> =Chapter 14=<br /> =Epilogue=<br /> =Appendix A=<br /> =Appendix B=<br /> ==Songs of FARM GATE==<br /> Air Commando songs from the early days, on the first trip to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1961, led by their “fearless leader,” Colonel Ben “WOULDN’T SAY NO” King. (From the collection of Eugene D. Rossel)<br /> <br /> The Land of the Great Monsoon<br /> (Tune: North to Alaska)<br /> We all left from Fort Walton in the Year of ’61&lt;br&gt;<br /> Along with Col King on a flight that was no fun&lt;br&gt;<br /> We went to trash the Viet Cong in the land of the great Monsoon&lt;br&gt;<br /> How did we get there? By an overloaded Goon.<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your feet are getting rotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your names have been forgotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> The bug bites itch like a son-of-a-bitch&lt;br&gt;<br /> In the land of the great Monsoon<br /> <br /> We pulled out of Montana for the land of the midnight sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> And when we got to Whitehorse we landed all but one,&lt;br&gt;<br /> Frank overflew that Yukon town on a nite that was so black&lt;br&gt;<br /> He had to make Alaska for there was no turning back<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Col bought an engine in the land of the ice and snow&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ground crew changed it quickly because we had to go&lt;br&gt;<br /> We lumbered down the Aleutian chain headed for Adak&lt;br&gt;<br /> The prop ice on the fuselage reminded us of flak&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We blasted off from Adak and the clouds were all around&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ice was bad, the weather sad, but we were Midway bound&lt;br&gt;<br /> The west wind lashed our ancient craft with a mighty force&lt;br&gt;<br /> And Maheu and Tegge were ninety miles off course<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> When we touched down at Midway it was dark as it could be&lt;br&gt;<br /> And it wasn’t any lighter when we got up at three&lt;br&gt;<br /> We took the active runway as dawn began to break&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sixty thousand gooney birds saw us off to Wake<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Now Wake’s a little island where Marines made history&lt;br&gt;<br /> And how our gooney’s got there is still a mystery&lt;br&gt;<br /> We descended on the Colonel with grog and a two piece band&lt;br&gt;<br /> And by seven in the evening the mob was out of hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Songs of the Gooney (SC-47 Crews)==<br /> (Tune: Cigarettes &amp; Whiskey)<br /> <br /> Gather around flyboys, I’ll sing you a tune&lt;br&gt;<br /> Of life with the Air Force and four ancient goons&lt;br&gt;<br /> They shook and they shuddered, protesting each mile&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they crossed the Pacific from isle to isle<br /> <br /> Departing one morning from old number nine&lt;br&gt;<br /> To Destin the Crestview for one final time&lt;br&gt;<br /> Off for Montana all day in the sky&lt;br&gt;<br /> Watching the US and A pass on by<br /> <br /> Commander’s decisions, last minute revisions&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> Next morning at four we were up and around&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through headwinds and snowstorms the goons thundered on&lt;br&gt;<br /> Three stopped at Whiethorse, but Owens went by&lt;br&gt;<br /> Oh! Elmendorf radar, oh where the hell am I<br /> <br /> The next leg’s to Adak, an island of stone&lt;br&gt;<br /> It seemed that good fortune had left us alone&lt;br&gt;<br /> We wondered why we flew this route straight to Hell&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Niles had picked it and he’s TAC Eval&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The V.C. and snake bites and bugs that bite all night&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The trip down to Midway was filled with remorse&lt;br&gt;<br /> The nav’s all had trouble with the line they called course&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through UHF DF we all got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> And came into Midway, that blundering herd<br /> <br /> One day to Wake another to Guam&lt;br&gt;<br /> They seemed like short trips to our prop driven bomb&lt;br&gt;<br /> Then on to Bien Hoa in the final test&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Lewis decided it’s time for a rest<br /> <br /> The couriers and Recon on the banks of the Mekong&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane<br /> <br /> We finally made Bien Hoa, but things here are sad&lt;br&gt;<br /> The commander is worried, morale is so bad&lt;br&gt;<br /> But he has a solution that will fix all that&lt;br&gt;<br /> A guaranteed genuine good morale hat<br /> <br /> Each week we’re inspected by Generals from Clark&lt;br&gt;<br /> They get here in daylight and leave before dark&lt;br&gt;<br /> But we’ve still got spirit, desire still burns&lt;br&gt;<br /> That someday we’ll rotate and never return<br /> <br /> The faucets they all fail, there’s no pay and no mail&lt;br&gt;<br /> It drives you crazy, it drives you insane<br /> <br /> <br /> ==The TF-28 Fighter Pilots Song==<br /> The fighter jock were fearless when they left the old home shore&lt;br&gt;<br /> They spanned the Blue Pacific in their F-124&lt;br&gt;<br /> They thought the ride on “Shakey” wasn’t very great&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they never could have made it in their TF-28<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We’re finally all together at the station of Bien Hoa&lt;br&gt;<br /> The B-26 boys are the worst we ever saw&lt;br&gt;<br /> They never miss a briefing, they’ve always got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> But you can’t fly any mission when you haven’t got a bird<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We finally got a mission in this foreign distant land&lt;br&gt;<br /> The jocks made practice air strikes, while we dropped bags of sand&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sometimes in the evening when we were free of cares&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Colonel gets us out of bed to drop a hundred flares<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> You new boys do not listen, pay no heed to what we’ve said &lt;br&gt;<br /> Bien Hoa’s a bed of roses, but we’d rather be at Stead&lt;br&gt;<br /> So hide your apprehension and conceal your many fears&lt;br&gt;<br /> Take comfort in remembering that you are volunteers<br /> <br /> <br /> =Appendix C=<br /> ==Roster of the Original JUNGLE JIM Organization==<br /> <br /> ===4400TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> United States Air Force &lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr 9, Florida<br /> <br /> Rated Officers&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDER 3 August 1961 (NUMBER P-10)<br /> <br /> Under the Provisions of Paragraph 7 Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers, this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1, Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • COL BENJAMIN H KING <br /> • CAPT DAVID L MURPHY<br /> • LT COL ROBERT L GLEASON <br /> • CAPT AARON L NILES JR<br /> • LT COL CHESTER A JACK <br /> • CAPT FRANKLIN G OWENS<br /> • MAJ RICHARD N BROUGHTON <br /> • CAPT JOHN R PATTEE<br /> • MAJ JOHN L DOWNING <br /> • CAPT RUBEN H PATTERSON<br /> • MAJ HOMA B STILLWELL <br /> • CAPT JOHN L PIOTROWSKI<br /> • CAPT THOMAS L BIGGERS <br /> • CAPT ARTHUR W PITTMAN<br /> • CAPT HERBERT W BOOTH JR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD J RICE<br /> • CAPT GEORGE F BRENNAN JR <br /> • CAPT EARL D RICHARDS<br /> • CAPT HARRY J BROWN <br /> • CAPT JOHN M ROWAN<br /> • CAPT JACK H CAPERS <br /> • CAPT RICHARD W SANBORN<br /> • CAPT HOMER J CARLILE <br /> • CAPT MARTIN G SAUNDERS<br /> • CAPT JOHN D CARRINGTON <br /> • CAPT PAUL E SHEPARD<br /> • CAPT BILLY J CHANCELLOR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD N SMITH<br /> • CAPT FRED C CLOW JR <br /> • CAPT HENRY B STEIDL<br /> • CAPT JOHN S CONNORS <br /> • CAPT IRWIN C SWETT<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R DAVIS <br /> • CAPT THOMAS H TEMPLE JR<br /> • CAPT SIEGEL M DICKMAN <br /> • CAPT GERALD F TEWES<br /> • CAPT PAUL G DONNER <br /> • CAPT ARNOLD A TILLMAN<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM E DOUGHERTY <br /> • CAPT EUGENE J WALDVOGEL<br /> • CAPT MARVIN A FITTS <br /> • CAPT LUTHER A WEBB<br /> • CAPT DONALD L GEPHART <br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R WILLIAMSON<br /> • CAPT LEROY E GLIEM <br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD J AHERN<br /> • CAPT DANIEL F GROB <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN R ALBRECHT<br /> • CAPT GERALD S HAMMER <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN W BRIGGS<br /> • CAPT JAMES M HARRIS <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R CARROLL<br /> • CAPT DAVID E HENRY <br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS B CARTER<br /> • CAPT KEITH H HILL <br /> • 1ST LT WILLIAM G CASTLEN<br /> • CAPT HENRY L KARNES JR <br /> • 1ST LT JOSEPH J CONDE JR<br /> • CAPT IRA L KIMES JR <br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F DAVIS<br /> • CAPT GEORGE R KIRBY <br /> • 1ST LT ROGER S EDWARDS <br /> • CAPT JAMES A KOSTAN <br /> • 1ST LT LOYD L ENNIS<br /> • CAPT ROBERT A LAMBERTON JR <br /> • 1ST LT RANDALL EVERETT III<br /> • CAPT JEAN D LANDRY <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES W FISHER<br /> • CAPT RICHARD F LEGEZA <br /> • 1ST LT MAURICE S GASTON<br /> • CAPT JESSE E LEWIS JR <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R HARPER<br /> • CAPT ARTHUR G LIMPANTSIS <br /> • 1ST LT JAMES L HARPER<br /> • CAPT LAWRENCE L LIVELY <br /> • 1ST LT WALTER K HENNIGAN<br /> • CAPT THOMAS C MCEWEN <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN A HOPE<br /> • CAPT JOHN R MCGAVIN <br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE L HOWARD JR<br /> • CAPT LORIS R MILLER <br /> • 1ST LT DUDLEY J HUGHES<br /> • CAPT HERMAN S MOORE<br /> <br /> B. H. KING&lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> WARREN V. TRENT&lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> <br /> ===4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> <br /> United States Air Force&lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr. 9, Florida&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDERS 4 August 1961<br /> (NUMBER P-11 )<br /> <br /> Under the provisions of Paragraph 7&lt;br&gt; Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers of this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1. Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • 1ST LT ANDREW T JESSUP<br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD K KISSAM JR.<br /> • 1 ST LT ROBERT L LESCHACK<br /> • 1ST LT JACK D LETOURNEAU<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN H LIVESAY<br /> • I ST LT ROY I LEWIS<br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F MAHEU<br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE E MARTINEZ<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A MATHISON<br /> • 1ST LT DONALD J MAXWELL<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN D MITCHELL JR.<br /> • 1ST LT JIM A MOORE<br /> • 1ST LT RALPH M NADDO<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD G PHILLIPS<br /> • 1ST LT DEXTER F POTTER<br /> • 1ST LT BOBBY K REYNOLDS<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A RUSSELL<br /> • 1ST LT CARMEN T SCARPINO<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL E SCHUELER<br /> • 1ST LT GLYNDON V SCOTT<br /> • 1ST LT WILLIE L SEIRER<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD L SELBERG<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD G SEMPLE<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN P SLAUSON<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD C TEGGE<br /> • 1ST LT LORENZ J WALKER<br /> • 1ST LT HILLARD J WALLACE<br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS R WHITE<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL R WINDELL<br /> <br /> B. F. KING &lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> Warren V. Trent &lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF &lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> &lt;p&gt;<br /> <br /> Six non-rated officers were also in that original unit: Warren Trent, Administrative Officer; Captain Joe Threadgill, Flight Surgeon; Captain Tom Egleston, Combat Controller; Captain Tony Scarpace, Communications Officer; and Captain Bob Block and Lieutenant Bill Williamson, Intelligence Officers.<br /> <br /> It is with great regret that the author could not locate anything close to a comprehensive list of the NCOs and Airmen of this unit. However, I hasten to add that their contribution was every bit as valuable and noteworthy as those on the above rosters.</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Air_Commando_Chronicles&diff=9433 2023-01-19T00:33:12Z

<p>WikiSysop: Created page with &quot;IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity&#039;s sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. https://www...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>IHF Note: This book is no longer in print. Lt. Col. Robert L. Gleason passed away on 5 Nov 2014, aged 93. A full copy of his work is already available online via the Air Commando Association. I am replicating his worl here for posterity's sake. No infringement or disrespect is intended. I have attempted to reach the original publisher and the Gleason family, but neither have replied. Upon the request of either party this work will be removed from this site. <br /> <br /> https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/1534082/Robert-L-Gleason<br /> <br /> =Contents=<br /> <br /> =Forward=<br /> <br /> =Introduction=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 1=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 2=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 3=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 4=<br /> <br /> =Chapter 5=<br /> =Chapter 6=<br /> =Chapter 7=<br /> =Chapter 8=<br /> =Chapter 9=<br /> =Chapter 10=<br /> =Chapter 11=<br /> =Chapter 12=<br /> =Chapter 13=<br /> =Chapter 14=<br /> =Epilogue=<br /> =Appendix A=<br /> =Appendix B=<br /> ==Songs of FARM GATE==<br /> Air Commando songs from the early days, on the first trip to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1961, led by their “fearless leader,” Colonel Ben “WOULDN’T SAY NO” King. (From the collection of Eugene D. Rossel)<br /> <br /> The Land of the Great Monsoon<br /> (Tune: North to Alaska)<br /> We all left from Fort Walton in the Year of ’61&lt;br&gt;<br /> Along with Col King on a flight that was no fun&lt;br&gt;<br /> We went to trash the Viet Cong in the land of the great Monsoon&lt;br&gt;<br /> How did we get there? By an overloaded Goon.<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your feet are getting rotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> Your names have been forgotten&lt;br&gt;<br /> The bug bites itch like a son-of-a-bitch&lt;br&gt;<br /> In the land of the great Monsoon<br /> <br /> We pulled out of Montana for the land of the midnight sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> And when we got to Whitehorse we landed all but one,&lt;br&gt;<br /> Frank overflew that Yukon town on a nite that was so black&lt;br&gt;<br /> He had to make Alaska for there was no turning back<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Col bought an engine in the land of the ice and snow&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ground crew changed it quickly because we had to go&lt;br&gt;<br /> We lumbered down the Aleutian chain headed for Adak&lt;br&gt;<br /> The prop ice on the fuselage reminded us of flak&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We blasted off from Adak and the clouds were all around&lt;br&gt;<br /> The ice was bad, the weather sad, but we were Midway bound&lt;br&gt;<br /> The west wind lashed our ancient craft with a mighty force&lt;br&gt;<br /> And Maheu and Tegge were ninety miles off course<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> When we touched down at Midway it was dark as it could be&lt;br&gt;<br /> And it wasn’t any lighter when we got up at three&lt;br&gt;<br /> We took the active runway as dawn began to break&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sixty thousand gooney birds saw us off to Wake<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> Now Wake’s a little island where Marines made history&lt;br&gt;<br /> And how our gooney’s got there is still a mystery&lt;br&gt;<br /> We descended on the Colonel with grog and a two piece band&lt;br&gt;<br /> And by seven in the evening the mob was out of hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Songs of the Gooney (SC-47 Crews)==<br /> (Tune: Cigarettes &amp; Whiskey)<br /> <br /> Gather around flyboys, I’ll sing you a tune&lt;br&gt;<br /> Of life with the Air Force and four ancient goons&lt;br&gt;<br /> They shook and they shuddered, protesting each mile&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they crossed the Pacific from isle to isle<br /> <br /> Departing one morning from old number nine&lt;br&gt;<br /> To Destin the Crestview for one final time&lt;br&gt;<br /> Off for Montana all day in the sky&lt;br&gt;<br /> Watching the US and A pass on by<br /> <br /> Commander’s decisions, last minute revisions&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> Next morning at four we were up and around&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through headwinds and snowstorms the goons thundered on&lt;br&gt;<br /> Three stopped at Whiethorse, but Owens went by&lt;br&gt;<br /> Oh! Elmendorf radar, oh where the hell am I<br /> <br /> The next leg’s to Adak, an island of stone&lt;br&gt;<br /> It seemed that good fortune had left us alone&lt;br&gt;<br /> We wondered why we flew this route straight to Hell&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Niles had picked it and he’s TAC Eval&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The V.C. and snake bites and bugs that bite all night&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The trip down to Midway was filled with remorse&lt;br&gt;<br /> The nav’s all had trouble with the line they called course&lt;br&gt;<br /> Through UHF DF we all got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> And came into Midway, that blundering herd<br /> <br /> One day to Wake another to Guam&lt;br&gt;<br /> They seemed like short trips to our prop driven bomb&lt;br&gt;<br /> Then on to Bien Hoa in the final test&lt;br&gt;<br /> But Lewis decided it’s time for a rest<br /> <br /> The couriers and Recon on the banks of the Mekong&lt;br&gt;<br /> They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane<br /> <br /> We finally made Bien Hoa, but things here are sad&lt;br&gt;<br /> The commander is worried, morale is so bad&lt;br&gt;<br /> But he has a solution that will fix all that&lt;br&gt;<br /> A guaranteed genuine good morale hat<br /> <br /> Each week we’re inspected by Generals from Clark&lt;br&gt;<br /> They get here in daylight and leave before dark&lt;br&gt;<br /> But we’ve still got spirit, desire still burns&lt;br&gt;<br /> That someday we’ll rotate and never return<br /> <br /> The faucets they all fail, there’s no pay and no mail&lt;br&gt;<br /> It drives you crazy, it drives you insane<br /> <br /> <br /> ==The TF-28 Fighter Pilots Song==<br /> The fighter jock were fearless when they left the old home shore&lt;br&gt;<br /> They spanned the Blue Pacific in their F-124&lt;br&gt;<br /> They thought the ride on “Shakey” wasn’t very great&lt;br&gt;<br /> But they never could have made it in their TF-28<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We’re finally all together at the station of Bien Hoa&lt;br&gt;<br /> The B-26 boys are the worst we ever saw&lt;br&gt;<br /> They never miss a briefing, they’ve always got the word&lt;br&gt;<br /> But you can’t fly any mission when you haven’t got a bird<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> We finally got a mission in this foreign distant land&lt;br&gt;<br /> The jocks made practice air strikes, while we dropped bags of sand&lt;br&gt;<br /> And sometimes in the evening when we were free of cares&lt;br&gt;<br /> The Colonel gets us out of bed to drop a hundred flares<br /> <br /> CHORUS:&lt;br&gt;<br /> You new boys do not listen, pay no heed to what we’ve said &lt;br&gt;<br /> Bien Hoa’s a bed of roses, but we’d rather be at Stead&lt;br&gt;<br /> So hide your apprehension and conceal your many fears&lt;br&gt;<br /> Take comfort in remembering that you are volunteers<br /> <br /> <br /> =Appendix C=<br /> ==Roster of the Original JUNGLE JIM Organization==<br /> <br /> ===4400TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> United States Air Force &lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr 9, Florida<br /> <br /> Rated Officers&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDER 3 August 1961 (NUMBER P-10)<br /> <br /> Under the Provisions of Paragraph 7 Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers, this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1, Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • COL BENJAMIN H KING <br /> • CAPT DAVID L MURPHY<br /> • LT COL ROBERT L GLEASON <br /> • CAPT AARON L NILES JR<br /> • LT COL CHESTER A JACK <br /> • CAPT FRANKLIN G OWENS<br /> • MAJ RICHARD N BROUGHTON <br /> • CAPT JOHN R PATTEE<br /> • MAJ JOHN L DOWNING <br /> • CAPT RUBEN H PATTERSON<br /> • MAJ HOMA B STILLWELL <br /> • CAPT JOHN L PIOTROWSKI<br /> • CAPT THOMAS L BIGGERS <br /> • CAPT ARTHUR W PITTMAN<br /> • CAPT HERBERT W BOOTH JR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD J RICE<br /> • CAPT GEORGE F BRENNAN JR <br /> • CAPT EARL D RICHARDS<br /> • CAPT HARRY J BROWN <br /> • CAPT JOHN M ROWAN<br /> • CAPT JACK H CAPERS <br /> • CAPT RICHARD W SANBORN<br /> • CAPT HOMER J CARLILE <br /> • CAPT MARTIN G SAUNDERS<br /> • CAPT JOHN D CARRINGTON <br /> • CAPT PAUL E SHEPARD<br /> • CAPT BILLY J CHANCELLOR <br /> • CAPT RICHARD N SMITH<br /> • CAPT FRED C CLOW JR <br /> • CAPT HENRY B STEIDL<br /> • CAPT JOHN S CONNORS <br /> • CAPT IRWIN C SWETT<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R DAVIS <br /> • CAPT THOMAS H TEMPLE JR<br /> • CAPT SIEGEL M DICKMAN <br /> • CAPT GERALD F TEWES<br /> • CAPT PAUL G DONNER <br /> • CAPT ARNOLD A TILLMAN<br /> • CAPT WILLIAM E DOUGHERTY <br /> • CAPT EUGENE J WALDVOGEL<br /> • CAPT MARVIN A FITTS <br /> • CAPT LUTHER A WEBB<br /> • CAPT DONALD L GEPHART <br /> • CAPT WILLIAM R WILLIAMSON<br /> • CAPT LEROY E GLIEM <br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD J AHERN<br /> • CAPT DANIEL F GROB <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN R ALBRECHT<br /> • CAPT GERALD S HAMMER <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN W BRIGGS<br /> • CAPT JAMES M HARRIS <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R CARROLL<br /> • CAPT DAVID E HENRY <br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS B CARTER<br /> • CAPT KEITH H HILL <br /> • 1ST LT WILLIAM G CASTLEN<br /> • CAPT HENRY L KARNES JR <br /> • 1ST LT JOSEPH J CONDE JR<br /> • CAPT IRA L KIMES JR <br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F DAVIS<br /> • CAPT GEORGE R KIRBY <br /> • 1ST LT ROGER S EDWARDS <br /> • CAPT JAMES A KOSTAN <br /> • 1ST LT LOYD L ENNIS<br /> • CAPT ROBERT A LAMBERTON JR <br /> • 1ST LT RANDALL EVERETT III<br /> • CAPT JEAN D LANDRY <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES W FISHER<br /> • CAPT RICHARD F LEGEZA <br /> • 1ST LT MAURICE S GASTON<br /> • CAPT JESSE E LEWIS JR <br /> • 1ST LT CHARLES R HARPER<br /> • CAPT ARTHUR G LIMPANTSIS <br /> • 1ST LT JAMES L HARPER<br /> • CAPT LAWRENCE L LIVELY <br /> • 1ST LT WALTER K HENNIGAN<br /> • CAPT THOMAS C MCEWEN <br /> • 1ST LT JOHN A HOPE<br /> • CAPT JOHN R MCGAVIN <br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE L HOWARD JR<br /> • CAPT LORIS R MILLER <br /> • 1ST LT DUDLEY J HUGHES<br /> • CAPT HERMAN S MOORE<br /> <br /> B. H. KING&lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> WARREN V. TRENT&lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> <br /> ===4400 COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON (TAC)===<br /> <br /> United States Air Force&lt;br&gt;<br /> Eglin AF Auxiliary Field Nr. 9, Florida&lt;br&gt;<br /> SPECIAL ORDERS 4 August 1961<br /> (NUMBER P-11 )<br /> <br /> Under the provisions of Paragraph 7&lt;br&gt; Section V, Chapter 2, AFM 35-13, the following named Officers of this squadron, this station are placed on Unconditional Flying Status Code 1. Effective 1 Aug 61.<br /> <br /> • 1ST LT ANDREW T JESSUP<br /> • 1ST LT EDWARD K KISSAM JR.<br /> • 1 ST LT ROBERT L LESCHACK<br /> • 1ST LT JACK D LETOURNEAU<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN H LIVESAY<br /> • I ST LT ROY I LEWIS<br /> • 1ST LT ROBERT F MAHEU<br /> • 1ST LT CLYDE E MARTINEZ<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A MATHISON<br /> • 1ST LT DONALD J MAXWELL<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN D MITCHELL JR.<br /> • 1ST LT JIM A MOORE<br /> • 1ST LT RALPH M NADDO<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD G PHILLIPS<br /> • 1ST LT DEXTER F POTTER<br /> • 1ST LT BOBBY K REYNOLDS<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD A RUSSELL<br /> • 1ST LT CARMEN T SCARPINO<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL E SCHUELER<br /> • 1ST LT GLYNDON V SCOTT<br /> • 1ST LT WILLIE L SEIRER<br /> • 1ST LT RONALD L SELBERG<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD G SEMPLE<br /> • 1ST LT JOHN P SLAUSON<br /> • 1ST LT RICHARD C TEGGE<br /> • 1ST LT LORENZ J WALKER<br /> • 1ST LT HILLARD J WALLACE<br /> • 1ST LT THOMAS R WHITE<br /> • 1ST LT PAUL R WINDELL<br /> <br /> B. F. KING &lt;br&gt;<br /> Colonel, USAF&lt;br&gt;<br /> Commander<br /> <br /> Warren V. Trent &lt;br&gt;<br /> Captain, USAF &lt;br&gt;<br /> Administrative Officer<br /> <br /> * * *<br /> <br /> Six non-rated officers were also in that original unit: Warren Trent, Administrative Officer; Captain Joe Threadgill, Flight Surgeon; Captain Tom Egleston, Combat Controller; Captain Tony Scarpace, Communications Officer; and Captain Bob Block and Lieutenant Bill Williamson, Intelligence Officers.<br /> <br /> It is with great regret that the author could not locate anything close to a comprehensive list of the NCOs and Airmen of this unit. However, I hasten to add that their contribution was every bit as valuable and noteworthy as those on the above rosters.<br /> <br /> * * *</div>

WikiSysop http://claybornglobal.com/IHF/index.php?title=Invader_Products_and_Media&diff=9432 2023-01-19T00:32:49Z

<p>WikiSysop: /* Books */</p> <hr /> <div>This page serves as a hub-page for Invader-related products and media. If you know of any Invader-related material that we have omitted, please let us know. <br /> <br /> =Media=<br /> This section is for Invaders appearing in books, TV, and Film. <br /> ==Books==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Author<br /> !Title<br /> !Year<br /> !IHF Has<br /> |-<br /> |Anderson, Andrew &amp; Blunk, Chester<br /> |Involuntary: 731st Night Intruders Over Korea.<br /> |2000<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Blunk, Chester<br /> |Every Man a Tiger: The 731st United States Air Force Night Intruders over Korea.<br /> |1987<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Celeski, Joseph<br /> |Special Air Warfare and the Secret War in Laos: Air Commandos 1964-1975<br /> |2019<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Davis, Larry<br /> |Air War Over Korea: A Pictoral Record<br /> |1984<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Doyle, David<br /> |[[A-26/B-26 Invader In Action]]<br /> |2016<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Gallemi, Frances<br /> |[[Warbird Profile: A-26B/C Invader]]<br /> |1994<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Gleason, Robert L. <br /> |[[Air Commando Chronicles]]<br /> |2000<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Graham, Roger<br /> |[[The Nimrods]]<br /> |2007<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Graham, Roger<br /> |[[Fly By Knights]]<br /> |2022<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Haarmeyer, Arthur<br /> |[[Into the Land of Darkness: A Bombadier-Navigator's Story]]<br /> |2013<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Hagedorn, Dan &amp; Hellstrom, Leif<br /> |[[Foreign Invaders: The Douglas Invader in Foreign Military and US Clandestine Service]]<br /> |1994<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Hinton, Charles <br /> |Korea - A Short Time in a Small War: A Combat Story in the B-26 in the Korean War.<br /> |2014<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |Jackson, Robert<br /> |[[Air War Korea: 1950-1953]]<br /> |1998<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Johnsen, Frederick<br /> |[[Douglas A-26 Invader: Warbird Tech Vol. 22]]<br /> |1999<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Lasly, Walt<br /> |Turn the Tigers Loose<br /> |1956<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |McDaniel, Wally<br /> |Fly Till You Die: 452nd Bomb Wing (Light)<br /> |<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |Mesko, Jim<br /> |[[A-26 Invader In Action #37]]<br /> |1984<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Mesko, Jim<br /> |[[Douglas A-26 Invader - Walkaround #51]]<br /> |2008<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |Mesko, Jim<br /> |[[A-26 Invader In Action #134]]<br /> |1993<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Ricketts, William &amp; Thomas, Lucien<br /> |[[Invader - An Anthology: The 13th Bomb Squadron in Korea]]<br /> |1994<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Roeder, Jim<br /> |[[A-26 Invader Units of World War 2]]<br /> |2013<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Szlagor, Tomasz<br /> |[[Martin B-26 Marauder &amp; Douglas A-26 Invader: In Combat over Europe]]<br /> |2013<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |Thomas, Lucien<br /> |[[Pintail Three]]<br /> |1999<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Thompson, Scott<br /> |[[Douglas A-26 and B-26 Invader]]<br /> |2002<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Thompson, Warren<br /> |[[B-26 Invader Units over Korea]]<br /> |2000<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Trest, Warren &amp; Dodd, Donald<br /> |Wings of Denial: The Alabama Air National Guard’s Covert Role at the Bay of Pigs.<br /> |2001<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |USAF<br /> |[[Pilot Training Manual for the Invader]]<br /> |1944<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Zumbach, Jean<br /> |On wings of war: My life as a pilot adventurer.<br /> |1975<br /> |No<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ==Magazines==<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable sortable&quot;<br /> !Title<br /> !Year<br /> !Volume<br /> !IHF Has<br /> |-<br /> |Air Classics<br /> |1994 (Mar)<br /> |Vol 30, No 3<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Air Classics<br /> |2002 (Aug)<br /> |Vol 38, No 8<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Air Classics<br /> |2002 (Sep)<br /> |Vol 38, No 9<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |Air Classics<br /> |2019 (Jan)<br /> |Vol 55, No 1<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Air Commando Journal<br /> |<br /> |Vol 4, No 1<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Air Enthusiast<br /> |1978<br /> |Vol 7<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Air Force Magazine<br /> |2007 (Feb)<br /> |Vol 90, No 2<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Airman Magazine<br /> |Aug 2003<br /> |<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |International Air Power Review<br /> |2005<br /> |Vol 18<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Popular Science<br /> |1945 (Jul)<br /> |Vol 147<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |War in the Air: A-26 Invader (Russian)<br /> |2005<br /> |Vol 142<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Wings<br /> |1974 (Jun)<br /> |Vol 4, No 3<br /> |Yes<br /> |-<br /> |Wings of Fame: The Journal of Classic Combat Aircraft<br /> |1998<br /> |Vol 13<br /> |No<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ==Film==<br /> This is a list of films where Invaders can be seen in the movie.<br /> *[[A time to Die]]<br /> *[[Always]]<br /> *[[Anata Kaimasu]]<br /> *[[Aviatuers, 75 and d'aventures]]<br /> *[[Badlands]]<br /> *[[Cannon]]<br /> *[[Cash McCall]]<br /> *[[Fighter Squadron]]<br /> *[[Gibier d'elevage]]<br /> *[[Glenn, the Flying Robot]]<br /> *[[Havana]]<br /> *[[Historias de la revolucion]]<br /> *[[Invasion USA]]<br /> *[[L'Armee de l'Air en Algerie]]<br /> *[[La grande vadrouille]]<br /> *[[Le livre des morts]]<br /> *[[Les ailes de France: La Caravelle]]<br /> *[[Massive Speed]]<br /> *[[My Favorite Spy]]<br /> *[[One Six Right: The Romance of Flying]]<br /> *[[Peuple en marche]]<br /> *[[Promise at Dawn]]<br /> *[[Sayonara]]<br /> *[[Steelyard Blues]]<br /> *[[Target Earth]]<br /> *[[The Train]]<br /> *[[Toward the Unknown]]<br /> <br /> ==Games==<br /> *[[War Thunder]]<br /> *[[World of Warplanes]]<br /> <br /> ==Art==<br /> Click here to go to the [[Art Gallery]].<br /> <br /> =Products=<br /> This section is for Invader-related products. <br /> ==Scale Models==<br /> <br /> ===1:48 Scale===<br /> *[[Gerald J. Elliott - Glass Nose]]<br /> *[[Gerald J. Elliott - Gun Nose]]<br /> *[[ICM A-26B-15 Invader #ICM48282]]<br /> *[[ICM B-26B-50 Invader #ICM48281]]<br /> *[[Monogram A/B-26C Invader #5508]]<br /> *[[MustHave! Douglas A-26 Invader #MH148003]]<br /> *[[Promodeller A-26B Invader #5920]]<br /> *[[Revell A-26B Invader]] #85-5524, #03921, #04504<br /> <br /> ===1:72 Scale===<br /> *[[AirFix A-26 Invader #50050]]<br /> *[[AirFix Douglas A-26 B/C Invader #05011]]<br /> *[[Italeri A-26 Invader #1274]]<br /> *[[Rose Marie]] Hobby Master 1/72 HA3205<br /> <br /> ===R/C Models===<br /> *[[Phoenix Model A-26 Invader (1:9) #PH170]]<br /> <br /> ==Miniatures==<br /> This section includes small-scale displays. <br /> *[[Armaments in Miniature]] 1:200<br /> *[[GHQ - Micro Armor]] 1:285<br /> *[[Floz Display Model]] 1:144<br /> *[[Flying Color Collection A-26C Invader]] 1:144<br /> *[[Luftwaffe 1946]] 1:300<br /> <br /> ==3D Models==<br /> This section has a list of available 3D models and critiques on the accuracy of the model. &lt;br/&gt;<br /> [[List of 3D Models]]<br /> <br /> =Miscellaneous=<br /> This section contains miscellaneous Invader items. <br /> <br /> ==Patches==<br /> This section is for Invader Patches that are not part of a military unit. <br /> *[[Harmony Pictures Patch]]</div>

WikiSysop