F-35 Taxiing at Luke AFB, Arizona – This and following photos courtesy of the USAF                      F-35 Lighting II Fighter Taxis at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

                      Two F-35 Lightnings Flying in Tactical Formation Above Clouds.          F-35 Hi-Speed Climb Causing Condensation Trails from Wing Air Compression

Breaking News: The GAO (Government Accountability Office) claims the F-35 Pratt & Whitney engines to be so seriously unreliable that the issue is stalling the planned increase in production of the hi-tech fighter.  The Lockheed F-35, is the most costly weapons system ever put into production. In addition to this latest setback, the GAO reports that continuing problems with the aircraft’s software are still not fully resolved, posing more serious problems regarding future deployments of the fighter.  For more news of this breaking story see major news outlets.

For you old timers among us:  Do you remember this famous aeroplane?  If so, and you’d like to see it in action again, just click on the photo of the esteemed de Havilland Mosquito above and then witness a HD video of its rebirth.  At the end of this write-up, down below, you’ll find another link that will take you directly to a 6 minute video of the actual reconstruction of this famous warbird.  This story was suggested by FASF members, Wayne and Debbi Evans.

It was famed for its sheer beauty of design, its symmetry and the melodious purring of its two large Rolls Royce Merlin engines, the same that powered that single engined star performer of the Royal Air Force, the indomitable Supermarine Spitfire, another classic aircraft wonder.

The De Havilland Mosquito was nicknamed the “Mossie” by it pilots and crews.  The ship was beautifully streamlined for its day, yet it was amazingly enough constructed almost entirely of wood – a new concoction fabricated by the plane’s designer, Sir  Geoffrey de Havilland, Sr. (seen in photo above after his victory in a 1929 Australian air race in 1929).  This new construction “sandwich” technology actually preceded by over half a century the latest new carbon fiber technology developed and applied to Spaceship I by American aviation pioneer, Burt Rutan, of Scaled Composites.  Sir de Havilland’s system was one in which light weight balsa wood was sandwiched in between layers of plywood.  If you were ever a model airplane builder or enthusiast, you most likely made your models from this ultra light weight – but not noted to be strong – kind of wood – long before plastic modeling became popular.  Remember?

FASF member from Arizona, Colonel Frank Smith, observed that the Mossie was likely the first “Stealth” aircraft to ever see action during WWII, when RADAR was first employed by both the Allied and Axis combatants.  As the Colonel observed, “The Mosquito, being made out of wood and fabric, also had a low Radar signature. One more reason they were safe from Axis fighters. By design, one of the first stealth planes.”

The beautiful VIMEO HD film, by videographer Scott Slocum, was breathtakingly shot ‘down under,’ so make sure you have your volume turned up.  After all, the sound of those twin Rolls Royce Merlin engines is part of the experience.

Captain de Havilland once remarked that: “If an aircraft looks right, it usually flies right.”

If this statement guided his design, the veracity of the slogan certainly spoke for itself.

His “Mossie” was most assuredly one of the most beautiful aeroplanes this famous aviation pioneer and accomplished pilot ever built – – – If not arguably one of the best British aircraft of the war.  While originally conceived to be a bomber, it soon proved so extraordinarily versatile that it quickly took on numerous other roles, including that of a combat fighter.

For over 25 years, no Mosquito has flown anywhere in the world, after the last flying one crashed at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester, UK.

This was largely because nobody wanted to trust the 50-year-old-plus balsa and plywood from which they were assembled –  and especially the old glue in the few that survived the post war years.

Then New Zealander Glyn Powell, realizing that the only way a Mossie would ever fly again would be to basically build a new one from an old wreck, but he discovered that all the original jigs necessary to form the wooden structures had long since been destroyed.  Many of millions of dollars later, you can see the startling and wondrous results of his ambitious vision. As this modest restoration genius remarked, “The devil is in the details.”  The woodworking skill sets it took to create this amazing airplane are extremely difficult, if not almost impossible to find in this modern-day and age.

So, as a “retirement project,” Powell set out to build a new one from the chaotic assemblage of the junked remains he inherited, but he remained faithful to the original Mossies – right down to the last and smallest details.

Needless to say, it took him decades.

What followed is the first result to come from those painstakingly reconstructed forming jigs.

This reborn Mossie First flew in NZ in 2013, now it’s over here in the USA.

Was this the finest aircraft of WWII?

• It could carry a greater bomb load to Berlin than a B-17
• Could fly higher and/or faster than nearly all contemporary fighters, so no need for      defensive armament
• The first true Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). Bomber, fighter, night-fighter, fighter-bomber, strike, anti-shipping, torpedo-bomber, photo-recce, trainer, target-tug.
• 1/10^th the loss rate of the Lancaster
• On the relatively rare occasions when one did go down, 2 men were lost, not the 7 in a Lancaster or the 10 in a B-17
• 1/3^rd the cost of a Lancaster
• So fast that the Americans, to avoid comparison, issued a standing order that their fastest fighter, the P-38 Lightning, was never to fly side-by-side with one.
• Quotes:

o    AVM Don Bennett, AOC No 8 (Pathfinder) Group: “It’s quite clear that the value of the Mosquito to the war effort is significantly greater than that of any other aircraft in the history of aviation.”

o    General Erhard Milch, the deputy head of the Luftwaffe: “I fear that one day the British will start attacking with masses of this aircraft, which we should have.”

o   Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring head of the Luftwaffe: “It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy.”

Please enjoy the video above and let us know how your rate the short 8 minute film.  If you click right here, you’ll see a 6 minute YouTube video of the reconstruction itself.

P.S. There’s now a second Mossie flying in Canada. So that’s two in North America and none in Britain. Hopefully our British brethren will soon remedy this shortcoming and pay proper tribute to their own glorious aviation past.

Above:  USAF C-17 Globemaster III in flight

 Ira with Retired USN Aviator, Roger Springstead

                                                                               Colonel Ira Cline, USAF, Professor of Aerospace Sciences at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Trustee of the FASF gave an informative and enthusiastically received presentation about the Air Force’s famous heavy hauler aircraft, the Globemaster III, or the C-17, transport, pictured above left. The huge aircraft heavy-lifter was designed and built by the Boeing company to land at almost any airfield, even some unimproved fields – almost anywhere in the world – on its large array of 14 low-pressure wheeled landing gears.  And, there are few places in the world the large aircraft has not visited, whether in support of an ongoing conflict, or on one of its countless mercy missions to deliver medical or survival supplies across the globe.

This story’s photos are thanks to the Daedalians and may be seen in larger scale by clicking on them.

  View of Globemaster III Cockpit – Note newer type “Glass Panel” and Control Sticks immediately in front of pilot seats

Colonel Cline’s colorful slide show and video presentation were made atop El Paso’s CHASE BANK building in its famed and scenically endowed El Paso Club. The audience was a fraternal gathering of United States Military aviators from all four service branches, the Order of Daedalians.

Following Colonel Cline’s show, he was quickly inundated with a steady stream of questions from the assembled aviators, curious to know the details of how our modern day USAF now carries its and the other service’s cargo and troops around the world.

At left above is Retired Air Force transport pilot, Roger Nichols, then Col. Cline, and, to his left, Larry Spadlin, Retired Army Aviator and Beech Aircraft Electronic Warfare Technical Representative.

The Colonel described how this huge airplane was piloted using a small control stick, as were some of the early FAS Jenny’s back in 1916, not the usual larger control “yoke” or wheel, as is used in most large aircraft. He also explained another significant change in the cockpit’s instrumentation (see photo above) – and how it was no longer similar to the cockpits of the aircraft that had been flown my many of the now retired pilots amidst the audience. While the older military planes had instrument panels crowded with a large array of small circular (analog) instruments, the new ships, such as the C-17, had just a few “flat” panels (much like our newer flat computer monitors), on which even more information is displayed than was true of the old “boiler gauged” instrument panels of old. The new flat panels are commonly referred to as “Glass Panels” and are found on most modern airliners, and even the newer models of small and larger general aviation airplanes as well.

     At left and above, Ira lecturing to Daedalians . . .

Colonel Cline accumulated over 600 hours of combat flight time in the Far East, most of them in and over Afghanistan and Iraq. Prior to becoming a Command Pilot in the C-17, this FASF Trustee accumulated many hours of flight time in another large military transport aircraft, the C-141, “Starlifter. ”  Below is a view of a heavy allied Tank being loaded into the cargo bay of the C-17.

This past week, in El Paso, Texas, FASF 1st VP, Dr. Kathleen Martín (R), discussed the upcoming Centennial of the Birth of American Air Power with U. S. Army Colonel Carey Wagen (L), Commander of the U. S. Army’s 1st Armored Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade (“CAB”).

At Left, is Colonel Wagen, being welcomed to her new command at Fort Bliss’s Biggs Army Airfield two years ago.  A combat helicopter pilot, the Colonel is only the second woman to command a combat aviation brigade in the history of the U. S. Army. Prior to taking command of Ft. Bliss’ CAB, she was the Deputy Director of Aviation operations for Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. Colonel Wagen has deployed twice to Afghanistan and is presently overseeing some of her Brigade’s operations in Africa, where they are taking care of logistics for the U. S. aid project to assist in the Ebola outbreak. In her private life, the Colonel is an enthusiastic aviator, as well, often flying her own family four place experimental canard winged aircraft with her husband and two young sons. The Colonel’s husband is also a retired Army aviator.

A few Medical Air Evacuation Helicopters of Colonel Carey Wagen’s 1st Armored Dividion’s CAB at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

Your FASF Aerodrome Staff captured this photo of Col. Wagen (Right) during her presentation to a group of former Military Aviators in El Paso, at which she described her unit’s mission, present achievements and coming challenges.

Before coming to Fort Bliss, Col. Wagen commanded the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. Previously, she served in leadership and staff positions all the way up to Battalion Commander at the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters.  The Colonel earned her Master’s Degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, as well.  The Colonel obtained her officer’s commission in the Army after her graduation as a Cadet in the Army ROTC program during her undergraduate years in Florida, her home state.

Colonel Wagen’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with five Oak Leaf Clusters), the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO/ISAF Medal, Master Aviator Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Thanks to the Las Cruces, New Mexico Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA’s) Newsletter Editor, Carl Bogardus (Selfie at Left in his plane), we have some good photos of the event they and the War Eagles Air Museum (WEAM) conducted for the general public a few weeks ago at the Dona Ana County International Jet Port.  Most of the following photos were taken by the event’s Director, Brett Hahn, an active member of the EAA Chapter 555 AND the FASF. The event was so successfully promoted and orchestrated by these two FASF Sister organizations, that the public turnout broke all-time national records for the Tri-Motor ride experience, with 89 separate flights taking to the air in the vintage transport airplane, lifting aloft some 809 separate passengers for a thrill they’ll not forget!

  All photos below are thanks to Carl and his fellow EAAers.  Remember to click on a photo to view it full size.The historic Ford Tri-Motor transport takes off from the Doña Ana County International Jet Port loaded with lucky passengers from New Mexico and Texas.  Retired FASF 1st VP and local attorney, Colonel John Orton, is on the Jetport’s Advisory Board.  John and other FASF volunteers, such as Dr. Kathleen Martín, Roy Mantei and Bill Madden helped the WEAM team pick up almost 200 new members during the recent “Amigo Airsho” weekend festivities. Here’s a good view of the “front office” of this classic vintage flying machine.  Note the modern aircraft devices that have been added to the classic original “steam gauge” instrument panel seen above.  The earphones and GPS screen on the pilot’s left are noticeable improvements for its crew.EAA Tri-Motor Captain, Ed Rusch, at the controls.  El Paso’s Franklin Mountains are seen ahead.Above, Captain Ed with Safety Briefing Director, FASF Member Charlie Overstreet, a former USAF Jet Fighter Pilot.  Charlie actually briefed all the 809 passengers that took the flight at Santa Teresa!  Also helping with the crowds was FASF member and also USAF pilot, Virg Hemphill, also of El Paso.Here’s a rare view of the empty cabin, in between fresh passenger loads.  Notice the finely restored interior of this magnificent flying machine.  One of our more comfortable and reliable early airliners.Taking and active part in the big event, were “Doppler” Dave Speelman, El Paso and Las Cruces’ KVIA (ABC) TV Station’s Chief Weatherman and his two boys.  Clearly, Dave and his young men had a fine experience on this historic record-setting aviation celebration.

On the left, is Lt. Arthur Coyle, Pilot in the First Aero Squadron.

For those of you interested in the history of the First Aero Squadron once it left Columbus, New Mexico, for France, visit this Photo Album gifted to the San Diego Air and Space Museum by FAS Pilot, Arthur J. Coyle.  The intriguing album contains photos for you to peruse, along with comments by its creator, made during the historic days depicted throughout the collection of images taken during the FAS’s World War I sojourn in France and later, as victors, in Germany.  Click on any of these images and it will take you right to the website.  Lt. Coyle was first stationed with the FAS right in Columbus, and then went with it to Europe as the United States entered the great “War to End All Wars.” *  First Aero Squadron “Members of the Guard” clowning at FAS Airfield, Columbus, NM in 1917  First Hun (German) Plane Shot Down by an American Aviator – France during 1917 Campaign  Lt. Arthur J. Coyle (R) & His Observer-Gunner, Lt. Easterbrook alongside Their  “Gertrude A”By 1918 the First Aero Squadron Had Grown Significantly to the Group You See Above in France

* These vintage photos taken by FAS Pilot Coyle are displayed in full here on “flickr”

This coming month it’s time to hold on to your seats.  Discovery Channel will be airing a special series on one of the most exciting and dangerous jobs in aviation.  Watch this trailer to see what will be available for aviation fans and adrenaline junkies.  Just click on the photo below to watch this upcoming series’ trailer.  Make sure your sound is on and that your media player is ready.

For those of you who have not yet heard the tragic news, Tyler Francis, died last Monday in the crash of his just purchased experimental RV-3 single seat aerobatic plane. He had just taken off from Las Cruces Airport when his engine failed.

Tyler (L) was an early supporter of the FASF and immediately chipped in to help support the Foundation’s cause when given the chance. His firm is pictured on our “LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORTERS” page.

Tyler, who was CEO and owner of FRANCIS AVIATION at the Santa Teresa Jetport, was 29. He leaves his wife, Sara, and his unborn daughter, Tyler (whom Sara had just decided should carry her father’s name), behind as well as his parents, Rick and Ginger Francis, and his sister, Lauren.

Tyler was a fifth generation El Pasoan, whose grandfather, Larry Francis was once Mayor of El Paso. He purchased Francis Aviation from another former El Paso Mayor, Susie Azar (Tyler was recently pictured with Susie, who is also a FASF member, on the right).

He recently reorganized his Francis Aviation operations at Santa Teresa Jetport, removing the Flight Training operation in order to enhance profitability, and had just opened up a new aviation gas and refueling operation at Las Cruces Airport, where he met his untimely death. Tyler had also just won the fueling concession at New Mexico’s new Spaceport America, several miles North of Las Cruces. Tyler said, “Once Virgin Galactic starts (Public Space Flight) operations, we will be fueling the White Knight (Mother Ship) with jet fuel.”

At services in El Paso on Saturday, November 29th, his wife gave the opening Eulogy to a standing room only audience of friends and family at the Church of Saint Clement. The young Mrs. Francis received a long and enthusiastic applause when she described how Tyler quickly lit up any room he entered. Both his sense of humor and enthusiasm for life were also honored when Sara’s father, Tyler’s Father-in-Law, John Paben, next took the pulpit to praise Tyler and his inspiringly infectious positive spirit. Mr. Paben described how his wife, Nancy, had met Tyler first and then made sure their daughter, Sara, met him next.  When Sara moved to her new job in Kansas, Tyler quickly flew there, located her, persuaded her to return to El Paso and then proposed.  Soon thereafter they were married.  Tyler’s sister, Lauren, also shared some of her own memorable experiences with her brother.

At only 29, Tyler had already accomplished many unusual achievements, from climbing Mt. Everest past the advanced base camp, to regularly parachuting for sport. When only in High School he had made a good living flipping houses in his home town. As a young man, Tyler was an avid Boy and Eagle Scout, and loved to fly radio controlled airplanes. He purchased his first full sized plane so he could commute back to El Paso, when working for his Master’s Degree at Texas Tech graduate school in Lubbock, Texas. Tyler was one of the finalists in the Texas State Debate Championships (2001) and was the Texas State Champion in the DECA Entrepreneurship category in 2001.

Bill Provance, the airport manager at the Doña Ana County International Jetport at Santa Teresa, said, in what may well be an understatement, Tyler’s death was a “huge loss for the aviation community in this area.”  Along with our own FASF 1st Vice President, Col. John Orton, Tyler also served on the Board of the Doña Ana International Jetport.  Additionally, Tyler sat on the Governing Boards of the War Eagles Air Museum; Amigo Airsho and the Boy Scouts of America Yucca Council. He was recently awarded membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and Society of Mayflower Descendants.  Only the first of the month, Tyler and his firm had helped put on the first ever successful “Amigo Airsho” at the Doña Ana County International Jetport.

Tyler is survived by his wife, Sara; parents, Ginger and Rick Francis; In-laws Nancy and John Paben; Grandparents, Doris and Rollo Gurss, Marilyn and Larry Francis; Sister, Lauren (John) Steinmann, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

For those of us at the FASF who were privileged to know Tyler, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.  He will truly be missed, yet his enthusiasm for aviation and life, along with his exceptionally warm personality, have left their mark on all of us fortunate enough to have known and admired this extraordinary young man.

This is a routine daily task for the Afghan based aircrew of the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, but it nevertheless remains an inherently extremely delicate and decidedly dangerous procedure.  It’s also a typical day at work for these USAF Airmen that is rarely witnessed by those not among the aircrews themselves.  Click on the image below to see this fascinating episode as it takes place, from the “front office” cockpit during takeoff and climb to the actual scenario of the refueling events as seen from the refueling boom’s controlling Airman’s position near the tail of the refueling tanker.  After viewing this refueling event, browse the site to see other fascinating events with our Air Force in action . .

USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon being refueled over Afghanistan.