News Letter 1941 Jul-Dec - Air Force Historical Studies Office

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The Army Air Forces' first glider, designated TG-2 (Training Glider TYpe 2). is shown in 'on the line' at the National Soaring Contest at Elmira, N.Y. Left to right above are Watkins, Maj. Fred R. Dent • .Tr.• and Maj. Walter S. Lee. also at the soaring contest. the lower picture Lieut. John C. A. Photos by Harold W. Kulick.
They Glide Through the Air ---------- By Major Fred R. Dent, Jr. WE LEARNED THIS W A'Y THEN THIS HAPPENED Six A4r Corps officers reported June 1 to Harrie Hill. Elmira, N. Y., for three weeks' instruction in glider flying. For those memberB of the class who had been flying Boeing "Flying Fortresses, 11 it might appear to be a step backwards. However , even these men unknowingly were in for three weeks of thrills, excitement, and experiences they will never forget. Besides myBelf, the group at Harris Hill consisted of Capt. M. J. Lee from Wright Field, Lieut •• C. L. Luke and W. Filer from Mlddleto\m Air Depot, and Lieuta. J. J. Brennan and R. D. Bower from Fairfield Air Depot. Officers from Middleto\m and Fairfield arrived in Army transports. Lee and I made our appearance in an Army PT-l3B, which was used for local flights during the COUTse of instruction. June 2 broke with good weather and the group assembled at Big Flats Airport near Harris Hill. Two Franklin single-place utili ty gliders were hauled aut of the barn that serves as a hangar. First tows were made by automobile with a 200-ft. rope with the students given definite instructions not to let the glider leave the ground. These ground tows progressed to epeeds of 50 m.p.h. Seated in the glider with your body only a few inches off the ground, 50 m.p.h. gives a definite sensation of speed. After a half-dozen ground runs, the stu.- dent was permitted to take the glider a foot to 18 inches in the air on the tow flight, cutting loose at the end and landing straight ahead. On succeeding tows the permissible altitude was increased to 10, 30, 50, 100, 300 and finally 500 feet. From 100 feet the student would make 180 0 approaches. From 300 feet a 360 0 approach was made. These altitudes seem extreme in terms of the alti tudes used ~or these maneuvers in powered planes. The landing technique presented the biggest transition problem. The approach to the field is made at a speed 10 to 15 miles above the stalling (Continued on P~~p ~, Maj. Fred R. Dent, Jr., is Assistant Chief of the Aircraft Laboratory at Wright Field. He was one of the original class of officers assigned as students at Elmira. and was pilot of the Air Corps glider in which Maj. Gen. Arnold flew from the Elmira Airport (B.ig Flats) to ti,,':."; At 1:55 p.m. on June 18, I took off from the Big Flats Airport with a dual airplane tow in a Schweizer two-place sailplane with Mr. John Robinson in the rear cockpit. In the other sailplane were Capt. M. J. Lee and Mr. Ra;rmon Parker. The airplane, a Waco trainer piloted by Lieut. Luke, towed the two sailplanes in the Vicinity of the airport for 30 minutes, at which time the formation was at an altitude of 4,000 ::eet.By previ aus arrangement, it was agr~ed that if good thermal activity was encountered, Dent end Robinson would proceed. in the direct! on of Williamsport, whereas Lee and Parker would return to the Big Flats Airport. Upon cutting loose, Robinson guggested that I head for the cloud which was on our left. I looked to the left, and seeing two clouds, I headed for the "white one." John informed me that I was headed for the wrong cloud, a fact which I had St1.spected,but never having nown a sailplane on instruments, I would Itave been content to have started my experience on a "white one." The black cloud looked mighty black, but I figured John must know what he was doing. We entered the cloud at 3,700 feet, and were immediately on instruments. Soon the variometer showed a good rate of climb, and we started the spiral. How many turns we made, I'd never guess, but it seemed that I had never been in any other position. The altimeter climbed 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, then 8,000 feet. Here, I lost lift and came out of the side of the cloud. The variameter again recorded a good rate of climb and the spiraling started allover. The altimeter was rising rapidly and we started picking up ice. The front of the windshield and the leading edges of the wings were taking on a good load. I wondered how long we could continue to rely on the instruments. Soon the airspeed indicator went out of commission. However, having become familiar with the sound of the sailplane at various air speeds, this did not worry me too much. The al timetc!'now r ..9, 500 feet, , ( I!~\ I \ , I ( i I
Page 2 and 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS Pag"! Reorganizat
Page 5 and 6: THE BIG BABY SOLOED B,19 Test Fligh
Page 7 and 8: ENLISTED PILOTS BEGIN TRAINING Gulf
Page 9 and 10: CABBAGE AND X-C DON'T MIX World War
Page 11 and 12: ___ --' ...J '- _ .. ,._-J "' --l..
Page 13 and 14: SIXTEEN NEW FIELDS "CHRISTENED" A D
Page 15 and 16: MAXWELL MANEUVERS TEACH FIELD DUTIE
Page 17 and 18: FLEDGLING SON OF FAtvf.OUS FATHER C
Page 19 and 20: FRESNO BASE FIRST SINCE CIVIL WAR T
Page 21 and 22: ......J .... _ ...... A rest camp f
Page 23 and 24: ------- ----- -----.. ---- --- -- -
Page 25 and 26: THE JOB OF AIR CORPS TEST PILOTS Mu
Page 27 and 28: A ... .&. ... "'.....J.....J -.,.,.
Page 29 and 30: .All tb1'ee f01'lll8 of converted i
Page 31 and 32: KEEP ,EM FLYING! Blood and hunger,
Page 34 and 35: GENERAL ANDREWS COMMANDS THE CARIlm
Page 38 and 39: GUDERS ••• (Ooncluded) spect
Page 40 and 41: WE LEARNED... llpee!. So8riDg 18 a0
Page 42 and 43: 'The dive bomber is used to support
Page 44 and 45: THEN THIS... and we were still ing
Page 46 and 47: increased it. al t1tude of flight 4
Page 48 and 49: ALASK.A Lalld 1l.Btd: Hcmgar und e:
Page 50 and 51: LANDING various materials under con
Page 52 and 53: 8pecialized training for their part
Page 54 and 55: SOVIET .•. low al ti tude or llhe
Page 56 and 57: "VIET ." (Ooncluded) Junker-87 bomb
Page 58 and 59: WE LEAIlJWED... (Concluded) nights.
Page 60 and 61: FACILITIES. •• (Concluded) twee
Page 62 and 63: Whenever a birth occurs. all physic
Page 64 and 65: SUPPORT ••• (Concluded) deliv
Page 66: C friend? ) ( foe?) < •
Page 69 and 70: Photo Interpretation MATA HARI WITH
Page 71 and 72: , .! J, I t .':';'1 ~ ~ It':::. , .
Page 73 and 74: Our New Bases AsslgDlDent to Newfou
Page 75 and 76: THE JIR FORCES NEWS LETTER .. of th
Page 77 and 78: OVERSTUFFEDAERIAL WATCHMEN Barrage
Page 79 and 80: Warriors By Oliver Townsend from th
Page 81: RELATIVE RANK IN WORLD'S AIR FORCES
Page 84 and 85: could outdo Rube Goldberg. Be has t
Page 86 and 87:
THE dIR FORCES Nr:WS U:TTr:R and ap
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Wanted: More Pilots RESERVE OFFICER
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER would be
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THE AIR FORCE8 NEW'S LETTER The que
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THE ,1IR FORCES NEIPS LETTER believ
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THE .IlIR FORCES NEWS LETTER The of
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THE AIR FORCES NEil'S LETTER CARlAD
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER fer the
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SUPPLY DIVISION KNOW YOUR AIR~RAFT
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Loulsl ••• Maneuvers End Supp
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IN THE FIELD WITH THE ARMY AIR FORC
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---0 - - - 0- ---- THE WINGED By Ol
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Air OperadoDs In Alaska By Lieut. J
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER is about
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furways .1 rarnc \.JUIIUUI AERIAL T
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the danger from aircraft falling or
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.. An Equipment Review GERMAN AIRCR
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Graham CA-ackersfor Grounded Flyers
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A Veteran Retires FRANK P. LAHM APP
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New Marine Air Units MORE FEATHERS
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Wholesale Mess nail Feeding Them by
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The Bristol LIght Bom.ber Night Fig
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THE MONTH IN REVIEW hy FALK HARMEL
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Your Lite insurance SELF PROTECTION
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en eng ing the application. It is h
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LAHM .•• (Continued From Page 1
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"I I., K.NOW YOUR AIR~RAFT
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES WASHIN
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THE .tIIR FORCES NEWS LETTER . ;:..
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THF ATR FORCES NEWS LETTER ,I I whe
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER chanical
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C I ~ . fjQ III ....
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he reports direction and distance f
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DEFENSE 0 00 (Continued From P.~. 1
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e shown repeatedly if necessar,. Fi
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THE AIR FORCES NliWS LETTER has in
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Air Forees Seareh Oeean Flight Ende
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"E" Awards at Langley Engineering M
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accessory emergency unit (emergency
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NOVEMBER F941 Further Expansion Und
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER Decorati
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would have been consumed in filling
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£AMEIlA ••• \Continued 'r_ P
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News Letter 1941 Jul-Dec - Air Force Historical Studies Office

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