Website Feedback - Trains and Planes

I started this website 15 - 20 years ago to find some volunteers to help work on restoring a historic 727 airplane I had managed to acquire from United Air Lines. After that, it just sort of grew like Topsy (and a lot of it looks that way!) Over time, it acquired sort of a format or style of its own. Some people make fun of it, calling it something like "Last Century Crude." I always ask them "Which century?" Then I ask them how many visitors their "contemporary" websites get. Or, do they even have a website. I can tell you how many mine gets - the number is in the tens of millions, from about 145 countries. My max - which shutdown the server - was 2 million hits from about 60,000 separate visitors - in one day!

My "secret sauce" formula is simple - lots of pictures with simple captions and accompanying stories - many my own personal experiences. A lot of airplanes, and other things, and a lot of history - which I really love. The question for me is - would anybody else share my interests? Clearly, the answer is a resounding YES! The key word in all of this is SHARE. I could take my materials and churn out a bunch of books or magazine articles. I've actually done a few of these and the rewards are not worth the work. If I wrote the best aviation book ever written, its circulation would only be very limited, at best. And then what? It would be ONE WAY. The great thing about the internet is it is TWO WAY!

I receive thousands of emails from readers, who share my interests, and tell me their stories. This website takes a lot of work and these messages are my payback. They keep me going. When I learn that I have brought someone pleasure - it gives me pleasure. Some of these correspondents become friends; some have even come to Seattle - from around the world. We meet, we climb on these airplanes. Some have actually stayed in my home. They've become serious life-long friends. So - these are a lot more than just comments, or Letters to the Editor. They are an immense and continuous "sharing". The Power of the Internet!

Keep 'em coming! Contact me.

You ARE appreciated!!

Thanks Bob for sharing all this aviation history. Your website is absolutely delightful.

While in Air Force ROTC at Clemson, we were enticed by rides in a C-124 Globmaster and also a C-121 Super Connie over at what was then Donaldson AFB in Greenville, SC. Yes, it was a shame that such a beautiful aircraft was so short lived. Your pictures sure brought back memories including the Boeing C-97 StratoCuriser. Hearing issues kept me out of the cockpit in the Viet Nam era but my GA Air National Guard unit received KC-97's from the AF which we flew to El Segundo for conversions to C-97's. "Regretfully" they were replaced with C-124's and after I was discharged, the unit got C-130's. I ended up being a pneudralic technician.

My only "claim" to fame which isn't much at all is having flown just over 10 delightful hours in Al Mooney's first Mooney Mite (N3199K) which now hangs in the National Air and Space Museum near Dulles and being the first person in the state of Georgia to have a commercial hot air balloon certificate. I ended up in the hot air balloon business and logged 1500 hours in balloons (and I am still alive) in 34 states and 4 countries.

You said you were glad the Internet was two-way so sharing a bit about myself is my way of thanking you for ALL the ways YOU have shared your fruitful and most interesting years in aviation. BTW, I know Boeing has tens of thousands of workers but I'm thinking you may know Luckie Weaver who has worked for Boeing many years. His wife Alda and brother-in-law lived in my hometown of Albany for a short while when I was in the first grade.

Thanks again for all you have shared...what memories!!!!
Harold C.,
Snellville, GA

Mr Bogash-

Hi! My name is Henry Dejanikus, I’m a 15 year old student who just happens to have been bitten my the aviation bug.

Living a 10 minute drive from Boeing Field, 20 minute bike ride from Renton and a 30 minute drive from Sea-tac, when the wind is blowing just right, I get the sweet smell of jet fuel wafting into my windows at night. I guess that was what got me into it at first. Since then I’ve been amazed, thrilled and excited by aviation and all that it brings to us.

On the 50th anniversary of Niel Armstrongs first steps onto the moon, I took my first flight lesson, at the meager age of 12, taking a trusty Cessna 152 up for an hour out of Boeing Field, if I hadn’t been hooked before, I was surely hooked after that. Since then, I’ve only gone up a couple more times, mainly because flight training costs so much, but I have discovered that, at least for now, the wide array of information to be read, watched and listened to on the internet has provided me with something to do

And on that note, I’m amazed that I hadn’t come across your website before. So, for the past glorious hours of my saturday afternoon, I’ve been reading all the stories you have to offer to us all on your page, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing them with me, and the community! I have stepped inside the United 727-100 inside the Museum of Flight more times than I can count, and you have no idea how inspiring it was to read your stories about her! Thank you, so much, for that plane, the 737-100, everything you’ve helped bring back in one piece to the museum for the next generations like me to enjoy.

In my time perusing the internet and all information it has to offer, I’ve fallen in love with the 757-200, I know she’s a little more modern than the 72’s and original 73’s, but she has an elegance that can’t be beaten. And as the new generation of aviation comes into play, with all the new high-bypass engines and fuel efficient jets like the 737 MAX’s and A320NEO’s I can’t help but to dream about the screeching JT8D’s and JT4A’s. I’ve been lucky enough to see a couple 727’s in action at Boeing Field with the likes of Kalitta Charters and USAJet who still fly a handful of -200F’s, and nothing does beat the spool up of the three JT8D’s. Or the round steam guages in the flight deck, or those eyebrow windows. They don’t make them like they used to, that’s for sure. I’m not looking forward to the days when the 757’s, 767’s and 747’s aren’t in the skies anymore.

For the time being though, I am always lucky to see one in action, and thanks to you, I get to go visit the orange interior of the golden age of aviation. I really just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done, all of the information you have put on your page that I will continue absorbing for as long as it takes me, and if you ever want someone to take the right seat, I’d be honored to meet with you and hear all of your stories, and hopefully someday I’ll have stories just like them to tell!

Thanks,

Henry Dejanikus

I owe my life to B17 no. 43-38674. After completing my 35 missions as pilot, 674 was turned over to another crew and shot down one week later. I am 87 years old and still hanging on.

Howard G R.

PS After combat crew training at Ardmore Okla. Assigned to fly a B17 from modification center at Kearney Neb. to Iceland by northern route.

Dear Mr. Bogash,

Hello, I would like to introduce myself; my name is Charles F. and I am a huge fan of yours.

I came to know of you from reading about you through the retired Boeing employees association. I have been an aviation buff since I was 5 years old and finally have made a career change from sales and marketing to flight instructor building up flight time to fly for a regional airline.

I have to tell you, I have such an admiration for you. It takes serious intestinal fortitude to speak up for what is just and what is right. You did just that in your assessment of the 787 program.

I was in Seattle this past summer to ferry a Cessna from Everett to Fort Lauderdale, where I live and I became brainwashed by Boeing. I love the fact that is Seattle everything is Boeing. I am just concerned that the 787 Program is going to hurt Boeing severely as well as their not having a solution to the growing narrow body market. It appears to me that too much money has been put into the 787 and 747-800 and nothing has been done about a new narrow body or improvements to the 737NG. It would be a sad day to see Southwest turn to Airbus. I still have a belief in the Boeing product.

I am planning a Summer trip to Seattle again, this time to take in the museum of flight and tour the 787 factory. I have to tell you, I would be honored to meet you and thank you for all you did for the 737 and Boeing. áI am still an American who believes in the American dream and it is people like you that made the American dream a reality. I would like to thank you for reading my email and I hope to hear from you.

Best regards,

Charles F

Bob, I have to tell you someone sent me your End of an Era page and WOW...that was very emotive.

Thank you,

Cassie

Howdy from Rio Nuevo, Arizona...

I just saw your feature on Boeing Plant 2. Mist in the old eyes, for sure. I lived above Boeing Field in a rat trap in 1957-8, lusting after those airplanes that would come pretty close over our hovel. Before that I was doing the same thing from Queen Anne Hill when the skies were full of round engines. Oh dearie!

Would I trade a B-17G for a 777? HELL YES!

I finally did get my airline career, retiring off the B727 from PGUM with NWA. I flew most of them... CV 580, all DC-9's including the lawn dart, DC-10 B747 and my favorite, the 3 holer. But I would trade any of them for a shiny new B-17 or a DC-6B.

Sigh...

Trig
Capt. NWA Ret.

God Bless you Bob

Thank you sincerely for your dedication to an Industry that has been my avocation for 65 years.
From The Eighth Air Corp to Lemay's Strategic Air Command through Korea as a crew member
I am a twin engine land rated pilot with thousands of hours under my belt ---- I used my aircraft
for my an Industry I was educated (Poultry), I got my license at the old Belleview Airport ---with a
"Bush Pilot" as my instructor.

I saw Tex Johnson barrel roll the prototype 707 over Lake Washington.
I was privileged to watch the maiden flight of the C-5A here in Marietta, Ga.
I was stationed at March AFB when the B-47 transitioned us out of B-29's.
I have seen the "Flying Wings"-- on the Ontario Airport--- prop and Jet.

Thank you sincerely,
Robert R. (Radar) C. (from my crew)

Thank you Bob,

My eye's are all watery my nose is running and my chest feels very heavy right how. My mom worked on the first B-17 and we were at the first low level fly over. We were standing in front of the hanger and all of a sudden from over the hanger came the B-17 Flying Fortress. I'm on seventy-five and still get goose pimples when I see a B-17 and B-24. I lost my brother over Germany 1945 January 13 a day after my birthday. Well those were some tough times and if we can keep generating guy's like you, engineers like Boeing has had and a work force like Boeing. I can say " I have live in the greatest time, with the greatest Americans ever."

Thanks for all you and your team have done.

Page B

Hi Bob,

I recently discovered your website, and have spent several happy hours exploring the various links. To say that I'm impressed by your efforts would be an understatement ... your site represents a real labor of love.

I spent nearly 40 years as a professional pilot ... more than 7 years in USAF, flying KC-97s at MacDill AFB and KC-135s at Homestead AFB, and more than 32 years with TWA, retiring in March 1998, before "the fit hit the shan", to borrow the punchline of an old joke. At TWA I was based primarily at JFK and LGA, although I also spent some time in Kansas City and Chicago. I had the privilege of flying CV-880s (referred to by some at TWA as the "Japanese Boeing" ... a great airplane for its time, but a poor airliner, IMHO), 707s, 727s, 747s, 767s, and L-1011s. I enjoyed flying all of them, but the 727-200 and 767-300 were my favorites. Needless to say, I'm a Boeing fan ... no pun intended.

I particularly enjoyed all of the pictures and text relating to the Trans-Canada Constellation. I never flew the Connie, but rode on them a number of times. What I found especially interesting was the section about Rome NY, where my wife was from. Although I was never based at Griffiss (I did spend some time there on TDY, refueling B-52s over the Atlantic), I'm quite familiar with the city of Rome, and had to smile when I read about the screwup in getting the fuselage onto the old base.

I've bookmarked your website, and will be back many times, I'm sure.

Regards,

Jim S.

Three cheers and a very loud hoorah! to you for the website and the content. Your interests seem to be clones of my own (I'm a charter member at MOF). I'm 87 years old, and have regretted for 70 years my poor hearing that has prevented me from getting a pilot's license. Just last month I was in Long Beach, CA, and visited two air museums - Planes of Fame and Yanks Air Museum - and would have visited the third @ Long Beach airport but ran out of time. I have flown, as passenger, on eleven antiques, such as P-51, B-17, B-25 and Sikorsky 38. I have taken several lessons on soaring aircraft. I have owned three Model A Fords, a 1930 Dodge and a 1921 Packard touring car. I am a ham, N7QAK. I am a dedicated big band lover. There's more, but I no doubt already bore you.

Hopefully, I will run into you at MOF, and we can share lunch.

Ray S. - Seattle

Hello Bob.

I just wanted to let you know that your website and your stories kept me stuck to my computer for a few hours, and I would like to let you know that I am amazed with everything you post on your website, I am a plane lover too, actually I'm an airline pilot, I work as a Airbus 320 Captain in LAN airlines (S. America) (sorry for been flying an Airbus)

I’ve been looking for your home town Hansville on Google Earth and it’s such a nice place for a good retirement, anyway, I'd like to give you my best wishes for the upcoming holidays and God Bless You Bob.

Patricio.

Dear Bob:

I'm an old guy now, having just reached my 80th birthday, but still full of energy, excessively busy, and in good health. I missed military participation in WWII by only a few years; I was 15 when it ended. I have always had the deepest gratitude and admiration for the gallant men and women who paid for our freedom by their sacrificial service and -- some -- with their lives. Your website, with its marvelous photos and intelligent commentary, brought me back to my teen years of hero worship and of sketching war planes when teacher wasn't looking. There is still a lump in my throat as it all comes back to me, thanks to your creativity and generosity. I am in your debt.

Father Richard R.
(Retired Catholic priest in New Jersey)

Just viewed the planes leaving the Boeing building. Lots of memories. I was a Flight Surgeon for the 19 Bomb Wing in Okinawa ( Kadena) 1951-1953 . Also the 307 SAC unit was on our base. I personally flew with the crews on about 10-12 night missions over North Korea to get the "feel" of what the flights were like. Did "bail out" of a bomber , while on a mission, @ night when an engine caught fire -- the plane exploded at about 3,000 to 5,000 feet and only 2 of us were able to survive. Its not fun being in the China sea at night !

I'm a physician and still doing part time practice in Houston, Texas -- 85 years old and still in fairly good health.

Harold

Dear Bob,

A friend forwarded your marvellous 'Boeing nostalgia' e-mail.

I am the pastor of Norwich Reformed Church, UK, with a background in aviation. We enjoyed a recent trip to Florida (see below).

This included a 'warbirds' trip to Titusville, Florida.

Our part of England has important historical links with the USA.

First, we live a few miles from Hingham, from where - in 1637 - a party of Puritan pilgrims went to New England to escape persecution.

They eventually founded Hingham, Massachusetts. Among the group was one Samuel Lincoln, ancestor of President Abraham Lincoln.

A bronze bust of the President may be seen in the parish church.

Second, during WWII, Norfolk was peppered with airfields used by the USAAF. B17 Flying Fortresses, B24 Liberators, P38 Lighnings,

P47 Thunderbolts and P51 Mustangs flew into combat over Germany from all over East Anglia. In front of Hingham parish church is

a monument to the brave men of the B17-equipped 452nd Bomb Group.

There's a sense in which the 'sons of the Puritans' (and others) returned to help us defeat the Nazi threat.

Thank you for reminding us of the great Boeing legacy.

May God bless you!

Kind regards & best wishes,

Dr Alan C.

Fascinating!

So THAT'S where they all came from - thanks, guys!

We saw them in England as well, you know......

Thank you, Stan. I much enjoyed this Boeing nostalgia. As you know, we visited our daughter & family in Florida for my birthday courtesy of a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 - a magnificent machine!

We visited a 'warbirds' museum at Titusville - Valiant Air Command. I saw my favourite US jet of the 1950s, the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo (see attachments), and several others.

We also visited the NASA Kennedy Space Centre. All terrific for an ex-RAE Farnborough boy like me.

We had a great time!

Best wishes,

Alan

What a fantastic collection, I am in awe. I was very involved with both the F104 and the 737-200. In fact was was the Rohr engineer who helped with the initial installation of the High Performance Thrust Reversers and was on the first check-out flight in December 1968.

I really enjoyed the parts of your web site that I have looked at. I have shared it with other airolane nuts, but it will take some time to really see it all.

Thank you for sharing your information.

Bill B

Dear Mr. Bogash,

I am a fifth grader at West Mercer Elementary School. I’m working on a philanthropy project for my class and have chosen The Museum of Flight Aircraft Restoration Center. I would like to interview you as part of my project.

I love planes! And I want to become a Boeing engineer when I’m older. The Super G Constellation is a really cool airplane design. It’s great that it’s now on display at the Museum of Flight. I also love Boeing 737’s, and discovered that you restored the first one! I really appreciate all of the beautiful planes you’ve restored and helped put on display at the Museum of Flight. I’ve probably been to the Museum at least ten times, more than to football games or baseball games!

I hope I can interview you, because you are a role model for me. Please let me know if you could be available for an interview sometime this month.

Thank you very much, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Maverick

My new friend Maverick

Hi Mr. Bogash,
Thank you very very very very much for the interview! I enjoyed every single bit of our talk. Wow! I didn't realize you've found three other Connies and that the Clipper will cost so much to recover. Thank you also for the 737 Flying Laboratory book. I have been reading it ever since you gave it to me! This book is so full of great information and pictures that I can't stop reading it. I like the flight log at the end that shows what tests were done, where and how long the flight was. I've never seen a boustrophedonic flight path before. Maybe I will try one on Flight Simulator from SEA to BFI!

After meeting you, I am trying to make more time to add details to my airplane drawings. I have to visit the Evergreen Aviation Museum in Oregon too. I wonder if their P40 is flyable so I can hear its engine.

Thank you for taking our picture. I had a great time meeting you and will always think of you every time I fly on a 737. Thank you for all the work you've done restoring the planes that I enjoy at the Museum of Flight.

CAVU!
Maverick

Hi Bob,
Just watched your pic's of the last aircraft to leave. Very moving, but please don't forget that most of those young men left English fields in your aircraft to take on the enemy. They are our boys as well as yours and this country will never forget them. I often visit grave sites in England to pay my respects to our lost airmen yours & ours. I have no relations alive that fought in this war, but they all matter to me and not a day goes by that I do not think about their sacrifice. God bless you and your great nation.

Yours Sincerely Steve

Bob,

We don't know each other by name or profession, but I know of you and I'm writing you due to a passion that we both share. I'm a 31 year old family man who's been in love with airliners since I was a little boy--a love that's only grown and matured over the years. My wife doesn't share the same passion, but she understands and even somewhat tolerates it. My kids hold hope for carrying forward the McCoy aviation legacy.

Despite our age difference, there's an odd number of items that we seem to share in common. Jetliners, sure. #1 737, absolutely. Ham radio? Actually, that too! I've never had my ham license, but I was born in to a family that loved ham radio and participated in all sorts of related events for many many years. My father (N6EKI) has been broadcasting for nearly 40 years, and I beleive continues to do so.

Anyway, like I said before.. we don't know each other. But I know of you, and despite having never met I suspect that the two of us would get along like pigs at a buffet. Why? Airlines and aviation. There's no lack of lovers for travel by air, but those who know and appreciate the early jets truly are a dying breed. Oddly enough, I am one of those individuals. There is no greater sound in the world than the sound of a JT8D spooling up. Even better? Two JT8D's spooling up. And in my mind, there hasn't been a better and more capable jet built before or since than the 737-100/200 series.

I love the 737, and none more than your 737--#1 737 herself. N515NA. I've read every book, heard every story and studied every little bit about this jetliner, and she still captures my interest. Despite this passion for #1 737, it was actually this year that I was finally able to visit her myself at the BFI aircraft park you know so well. While others were all over Concorde, #1 747 and the others, I was stuck on #1 737 tucked quietly in the corner without boast. I was so excited, that I completely bypassed the others jets, and spent the last few minutes of my day studying every rivet, every door, window and smudge. How I wanted to climb about her as you have so many times. As we were nearly being carried out of the park, I asked my colleague to snap just one last shot on the way out which I've attached here. Is it odd that I would be so excited to see this seemingly forgotten piece of history? To others, perhaps.. but not to you. I know that you understand my passion.

Sadly I feel that there are few examples of the 737-200 series remaining.. and 515 is the only aircraft even remotely close to being flight worthy. What condition is she inside? Has she been left as she was when she was finally flown in after the 100 or so trips to took to Moses to keep her in top shape? Speaking of which, I've seen the video of you touring that fine British fellow around #1 737 when she was at Moses Lake (Airside TV I believe), and have watched it many times over. I'll admit, I was sad to see #1 737 sitting there, as while it's remarkable that she was able to survive her career to remain in static display at BFI, the elements of the northeastern USA have certainly taken their toll on her over the years. Do you still look after this lovely ship?

I don't know Bob, but somehow, someday I would really love to buy you a drink and listen to you talk for hours and hours. I hope this email finds you well and I look forward to hearing back from you whenever you get a quiet moment!

Cheers,

Mark "B732" M.

Thousand Oaks, CA

Hello, Rob

I have just seen your wonderful clip of The Last Airplane out of Building 2 at Boeing. It brought back some vivid memories.

My father, Major (Joseph) Keith Davis was selected by Col. Joseph Bailey to establish the first B-17 Training Base at Hobbs, NM. Through this school came the first pilots, including celebrity Lt. Jimmy Stewart. I remember little things, like the fact that the one B-17 that flew between Hobbs and Akron, Ohio could carry only three tires back and forth; like my father, as the Commandant of Cadets,loved those young men and absolutely hated being on the Accident Recovery Team that investigated crashes; and as a father, took us , his family, to the USO concerts like the one featuring 18 year old Dinah Shore. Living suddenly in Lovington, NM was another total world.

I am now a retired submarine skipper and living here in Boeing country admire with the greatest respect those special friends in my yacht club, who like you, who retired after years with Boeing and their individual contributions to the Boeing superiority.

Sincerely,

Jay K. Davis

Kirkland, WA

Flying was at one time my aspiration but I only made it into gliding in the late fifty’s in Holland. All the planes in your web brought back memories of WWII. I was a young boy living in the former Dutch East Indies. My dad survived 4 years of work as a prisoner of war on the rail road in Burma ( bridge on the river of Kawi ) I came to the USA in 1960 by way of Holland after I finished my technical education. Best move I made with a lot of advice from my late Mom and Dad.

Case

Have a blessed day

Sir

Good morning to you and thanks for the memories. Thanks for those wonderful B-17s. I am an 89 year 0ld WWII veteran who survived 30 combat sorties in various B-17s that were flown out of Italy in the Fall of 1944. I was a member of the 301st Bob Group, 5th Wing of the 15th Air Force. I was a so-called "Mickey Operator. " That was a slang term for a Radar Navigator. I did the bombing when there was an undercast. Note I said "undercast" not "overcast."

I can verify that those wonderful aircraft could get one back home on only two working engines and fumes. Of course, only a few aircraft were equipped with radar and these planes flew in the lead or deputy lead positions. My crew flew a new B-17 across the Atlantic. When we got to a base in southern Italy, we dubbed it the"Big Deal" and had a poker hand painted on the nose. We foolishly thought this would be OUR aircraft. In combat we flew what was available and in good repair. I have no idea whatever happened to the "Big Deal."

In any case, Thanks for the Memories--some good--some not so good.

Onan A H., Major, USAF Air Force Reserve Retired

Hello Mr Bogash

I want to say a hearty thank you for not only bringing back some great memories, but also for a visual feast!

I spent a good hour and a half going through your web site this wet afternoon in Bangkok and I can't say how much fun it was. I am not even sure how I came across you. But great memories indeed and from a commercial airliner buff, you made my day. And you have a Constellation! What a plane she is.

I was born and raised in Malaysia and I remember my parents taking me to Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur to watch two aviation giants arrive. The 1st, Qantas B747B was an amazing machine to look at. It dwarfed the airport buildings, so it seemed. That must have been in 1972 or so. Then two or three years later, BOAC's Concorde made a stop-over. I still have photographs somewhere of those magnificent aircraft in KL.

My folks determined that an education in the UK was called for and I was at the tail-end of the B707 and VC-10 era so I was one of the fortunate few to have flown those to the UK - always a mix of BOAC, Qantas and MAS. But I didn't care much for the Rolls Royce powered 707-4 series. Those were truly 'long-haul' flights as the routes were usually KUL-CMB-BOM-BAH-FRA-LHR. 17 to 19 hours when it's all and over done with now in 11. And all airlines had a nasty habit of making sure us kids were slapped with stickers announcing that we were 'UM's. Unaccompanied Minors. More like Unaccompanied Monsters sometimes!

My last 707 flight was in 1994 when I bummed a ride on a UN-charted South African B707 freighter into Phnom Penh from Singapore where I was based then. I then flew back on an AN-12 (probably at the bottom of my favourites' list!)

Anyway, I just wanted to say if I was closer to Seattle I'd be round there in shot lending a hand. But Bangkok is a tad too far for weekend helpers! But as Lord King said to you in reference to Concorde, you won't be forgotten and one day soon I hope to pop-by Seattle.

If you can get your hands on a B747-SP (an adorable aircraft I flew many times with on KAL) and a VC-10 - you'd be complete in my opinion! The 747-SP purely because of the height she flew at and the VC-10 because she and the 707 are still the most graceful aircraft to have taken flight. I think the SPs are only in the Middle East now. Mostly government or family-owned.

Great work Mr Bogash and kudos to you and your team of volunteers. You make a lot of people very happy indeed. Thank you :-)

Kind regards

Stephen R

I just finished reading your story about the last roll out at Boeing's Plant II. That was a great tale and it sounds like you may have been there for a few years.

Any chance you may have met my Dad, John H. E. (USAF LTC ret)? He was a Navigator/Bombardier on the B-29 in WWII on Tinian, and then did some of the test work on the B-47, and actually dropped the 1st bomb from a B-52. He worked with and flew with Col Guy F. Townsend most of the time on these projects.

Like my Dad I spent some time in the military, 14 yrs USAF and 14 yrs Navy. Much to my Dad's chagrin, I flew fighters my entire career but I still remember the warm feeling I got when I finally got sight of a KC - 97 on a cloudy night in SEA when my flight of F -4's really needed some gas, all of a sudden that ugly old tanker was about the most beautiful thing we had ever seen. As a "somewhat arrogant Fighter Pilot" I said I'd never fly an airplane w/ a toilet on it.... I later ate those words after my Test Pilot job at Northrop Aircraft "dried up" when the F-20 Tigershark program died and I then spent 22 yrs flying for Northwest Airlines. I spent my 1st yr in the B-727 and then 20 yrs in the B-747. You folks make great airplanes and more than once I was really happy for all the redundant systems and multi engines while flying all nighters to or from Tokyo.

Thanks for the great story about all those wonderful people and airplanes at Boeing.....although I've never been to Plant II, I now wish I'd had the chance to walk around and hear some of those stories from someone like you who'd "been there and done that".

Blue Skys to you my friend,

T. Michael E., "Ramrod"

Dear Bob --------------

My name is Mike T. My father, Roy H. T, Seattle artist, worked for the camoflage team with Steve Richardson, Seattle Architect, under Major Detly (sp), Hollywood movie director, of the Army Corps of Engineers in the early years of WWII. Their task was to hide Plant II, the field, and confuse the Japanese aviators with false land marks. In the process of "selling the concept for the camoflage treatment" he painted two pictures of the camoflage from the air with B-17s in the air.

One of these is in the Boeing History collection under Mike Lombardi. I shows a front on view of a B-17 in a climbing turn from the camoflaged field. Its dynamic foreshortened image came way before Keith Ferris and the Smithsonian mural. Although the painting has suffered some damage it is still worth seeing.

The second picture is similar but showing a formation of B-17s. I don't think it survived, I only have my Dad's B&W photo of the painting in my file..

With Plant II gone, I wonder if some section of the Museum of Flight could chronicle its history and its desparate attempts to protect it.

Mike

CDR.Michael R T., (USN-Ret) PE

Aloha,

I have just had the pleasure of reminiscing my early flying days. Remembering all about my two favorite aircrafts, the B-17 and the B-29.

I was a pilot instructor in transition schools in Hobbs, NM; Williams Field, AZ; a Junta, Colorado. On VE day, or shortly thereafter, I transferred to B-29 Transition in Roswell,NM.

I have several thousand hours teaching students all about the beautiful 17. Several interesting experiences as you might imagine over that period of time.

This site has brought back many fond memories and I thank you for making this possible.

Aloha,
N.R.Bud M

Bob

I spent an enjoyable couple of hours checking out all the airplanes presented on your site, and the videos of the restorations too. My favorite airplane is the 727, it still looks sleek and powerful today. I worked for Dan-Air in England in the late 70's/early 80's (software engineer) and was able to take several flights riding in the cockpit of these magnificent machines. We had a variety of early 727-100's and -200s. Dan-Air was the original operator in the UK (the company paid to get the airplane licensed with the CAA and we managed to squeeze 146 lucky passengers inside a single 721, the 722s were configured for 189 (coincidently the same number as the 707-320's that the company had used at one time).

We had Comets too of course, and its good to see the Museum of Flight taking tender care of one, along with the Concorde. I share your passion for these machines: I think that modern airliners, although highly efficient, reliable and comfortable, are almost soulless in their automation and sameness. They are too damn quiet, for one thing!

All the best

Mark C

Hi Bob,

    As an old Connie pilot, it brings a tear to my eye to see your
Connie on display in the Airpark. Hopefully, she will someday be under
cover. It was an immense effort to recover her, and get her located where
she is, and worked-up to her present well-restored state. Congratulations!

    All things considered, she's in beautiful display condition!

    Thanks Bob, for all you've done!

    Cheers,
        Art

Hello Bob:

Just a short note from Rosie the Riveter - 1943-44. One of the few left as are the B-17s. Kenworth Motor Truck Company, Seattle, WA sub-contracted for Boeing. They manufactured the nose component of the B-17, which at the end of the day was trucked to the Hangar in Seattle. My job was to rivet the final assembly of the nose component for which I am proud. I appreciate the work you are doing and mostly, of course, the glowing info about the B-17.

Eugenie K. T.

Rosie the Riveter

Hi Bob,

I came across your web site today and just wanted to say thanks for all the work putting it together, it brought back a lot of memories. I spent 41 years with UAL, 1962 to 2003 and had a number of different jobs, all related to aircraft maintenance. One of those jobs was in the maintenance training division, from 67 to 72. We developed the line maintenance training program for the 737, that is what I meant about all the memories. Anyway Thanks Again I think its a great site.

John

My son has been after me to write some of these experiences down too, so I will make an attempt.

Just as an example; many of my students were single engine jocks and hoped to get into fighters. We seriously needed bomber pilots so to convince them the 17 was a great airplane we were allowed to do many things to convince the doubting Thomass. One such time we flew a 17 about 900 miles on one engine. Maintained a safe altitude along the way. It convinced several students that the 17 was more likely to get them home safely than any single engine plane.

If this kind of stuff would be of interest, I'll try to put some together.

A hui hou! Bud

Hi Bob, you don't know me but I received an e-mail with your historic closing of the hangers that the great planes and bombers were manufactured in. I am particularly interested in the B-17. I was lucky to have been a brother-in law to a US Army Air Colonel by the name of Charles "Jerry" Bowman. Jerry flew over 60 missions in the European Theater, having survived being shot down 3 times and captured once while flying the Great B-17. After being shot down the 3rd time (over Belgium) he was captured and taken to a POW camp. While being transferred to another camp he and another officer escaped and eventually made his way to his allies through an escape route that was a traveling brothel that serviced German officers!!!

    Bowman often spoke of what a great machine the B-17 was and how lucky he was to be able to fly them!!! Unfortunently Bowman passed away in September, just 4 days shy of his 91st birthday. But, because of him, I will always have a special connection with the B-17.
                                                                           Sincere best wishes,
                                                                                                       Jon G.
                                                                                                Glendora, California

Hello Bob,

Don't know if you remember me. This is Bill S. - past VPGM of Rockwell in Tulsa. I am now retired from Boeing and living in Florida.

Someone sent me your website today, and although I haven't been through all of it, I had to comment.

What a wonderful site for those of us that can relate. I especially enjoyed what you did for Jim..a special gent to all that knew him.

I plan to look at the rest of the site later today, and look forward to updates.

Thanks

Bill

Hi Bob,

My brother in law, a guy who has no Boeing pedigree at all, sent me your article on the closing of Plant II. I responded back to him that you are the guy who rescued me from the backwaters of Industrial Engineering at Renton and gave me the job that has allowed me to work and live all around the country and the globe. That was over 22 years ago and I am still working in 'your department'.

Well, I just wanted to drop a note to say hello, and maybe in the not too distant future I will have the time and opportunity to see you and work with you on those two airplanes.

Best Regards,

Pete M

Dear Bob,

Your history of the end of an era was just sent to me by a guy who used to be my roommate at Pax River when we were flying the Super Connie back in the late fifties. As I'm sure you know its designation was WV and it flew the barrier for the most part. We luckily were detached to work for the 6th Fleet out of Malta and were spared that ghastly flying out of Argentia, Newfoundland.

I wanted to thank you, not only for the great shot of the Connie (my wife is twenty years younger than I and now I can show her what I flew) but the most comprehensive history lesson of its kind I have seen on line.

I'm going to put it in a special place on my computer where I can refer to it when I need to see aviation history and a time when everybody in this country pulled together.

Thank you,
Bob F.

Bob,

Someone just sent me the pics of the Boeing planes and your link and email address.

I just wanted to thank you for the nostalgia kick. These are some great pictures. And they brought back many memories.

My brother worked at Boeing for 40 years following WWII: Ray S. (Raymond C.) I wonder whether you knew him?

And my older brother, Lloyd, flew as a belly gunner in one of the B-17s. They were downed in the North Sea, and he was a POW at Krems for more than a year before being liberated. He is still living, but Raymond died several years ago.

Thank you for the spread, and I hope that you will share more!

Gordon S.
Hot Springs, AR

Hello Bob,

a fellow retired UAL pilot sent me a link to your site, referencing the great airplanes you have featured therein. They are fine, but I found I was far more interested in some of the non-aviation things, like Hansville, and your wonderful old friend Prince. I'm glad you've been motivated to post the site, and commend you for the fine treatment of all the subject matter.

With high regards,

Lawrence S

Dear Bob,
I am a member of the Cascade Warbirds ( www.casadewarbirds.org ) , a former member of the California Air Nation Guard
( http://www.146thalumni.org/ ) and the Eight Air Force Historical Society ( http://www.8thafhs.org/ ).

Since your web site has a copyright note I am asking permission to share your information with our members and other friends.

Thank you,
Tony C

I was just exploring plant II during the summer and thought it was awesome. I love the B-17 and was grateful that they let me aboard the plane. Thank you for spending the time covering this and look forward to more

Daniel E.
787 Flight Test Liaison Engineer

Mr. Bogash.

My name is AGCM Charlie J. USN Ret. I am the editor of a quarterly publication, The Aerograph. This is a newsletter for approximately 550 (mostly) retired Navy weather personnel who maintain the Naval Weather Association. We have members, who were in the Navy “Weather Business” for one hitch, but most have completed at least 20 years service and one member has more than 40 years on active duty. We are very familiar with Boeing aircraft and, in fact, we had our annual reunion in Everett in 2007. Our stated purpose is to provide scholarship assistance to deserving student in the fields of meteorology and oceanography. But really, we all like each other this is a way for us to stay connected to the Navy and each other.

We found your website and I would like to publish an excerpt with three pictures from your website detailing the closure of Boeing Plant II. However, I will respectfully defer to your decision.

Thank you,

Charlie J.

A friend recently sent this to me and I must say I enjoyed it very much. Fortunately when I got to the bottom I clicked on Home Page and found a myriad of airplane history which I'm sure I'll enjoy. I suspect I'm not the first person to tell you that the last picture on Plant 2 is not a 737. Somebody goofed in the editing.
Enjoy your retirement. You've earned it.

Thanks for sharing your interest in aviation.

Editor Note - Yup - it's a 737 all right!!!! Commentor is in error.

Hi Bob;

My next-door-neighbor, Terry Dorman, a pilot, just forwarded me your awfully interesting pictorial on the Boeing plant. While I have no connections with the aviation industry, I've always been fascinated by aircraft and appreciate as well as a layman can what Boeing did for the war effort. A good friend of mine, altho he was 20 years older and has now passed, flew B-17's over Europe in the Big One and he always raved about how much punishment they could take and still get everyone home. Thanks for your efforts; I have thoroughly enjoyed your work.
Best Regards,
--
Mike G.

Bradenton, FL 34203

Bob,

I belong to a Boeing retiree club, The Desert Sages, in Mesa Arizona. I am the editor for our newsletter and would love to use your story line on Hanger 2 - with your permission.

Thanks for the memories!
John

Thank you sir! I appreciate the photos, stories and most of all, the finest aircraft in the world!
John

Enjoyed seeing the old birds but for some reason, another old bird was missing.
There were a lot of B-24s that flew over Berlin at 20,000 while the B-17s sat
at 27,000 enjoying the OTHER war.

However, when I was flown out of the POW camp it was a B-17 that carried us. The
pilot made all the B-24 pilots sit on the plywood floor over the bomb bay doors.

Hello Bob,

We were directed to your magnificent web site to honor Plant 2, and its final deliveries. We would like to use some of the photos and information in our Quarterly Newsletter. We are the 92nd USAAF-USAF Memorial Association.

If you provide me with your mail address I will send you a copy of the newsletter.

Thank you for telling a story so important to our past.

Respectfully,

Wayne R.

Secretary Treasurer

Irv B.

Editor

It was with much pleasure when I saw your article on B-17's so I thought that you may be interested in what I think of the aircraft. Well, I think it is one of the greatest aircraft ever built.

I worked as a riveter on the wing sections of the plane in the old plant two before going into the service. I took basic training for the air force at Buckley Field, Colorado. I wanted to become a pilot and started CTD training at Arizona St College, Tempe AZ. With being in CTD only one month the air force said that we have enough of pilots but need gunners, so off to Las Vegis to gunnery training on a B-17. To make a long story shorter I ended up as ball turret gunner and flew 25 missions out of Foggia, Italy where this wonderful aircraft brought us back safely every time. So it is with sadness to see the old plant go down.

So thanks for the article.

Cal M

A friend of mine sent me your story about the Boeing factory #2 being closed. I am a WW11 pilot where I flew the B-17 F as a copilot overseas, flew 53 missions out of Africa and later Italy! In Italy they checked me out as aircraft commander and assigned me a crew! After completeing my missons test flew a few B-17 G models! After the war was on the LAPD until recalled to active duty in 1953, sent to Mather AFB where I flew TB-50 aircraft, ended up as instructor in ground school, simulater, and aircraft, sent to Japan in the 56Weather recon Sqn. to check out thier pilots in the WB-50, they had been flying B-29 aircraft! In 57 back to the LAPD, in 59 was hired by the US in the Air Force Reserve technician program! This was the Fed. Civil emplayees running the Air Force Reserve! Flew C-119 and C-124 aircraft all over the world, had a ball! 4 times into and out of Vietnam while it was hot!

I guess Boeing just to close plant #2 partly because of the financies now???? Our contry is in a fix but we are all going to recover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be 90 next July! If I knew how I have sooooooooo many stories to tell! Thanks for reading all this!

William J. M.,
Marlene St,
Hemet, Ca.

Sincerely Bill
Bill and Birdie

Great job on Bowing I have 29 missions on B-29s and now I have some good history from you on Bowing'

W7DDD de W4TFT.     Good evening Bob ! I just had the pleasure of visiting your web site
for the first time and enjoyed the visit very much.   I was given the site by a friend, non-ham,
who was a WW-2 Navy fighter pilot (Pacific). Thanks for a most interesting web site that I
will be forwarding to friends. My call is the original issue, July 21, 1951, by the way. Again,
thanks,   73, Jim

Hi Bob:

Your story had been passed on to me from a associate where I work and I am always thrilled to get stuff like this, I thoroughly enjoy the history lessons! My dad was assigned to Stockton AAFB during the war and was trained as a trainer to repair ball turrets and "the computing sight" according to his certificate. He did most of his work with B-17's and loved the aircraft.

Thanks for sharing;

Best regards

Glenn

Bob:

My name is Josh J. Porte and I have a history with the SUPER CONNIE. Our family immigrated from The Netherlands in 1957. We did not come by boat through Ellis Island but flew to America in a SUPER CONNIE. I have enclosed a picture of our family just before we stepped off the plane into American soil.

My son in law sent me the story/pics. He is stationed (Navy) in St. Louis, works in conjuction with the F18E final release to the Navy/Marine Corps. I mention the USMC for I am a former. My daughter is former Navy and married to my son in law.

Great stuff! Brings back memories to be sure.

Josh

PS My parents are still with us, father 91 and Mother 89.
************************
I sent Josh a picture I took of a KLM Super Connie arriving at JFK (Idlewild in those days) in 1958.

He replied:
Bob:

I would be honored to have you do that. It could have been the plane. I will treat it as such.

Bob, thank you!

Josh

Feel free to use our name.

The Porte familly, Grada & Taeke, Josh, Hans and Rene. Coming of the Super Connie in NYC on 11 feb. 1957

Hello Bob; I,really, sense a bit of a bond between us, inasamuch as 66 years ago I was pilot through a combat tour of 35 missions in one of thos "Big Ass Birds"..

Quirkey as it may seem, I have continued flying through six aircraft; the last being my faithful 'lil '46 Ercoupe (N94045).

Through the intervening years I have specialized in Aviation Insurance using a '47 Stinson Voyager, on through Cessnas, a nice D35 Bonanza & now my "Flying to my Sunset" Snoopy (415C Ercoupe)..

thus, in this rare occasion, I decided to drop an email to a common appreciater of the B17.

Moved from Iowa to Bellingham,Wa due to wifes illness & manage to be "Airborne" a couple of times each week..Yep 88 "Goin' on 50..

Thanks for your informative on-line special feature.

Jim B

A friend forwarded to me your pictures and discussion of the move and hangar closure. What a beautiful job you did in telling the story. I didn't shed any tears because I was at work, but I wanted to as these are great ole birds.

Have you seen the Connie at the aviation history museum in Kansas City? If not, they've got a website, and you may want to check it out them out. Here's the link: http://www.ahmhangar.com/lockheed-constellation-1049/connie-glamour-shots/

Their Connie is flyable but it's been grounded for around four years as they try to work out something with the FAA. The interior is fully restored, but to meet the inspections, the FAA wants them to gut the interior and then put it back together. Well this isn't practical as you know far better than anyone except these folk at the museum. To me it's sad this thing has to be ground by red tape.

Best wishes to you and all who participated in your effort!

Dewayne W

RAB Note: I spent a day with the K.C. Connie folks in October 2009. Beautiful airplane!!!

Hi BOB,

A friend of mine sent me the pictures and I enjoyed them very much, Are they going to build a new hangar for these museum planes.

Take Care ,

Paul G., Retired TWA employee for 40 Years, And Like the boeing phase goes if it not a boeing I am not going.

Hi Bob,

Just looking at your Plant 2 tribute page. Truly a sad day in aviation history to see it go, but I guess I understand the reasons why. Still piddling around with my 737 book (a someday project). I've just started grad school for a clinical doctorate, so my time will be pretty limited for the next couple of years. Can't thank you enough once again for the help with the 737s.

Is there any possibility that anyone is going to be getting pieces of Plant 2 for sale (or otherwise)?? I'd love to have a little chunk to frame with a photo someday.

Thanks!

Jennings H

Bob:

I am Herb H., Historian, 98th Bomb Group Vets Association. WEB: www.pyramidiers.com I have just read your "Last of an Era" about the closing of Boing's Plant II. It is of great interest to me AND I am sure will be of equal interest to our association members. The 98th flew B-29s before, during and after the Korean Police Action. The 343rd Bomb Squadron, of the 98th Bomb Group/ Wing (ww II, Korea, Cold war w/ B47s) has just been reactivated with B-52 Bombers at Barksdale AFB, LA.

I am asking your permission to publish an edited version of "End of an Era" in our quarterly news letter, due for publication in October 2010.

Sincerely and Thanks

Herb H

I was a Major Engineer (Dept. 480 -E1552) and worked on the B-17 and B-29
airplanes. I worked at Plant 1, Plant 2 and at the McDermot Building on the corner of 2nd and Union. It was with a mix of joy and sorrow when I visited "End of an Era" and saw those beautiful planes rolling out of Plant 2. I'm 91 years old and living on the 10th floor of a Retirement
Community. I cannot make it to Seattle (last there in 1993) so I want to thank you for all you efforts in recovering and restoring all the airplanes
and making it possible for old men like me to reminisce. In my travels I've also flown on the Connie and Comet planes.
Thank you, thank you.

Mr. Allie W. M.

Houston, TX

Just a quick note to say thank you for taking the time to make this tribute to an era-gone-by.

I have no real connection to the industry, but I love the nostalgia.

My dad was a navigator in WWII. He always talked about the Billy Mitchell, but I think he flew in a B-25 (??? Was the Billy Mitchell the B-23? I’ll have to look as his papers to remember for sure what he flew in.) My dad passed in Jan. 2007 at age 82 and was still very proud of having been a Marine. He was stationed in the Philippines and they did low level strafing. He sure had some stories.

I was a Delta Res Agent at Dallas Love Field in the mid 60’s. I soloed in a Musketeer in 1965; but it was just too costly to continue as a newlywed, so………..more history.

Again, thank you for keeping this part of the past alive to remind us from whence we came; and of a slower, somehow more peaceful, more reserved, more patriotic time, when people were knit together in a love of God, family, and country. I sometimes think we, as a country, have lost our principles that made us great and made us respected. I always enjoy things that remind me of the good that this country (and the good people of this country) has accomplished, both here and abroad.

I wish you a pleasant and healthy life.

Sincerely,

Vic ki W.

Administrative Coordinator

Albuquerque Rescue Mission

Albuquerque , NM 87103

I am a retired 33 year Boeing draftsman on the military side. I just
found you site when the plant 2 story was sent by a friend. I met Jim
Blue a few times .

    I think this site is beyond wonderful. I have been a fan of the
314 Clipper since I was a kid and my first plane clipping to save was
the 307 Stratoliner. Imagine my amazement to discover one at the Pima
air museum in 1990 after I retired, but before I moved to Az.

    I have just started reading the site. Looking forward to many hours with it.

    Best wishes on 314 recovery

Arnold B

Hello Bob,

You don't know me, but today I was privileged to see your web of the
closing of Boeing Plant 2. It was foward to me by a life long friend of 50
years dating back to 1960 when I started at United Air Lines in Chicago.

One of my duties back then was in flight dispatching many of the Boeng
aircraft depicted in the video. Needless to say I felt a strong sense of remorse
in watching the last aircraft roll out the doors and the impending closure of
this historical plant that has played such a major roll in the shaping of
aviation and the defense of our great nation.

I never worked for Boeing, but I too felt a deep sense of pride and sadness
in watching the video. Saying thank you seems hardly fitting for your effort
in bring us this truly unique part of our American history, one of which we all
can be proud of.....but again thank you.

Sincerely
Allan C.
Fellow American

Hi

I realy enjoyed your article about Boeing and the planes built there.
I am a former Boeing employee and help build the first production
model B29 at the Boeing plant in Witchta, Kansas.

Before Stearman Aircraft CO. Became part of Boeing, we built what
was called "Cotton Duster". Later this plane became the PT17 for the
USAAF and the N2S4 USN.

I was assigned to finish instalation in the B29 Pilots compartment where the
Pilot, Navigator, and Bombardree were located.

I do not remember the date but the entire plant was witness to the first take off
Of the first production model.
Soon after take off smoke came out of one engine which shortened the first flight.

Sincerely
Charles

Bob,

Thank you so much for your "Boeing Story". As an admirer of all things WWII (especially aviation) I found it engrossing.

Regards and thanks again,

Charles P. E. (N7ATY)

Fairview, UT.

Hi, Bob -

Nice station! And I noticed an "altimeter" clock on the wall. Must
have come from Sporty's.

I'm at the tender age of 87+, and I managed to get a license (Class B
in those days) in 1939, but had to go off the air when WWII came
along and I ended up as a cadet at West Point. I built my
transmitter and power supply (100 watts CW, a pair of 809s in
push-pull, driven by a pair of 6L6's in parallel; end-fed Zepp
horizontal antenna. I had to wind my own antenna tuning coils.
Hallicrafters Sky Buddy receiver - - and I used a bug, with the
weight almost out to the end of the rod).

When I graduated from West Point in 1945,I went into the USAAF and
spent 30 years before mandatory retirement in 1975. I was Shanghaied
into SAC in 1951 as a prospective B-47 pilot and had to earn
additional aircrew ratings as a navigator, bombardier and radar
observer. Received all these ratings and also had to check out on the
"K" system destined for the B-47.

Stationed in Davis Monthan AFB in 1952, I was assigned to the 43rd
Bomb Wing while awaiting the B-47E's scheduled for the 303rd Bomb
Wing. I checked out as an aircraft commander in the B-50A (hose and
drogue refueling) before transferring to the 303rd and the B-47.
Went through B-47 transition at Wichita.

I managed to collect over 2000 hours in the B-47, much of it as an
instructor pilot, and had the experience of refueling from both the
KC-97 (too slow) and the KC-135 (too fast!).

During my flying career, I managed to check out and rack up a few
hours in the P/F-51, F-80/T-33, F-86, B-25, B-50, B-29, B-47,
KC-135, B-52, and the Mahogany Bomber (Pentagon desk!)

Really love your web page!!

Cheers,

George

Bob:

My utmost thanks for the history of Boing. Wow, America always accomplishes what is needed during our very survival. Thanks to you, Roy Lundberg , and the entire Boing crews for the tremendous accomplishment.

My comments concern the Lockheed Constellation as converted to the air force EC121. What an aircraft. Loaded with tons of radar equipment we flew the Atlantic ocean from east of Cape Cod to east of South Carolina, extending radar coverage seaward. . The north atlantic isn't the ideal air space to plow through in winter time,as we normally flew 13000 - 15000 feet. No higher due to the additional weight of the radar gear. Usually light to medium icing and medium turbulance, occassionallly heavy. The bird always managed to bring us home.

If my memory serves me right, our 551st AEW wing out ot Otis AFB Mass flew 450000 hours flying accident free. Unfortunately, we lost 3 aircraft back in l967-68, losing 50 crew members.

Again Bob, thanks for the history lesson.

Ray B.

I was in the Air Force from 1953 to 1957. Our general, at McClellan AFB, had his own B-17. For official use, obviously. I was a prop specialist, and worked on his plane. Those of us who worked on the plane were some of the last Air Force personnel to work on an Air Force B-17. A great experience on a great plane. Some day I hope to scrape up enough bucks to fly in one when it comes to Bellingham. The Confederate Air Force usually comes to town every year or so. I really enjoyed your piece on the Boeing history.

Thanks, Greg P.

Mr. Bogash,

My name is Rick B., and I live in Haysville, KS. I was just sent a link to your fabulous webpage about the closing of Plant II in Seattle. Though I’ve not had the opportunity to visit the facility, I am humbled by it awesome size, and the activities that went on within it’s walls. Not being a Boeing employee, I have visited the Boeing facility in Wichita many times, (during “Open House” events, and special occasions). MY wife was also a Boeing employee (now with Spirit) totaling about 22 years total, so you can see how much Boeing has impacted my life! I am always impressed with the size of the buildings there, even as small as they are in comparison to your Plant II.

But on to the reason for my E-mail to you. I was just wondering if by chance you may have known my Father, Roy B.. He worked in Wichita, but made many “Field Trips” to Seattle, Buffalo, NY, and other Boeing facilities around the country. He primarily worked in experimental flight as an electrician; usually installing instrumentation for measuring whatever during test flights of many types of military aircraft, from F-100’s to B-52’s. He was a tall man, about 6’ 2-3” Brown hair, & blue eyes. If you had the opportunity to work with him, you might recall that he would have worn farmer style bib “overalls”, or grey Dickies brand work clothes.

In Wichita, his primary “shop” (either 2720 or 3337, I don’t know which, one was the Shop, and the other was possibly his Employee ID#) was in charge of keeping 2 C-97’s (one was a KC Model) in ready flight status. These planes flew mostly support flights (I think) for experimental flight (photography, parts chasing, etc.). they were usually parked on the very North end of the ramp on the East (runway) side of the plant. SIDE NOTE: DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE TAIL NUMBERS OR FINAL DISPOSITION OF THESE AIRCRAFT?

I’m sure he would have impressed you with his work ethic of ‘no-nonsense’ on the job, but wasn’t beyond either initiating, or supporting a good practical joke on a co-worker. He loved baseball, and I think he may have even played with the Boeing ‘Bo-Jets’ (semi-pro?) team for a short period of time.

Dad was retired in April 1976, from injuries & complications from an automobile accident on his way home from work in June, 1966. Boeing carried him on “Inactive Payroll” until he reached retirement age, something I doubt is even considered now days, but was very calming for him and Mom at the time. He passed away August 1st, 1992, from congestive heart failure.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I plan on enjoying your website to the fullest, and pray that you can get the other 99% loaded up soon!
Rick (Roy R. II) B

Good Tuesday morning,

I appreciate the info contained in the email about closure of Plant II. It is truly the passing of an age. But in many respects, what occurred in that plant and in thousands of other factories across America in the 19302 and 1940s still resonates.

I am part of a team that is building a brand new B-17G Flying Fortress. Its tail number will be 44-85813 and it will be named Champaign Lady, in honor of Champaign County , Ohio where it is being built. We are part of the Champaign Aviation Museum and we have several other airplanes but the B-17 is the main project. It will be ten years before it flies (OK, maybe 12…how ‘bout 13) but that does not matter…we are doing this for the veterans and workers of the Greatest Generation…those people who saved the world…

I just wanted to say that even as the old plant passes into history, one more of these magnificent airplanes, the 12,732nd Flying Fortress in production, is (slowly) taking shape in Ohio .

The pictures are of Carole B at the forward hatch…and of the forward fuselage of our airplane…this was taken on 9-25-2010

Best wishes,
Buck

Hi Bob:

Your name is familiar to me. I was in Commercial Airplane Sales. Where did
we work together?

Thanks for the Plant II presentation. All good things must come to an end.

Cheers,
Gene

Bob

Your site is much appreciated. Thank you for putting it up.

Your photos and nostalgia bring back many nice memories from my father’s time. He was a WWII B-17 pilot. It was he that spurred my interest in flying. I didn’t get to fly a big or fast airplane, but have about 1500 hours in 2, 4 and 6 seaters. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything although, I secretly wished that I had had the opportunity to play with one of these ‘big ones’.

By the way, I am a private pilot who is about to retire from flying; I understand the sentiment behind your page. I have just taken one of my last flights. This link, http://www.couperus.org/ Albums/Napa/ was put together by a friend that captured the flight. You might enjoy reviewing it.

Kind regards,

Gary W.

Los Altos Hills, CA

Hi Bob,

Thank you so very much for keeping this history alive. I wonder how many schools in Washington teach this very important part of our states history. I do believe it is more important than to keep this information alive as a motivational bit for what we can do as collective beings striving to produce as opposed to socialist striving to get something for nothing.

Americans need to learn how to work and build things. Now children play games most of the time when they are not using foreign manufactured cell phones trying to get new music for there foreign made I-Pods. God help us!!

God Bless, You and yours,
Ron M.

A Note of Thanks

Hello

Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed browsing through the web site shown below that was forwarded to me by a friend. There is allot there and I will revisit it again when I get a chance. I think it is a shame to dissolve allot of this History, but I suppose it has to stop somewhere. We had a Naval Air Base that was recently closed. It was a sad day to see the last of the Navy Patrol Planes go. It leaves The East Coast with no Naval Air Power North of Norfolk VA. The Blue Angles have been here several times and gave a great show. Even though I have been in the Shipbuilding trades all my life, I have great admiration for airplanes and the people who fly them and can't believe the technology & capability of the aircraft past & present. I commend you in your efforts on the Web and wish you well in its further development as well as the very best through out the holidays.

I am retired after 47 years in the Shipbuilding Industry with The Bath Iron Works Corp. here in Maine. I started out as an apprentice in the sheet metal trades and advanced after my tour with the U.S. Military to the Design trades. The Company primarily builds U.S. Navy Destroyers and was delivering on average, one ship every 2 weeks to the Navy during W.W. 2. working 24/7. That was a little before my time as I went to work there in 1957. Ships now are much more advanced and takes nearly 2 years to build. They have built several private yachts and some Commercial Container ships as well. The company has a history of over 100 years and is currently owned by General Dynamics. They are currently building the latest in War Ships along with Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi.

Richard

Hi Bob--

Just wanted to compliment you on your website. Very interesting.

I served as consulting Project Manager for the 777 Expansion -- Environmental Impact Statement in Everett in 1990-92. Fred Stewert was the Boeing PM. Fred retired when that nightmare was finished. We spent a lot of time working together trying to cut through the red tape of bureaucracy during that program.

I have managed many of the largest EISs in the country over 30 years and I think Everett was the most expensive EIS in history. Nearly $7 million just for a bundle of documents. $35 million in mitigation, mostly traffic issues for a potential workforce of 36,000 employees. It never reached more than 23,000 that I know of.

I never got to visit Plant 2. Sorry to see her go. Tremendous world history associated with that building.

Miles
Ritzville, Washington

Hello again Bob,

Hope all is well with you these days.

A fraternity brother from 50 years ago just emailed me the link to your latest (?) web creation, and I salute you for a terrific job! You are a good story teller (no surprise after you gave at least 3,000 presentations during your career).

I started at Plant II on the first 737 in June 1966, as a completely wet behind the ears IE working for jack Trowbridge. I walked that floor every day for 4+ years supporting 3 of the Generals, plus the tooling guys out in the South Property, until they moved to the balcony. Wild days, at least to me they were. I couldn't figure out for the life of me how the Company could make any money with everything in such a state of chaos (to my untrained eyes). Found out years later I was right; we had just slid off the basic Boeing MIL products path to great new airplanes, and we were all given a swift kick in the butt when Bill Shineman et al produced their conclusions from Project Homework. I was a determined believer in those principles through the YC-14, the first Jetfoils, the first 767, the first 757, the first 777, and the first B-2 (in spite of all the wrong "help" from Northrop). I threw in the towel in the (then) middle of the first 787 when all those Douglas "execs" had thrown out all or most of my ernest recommendations. Darn shame. But I do love retirement!

One minor item to check - - I think the first 737 rolled out in January 1967, rather than sometime in 1966. Afterwards, I think we were either 3 weeks or 6 weeks late to the plan for eventually getting it into the air.

Sure was a funny little stubby plane in those days, at least compared to all our previous MIL and Commercial birds. But if you worked on it, ya loved it!

Thanks again for a terrific story.

Ken
Mukilteo

RAB Note - Plant II Rollout - August 1966; Thompson site rollout - Jan 1967.
Full story here: http://www.rbogash.com/737early.html

Dear Bob,

Now that my eyes have cleared, I will let you know how much I appreciate the history of hanger 2 and all the other pictures. I've run it through several times and seem to see something new each time. I've forwarded the material and now others are returning the information. Thanks again.

I want to tell you that our third daughter has worked for Boeing and is in her 36th year. She has worked in most of the departments and is now in quality control. The Department had a 35th anniversary party for Holly this past summer. She was married to Don Pierce for about 14 years, then they divorced. My wife died three years ago, but probably 37 years and forward for 14 or 16 years we visited at their home overlooking the sound. His office in the home had many pictures of planes and people who worked with him. He received thousands of dollars for suggestions. Holly and Don were married on the mountain in Hawaii and shortly after they both worked at Boeing. Holly started sealing wings on the 737.

Later on when she would come home to visit I would ask her what she was working on and she would begin to cry and would say, "Dad, I can't tell you, it is secretive." About three years later I saw a picture of a plane in the Statesman-Journal, the Salem, Oregon newspaper, then I phoned to Holly in Tacoma. "Yes," she said, "It's no longer a secret and I can tell you it was a big project."

A few years ago we went to Tacoma and Holly took us to the Museum where the plane is exibited out on the lot. I'm sorry, the name of the plane does not come to mind now, but it is shaped in a triangle. I'm 87 years now and I may think of the name at 2am tomorrow. Thanks for the opportunity to tell you this. It is a pleasure to meet you.

J.W.L.

Hi Bob, I can see why Boeing had to close the factory 2, we all get too old to be very productive with all the new high tech stuff that is coming out every day!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the young people learn the high tech stuff from kindergarden on! BUT we have all the history in our bones!
I signed up in the US ARMY AIR CORPS the day after Pearl Harbor, 20 yrs. old! things happened fast after that! Later Bill

Hi Bob,

Thanks for sharing your awesome pictures and history of Boeing's Plant II.

There are 2 other aviation firsts that happened at Plant II that you might be interested in.

One was in the old 2-63 building, (just south of the 2-41 birth place of the B-17's). It was the assembly of the first composite wing for the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor Helicopter, back in 1984 and 1985. Boeing designed, fabricated (mostly in Auburn), assembled (plant II), and structurally tested (Dev Center) the prototype wing under contract with Bell Helicopter-Textron, then sent the drawings, tools, and manufacturing plans to Texas where Bell built the next 10 developmental units. I believe I have some pictures of that wing assembly at Plant 2. The other event was the assembly of the prototype composite horizontal stabilizer for the 777, also a structural test article built for FAA certification and fatigue testing. Its assembly began in late 1990 (in the 2-41 building high bay) and it was delivered on June 24, 1991 (on a wide load flat bed) down E Marginal Way to the Developmental Center for structural test . While in test at the DC it made the cover of Aviation Week abd Space Technology magazine. If you are interested, I believe I can find and scan some photos that were approved for released by Boeing. I was involved in the V-22 as an assembly planner from 1984-1985 (it was called the JVX at the time), and later became the lead of the group of manufacturing engineers and assembly planners that designed the assembly jigs and planned the assembly of the 777 composite horizontal stabilizer test box.

Robert

The Plant 2 reminisce by John Kuller certainly brought back memories for me. I would spend my lunch time roaming the factory floor looking in awe at the B-52s in assembly. Quite an experience for a boy just off a Nebraska farm.

Thank you for sharing your collection. Denny (retired 39 year Boeing employee)

Like so many others I too spent a few teary eyed hours at your awesome sight…

I too also feel “inanimate” crafts have souls and speak to all mine frequently…

YOU ROCK…

Thanks for all your dedication…

I live in Canton Ohio, and have a carpet cleaning business, and have multiple clients associated in various ways with your (our) passion, so it was nice to share the info with them…

I had the experience of a lifetime just a few months ago when the MAPS museum brought in a B-17, B-25, and P-51…

I took hundreds of pics, most through teary eyes, and what a wonderful experience it was to examine those magnificent birds close up… A first time experience for me…

I also learned that my dad, a Korean Navy vet had seen the 25’s, 26’s, and 51’s (and a few other classic crafts) take off from his carrier- the USS Boxer…

I do have a Boeing related question…

I recently cleaned for an amazing 89 yr. Old “Rosie the Riveter”… This woman could not have stood much more than 4’4”….

She reported working at Boeing in Seattle in late 1944, into 1945 or so…

She said she worked on a single seater, but after some research I couldn’t find any single seater manufactured at that plant…

If you have any info, or way to find out what she actually worked on it would be appreciated (probably more by me than her)…

Thanks again for all your great efforts…

Kevin S

RAB Note: Rosie has a good memory - Boeing did build a single seater - actually, only three airplanes were built - the XF8B-1.

More details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_XF8B

Hi Bob

Please excuse the mail out of the blue, but I noticed the interesting story and pics on your website showing the move of the B-17, 29 and Connie and wanted to ask if I could possibly run a news item on this in the next issue of our Classic Wings magazine, based down here in NZ? If agreeable I would like the shot of the B-17/29 being towed inside the hangar in high resolution. I would of course be pleased to forward a few issues for you and your friends once done

regards from NZ
Dave
CW

Dear Bob,

Great website, God speed to continue sharing some great info. I am intrigued about Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed Skunkworks ever since I listened to a talk by Mr. Bob Gilliland. He lives near me in Burbank, CA. He is now able to share some insight and stories about the Blackbird that was classified long ago. More intrigue, and true American talent and ingenuity. I assisted him at a booth at the Rancho Dominguez salute to Centennial Aviation Day. My goal is to get some of their stories published. For inspiration, for history.

All the best,
Gloria B.

RAB Note: I'll be giving a Kelly Johnson talk at the Museum on Dec. 11, 2010 - mark your calendars!

Bob: Long time no see. I do remember you in Jim Blue’s gang. I was Sales Performance Manager, working with Jim Radcliffe.

FYI, I rode in an RC-121 from Otis AFB to McClellan AFB. Engines were a bit out of sync, but otherwise as I remember a comfortable flight. I was coming back from leave in NYC. I was stationed at March AFB as a B-47 Navigator-Bombardier.

Cheers,
Gene

Just ran across your site
and really enjoyed everything.

     I think we met at an Airliners International Convention where you were guest speaker at our annual awards dinner, although I really can't remember what year or when.

     I'm leaving 10/6 for my annual trek to Edmonds, WA, will spend a lot of time at Paine Field, the restoration center and generally nosing about Boeing, will be there for two weeks this trip.
     A couple of years ago, we drove over to Glacier NP, stopped at Grant County Int. airport. Very very quiet that day.

               Good luck to you, and again, I really enjoy your site.

                                  Bill D., Clearwater, Fl.

RAB Note: I was the Keynote Speaker at the 2000 Airliners International Convention in Phoenix. Great memory!

Dear Mr. Bogash,

My dear friend, Bruce Duncan, retired Boeing employee forwarded me your wonderful blog about the closing of Plant II and its wonderful history and winning contribution to our victory in WWII. I am from Roswell, NM and remember when my father took my brother and me, ages 14 and 15 out to Walker Air Force Base to meet and shake hands with Colonel Paul Tibbets. We all stood by the Enola Gay and my brother and I patted the plane and thanked Colonel Tibbets for helping end the war and saving 2 to 3 million more lives, both Allied and Japanese. Thanks for your work.

Robert P.

Retired Indian Tribal Lawyer

Dear Mr.Bogash,

For many years the elegant Boeing 314 has fascinated me. My mind often wandered imagining what it was like to travel to South America onboard a Pan Am Clipper. Wowwww, what a sight it must have been to see this glamour icon approaching !

Anyway, your project to rescue the Honolulu Clipper is indeed very exciting. Unfortunately, I am not currently in a position to donate funds to your worthy “mission and vision.” However, what I could offer to your project at NO CHARGE would be to re-design the webpage “In Search of an Icon;”   ie. the information pertaining to the Boeing 314.     You have already done an excellent job with the photos and texts.

My profession is international project management and with my partner I also have a small business in Geneva (Switzerland) dealing with IT services and Web design (athenaintel.com). Over the last 10 years I’ve designed many web sites for professionals, businesses and association, ranging from 12 to over 500+ pages.    I’ve also entirely designed an aviation site for an association of retired Swiss air force pilots and staff, belonging to the “flight squadron No. 4 (The flying witch).”   My late father, Beno�t Musy, was a pilot with this flight squadron during WW-II.   (NB: yes, we did have German airplane incursions over our territory during the war and did shoot down German bombers).

One of our association member, General Fernand Carrel, was the commander in chief of the Swiss air force during the 1990’s. You may enjoy reading several articles, including when he landed on a US carrier with the FA/18 Hornet – look under ‘historique’ and then ‘m�moires.’   Articles No. 8 and No. 12   (I don’t give you the direct link, as your anti-spam may delete my e-mail).    All of the articles are in French for now, but in the near future I plan on translating them into English.

I look forward to your reply.

Best regards and all of the best to you and associates,

Edouard M.
Gen�ve – Switzerland

PS. I attended graduate school in Texas and also worked many years in Houston and San Antonio (TX); I even speak English with an American accent.

Hello Bob,

This is a photo of the UAL 727 “Spirit of Seattle” that I believe my father Capt. John E. McKean (also pictured) ferried on one of its last flights before it was donated to the Seattle Museum of Flight. I was wondering if there has been any progress on the restoration of the aircraft since the last entries on your website.

Best regards,
Matt M

Article: United employees give first Boeing 777 back to the people of Seattle. (United Airlines)

Article date:
January 25, 1988

UNITED EMPLOYEES GIVE FIRST
BOEING 727 BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE

SEATTLE, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and its 63,000 employees will make a 45-ton, $5 million donation to the people of Seattle today when they announce their intentions to present the world's first Boeing 727 to Museum of Flight officials at Boeing Field.

The aircraft will be commissioned "Spirit of Seattle" in ceremonies that begin at the museum at 9 a.m. Nearly 150 local children will share that spirit as they climb aboard the aircraft following the presentation for one of two 30-minute sky-high tours of Seattle and Tacoma.

Hello Bob,

My name is Matt M., and I am a French reporter for various French TV channels.
I came across your website by accident, and i'm glad I did.

I am producing a feature documentary about the restauration of Concorde F-BTSD located at the Paris Air and Space Museum.

The restauration is being conducted by volunteer Air France mechanics (all former Concorde mechanics), including the head of the Air France Concorde division, and pilots are litterally selling wives and children to be the ones of will roll the aircraft for the Paris Air Show of 2011.

It is a big project as the airplane has been on display for 7 years, however it was just out of a D check, with fresh engines.

They performed an endoscopy 2 weeks ago, only to find that the engines were in perfect condition.
I see that your website mentions that you worked on a Concorde, what have you done to it ? Are you still restoring aircrafts ? The idea would be to come and film you doing restoration work on an airplane, to get another viewpoint.
What are the projects you are working on at this time ? I've seen that 2002 video where you power up 727 sn 001 and that is quite relevant to what we're doing.

I look forward to reading from you soon.
Kind regards,

Matt M

Hi Mr. Bogash,

I'm working on an aviation series for MSNBC, really enjoyed looking through your site. I came to it while looking for Don C., I noticed you had a picture of him up there. Wondering if you might have any idea how to get in touch with him. Feel free to call or email if you have any advice. Thanks so much for your time and the effort you've put into your site!

Lizzie

Producer
P. Productions | NBC News

You have some fantastic photos and a layout that makes them easy to peruse, so I can see why the site would get a lot of attention. I love sites like yours that are driven by someone's own interest and passion for a subject, they're always more interesting to get information from than some of the more data-driven sources.

I may in fact have some other inquiries for you as time goes on, we are early on in this particular series but I may reach out again if you don't mind. It must be very interesting to work with so much foreign press.

Thank you again for your help,
All the best,

Lizzie

Dear Mr Bogash
I have came across your site while looking for any informations on my friend, Paddy Szrajer (I am checking the web from time to time looking for people putting any new informations). I understand that you have met him during the conversion for 737 and subsequent trainings at Seattle.

Anyway, the thing I would like to ask you is a group of Polish airmen, who got employed by Boeing in early 1960s. Off hat I recall Walter Brachmanski, Albin 'Albee' Gulyn or Frank Czerwinski. Have you ever met them, or were they employed in another branch? Few more were employed at Space Division, Huntsville, Alabama, so I guess you had no chance to meet them.

Best regards
Franek G.
PS It looks you have no classic Soviet airliners in the Museum!

Hi,

I am a member of USAirways Retiree Group in Pittsburgh , PA. We where looking at the:

http://www.rbogash.com/Plant%202/Plant2.html

area on your web site and it when gone. A lot of us , and others, would like to see that video. What happened??
Gary A

RAB Note - got dozens of these "Where is it???? Had to shut it down for several days when the traffic approached 2 million hits/day.

Dear Mr. Bogash,

A friend of mine, a retired Air Canada Captain, recently passed on to me the link to your "Super Connie" site.

I just wanted to send a brief note to you to say what a great job you and your team did in rebuilding this fine airplane. The Super Connie was a great favourite of mine and I flew (as a passenger ) regularly during the 1960s on PIA, in Pakistan where I was working at the time.

I also know this particular plane from its days at the Constellation Hotel and at the Airport Road location in Toronto. I often wondered whatever happened to the old "Connie".

I now live in retirement on Vancouver Island, B.C. so I will certainly plan an early return visit to the Museum and the Boeing Plant to see this "old friend" in her retirement.

Again my congratulations!

Sincerely,

Tony

i just had the joy of watching your work at boeing (last ones coming out of the factory). to bad they can't show your life of hard work to those in congress so they understand everything doesn't come for free in life. thanks and good luck to u
Les

Bob - I just checked out the website. Great job! Thanks!

Peter B.

Hi, Bob.... I am also a retired Boeing guy. I started my career as a designer/engineer/manager at Douglas (five years) working on A-4E Skyhawks, A-3D Skywarriors, F-4B Phantom wingtips, the first DC-9, and stretched DC-8s, and even the A-1E Skyraider! When I moved to Boeing in '66 I started work on the 707 and its variations. After that I worked 0n 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, and 777. Also worked on AWACS, KE-3A Tanker for Saudia, and the E6 for USN. MY favorite job was as a design engineer on the Boeing VIP airplanes, working for Fred Mitchell and designing showers, seating arrangements, and furnishings. I was also part of the 7J7 design team under Mullally.

My degree from U of W was in Industrial Design, so I did a lot of interior and PD work. In the USN, I was an aviation electrician and a radioman on a P2V Neptune. I guess you could say I have been around airplanes most of my life. One of my favorites is the Connie, the first commercial airliner I flew on in 1956. I would volunteer to help rebuild some of the old airplanes, but I live on Whidbey Island and am not anxious to deal with the commute... unless it was a very special project.

I am a writer these days and have written three novels and two other books. At Boeing I did a lot of technical writing and published a couple of magazine articles. I'm currently working on several more novels, including the fourth in a series about an American sailor during the Revolutionary War.

I was fortunate to work alongside Martin Jensen at Douglas and wrote an article about him that has not yet been published. He was a well-known flier and came in second (and last) in the Dole Race to Hawaii. He also designed and built a unique helicopter prior to WWII that the U.S. Army wouldn't purchase. Anyway, I hope to publish that article some day.

I enjoyed your web-site and will return to it one of these days.

Jerry M

Bob,

As I was a good friend of Bob Schumacher’s son (Paul), I can tell you that Bob S. was flying the JetStar that made the Sunland ‘off field’ landing. Bob is the one who broke his back, effectively limiting and ending his ‘company’ flying (U2 and SR-71). Bob Schumacher ended up flying a Convair 240 that went from Burbank to Beale AFB to Tonopah everyday (with the SR-71 Technicians). I ended up being stationed at Beale (KC135Q) and I would hop a ride home with Mr. Schumacher every Friday. If my brain can think of more stories I will be glad to email you.

Best regards,

Kevin

Hi Bob,

I saw the Jetstar section on your fantastic website. The pictures of the prototype and original certificate of airworthiness are amazing. Thank you so much for putting them on the site!

A friend of mine asked me take a look at a HS 125-700 for him and I also saw a rare 125-3A/RA for sale. Then I saw a few Jetstar IIs on the market. It is always exciting seeing old Jetstars coming up for sale!

May I ask you what you think of the Jetstar IIs today? With the Stage III noise levels and issues with the tank and plank, is a Jetstar II or 731 still a viable option? One pilot told me Jetstars are now purely for enthusiasts and anyone needing a plane for business would be crazy to even consider it. Do you think any will be flying anywhere in the world in five-years? My friend would love a Jetstar II, as would I, but he needs a plane that can take off from a 4,600-ft runway.

Best regards,

Patrick G

Hello Bob.

I just started looking around a little and I like what I've seen so far. I do plan to return to spend more time. I read the item about taking a perfectly good 747 to the desert to be retired. You mentioned that it's like the airplane has a life.

I was a mechanic on jet fighters in the Air Force from April 1970 to December 1974. I started out working on the Convair F-106 Delta Dart at Minot AFB, ND and then went to the McDonnell-Douglass F-4 Phantom II. I spent one year in Thailand contributing to the Vietnam war effort. My comments are not about the politics of that war, or any other for that matter.

I want to say that when you work on an airplane everyday for a period of time, it becomes your best friend, or girlfriend, whichever you choose. I worked on a couple different F-106's that are special to me. The first one is F-106A, 590-002. It was a single seat fighter and it was a beautiful design with those big delta wings. I learned how to maintain them on this particular airplane. Then I was assigned to F-106B 572-545. It was one of two 2-seaters in the squadron. It was the one where I thought it was more of a personality than a machine. Being one of the two seat models, it was used for pilot training and qualification on different systems and for cross-country flights to maintain hours. It was a sad day when I took a picture of it the last time I saw it.

002, was converted into a drone aircraft and used for live missile firing over the Gulf of Mexico. It was shot down and now rests at the bottom of the Gulf acting as a man-made reef for the aquatic life there.

545 was taken out of service when a wing crack was discovered and it never flew again. It was sold to a private individual who trucked it to El Paso, TX to use for parts in restoring another B model. Apparently, it never got finished and the fuselage rests behind a barn on the property. This is the last information I have on these two airplanes. I would rather think about the flying times it had when I was working on them and maintaining them.

I didn't become as attached to my F-4 in the same way. The particular Phantom I was assigned to in Thailand was a ramp queen. It spent a good portion of my year sitting in one revetment, then another. It did fly some but it came back broke more than most other Phantoms. It had engine problems, then it had flight control problems. The pace was fast so if my plane was not on the schedule, I was assisting other crew chiefs or working on another one that was almost ready to go. They took off with ordinance and came back without it. This was what they did in a war and what they were made to do. They also would dog fight with MiG's over the northern part of the country and mostly were successful. There were some that did get shot down and it was a sad time. It was sad because usually it meant two more POW's but it also meant that plane was no longer in the inventory.

I still look skyward when I hear an airplane flying overhead. Sometimes it is a small corporate jet but mostly it is a jet airliner taking off from the airport in Milwaukee, WI where I live. Airplanes is and probably will always be one of my interests.

I have attached some pictures of my airplanes. Thanks for creating your web site and letting me write some comments. By the way, I saw your picture taken with one of my heroes, Chuck Yeager. I have not had the opportunity to meet him but I would love to meet him someday. It better be sooner than later since none of us lives forever.
Mike K

Dear Robert,

        My congratulations for your page regarding the Boeing 314.

        I’m quite interested with the project of recovering a Boeing 314 from the Ocean, since that there isn’t a single airplane that as survived as a testimony of this special era of aviation.

        I have an uncle with 84 years old that still remembers quite well the Boeings 314, when he was around 12-14 years old , he saw the Clippers in Madeira Island.

        As you know, the Yankee Clipper was lost in Tagus River in 22 Feburary 1943.

        I have full access to the Portuguese Newspapers of that year that describe the accident in detail, as it was the 1st major accident with an airplane in Portugal.

       Since then (as far as I know) the Boeing 314, was left undisturbed in the bottom of Tagus river.

       I understand (due to the loss of lives associated with this Boeing 314) that you haven’t considered him as an option of recovery, if it was possible; some victims after all this years still would have a possibility if having a proper ceremony.

The recovery of the 1st transatlantic air mail service clipper would gather immediate attention from the media and the support for this operation, would show up naturally.

There is even (on the newspapers of that time, that I consulted) a very special “love history” between a Hollywood star that was in that flight ( I don’t remember her name), and a crew member of the “Yankee Clipper” that save her, and they got married afterwards.

The Tagus River connects to the Atlantic Ocean just nearby Lisbon, so this particular Boeing 314 is not very subjected to the corrosion provoked by salt in sea water.

   The depths in Tagus aren’t as deep as in the ocean; witch reduces the cost of the recovery dramatically.

   The impact with the water was strong, but still 15 of the 39 onboard were saved, so in terms of structure, maybe didn’t suffered so much as the other two clippers that you describe.

   If you have any interest on this, I can try to get copies of the journals that speak about it, they are in Portuguese, but it will be a pleasure to give a help.

   And if you decide to visit Portugal for a more serious evaluation, with will be with pleasure that I offer (at no cost) all my help.

   I currently work as a natural gas control room supervisor, but I’ have worked in the Portuguese air force as engine mechanic for 3 years.

   Thanks for your attention, and the very best luck for your project.

     Best regards,

    Carlos F.

Bob - I really enjoyed all aspects of your website - in particular the material on the Connie restoration. I am an old Connie driver from the Navy MATS days with VR-7 out of Moffett Field.which was the concluding chapter of a 20 year stint in Naval Aviation. We had 36 Super G's and ran scheduled flights covering the Pacific, Far East and Middle East. I have been hoping to stand next to a Connie for nostalgic purposes for years but no opportunity has presented itself. Knowing there is one at Boeings facility am hoping to get a chance to see it.

You mentioned your admiration for Kelly Johnson. I have had the pleasure during the Navy years to fly several of his creations. The PV-1 & 2 (Flight Instructor), P2V-3W ASW (Atlantic, Newfoundland), F-80 (NavyTV-1), Shooting Star and of course. many hours in the Connie.

I have written a book covering those twenty years of my involvement with over 30 different types of aircraft. The title is
"The Golden Era of Naval Aviation - An Aviators Journey 1939-1959". My Granddaughter is the Director of Programs and Administration for the Heritage Flight Museum in Bellingham ,(Bill Ander's creation, Apollo 8 Astronaut). She has built a website (not complete) at "contact@goldeneraofnavalaviation.com). We plan on adding several images as time goes by.

Would like to send you a copy of the book. Where to?

Best regards.

A.M.(Mike) G.

RAB Note: This book may be obtained here:
http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Era-Naval-Aviation-1939-1959/dp/1553695593

My Name is Jack V. .

I now live in Amarillo Texas ..In the years 1958/59 I worked for TWA in the main hanger north of Kansas City , Mo..which is now known as KCI terminal ...we worked on the "connies' and were told there were 50 and were headed to China..

Howard Hughes owned the TWA airline then ..I worked paint and dope as the moveable controls were fabric covered over aluminum frames ..the vertical stabilizer is slightly over 12 feet tall..I thoroughly enjoyed the Article on the Connie being moved to the park ..I sailed out of Seattle in early 1945 and remember Boeing having facilities in Renton Washington , just out of Seattle ..Those were the days .!!

Hi Bob I would like to introduce myself. I got your email from your well done and fascinating website.

My name is Marvin S. (W7MLS). I am a 747-400 Captain for United Airlines and I live in Eugene. I am one of the over age 60 guys at United and I am preparing for retirement in 4 years.

I have been off the air since 1984. The station was dismantled during a move and most of it was lost in a divorce a few years later. Anyway, I am in the process of rebuilding the station and would like to talk to you sometime about a couple of questions I have. I would also love to chat about your aviation career.

My email is; My cell is 541-**********

I hope to talk with you soon,

Best Regards & 73’s – Marvin.

Bob, good morning,

I've just spend a wonderful half-hour surfing through a few of your many pages of online memorabilia and information. What a wonderful collection! Really.

I am the Public Affairs Officer for the O. Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. We meet weekly. Our squadron is roughly 60 members strong, with many (45+) young cadets; all are interested in aeronautics in one form or another.

We are always looking for ways to help inform our cadets and senior members about the aviation industry as well as looking for ways to give back to the community............

All of this leads me to wondering two things:

If you and I could meet at your convenience and talk about having you join us some Tuesday evening and share some of your information about these wonderful vintage aircraft.
Explore if there is an opportunity for some of our cadets and seniors (cadets would always be accompanied by at least one) to volunteer their efforts in whatever way appropriate toward caring for some of the aircraft.

I'd be happy to talk with you about this on the phone and/or meet you

I look forward to chatting with you.

Kind regards,

Phil

To "Another Bob";

Would you, by any chance, from the 40's and through the 60's, have known a fellow at Boeing by the name of Bud Hurst? As I understood it, Bud was sent, at one time, to the Kansas plant as a trouble-shooter to straighten out some problem at that plant. Bud was also my wife's uncle. My dad was, during the late 40's and early 50's, a Boeing survey engineer who was instrumental in the construction of later buildings at Boeing. My brother was, as the pilot, forced to bail out of a bomber that was built at Plant Two, over the Netherlands during WWII. From "53" through "57" I worked in Plant Two's pattern shop, next to the foundry. I was the guy that kept 40 to 60 cars out of a jammed parking lot by making a deal with management. I was given preferred parking across from the main gate, never had to change from day shift, and was promised never to have to transfer to another plant. For four years I hauled people from Kirkland, Redmond and Bellevue on a 60 passenger bus, calling it the 'East Side Aero Ride Club." Believe it or not, I was making more off of that bus than I was from Boeing's pay scale.

Bob

Just a quick note to say thank you for taking the time to make this tribute to an era-gone-by.

I have no real connection to the industry, but I love the nostalgia.

I was a Delta Res Agent at Dallas Love Field in the mid 60’s. I soloed in a Musketeer in 1965; but it was just too costly to continue as a newlywed, so………..more history.

I wish you a pleasant and healthy life.

Sincerely,

Vic ki W.

Administrative Coordinator

Albuquerque Rescue Mission

Hi Bob,

I was curious to know if the B-29 shown leaving Plant 2 was the one that was rescued from China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in California.

I saw the plane being dismantled at the airport at Inyokern, Calif. shortly after it was pulled off the Naval Air Station. I was told that it would be trucked to the Boeing plant for restoration. That was a number of years ago and I have always wondered if in fact it really was being restored.

Thank you for any information you may have.

Bill W

Answer: That airplane went to Boeing Wichita and is under restoration: http://www.b-29doc.com/

Hi Bob: I'm a friend of Shelby Jacobs, and recently received an e-mail on the closing of Plant II. Can you tell me where to get these pictures. I was born in 1934, and was to young to serve in WWII, but B-17's have been a life-long love. Thanks, John N

My name is William (Bill) E W. and my brother's name was Donald W. It was my understanding that he was in charge of the Renton Boeing plant. He was killed in a car accident in Mexico several years ago after he had retired from Boeing. I had the privilege of flying as a crew member on a military connie about 1955 or 1956. I was a flight engineer on SC-54 aircraft stationed at Lajes Field, Azores and got a hop back to the states with the crew. Beautiful airplane. Was wondering if you knew my brother as we were separated at the age of 12 (me ) and him at 10. Contact was minimal after that. I live in Summerville South Carolina wwhich is next door to N Charleston where the Boeing plant is being built. We lived in West Seattle from 1936 to 1944 and I lived at Ryther Child Center for a short period of time. Would appreciate hearing from you if you have the time to respond.
Thanks, Bill W.

This is a great history and I am planning to print it out and mail it to a former boss of mine hoe left Los Angeles in the late sixties for Seattle and worked for Boeing parts management for lots of years Carl Duffy he is now 92 and no PC.

Thanks again

Sincerely

Cornelis
Have a blessed day

Mr. Bogash,

I am working on a book on the 737 family of aircraft and wish to include photographs from from your collection. I wish to obtain from you publication quality photographs of the prototype (if you have any) as well as photographs of NASA's 737-100. Also, I am interesting in phorographs from the production line. If you choose to provide any photographs, then please note that my publisher wants digital images in TIFF format at 300dpi (or better) and in file sizes of no less than 2MB. I thank you for any help that you can provide and any photographs that you provide will be fully attributed to you and will result in inclusion in the acknowledgements section of the book.

Also, I am interested in any anedotes that you may have regarding the 737 (especially with regard to design, development, and testing).

Regards,

Robert W. T

Hello Bob

On reviewing you website about the Boeing 314, I was wondering if there is any additional information you might have relating to the 314’s first days of history on Lake Washington.

I am the webmaster for the Sand Point NAS and am always looking for more information. I try to not use information that is copyrighted but may make mistakes once in a while. There is three ways to link to my Boeing 314 pages.

http://www.memorieshop.com/Seattle/LakeWashington/

http://ships.bouwman.com/Planes/

http://www.sandptnavsta.org/Historic-District/, click on image in water.

I retired from Boeing in 2000, see: http://telephone.bouwman.com/Boeing/

Vern Bouwman

Navy Oiler Historian

Good morning Mr. Bogash how are you? Long time no speak. I shredded a finger with my Dremel several months back so it was alittle difficult for me to use a computer. Those things show no mercy I tell you. Anyways I was at the Calgary airport last night - little bird watching if you know what I mean. Then as I left the airport a Puralator 727 buzzed over my truck. Then I thought about you and I was able to watch that video on YouTube about the 727 prototype N7001U and I was very impressed with what I,d seen - alot of history in that old girl and it was good to see her preserved. Unfortunately there are no more 727 passenger jets buzzing over Canada - they,re now just the odd freighter - Fed-Ex or Puralator. In my opinion that bird was ahead of it,s time and production ended far too soon. The 727 was such a neat airplane and it,s sad to see the numbers dwindling. My question to you is how is resto going on N7001? I saw you guys had a Comet on the go too - is it just static or fully operational? I,ve also noticed some real neat changes to that web-site. I could spend hours on that one. Have a great day Mr. Bogash and we,ll chat soon. Kerry

Sir; I was a tech rep for 42 years working with the Navy, Marines and air force on one hell of a lot of helicopters made by Kaman. I do not see and HTK, HOK, HUK H-2, H43 or K1200 in your presentation. How come?? The were many hundreds built and operated. They were also sold to foreign goverments such as Burma, Columbia, New Zealand, Egypt and Australia. The h43 se time to climb records and absolute altitude records many years ago. Like going to 32,800 feet.

Just curious why we are omitted. By the way, A Navy Lt named Clyde Lassen, a good friend, won the Congressional Medal of Honopr for a rescue made in Viet Nam.

Jack K.

RAB Comment: My website is devoted to things of interest to me - primarily Boeing and Lockheed aircraft, ham radio, animals, boats and trains. I have no interest and little knowledge about Kaman.

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