October 2008 Newsletter

Previous issues

BRIEFINGS

October, 2008 The Newsletter of the Yellow Rose Squadron Vol. 11-10

Briefings e-mail address: B25YR@msn.com

LEADER'S WORDS

By Ron Dietes, Squadron Leader

    We have just gotten back from AIRSHO 2008 and I think everyone that either drove or flew up to Midland, will tell you, it’s not the same without the Rose on the ramp. Not only was the Rose not there this year, but we elected not to take the PX due to the large number of units that are there selling what we sell. This year CAF headquarters also has PX booths in addition to the store. We probably saved money by not trucking the PX all the way up there. The show was good, the weather was great and it was great seeing friends we only get to see once a year. My thanks to all that braved the drive to insure that the Yellow Rose Squadron was well represented.

     We are in the process of getting the removed right engine up to Global so they can remove the parts needed to begin repairing the left engine that failed. By the way, in the previous newsletter I stated that the main crankshaft bearings failed and that is not correct. The front master rod bearing failed and the rear master rod bearing was also showing signs of failure. We made the right decision to land as quickly as we could, because the engine would have probably seized if we stayed airborne much longer. We also had a shipping problem with the two oil coolers. They are on their way back to the hangar and thanks to Jim Terry (Pacific Prowler), he has graciously given us two of his cores. We will need to have them overhauled, but last I heard our cores were very badly damaged and would be very expensive to overhaul. We’ll have to see when we get them back. We also might think about using a different cooler facility.

     Since it will be a while before we have the engine back, the staff has agreed to change the left upper wing attach angle. This will be a very big job, but a few of the Devil Dog folks are going to give us a hand, as some Yellow Rose folks have been helping them get the Dog back into the air. Unfortunately, the Dog didn’t make it to Midland, but according to Beth it was really close to being ready for the trip. But, they decided to wait and not rush it into the air. Good move. Anyway, you will probably see a tentative schedule for the wing, seats and engine elsewhere in this newsletter.

     I have reserved four tables for the Centex Dinner Dance, so if you want to sit with the Yellow Rose crowd, please get your tickets from me. The cost is still $30 a person and if you were there last year, you know how much fun this event can be. Last I heard, it is the same music and dinner arrangements as last year. The dinner dance is on November 8^th and kicks off at 6pm.   If you are planning on staying overnight in San Marcos, it would be a good idea to book a room, as rooms can sometimes be hard to get. Seems like there is something always going on and the rooms go fast.

     The monogramming of the Yellow Rose on the back of jackets is going full swing. So if you are interested in having a jacket, get in contact with Bob Gardner. He has all the pertinent information including cost and time frame. Several folks wore their jackets in Midland and they looked really good. I am still waiting to hear from the shirt company, but the next time I am down that way, I will stop in and see if they have the sample shirt I requested.

     Also don’t forget about the Christmas Party. It is Saturday December 6^th and it will be in Fredericksburg at the Hangar Hotel. It is always fun and the food is going to be German again this year. Bubba Renfro has the details, should you need any more information.

THE LATEST ON THE YR CHRISTMAS PARTY

From Bret Renfro, Executive Officer

Everyone that wishes to stay at the Hanger Hotel this year needs to make their reservations by November 6th. Call for reservations at 1-830-997-9990 and reference the Yellow Rose to get our discounted rate. As stated before, we will be having German food. Cost per plate is $18.95 per person. I will make arrangements on collecting for dinner as the date gets closer. Will everyone e-mail me and let me know who plans on attending so I can start getting a head count. My e-mail address is bubba@gvtc.com. See Ya

MINUTES of the SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 MEETING of the YELLOW ROSE B-25 SQUADRON

By Pat Moore, Squadron Adjutant

Meeting commenced at 1800 hrs

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

Jack Reeves made a motion to accept the minutes of the last meeting as printed in the newsletter, Judy McMillan seconded, motion passed.

New Members/Guests: Gary Gates, new member, has done much work on the seats of the Yellow Rose. New member LTC. Wayne Shaw.

REPORTS

EXECUTIVE OFFICER-A reminder was made to members to make reservations for rooms at the Hangar Hotel in Fredericksburg for the Yellow Rose Christmas party. Their contact number is 830-997-9998.

ADJUTANT-Pat Moore told membership that the Yellow Rose directory will be updated and distributed to the squadron in early November. Members should let the adjutant know before then if there any changes to be made to their contact information.

OPERATIONS-No report.

FINANCE- Judy made her finance report and passed around a sheet with the financial statement on it for membership to see. There was not too much income in August.

Jim Liles made a motion to accept the finance report as presented, Mike Renck seconded, motion passed.

MAINTENANCE.- Jim told membership that the oil coolers were damaged in offloading from the truck. It is so far unknown the cost involved or if the squadron should file a claim against the shippers. Pacific Oil Coolers have the oil cooler in stock so we will look into getting one of those. Jim also reported that the squadron received a seat belt from the USMC for new seats. Jim also said that some Yellow Rose members went to Georgetown to help the Devil Dog squadron work on their wing in hopes that in turn they will come down and help the Rose squadron work on our wing. Jim closed by saying there is still much cleaning to do on the aircraft and help is always welcomed.

PX-Greg told membership that the Yellow Rose t-shirts from Midland are now for sale in the Rose PX. Greg said he ordered more Flight Crew caps and shirts for the PX, although these have not yet arrived. He told the squadron that the Rose PX will not be going to Midland this year. Yellow Rose t-shirts are $15.00 each. Please see Greg if you would like one.

SAFETY-No report

ADOPT-AN AIRPORT- Membership was reminded to pick up garbage not just in the hangar area but all over the airport as well.

PUBLIC RELATIONS- Bob spoke briefly about the embroidery on the jackets. He would like members written instructions on how they would like their jacket embroidered. Bob said he would not be at the October meeting but Julie Pulcipher would be available to help with jackets.

NEW BUSINTEE-A reminder was made to membership regarding the Yellow Rose elections and the CAF HQ elections. Please contact Grant, Ed, or Mike Francis if you would like to run for an office.

Ron told membership that the next Yellow Rose ground school is on February 24, 2009 starting at 0900.

Membership was told that the staff will have to have a special meeting in the near future to decide how to handle the engine situation in an economical fashion.

Sick Call-Julie Clayton has had surgery recently but is hanging in there. Ed Liscombe is also holding his own. Mel Soderburg had knee surgery.

Jim Liles made a motion to adjourn, Bob seconded, motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 1851 hours.

NEW YELLOW ROSE MEMBERS
By Judy McMillan, Finance Officer

     Gary Gates is a new member of the Yellow Rose Squadron. Gary and his wife Margaret live in San Antonio. Gary is a machine shop owner and has been instrumental in designing and fabricating the new seats for the Yellow Rose that will provide additional income when we give Rides for Hire. Gary’s work is greatly appreciated and we are happy to have him in the Squadron.

     Wayne L. Shaw III turned in his membership papers on a day that he spent working at the hanger. We hope his enthusiasm and help continue. He is a Lt. Col. In the USAF currently assigned to the Joint Info. Ops Warfare Command. He has navigator and electronic warfare experience on several aircraft, including B-52s, B-1Bs. Wayne and his wife, Anita, live in Helotes, TX.

      Mike Marando, who lives in Buda with his wife Nancy, turned in his membership at the September meeting although he has already become a member of the work crew in the hanger. Mike has been an fan of flying since he was a kid and is very enthusiastic about helping out. Mike is owner of the Buda Texaco Xpress Lube and Car Wash. Mike is a pilot and owns a Cessna 172.

     Karl Ritter from Fredericksburg joined the Squadron this month. Karl is a CAF member and a member of the Tex Hill Squadron. Many of you may already know him. Karl is an oil and gas producer and has been a supporter of the Yellow Rose in the past.

     We look forward to the participation of all new members and hope they will speak up, step up

PX Report

Greg Young, Squadron PX Officer

The PX continues in a shut down mode other than a couple of orders. I have delayed the flight crew hat and clothing order for awhile but it will be ready shortly so hopefully when we start flying, members can get their appropriate items. I went to the Midland AIRSHO and in the PX up there, I observed a darker green Yellow Rose CAF shirt with a pocket. I talked to Leah Block (HQ PX manager) and I will order some of those in the next order. The Yellow Rose PX shirt seemed to be selling as I saw a few individuals wearing the shirts there. Anyhow that is it for now PX wise, Happy landings

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

From Grant Lannon

     The nominating committee made up of Grant Lannon, Mike Francis, and Ed McCafferty announce the candidates for the following Squadron Leadership
positions starting January 1st:
Squadron Leader:

Greg Young

Operations Officer:

Mike Renck

Squadron Adjutant:

Pat Moore

Maintenance Officer:

Ray Clausen

     These candidates will be reported to Headquarters as required by the Unit Manual. The election will be held on November 11th.

     The election committee will follow the following schedule for the Yellow Rose election:

Reiteration of election date and candidates by Elections committee in the November newsletter.

Election and announcement of results on November11, if no absentee ballots requested.

Absentee ballots (if requested) mailed out 5 days after the election (November16—by the election committee) to be returned in thirty days (14 December).

Announcement of new staff (if absentee ballots requested) at flyday on Sunday 14 December.

     If you would like an absentee ballot, let a member of the election committee know.

     Nominees for the election committee, which must be confirmed by the unit staff, are:

Mark Marando
Kelly Garvin
Scott Campbell

THE ROSE IN SUMMER

By Kelly Garvin

      Quantifying my experience working on the Rose over the summer has been a challenge. When Jerry asked me to write this article my initial response was “no problem”. Sitting here now searching for words to adequately depict the experience, however, I can’t help wondering what I have gotten myself into! After all what could I POSSIBLY say that each and every one of you doesn’t already feel innately every time you walk into the hangar? You know the sensations. You have felt the excitement as you cross the threshold and, in a way, travel back into aviation history for an hour or two. The engines, the oil, the castle nuts in impossibly small locations not fit for human hands of ANY size, the camaraderie and, of course, the fleet of “drool worthy” aircraft. Wrap it all up in a rare historic wooden hangar and what more could a gal want from her summer?

     Volunteering to work on the Rose the first time was a little nerve wracking for me. I understood I had limited knowledge of the purely mechanical side of aviation. The history I knew. The flying I knew. The A&P side, not so much! I knew some levels of the THEORY of working on the planes but the closest I had ever come to the inner-workings of the aircraft was my routine pre-flight inspections on the 172. While that does involve checking cotter pins it doesn’t really count.   I didn’t want my lack of mechanical experience to be a burden on other squadron members but thought at worst I would be allowed to sweep the hangar and just enjoy my time pushing a broom around the airplanes I dreamed about as a child.

     Entering the hangar I found Jim and asked if he had anything I could help out on. I fully expected him to put me on some busy-work task to keep me out of the way of workers who actually knew what they were doing. I couldn’t have been more wrong. He showed me what the other workers were toiling on and asked if I had ever done this before. I told him I hadn’t and prepared myself for the broom I was sure I would be handed momentarily. Instead he grinned back at me and said “Well here is a great chance for you to learn!” I don’t think the smile that appeared on my face in that moment has been wiped off yet!

     That first day started a pattern. Every day I spend at the CAF hangar in San Marcos I learn something new and I always leave with a grin on my face (I have been told I sometimes leave with a SPECK OR TWO of grease on my face as well, but that’s all hearsay). Along the way I have met individuals I am now honored to call good friends. I have learned more about turning wrenches and the inner workings of radial engines than any book could teach (though I have been informed that no good mechanic reads the manuals anyway … J ). I have learned, but have not yet mastered, shuffleboard. Non-sequitor you say? Not if you were at the Midland AirSho. Most importantly I have found a place where I can help preserve a bit of aviation history. With every nut I tighten or wire I wrap I help to make sure the stories of the men who served this country on the B-25 live on. You can’t verbally quantify that experience, but I don’t have to. When I stand back and scan the hangar I can see it on the faces of every squadron member working; you already know.

YOUNG EAGLES

30 AUGUST

By Grant Lannon

The AF JrROTC unit from Del Valle High School came to the hanger with 57 cadets so they could get their Young Eagle rides in five aircraft with volunteer pilots. Forty five were first time fliers and got priority for their rides. Thirty six of the cadets had never been in an airplane of any kind before. While they were waiting for their rides, they were put to work on chores around the hanger so they could log community service hours. Thanks to Jim Liles for preparing lunch for the group who volunteered the meal allowance in return for his great cooking. Thanks to all the CAF members at the hanger who helped supervise the kids in the work details. We also broke the kids into 2-3 person teams assigned to specific aircraft who were responsible for finding the passengers and getting them to the aircraft at the correct time so the pilots could stay at the aircraft. This meant the flights went a lot faster. Thanks to the following pilots who volunteered their aircraft and time to fly the kids:

Mike Renck who flew 12 cadets in four sorties in the U-11A Aztec

Cowden Ward who flew 24 cadets in 8 sorties in his PA-30 Twin Commanche

Joe Enzminger who flew 8 cadets in 8 sorties in his Beech T-34

Steve Gladwin who flew 8 cadets in 8 sorties in his Cessna 150

Grant Lannon who flew 5 cadets in 5 sorties in his AT-6C

We are expecting the Akin High School AF JrROTC unit out of Austin to come to the hanger after the first of the year to do the same thing with their cadets.

"Hobo Perez sings for his supper"

(Our own YR Safety Officer Buzz Perez on a recent trip to Nashville)

Photo submitted by Kelly Garvin and the guys

MAINTENANCE MATTERS

Article by Jim Liles, Maintenance Officer and Schedule from Judy McMillan, Finance Officer

As everyone knows, our oil coolers were damaged in shipment to Drake Oil Cooler Company. After several phone calls it was decided that drake would return our coolers. The cost of repair started at $4,000 per cooler and even after more phone calls, it was lowered to $2,700 per cooler. As of this writing, they are being shipped back. Ron Dietes was able to locate two oil coolers from Jim Terry. Now we need to get one of the engines that we removed from the Rose and strip it down and ship it to Global Engine Repair. While they are working on the engine, we will remove, repair and replace the left wing. Some of our people have been going to Georgetown and working with the Devil Dog in their wing repair. The good part of this is that they have agreed to help us with our wing repair. Below is the proposed schedule for the repairs we must do.

SCHEDULE FOR ROSE REPAIR

22-28

29 S-

6to12

13-19

20-26

27O-

3to9

10to16

17-23

24-30

1to7

Sep

5-Oct

Oct

Oct

Oct

2-Nov

Nov

Nov

Nov

Nov

Dec

WING

Remove Left Wing

Examine root for more corrosion & correct

*****

******

*******

Install new attachment and mount to aircraft

*******

*******

******

EXTRA SEATS

Teleconference with HQ, FAA, DER

Generate Engineering Data

Submit to FAA

Continue Installation of additional seats

Field Approval (FA-if required) by FAA

????

????

????

????

????

Removal of extra seats if FA req'd-not recvd

ENGINE

Remove extraneous parts from Spare Engine

Truck spare engine to Global in OKC

Overhaul of engine @ Global in OKC

Pick Up engine from Global

Install Engine on Rose

Test Fly Rose

2008 Yellow Rose B-25
Squadron Staff Officers

Squadron Leader - Ron Dietes

t6cpilot@netzero.net

Executive Officer - Bret Renfro

bubba@gvtc.com

Finance Officer - Judy McMillan

heyjude@texas.net

Adjutant - Pat Moore

patrickmoore99@mail.ev1.net

Operations Officer - Steve Gladwin

skgladwin@suddenlink.net

Maintenance Officer - Jim Liles

james.liles@gte.net

Safety Officer - Buzz Perez

dabuzzard@austin.rr.com

PX Officer - Greg Young

tbolt52@hotmail.com

Publicity Officer - Bob Gardner

bob@rhga.com

		Previous issues
BRIEFINGS
October, 2008	The Newsletter of the Yellow Rose Squadron	Vol. 11-10
	Briefings e-mail address: B25YR@msn.com

		SCHEDULE FOR ROSE REPAIR


	22-28	29 S-	6to12	13-19	20-26	27O-	3to9	10to16	17-23	24-30	1to7
	Sep	5-Oct	Oct	Oct	Oct	2-Nov	Nov	Nov	Nov	Nov	Dec
WING

Remove Left Wing
Examine root for more corrosion & correct				*****	******	*******
Install new attachment and mount to aircraft					*******	*******	******


EXTRA SEATS

Teleconference with HQ, FAA, DER
Generate Engineering Data
Submit to FAA
Continue Installation of additional seats
Field Approval (FA-if required) by FAA						????	????	????	????	????
Removal of extra seats if FA req'd-not recvd

ENGINE

Remove extraneous parts from Spare Engine
Truck spare engine to Global in OKC
Overhaul of engine @ Global in OKC
Pick Up engine from Global
Install Engine on Rose
Test Fly Rose