Previous issues
BRIEFINGS
December, 2008 The Newsletter of the Yellow Rose Squadron Vol. 11-12
  Briefings e-mail address: B25YR@msn.com  

LEADER'S WORDS

By Ron Dietes, Squadron Leader

     This has certainly been a very quick year. It is once again time for our Christmas Party and I am fairly certain there is something from Bubba regarding the plans elsewhere in this newsletter.  But just in case there isn’t, those of us that want to have lunch in downtown Fredericksburg are planning to meet between 1130 and 1200 on Saturday December 6th at the Brew House in Fredericksburg.  It is the same place we have had lunch for the past few years.  It is located almost right across the street from the Nimitz Museum.  We will have a PX setup at the airport to support the Pearl Harbors Survivors Convention, so instead of the usual shopping along Main Street, some of us may return to the airport to support the static aircraft that flew in for the day.

     Last I heard from Global, Roy is still waiting for the master rod bearings from California.  Once he has those, he will begin assembling our engine.  He told me if all goes according to plan, we should have the engine around the beginning of January 2009.

     For those of you that have heard about the problems surrounding the Devil Dog, I helped Bill Gogkin and Beth ferry the Dog to Midland.  According to Beth, the tail must again be removed and the problems with the sheet metal work corrected.  She was not certain when they would begin the work, but it was to be soon.  Hopefully, the needed repairs can be accomplished quickly and she will be able to get the Dog back in the air in time for the 2009 air show season.  I just found out that the Pacific Prowler is also down for an engine change.  It is really strange that so many of the B-25 fleet is down with engine and corrosion problems at almost the same time.

     Right now it looks as though Four Seasons does not have a supplier for the shirts everyone liked and I have not had the opportunity to try and find a supplier for the Docker shirts.  I promise I will make time before our next Squadron meeting and give all in attendance an update.

     Although I do not know who will be taking the lead in this, I want to remind everyone that the Yellow Rose Ground School is still scheduled for February 24, 2009.  We will cover all our usual topics and also include the items needed for Ride-For-Hire.  Remember, you do not have to be a pilot, co-pilot or flight mechanic to attend this training.  It is for anyone that is interested in expanding your B-25 and CAF knowledge.

     I am also really sorry to report to you that Ed Liscomb has passed away.  Ed was usually around the hangar lending a hand with the aircraft and also doing all sorts of projects in the hangar.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

     The Squadron officers are faced with some serious financial considerations due to the unforeseen engine problems and the left wing corrosion repairs.  We have set aside some money, but as you can well imagine, it does not look like it will enough.  So I am respectfully asking each of you to please put the Yellow Rose on your Christmas List.  Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. 

    Letty and I wish you and yours, a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

MINUTES of the NOVEMBER 11, 2008 MEETING of the YELLOW ROSE B-25 SQUADRON

By Pat Moore, Squadron Adjutant

Meeting commenced at 1802 hrs

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

 

Jim Stahl made a motion to approve the minutes for the last meeting as published in the newsletter.  Jack Reeves seconded, motion carried.

 

 

REPORTS

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER:  No report.

 

ADJUTANT:  Pat Moore told membership that a new membership directory will be sent out around the end of November.  If anyone had any changes to their contact information, please let him know.

 

OPERATIONS-No report.

 

FINANCE:  Judy gave her finance report to membership and passed around a financial statement for all to see.  Gary Gates got a sizable donation for the squadron.

Jim Stahl made a motion to accept the finance report as presented, Greg Young seconded, motion carried.

 

Ray and Sharon Zaionist were introduced as guests.

 

MAINTENANCE.- :  Jim Liles told membership that the bearings were currently being redone on the engine.  Corrosion continues to be cleaned up on the wing.  He stated that the Devil Dog is still having considerable trouble with corrosion.  Help is still needed in cleaning up the Rose.

 

PX- Greg Young stated that the Flight Crew hats and shirts had arrived.  He may take the PX to the Fredericksburg event in December.  He has no other plans to order merchandise for the time being.

 

SAFETY-No report

 

NEWSLETTER - Ron Dietes reminded people to get their articles in on time.

 

ADOPT-AN-AIRPORT:  No report.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS:  No report.

 

OTHER BUSINTES - Ron told membership that the shade of yellow wanted for the Yellow Rose shirts is turning out to be hard to find.  The actual colors don’t match the photos in the catalogues.  Ron will try to work with Academy or Dockers for the right shirts.

                                                                 

Ron reminded membership that the Yellow Rose ground school will be held on Feb.24, 2009.

Ron also commented that there will be no fly-day for the Rose this year due to the engine replacement.  This means that there will be no party in the hangar this year.

 

SICK CALL/GONE WEST - Ed Liscombe passed away a few days ago.  There will be a memorial in December.  More details to come. 

Julie Clayton is very seriously ill.

 

GOOD OF THE SQUADRON: No report.

 

ELECTION

 

There were two requests for absentee ballots for the 2008 elections.  Candidates are as follows;

Squadron Leader-Greg Young

Operations Officer-Mike Renck

Maintenance Officer-Ray Clausen

Adjutant-Pat Moore

 

There were no nominations from the floor.  The candidates were elected by acclimation.

 

Grant Lannon spoke to membership briefly regarding the seats in the aircraft.  Due to regulations, original drawings will be needed to get the new seats approved.

 

Jim Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Greg Young seconded, motion carried.

 

Meeting adjourned at 1825 hrs.

GONE WEST

It is with sadness that we report the following:

 

EDWARD A. LISCOMB, Jr.

Yellow Rose Squadron member Edward A. (Ed) Liscomb Jr. was 76 when he died after a long battle with lung cancer on Nov. 10, 2008.  He was born in 1932 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and lived there until he retired in 1997 from Blodgett Memorial Medical Center and moved to Wimberly with his wife Madge.  He was interested in airplanes all his life and was in the CAP as a youth.  He became a member of the CAF after his move to Texas.  

 

DOOLITTLE RAIDERS

 

NOW THERE ARE NINE

  

We have lost two of the surviving Doolittle Raiders in the past two days, that leaves only nine of the eighty Airmen that was a part of the Raid still living.

 

Maj Gen Davey M Jones passed away at his home in Tucson, AZ yesterday 25 November 2008 in the early afternoon.  Reason are unknown at the present. He was carrying groceries into the Kitchen and fell and hit his head.  It was either a heart attack or the hit to his head.

 

Msgt Ed Horton, Jr. passed away this morning at his home in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.  Ed had been in the hospital in FWB but came home last weekend.  His was natural causes he had been fighting a number of aliments since his auto wreck about six weeks ago.

PX Report

Greg Young, Squadron PX Officer

Not much to report. The PX is still open for crew items or any Christmas gifts one might want to buy. As your Squadron leader elect, I will continue to do the PX at least for the near future. I live near several of the suppliers so I can continue to save the squadron money by picking up the orders and thus foregoing any shipping charges. I go on most of the trips so I stay abreast of what sells. Any help is appreciated and I will merge the PX report into the Squadron leader's column when the time comes. Until next time, Happy Landings.

MAINTENANCE MATTERS

By Jim Liles

     Well we attached the wing so that David Bueadro could match up the holes for drilling, The wing went on smoothly with only five people doing the work.(because we only had five people there) .

     We are working (still) on the write ups from Gary Austin. Some have been done/corrected, but there are still several more write ups to be completed, There is also work going that was not written up and this I call T L C on the Rose. The engine will be back after the first of the year, but the cost is not clear as of this time.   We are working on getting it lowered. Just remember that we are still working on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  There is always work to be done.


Photo showing wing reattachment.

Photo from Jim Liles

HELP SAVE RIDE FOR HIRE

By Grant Lannon

     In the words of the EAA, there is worry about “the impact of this proposal on the rights of U.S. citizens to travel freely about the country.”  As noted last issue, “the rule would affect 10,000 aircraft with expense and logistical burdens associated with requiring a fingerprint-based criminal history records check for flight crews and mandating that operators match passenger manifests against the federal government’s consolidated terrorist watch list through a TSA-approved, third-party service provider.”  The program would be reviewed by a third-party auditor.  “All of these expenses would be borne by the owner/operator.”

     YOU CAN PROVIDE COMMENTS TO THE PROPOSED RULE:  go to www.TSA.gov/assets/pdf/nprm_lasp.pdf for details.  Follow instructions on page 2 on providing comments.  If you submit comments electronically, copy down the docket number before you go to the site.  Main points could be that there is no evidence that this program will provide increased safety from terrorist attack.  Also mention that it will destroy the warbird’s ride programs in aircraft over 12,500 pounds.  Of course, faceless bureaucrats no longer respond to constituents because they have none.  If you know someone who is politically connected, especially with Congress, try to get the information to them or an aide.  Bureaucrats do respond to those who they think might be their bosses or could somehow effect their job status.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

From Pat Moore, Squadron Adjutant

    We have 10 rooms booked right now and about 22 for dinner. We have had more in the past so if you plan to attend and haven't let me know, do so soon. 210-415-7343 or bubba@gvtc.com.  

     Since we will not be taking the airplane this year, we should meet at the Brew House at 11:30 - 12:00. For those of you that haven't been it is across the street from the Nimitz and up about one block. We will have lunch there, drink a few beers head out and meander Fredericksburg and do some shopping. Back to the Hotel to clean up and to the Officers Club at 5:30 - 6:00. Dinner will be at the Quonset hut next door at 7:00 PM. Afterwards, back to the club to finish out the night, visit and play Crud. Dress is casual as always.

AWARDS TO BE GIVEN

From Judy McMillan, Finance officer

At the Christmas dinner in Fredericksburg, four 2008 awards will be given: A CAF Unit Service Award and three Squadron awards: The Jack Hart "Keep Em Flying Award", The Richard Garcia "Outstanding New Colonel Award" and the Ed Liscomb "Outstanding Service Award". The three squadron awards are being given this year for the first time. They will be awarded in the future when an awards committee deems it appropriate.

NEW SPONSOR

From Judy McMillan

The Explosive Ordinance Detachment has paid a sponsorship to the Yellow Rose.  Detachment leader is Rodney Robinson. 

AN EDITORIAL

By Jerry Taylor, Briefings Editor

 

For nearly seven years I have produced your monthly newsletter, but seldom have I written an editorial expressing my feelings on the Squadron and the “Yellow Rose”.  However, now is the time! 

 

 

Squadron members –

 

We have undergone a series of mishaps and been grounded since June 1, 2008.   Repairs have been underway since the left engine failure, but are far from complete (see other articles in this newsletter).  The costs of the repairs are large and at this time the total amount is unknown.  As you know, our resources are limited, so we must raise the monies to pay for these expenses.  We have had very little revenue since becoming grounded.

 

The Christmas Season is upon us.  That is a time for giving to family and friends.  As a Squadron member, the “Rose” should be a part of your family.  Please consider making a cash gift to the “Rose”, just as you give gifts to the rest of your family.  If each of us give something, no matter how large or small, we can go a long way in helping to overcome the expenses ahead.

 

Additionally, our monthly overhead expenses go on as normal.  I know some of you have already paid your 2009 Squadron Dues, but for those of us who have not, prompt payment would relieve some of our current financial stress.

DEAD STICK LANDING

A True Life Experience of out own Safety Officer, Buzz Perez

   In the mid ‘70’s, with the ink on my commercial flight certificate still wet, I started my first paying job flying airplanes. The operator of the Jump School and Drop Zone where I was currently skydiving myself hired me on having known me for some time while I was jumping at his drop zone and doing my flight training during this time.

   It was a GREAT job, looking back on it. All take off and landings on a grass strip with no air traffic control. I was flying a Cessna 180, gutted out with no door, which could carry five skydivers. The pay wasn’t bad. There was a stop watch taped to the yoke and when I got ready to apply take off power, (no taxi time), I punched it on. When I touched down I punched it off. Cumulative flight time at the end of the day was paid at $5 per hour. Geez, I was getting PAID to have this much fun!?

   The jumpers were always playing pranks on each other, such as switching risers around when a rig was laying there on the grass yet to be packed and the owner was off getting a cold beer. When it came time to “steer” the rig after opening the directions would be reversed. It was always lots of fun for everyone. However; I’ll never forget a prank that was played on me as a jump pilot.

   The price of the tickets to take one up was predicated on the altitude one wanted to exit the aircraft. The “Hop & Pops” at 3600’ were one price, and the higher altitudes of 4500’ and 7200’ were a little more expensive. At 7200’ you had enough time for 30 seconds of free fall before you had to pull the chord and open at 2500’ AGL. The guys doing RW, ( relative work), wanted all the altitude they could get so they could do all their formations in free fall before having to separate and open. As a fellow skydiver I would often give them an extra 200’ or 300’ after they kept bugging me. This all came to a screeching halt when old “Pop” the owner of the operation and my boss told me he knew exactly what my altitude was on the run and he was trying to make a living.

   Here we are at 7200’ with a load of guys that want every foot of altitude they can get and are used to me giving them some. “No go”, guys, here we are; let’s get’r done. Moans and groans while I’m doing flat “rudder only” corrections for the spotter. Suddenly, 1, 2, 3, 4 jumpers were out and gone when #5 turned to me, reached for the key, switched the mags off  with a big grin on his face and exited the aircraft! Things got mighty quiet as the prop just went stationary.  I quickly went thru the following emotions of disbelief, then rotating back and forth between anger and fear as the situation progressed. Deep breath, O.K., I have seven thousand feet of altitude to work with and I am directly over the field; why are my knees shaking so badly on the rudder pedals? I knew I COULD do this, but, WOULD I do this? I could not set my power as usual to prevent too rapid a cooling of the engine during my descent, but I took her down planning my pattern altitude on a downwind leg. God this thing was quiet with no engine running! I got her on the deck with no problem but couldn’t taxi up to the spot where we normally fueled and loaded jumpers. I “humped” the short way back and explained to Pop why I left the ship almost halfway down the strip. My next action was to look for this joker and wring his neck. He had left the key with another jumper and hastily left the DZ. Pop 86’d him for 60 days and by that time I was over it and it was all in fun. Boy, am I glad my primary flight instructors took the time to teach me “dead stick” techniques! 

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 - Vacant

 



Links to previous issues
2003 issues Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2004 issues Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2005 issues Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2006 issues Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2007 issues Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2008 issues Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Return to top of page