Airdrop

I read with great interest Ted Carlson's "Aerial Bug Busters" in the April 2002 issue. Mr. Carlson is to be complimented for an excellent and accurate article. I should know, as I've been an Ag pilot for more than 25 years and the publisher for the industry's newspaper, "AgAir Update," for more than a decade. I did not find one single mistake, and I looked! Although it is arguable that the Eagle is "the best-looking" Ag plane.

Writing for the entire Ag industry, we thank you for the positive portrayal of our industry. Many people, even pilots, don't understand the important role Ag aviation plays in the production of our abundant and safe, food and fiber. Your article has helped relay that message.

Bill Lavender

Perry, GA

DIETER SCHMIDT-BARBO

With a heavy heart I report that another of the great aces of WW II has died. My dear friend Ritterkreuz (knights cross) holder Dr. Dieter Schmidt-Barbo passed away on March 6, 2002, after a long battle with cancer. He will be remembered as one of the great aces of the Nachtjagd and as a man whose genuine kindness and spirit touched all those around him.

Christopher L. Stuart

Marysville, WA

NAVY TYPOS

John Lindgren's letter in the April 2002 "Airdrop" section on the EC-121/WV-2 ran afoul of errors Navy types read all too frequently. The airplane may be WV (W for early warning, V for Lockheed, as in P2V), but there has never been a U.S. Navy squadron starting with W. The squadrons flying the WV were VW-11, 13 and 15. Navy squadrons always began with V for heavier than air, Z for lighter than air, or H for helicopter.

Robert R. "Boom" Powell

Virginia Beach, VA

AMERICA's AIR POWER

For our America's Air Power special issue, we need to offer some corrections. In the editorial, it should have stated "about nine B-17s," not 14, when referring to how many B-17s are needed to carry one B-52's payload. On pages 14 and 15, those are C and D model Hornets, not E and F as the caption states. The F-15E's height specification on page 27 should be 18 feet, 5 inches. On page 32, the text should state 3,000 rounds of ammunition, not 300. The C-17's specification box on page 47 is missing a word. It should state: "Max. payload wt.," not "Max. wt." And in the UAV article, the caption on page 67 for the top, right-hand photo should say "RQ-1A." Thanks to all who sent in their comments.