EAA 50th anniversary

Air Classics, Apr 2002 by Lurvey, Susan

In preparation for EAA's 50th convention and anniversary, we're doing some serious sleuthing and we need everyone's help. At EAA AirVenture 2002, the 50th membership convention, EAA plans to re-create its first fly-in convention which was held on 12-13 September 1953 at Milwaukee's CurtissWright Field. Approximately 180 people and 22 airplanes attended the first convention and we're trying to uncover as much information about them as we can - and we need help from the readers of Air Classics.

We're looking for photographs, home movies, memorabilia, and personal recollections of those who attended the inaugural EAA gathering in 1953. Memorabilia can include photos, home movies, passes, tickets, award ribbons, medals or trophies, printed fly-in literature, patches, newspaper articles, or any other type of memento readers may have saved. Ideally, if you attended the 1953 convention, we'd like personal recollections in written form.

We also seek any information about the history and whereabouts of the 22 airplanes that attended the first convention, and we hope to have as many as possible on display at the 50th EAA Fly-- In which will be held at Oshkosh from 23-29 July.

Three of the airplanes are in the collection of the EAA AirVenture Museum: Paul Poberezny's Little Audrey N27B; Steve Wittman's Tailwind Flying Carpet N5747N; and H.H. Pete Myers Clipped Wing Cub N42963.

Steve Wittman's Buster is in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum and W. Cody Woodward's Thomas Morse Scout N74W is with New York's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

Here's a list of the other airplanes that attended the first EAA convention, who owned them in 1953, and what we know about them. We'd appreciate any additional information readers might have about any of these airplanes:

* Curtiss JN-4D Jenny, Frank Tallman.

* Heath Parasol, Paul Ollenburg.

* Payne Knight Twister N979, Morris Anderson.

* Rose Parakeet N14842, Dick Owens. Now owned by EAAer James Hays of Brownwood, Texas.

* Stearman N53234, Marion Cole. N number now assigned to a Galaxy 7 balloon.

* Tater Chip N31E, Ned Kensigner and Maynard Korkell. Now owned by James B. Sampson of Indianapolis, Indiana. Rebuild from the one that was destroyed?

* Waco F-2, Roy Timm.

* Piper J-5 Cruiser N30850, George Gruenberger. N number now assigned to a Paul Charles Monoplane II.

* Piper PA-12 Cruiser N4333, Carl Tietz. N number now assigned to a Piper PA-28R.

* Piper Clipped Wing Cub, Duane Cole.

* Piper J-3 Cub amphibian, L.A. Gordonier.

* Piper Clipped Wing Cub (possibly N7304H), owner unknown.

* Slow Poke N7M, Roy True. N number now assigned to a Kitfox.

* Stinson SM-8A, Irv Miller.

Through various sources, we've heard that the following airplanes were destroyed and we'd appreciate any information readers possess about their demise:

* Yellow Jacket N5745N, Bruce Pitt. N number now assigned to a Bell 206L helicopter.

* Poopdeck I N19303, Racine Flying Club. N number not assigned or reserved.

* Belly Flopper, Irv Miller.

Our goal is to make the 50th convention a memorable celebration for all EAAers regardless of which conventions they have attended, first or 50th.

Susan Lurvey

Library/Archives Manager

POB 3065

Oshkosh, WI

54903-3065

920-426-4848

slurvey@eaa.org