Airlines: Keep 'em flying!

I particularly enjoyed the current March issue and was delighted to learn of the Northrop Alpha "re-discovery." Regarding the Constellation story, I realize the photos used were to show type progression but readers might like to know that the jodhpured figure (page 23, upper) is Elinor Smith. Back then, she was a well-known young lady pilot. The Vega, and pilot (not Smith), was never recovered after the fatal crash and still rests deep in the Delaware River marshes below a monument.

The photograph on page 24 (upper) depicts the then-famous Hutchinson "Flying Family" and their Lockheed Electra. I had never seen this photograph in color. I believe the older Hutchinson girl is still living in Florida. George Hutchinson's aviation exploits are quite a story.

Richard Sander Allen Lewiston, ID

CONNIES AND WHALES

I want to thank you for the March issue with the Constellation and Skywarrior. In the early 1970s I was stationed at NAS Agana, Guam, where VQ-1 was homeported. They had a C121 J named The Victory Liner after a bus company in the Philippines.

They also had four EC-121Ms painted overall black along with two EP-3 Orions (painted black for a while). The unit also flew 18-20 various models of the A-3 Whale and all usually came home at Christmas time. What a sight to see all those aircraft parked on the ramp!

The story of VQ-1 would make a great issue of your magazine. In the early 1970s, VP-61 and VW-1 merged into VQ-1 which then moved from NAS Atsugi, Japan, to Guam to make the biggest Navy electronic and photo squadron, complete with a full captain as commanding officer - most Navy squadrons only have a commander as CO.

Also note that on page 60 in the bottom photo of the B-45, there is a B-66 in the background which was the Air Force's variant of the Whale with ejection seats and Allison engines instead of the J57s. The last B-66 I ever saw was at Clark Air Base in the Philippines where about 20 B66s were parked in the grass alongside a taxiway with their Allison engines removed before they were scrapped. This was just after the pull out from Vietnam.

J. Cochran Corcoran, CA

FOUNDATION NEEDS HELP

The Berlin Airlift Historical

Foundation is searching for the original sling for the installation and removal of Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines to support the BAHF's C-97 project. The Foundation also needs two of the engine dollies used to support the engines when not installed on the C-97. The power package sling is Boeing part number F71105 while the power package mount dolly Boeing part number F65914. Please let the Foundation know of any information regarding these items by contacting:

Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation Phone 732-818-0034, fax 732-818-0456 Airlift48@aol.com -OR- Airlift49@aol.com

BLUE BIRD

In the February issue you had interesting details about the ill-fated attempt of the Farman 180 Oiseau Bleu (Blue Bird). I particularly appreciated the explanation of the demise of Drouhin, which I did not know. I can give readers a bit more information regarding this craft.