Warbird Information Exchange

Today I found out that a good friend lost his two year battle with prostate cancer. When I would visit Atlanta to work the airshow or just visit, I would make an effort to drive to see him. The last time we were together was when I drove north from Peachtree City to John's Creek (savvy locals would likely recommend that I get a 172 and fly there) and sat out on his deck on a bright sunny Saturday (same weekend as Dixie Wing WW2 day).

We sat on his deck and watched aircraft take off from Mathias, a short field airport better for LSAs...and had a good chat about family/flying/life in general. For many reasons I will miss him a lot as I miss the shade of a tree (hence my favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars).

He used to talk about his Dad flying off a Dutch Naval carrier later and in post-WW2. In addition, in the many pictures of family and friends on the walls of his house I noticed a bright yellow trainer that looked like a T-6/SNJ...but I think it had fixed gear.

I found this wiki link with some details...but any perspective from Wix'ers is welcome...

Today I found out that a good friend lost his two year battle with prostate cancer. When I would visit Atlanta to work the airshow or just visit, I would make an effort to drive to see him. The last time we were together was when I drove north from Peachtree City to John's Creek (savvy locals would likely recommend that I get a 172 and fly there) and sat out on his deck on a bright sunny Saturday (same weekend as Dixie Wing WW2 day).

We sat on his deck and watched aircraft take off from Mathias, a short field airport better for LSAs...and had a good chat about family/flying/life in general. For many reasons I will miss him a lot as I miss the shade of a tree (hence my favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars).

He used to talk about his Dad flying off a Dutch Naval carrier in post-WW2. In addition, in the many pictures of family and friends on the walls of his house I noticed a picture of a bright yellow trainer that looked like a T-6/SNJ...but I think it had fixed gear.

I found this wiki link with some details...but any perspective from Wix'ers is welcome...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Naval_Aviation

_________________
Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"

.

Sorry for the dual copy of the message...copied the entire contents twice and the link once

_________________
Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"

No sweat, I too am sorry for your loss of a dear friend

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

At least you took time while he was around - better than having just regrets.

If you want to know about Dutch naval aviation, there is the MLM Museum at Soesterberg, Holland. It covers all aspects of the Dutch military aviation, which included the Royal Dutch Air Force, Dutch naval aviation and Netherlands East Indies Air Force.

They don't have much in English on the website, but most staff are happy to help with English enquiries, and they have an archive.: http://www.militaireluchtvaartmuseum.nl/?layer=close There's an e-mail address on the page.

If you could supply some info as to your friend's name, period of service and location (Europe, or Far East, particularly) they might be able to give general advice and maybe more. Let us know how you get on, there may be other avenues or help available.

The trainer sounds like the Fokker S-11, from the very brief description!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_S-11
(Note the example in naval colours, top right in the page.)

HTH

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com