Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum and Prairie Aviation Museum Team Up to Discuss Growth Strategies

By Carmelo Turdo

Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum President Mark Nankivil and Vice Presidents Rick Rehg and Carmelo Turdo met recently with representatives of the Bloomington, IL-based Prairie Aviation Museum to discuss common issues and strategies for growth. The conference took place at Frasca Field, in Urbana, the home of the Frasca International simulator plant and the Frasca Air Museum. Along with open and frank discussion regarding the challenges faced by the museums, attendees shared their success stories and best practices that have sustained each organization. Strategies for growth include conventional practices in the areas of marketing, fund-raising and financial accountability, but also involve personal investments by members and volunteers in dedication to mission, teamwork and the development of key relationships within each respective community. Both museums renewed their commitment to become key resources for historic preservation of aerospace artifacts and aircraft as well as centers of education and community involvement. Attendees from both museums wish to thank Mr. Rudy Frasca, founder of Frasca International and the Frasca Air Museum for hosting the conference and providing a personal tour of his museum.

Mark Nankivil, Carmelo Turdo, Rudy Frasca and Rick Rehg

Representatives from Prairie Aviation Museum with Rudy Frasca

Frasca Air Museum entrance

Meeting was held at the museum restaurant

Aircraft in one of the Frasca Air Museum hangars

1941 Boeing A75N1 Kaydet

World War I S.E.5a Replica 

Bleriot XI Replica

1959 Frasca No. 1 Prototype

GAT-1 General Aviation Trainer

Frasca Model 122 First Production Electronic Flight System

Frasca Model 141 First Production Digital Single-Engine Trainer

North American SNJ-6 Texan

Spitfire Mk. XVIII and P-40E warbirds

David Frasca's Pitts Model 12

St. Louis Museum of Transportation Restores Its C-47 Skytrain to Former Luster

By Fred Harl

Most visitors to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation in west St. Louis County (MO) set out to enjoy the outdoor locomotive yard declared "one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the world" by John H. White, Curator Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution. Upon entering the museum, operated by The Transport Museum Association and the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department, one cannot help but notice an airplane parked near the entrance.  It is a Douglas C-47A Skytrain, serial number 43-15635, and it has been given a facelift after being allowed to weather in the 4- season Midwest climate for decades. Here is a brief history of the aircraft and a walk-around of the current display.

This aircraft was produced during the Second World War, in time to likely be used during the D-Day invasion of France (or shortly thereafter), and retains the distinctive stripes once used to identify Allied aircraft during the D-Day campaign.  After the war, it was used in commercial service and then again in military colors with the 131st TFW, MO Air National Guard, until 1972.  It is now on loan to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation from the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Here is how the C-47 arrived at the museum, on a CH-54 Skycrane of the Kansas National Guard:

(Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum Archives)

(Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum Archives)

The current display at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation can be seen by all visitors, in a place of honor, as they approach the parking lot.  Here is a walk-around view of the aircraft as it looks today:

Happy Birthday, United States Marine Corps

By Carmelo Turdo

Happy birthday, United States Marine Corps!  The excerpt below from The United States Marine Corps website describes the founding of the Marines November 10, 1775:

1775: Founding of the Marine Corps

"A legacy is born.  During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps.

"A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.

"The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.  As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

"Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines."

Sightings: VFC-12 F/A-18C Hornet Makes Stopover at TACAir St. Louis

By Carmelo Turdo

An F/A-18C Hornet from VFC-12 (Fighter Squadron Composite 12), The Fighting Omars, based at NAS Oceana, Virginia made a stop at TACAir St. Louis. The unit is one of two providing adversary training for Navy and Marine units. This legacy Hornet was marked as the CAG bird and decked out in two-tone blue and gray camouflage similar to that found on MiG-29s.