Round Engines in Rolla: Ramp Walk With the Radial Warbirds

By Fred Harl

A recent visit to Rolla National Airport turned into a Round Engines in Rolla Aero Experience. The airport, owned and operated by the City of Rolla, Missouri, is located about 14 miles north of the city and offers two 5500'x100' asphalt runways. On the ramp were a 1954 Grumman S2F-1 Tracker and a 1944 Douglas C-47 Skytrain, both locally owned. On the other side of the runway, though were the sad remains of three more DC-3/C-47 aircraft practically destroyed by severe storms several years ago. The visit was too short to inquire about other aircraft behind closed doors, but that can be left to another day. Thanks to the airport management, this S2F-1 and C-47 walkaround is provided here.