Glenn H. Cur t iss Museum

La te Summer 2015

MUSEUM STAFF

Trafford L-M. Doherty Executive Director

Rick Leisenring Curator

Paul Trepes Education Director

Lynne Mason Gift Shop Manager

Karen Trepes Bookkeeper

Arlene Day Weekend Supervisor

Weekend Staff: Terry Dee Jacquie Doherty

Jean Doherty Newsletter Editor Collections Registrar Membership Coordinator Special Events Coordinator Website Maintenance

A E R O G R A M INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Restoration Shop 4

Collings Foundation 5

In Memoriam 7

From the Director 8

Curator’s Report 9

Family Ties - Trafford Doherty It’s interesting sometimes to reflect upon some of the factors that make us who we are. As a child, growing up in Hammondsport, it was impressed upon me numerous times how “Gink” flew the Langley and that the Spitfire was the greatest airplane ever! We’ll talk about the Spitfire later, but first – what was the Langley and who was Gink? “Gink” was my grandfather – William Ellwood Doherty, Sr., and he was taught to fly by Glenn Curtiss here in Hammondsport, in 1911. He went on to work for Curtiss in varying capacities for a number years, but he is best remembered for doing extensive test flying on the resurrected Langley Aerodrome in the fall of 1914. In the spring of that year, the Langley (wreckage) was brought to Hammondsport with the intention of reconstructing it to see if it indeed was capable of flight, thereby disproving the Wright claim that their 1903 machine was the first one capable of manned, powered flight. Despite the fact that it was carrying 350lbs. of floats and that the original Manley-Balzer engine was not developing full power, Glenn Curtiss (who was doing the flying at this point) was able to briefly hop it off the water. This was to have little effect on the Wright’s claims due to the various modifications that were performed during the rebuild – it was indeed a slightly different aircraft. At that point, Glenn “washed his hands of it” and proceeded to focus on other projects – such as the Jenny and the America (1914 was a busy year for the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Co.). Curiosity prevailed, however, and the decision was made to further explore the flight characteristics of the Aerodrome design, but with a more conventional power plant, driving a tractor-style prop mounted on the nose. So they did away with the original engine and the two geared pusher props and moved the cockpit aft and up on top. This is the configuration that Gink flew that October (1914). It did fly, but not very well and it was way out of trim. Gink’s most notable flight (and well-photographed) was the “big one” where it tended to go nose-high when throttled back (a very undesirable trait in an aircraft). It took him literally 7 miles (all the way to the bluff) to get the thing back down on the water. Bear in mind that this was one of those airplanes that you didn’t want to fly any higher than you were willing to fall. He then got a dressing down from Glenn for flying it so far up the lake. I think about him a lot – we have a kiosk here at the museum about him that contains a model of the Langley that I built for the museum back in 1989. —continued—

Traff’s paternal grandfather, William E. “Gink” Doherty, early aviator

W.E. “Gink” Doherty, test flying the Langley - 1914

—continued from p.1— My dad, William E. Doherty, Jr., was raised in Hammondsport and learned to fly before WWII. In 1941, he joined the RCAF and, for a brief period, flew Spitfires in a photo reconnaissance squadron. In 1943, he was transferred to the USAAF and then went on to spend the rest of the war flying C-47s (he always regretted having to transfer out of the RCAF). Dad knew our founder, Otto Kohl, very well and was heavily involved with our museum from its inception in 1961. He ultimately went on to serve as director and a trustee. Through him, I got to know Otto Kohl and I think of Ott every day as I drive past his house to and from work. His barn is still there, too, and as a child, I remember seeing an aircraft engine residing in there that looked very much like the Gnome rotary that we have on display back in the WWI engine area. It was through my dad, of course, that I got to know the old museum very well – it was at his request that I built the model of the Langley that we have here today. We moved away from Hammondsport in 1959 when Dad joined Schweizer Aircraft and became their Sales Manager in charge of glider sales. He remained an active pilot, flying gliders and tow planes in the Schweizer Soaring School, located on what was then the Chemung County Airport. I was to spend many years there, too, instructing and flying those same gliders and tow planes (Piper PA-18s). Consequently, I have a lot of hours – most of them sitting in the backseat of a glider trying not to be airsick (you haven’t lived until you have tried to teach someone who’s never flown to follow a tow plane). Through the 60’s and 70’s, Dad maintained contact with the museum and to an extent, so did I.

CURTISS MUSEUM OFFICERS

Richard Honeyman President

Richard Rahill Vice-President

John Van Zanten Secretary

Gregory Hintz Treasurer

Trafford Doherty Director

TRUSTEES

Kyle Bower Dennis Carlson Michael Doyle

Cameron Dunlap Bruce Inglis

Jim Lally Ellen Shaw Maceko

Joseph “Bud” Meade, III Joseph Meade, IV

Terry Northrup Rod Pedersen

Thomas G. Snow Thomas Tranter Arthur H. Wilder

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Jill Flynn Trustee Emeritus

Lee Robbins Trustee Emeritus

Carol G. Jenkins Trustee Emeritus

Charles “Bud” Shaw Trustee Emeritus

Peter Baker, Esq. Trustee Emeritus

W,E.”Tony” Doherty - 1942

Traff with student in the 1000th Schweizer sailplane

Left to right: Tony Doherty, Bernie Carris and student, Hugh Downs, in the front seat

—continued on next page—

Traff’s maternal grandfather, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory

My parents met at RAF Hendon (London) in the fall of 1943. Dad was by then a Lieutenant in US Army Air Force, while my mother, Jacqueline Leigh-Mallory, was a captain in the WAAF (women’s auxiliary to the RAF). At the time of their wedding in May, 1944, she still outranked him (a situation that was to go on for many years). What added a little stress to their relationship was that her father, my grandfather, was Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory. Generals Spaatz and Doolittle sat right behind my father during the wedding ceremony. This was shortly before the D-Day Invasion – my grandfather was serving directly under General Eisenhower as Commander in Chief, Allied Expeditionary Air Force, and, as such, he was in overall command of air operations associated with the invasion. This was to mark the highpoint of a military career that began in trenches of WWI, followed by a transfer to the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) in 1916. He remained in the service, rising through the ranks to reach the top of his profession. Following the invasion, he was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and was selected to assume the position of Air Commander-in-Chief, South East Asia Command (SEAC). While on route to Ceylon, he and my grandmother, Lady Doris Jean Leigh-Mallory, were lost, along with the crew, when their Avro York struck a mountain in southern France on November 14, 1944. Sir Trafford has the unhappy distinction of being the most senior RAF officer killed in the Second World War. They lie buried in a small cemetery in the French village of Le Rivier d’Allemont, at the foot of the mountain. On the wall in my office is a framed photo of my grandfather escorting King George VI past a Spitfire Mk V. It was taken in 1942 when he had recently been promoted to Commander-in-Chief, Fighter Command. In 1994, my wife and I attended the 50th Anniversary of D-Day celebrations in Portsmouth, England. ↓ Invitation to state dinner below

Just as a footnote, Sir Trafford’s older brother was the famous mountain climber, George Mallory, who disappeared on Mount Everest in 1924 and is still referenced by his famous quote – when asked why he wanted to climb the mountain, he responded, “because it’s there”. He made the cover of Time Magazine 16 years ago when his remains were discovered up on the mountain.

People are still debating whether or not he and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, managed to reach the summit. Curiously, the two brothers, George and Trafford, both died on mountains, 20 years apart. Although the happenings in the lives of my British ancestors seem a bit far away, the stories of Glenn Curtiss, Gink, and the Langley, are much “closer to home”. It’s easy to see the connection between my personal aviation heritage, who I am today, and what led me to what I’m presently doing - but the early emphasis on the RAF side of my family has been so thoroughly impressed upon me that, to this day, I still get emotional when I see a Spitfire. On my museum office wall for the past 13 years, is one of my father’s favorite things – a lovely painting of a Spitfire flying past a towering thunderhead. Inscribed on the painting is the poem, High Flight, by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee – Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings…….

Left to right: Sir Trafford, Jean McLeod Sawyer, Tony & Jackie, Tony’s brother, Duane; Jackie’s mother, Doris

George Leigh Mallory

From The Restoration Shop - Art Wilder

Shop Progress:

↑Fledgling - the final yellow paint is going on the control surfaces and wings. The Paint Department is located in a plastic enclosure between the Restoration Shop and the P-40 Building. Preparation of the fuselage is continuing prior to fabric covering. Welding Shop overhead door is installed and the old sprinkler system plumbing is being removed. The Shop is located out front by the water tank and there is no longer a need for the water tank or the plumbing system since the Museum has hooked up to Hammondsport's water sys-tem. A 300 hp diesel engine with very low operating hours is also now available from the Shop.

Fledgling wing with new paint

↑ P-40 – the right wing was far enough along to remove it from the assembly fixture.Three of the seven wing spars are prepared for the left wing along with more ribs, landing gear, and flap actuating parts.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept.18 - Nov. 1, 2015 Quilt Exhibit

September 19, 2015 Seaplane Homecoming

Nov.13,2015 - Feb. 24,2016 25th Annual Dollhouse &

Miniatures Exhibit

Nov.28, 2015 20th Annual Miniatures Vendors Show & Sale

MEMBER DONATIONS

John & Katie Van Zanten Don & Donna McIntire

Max Littlejohn Jim & Doris Lally

James Carey Deke Johnson

John Hintz

DONATIONS Canterbury Woods

Estate of Jeanne Curtiss

MATCHING GIFT Johnson & Johnson

RESTRICTED DONATIONS Ron Kampner

Peter & Joyce Daniel

Page 5

Art, Bob and Dick with Collings Foundation B-17

COLLINGS FOUNDATION “WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR”

Three Restoration Shop volunteers were invited to ride from Jamestown, NY, to Penn Yan on the Collings Foundation B-17 on August 19th. The trip in the beautifully-restored World War II four-engine bomber was a real fine experience for Dick Siegrist, Bob Brown and Art Wilder. After arrival in Penn Yan, two of our Restoration Shop's WW II Veterans took rides, Deke Johnson in Collings' B-24 and John Wilder in the B-17.

The Collings Foundation is a non-profit, educational foundation (501c-3), founded in 1979. The purpose of the Foundation is to organize and support “living history” events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation.

The original focus of the Foundation was transportation-related events such as antique car rallies, hill climbs, carriage and sleigh rides, and a winter ice-cutting festival in the Stow, MA area. During the mid-eighties, these activities were broadened to include aviation-related events such as air shows, barnstorming, historical reunions, and joint museum displays on a nationwide level.

Since 1989, a major focus of the Foundation has been the “Wings of Freedom Tour” of WWII aircraft. This tour showcases two fully restored bomber aircraft: a B-24 Liberator and a B-17 Flying Fortress. The newest addition to the Wings of Freedom Tour is a WWII P-51C Mustang (2-seat version).

The Foundation’s 1944 vintage Consolidated B-24J Liberator is painted as “Witchcraft”, an 8th AF bomber that flew a record 130 missions over Europe as part of the 467th BG. The Boeing B-17G

Flying Fortress flies as “Nine-O-Nine”, an 8th Air Force, 91st BG heavy bomber. The B-17 was the companion of the B-24 in thousands of wartime, bombing, and reconnaissance missions. Together they were the backbone of the daylight strategic bombing campaign of WWII. Joining the bombers is a P-51C Mustang escort fighter “Betty Jane”. The P-51 was affectionately nicknamed by the bomber crews as their “Little Friends”. The P-51 Mustang and the pilots who flew them saved countless lives in the skies and on the ground, and helped turn the tide of WWII. The P-51 is arguably the finest fighter aircraft to see combat in WWII.

Restoration Shop volunteer, Deke Johnson, WWII vet

AEROGRAM Page 6

The “Wings of Freedom Tour” has two goals: to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans that allow us to enjoy our freedom; and to educate the visitors, especially younger Americans, about our national history and heritage. The Foundation encourages people to tour the planes, talk to the veterans who come to visit the aircraft, and participate in a “flight experience”. In twenty-six years, the tour has made more than 2,900 visits to airports across the United States and Alaska. While the exact number of visitors is difficult to gauge, it is estimated that between 3.5 and 4 million people see these warbirds annually.

Historical note from Art Wilder: 12,731 B-17's were produced from 1936–1945. The number of B-24s produced from 1940 to 1945 was19,256). Late in the production of B-24s at Ford's Willow Run Plant, one B-24 was rolling off the 1½ mile-long assembly line every hour.

Collings Foundation B-17G at PennYan Bombardier position B-17G, featuring the Norden Bombsight

In route, overlooking left wing, B17-G #1 and #2 engines, B-17G

#3 and #4 engines seen from nose position approaching Penn Yan

AEROGRAM Page 7

THANKS TO OUR GALA UNDERWRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS !

Underwriters:

Dennis & Pam Carlson, Cameron & Helen Dunlap, Sam & Terry Pennise, Jim & Janet Hallahan, Art & Kay Wilder, Rachel Nicklaus, Jim & Doris Lally,

The Meade Foundation, John & Katie Van Zanten

Contributors:

Alise Irwin, Lee & Julie Wortham, Jane Barker (in memory of Curtis W. Barker), Frank & Aleane Pratt, Marilyn Grigsby, Jerry & Betty Green

THANKS TO OUR GOLF CLASSIC SPONSORS AND CONTRIBUTORS !

Sponsors:

Corning Inc., Pleasant Valley Wine Co., Five Star Bank, Steuben County IDA The Meade Foundation, Mercury Corp., Krog Corp., Corning Enterprises

Contributors:

GCP Discount Liquor, Stork Insurance, Mike Doyle

MEMORIALS

In Memory of Kent R. Kiehl

Mike & Shari Kiehl Koval

In Memory of David Reagan

Glenwood Club, Inc.

In Memory of Bob Costigan

Helene Potash

In Memory of Paul Pryslopski

Janet & Jim Hallahan

In Memory of Loren J. Clark

Jim & Janet Hallahan Marie Tillman

IN MEMORIAM

RAY & SHARON SHORTINO

Long time Curtiss Museum members, Ray & Sharon Shortino, of Rochester, along with Harvey and Sharon Stoler of Penfield, were killed Friday night, August 7, 2015, when their Piper PA-46 crashed after taking off from the Adirondack Regional Airport.

It is believed the two couples were returning to Rochester after attending their adult sons' lacrosse games at the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse tournament when the small plane carrying them went down just north of Adirondack Regional Airport.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

——- John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

From The Director - Trafford Doherty In the Spring Aerogram, it was noted that Trip Advisor awarded us the 2015 Certificate of Excellence, and we were named #1 Hammondsport Attraction. For those of you who may not be familiar with Trip Advisor, this is a website where folks can comment on various places that they have visited, and we have been the subject of a great number of glowing reports. I must confess – I print them out and keep them on file, because they’re such a pleasure to read. This phenomenon is no accident, of course – it’s the result of a continuous pursuit of excellence by many people over a number of years. These visitor’s comments are not limited to the museum itself – they also reflect on the staff and volunteers. From the front desk to the Restoration Shop, our visitors are surprised and delighted by the friendly interest shown by “our crew”. “Summer time, when the living is easy”. It’s also very fast! I’m typing this at the beginning of September – and that doesn’t seem possible. It feels as though the 4th of July was about two weeks ago! Actually, when I reflect on all of the events that took place between Memorial Day and now; concerts, motorcycle weekends, banquets, picnics, our annul golf fundraiser, etc., I can easily see where the time went. Now, if only winter would buzz by like that !

Also in the last Aerogram I described, in some detail, getting the museum hooked up to the new Village water main. For a while there, I didn’t think that the front lawn and entrance would ever recover – it looked as though we were testing missiles – literally! But, I shouldn’t have worried, Ray Kolo and his guys did a great job repairing the damage, and you would hardly know that anything out of the norm had taken place. Aside from having excellent running water, we gained another aspect, worthy of note - For years we had aircraft runway lights lining our sidewalks for night time illumination and they did a fine job of it. Time (and snow plows) took its toll on them, however – and the waterline digging operation finished most of them off. Several years ago, the Village dropped off some old-style street lamps that (I believe) had, at one time graced Pulteney Park - over in metropolitan Hammondsport. They remained out back, lying in the weeds, until about 4 months ago when a couple of the shop guys came up with the idea of refurbishing them for use in front of the museum. To make a long story short, after a lot of hard work by our Restoration Shop volunteers, we have 6 very attractive street lamps in place along the front walk. I have had several occasions to use them for after-hour events and they do an excellent job of providing sufficient light with a delightful ambience. For you runway light fans, we still have 6 of them in place right at the main entrance. Speaking of really cool lamps, museum member, Dick Rogers, donated a WWII Japanese Naval Signal

Lamp to the museum last spring. It needed some work and waited in queue for a while before the shop guys could fit it in, but the results are very gratifying. Actually, it wasn’t in bad shape, considering its age and how vulnerable it is to handling damage. It was missing some hardware and had some minor dents, but these issues were easily taken care of (I say that with the knowledge that I didn’t have to make the missing items on a lathe and milling machine). I seldom give special recognition, but Brian Richardson deserves to be mentioned for making the above-mentioned parts and constructing the very elaborate welded steel (and nautical looking) stand you see in the photo. And Norm Brush had the tricky job of rewiring the unit, complete with a modern light fixture – and he got to paint the stand, too. Shortly after we placed it on exhibit, a Japanese visitor informed us that (according to the placards) it was indeed manufactured in Tokyo, in 1937. If the thing could talk, think of the stories it would tell (in Japanese, of course)!

Signal Lamp

Street lamps

AEROGRAM Page 9

CURATOR ’ S CORNER - R I C K L E I S E N R I N G Well, to start off my report, I’d like to say I am ecstatic over the response to the Civil War exhibit New York State and the United States Navy. The comments we have received on the quality and content of the exhibit has been overwhelmingly positive. Also we’ve received comments from many of you on how much you all like the diversity in exhibits, creating something for everyone both entertaining and educational. Thank you all for the wonderful feedback.

Our bi-ennial Quilt Show titled, Quilts Take Flight (Sept. 18th to Nov. 1st), features something a bit different from previous exhibits. Added to the mix of 100 locally-made quilts is a selection of hooked rugs and wall hangings created by Diane Philips to highlight the display. She will be presenting a talk here at the museum on Sat., October 24th. Also to be announced will be a quilt demo sometime in October.

Our major exhibit for the summer of 2016 will be (back by popular demand! WOW!) Warehouse 53: an Exhibit of Adventures in the Cinema. This exhibit was our summer feature in 2014 and since then we have continuously received inquiries asking if it was still here or when it would be returning. To my surprise, an outside media source has also suggested it be brought back due to feedback they have had regarding the popularity of the subject. The 2016 show will be bigger than the previous one. Keep an eye out for the dates of the show. Now where did I put that golden idol?

We’ve had the pleasure of hosting Henry Dormann here twice in one month this summer to tape a couple of episodes featuring the museum for his TV show, Friends and Neighbors which airs on WETM-TV. Traff and I “tag teamed” a tour of museum highlights for the program. We get a lot of great coverage this way. Also many of you are aware that two recent documentary television shows regarding Curtiss have been airing, one on the National Geographic Channel (My Million Dollar Invention: Need for Speed) and one on the Smithsonian Channel (American Genius: Wrights vs.Curtiss) in the last few months. While we didn’t have the final say on the content, we did work hard to contribute the correct Curtiss story to both programs, and hopefully, had some influence on their positive approach to Curtiss.

I’d like to say THANK YOU to both of my summer college interns, Paige Stryker and Riley Ellison, for all of their great help in the never-ending task of documenting and cataloging the museum’s extensive collections. Great job you two! We wish you both much success this upcoming school year.

Exhibits and displays: Porch posts for quilt racks for the quilt show have been acquired and the final designs for an addition to the Florida Years exhibit are under way.

We are asking members to help with the donation of old bedsheets for an upcoming project this winter. If you should have any to donate, please contact me at the museum. We need a lot of them.

This has been a very busy year so far for us. Thank you all for your help in making this museum the great institution it has become!

NEW MEMBERS

Sponsor

Joan & Ted Mayer

Contributor

Lara Koritzke Carolyn Morford

John & Kathleen Rybicki Conor & Susan Kilcoyne

Victor Maxwell Tom & Virginia McGreevy

William Chabot Lewis & Kathie Sheradin Todd & Janet O’Connell

Robert & Elizabeth Schmidt John Fiedler

Max & Carol Littlejohn Gordy Stocks Ron Kampner

Conor & Susan Kilcoyne Victor Maxwell

Rudy & Susan School Joe Rosiczkowski

Ezra & Linda Weaver Jim Metropoulos

James Gunderman

Basic

Peter Fuss Murray Steinberg, Jr.

Brandon Brown Robert Howard

Robert & Mary Ann Janda

MEMBERSHIP UPGRADES

Sponsor

Candy & Bob Dietrich

Supporting

Brian & Nancy Richardson

Warehouse 53 Exhibit 2014

MUSEUM HOURS

WINTER Nov.1-Apr. 30 Mon.-Sun. 10

-4

SUMMER May 1-Oct.31 Mon.-Sat. 9-5 Sunday 10-5

Museum closed on the following holidays:

New Year’s Day

Easter Sunday

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

MUSEUM HOURS

WINTER Nov.1-Apr. 30 Mon.-Sun. 10-4

SUMMER May 1-Oct.31 Mon.-Sat. 9-5 Sunday 10-5

8419 State Route 54 Hammondsport, NY 14840

GLENN H. CURTISS MUSEUM 8419 State Route 54 Hammondsport, NY 14840 Phone: 607-569-2160 Fax: 607-569-2040 Email: info@glennhcurtissmuseum.org Web: www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org

LATE SUMMER 2015

Please check the membership category of your choice and return to:

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, 8419 State Route 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840

___ Basic $35 ___ Sponsor $125 ___ Patron $500

___ Contributing $50 ___ Donor $250 ___ Sustaining $750

___ Supporting $80 ___ Benefactor $1000 ___ Curtiss Society $1500

My name(s) as it is to appear in printed matter : ______________________________________

Address______________________________City _________________State_____Zip ______

Home phone ___________________________e-mail address __________________________

___ My check is enclosed

___ Please bill my Credit Card# _______________________________exp. date ___________

(MasterCard-Visa-Discover-American Express) V-code ___________

Signature____________________________________

Additional tax-deductible donations will be used for museum improvements Including

up-grading facilities, restoration shop and new exhibits.

Cur t i ss Museum Membersh ip Form