Howards. Antique Airfield

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Marylou Allen
5 years ago
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Howards at Antique Airfield It s been almost thirty-nine years since the first airplane landed at Antique Airfield, near Blakesburg, IA, and thirty-eight years since the first AAA/APM Invitational

Since airport owner/founder Robert Taylor made that first landing in his 1939 Porterfield CP-50, a great myriad of aircraft have graced the grass throughout the succeeding decades.

Mulligan replica, and a Jim Younkin designed Mullicoupe (a Howard derivative) have handily operated into and out of IA27.

1 Howards at Antique Airfield It s been almost thirty-nine years since the first airplane landed at Antique Airfield, near Blakesburg, IA, and thirty-eight years since the first AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in was held on this grass strip, which was built as a home for the Antique Airplane Association and the Air Power Museum. Since airport owner/founder Robert Taylor made that first landing in his 1939 Porterfield CP-50, a great myriad of aircraft have graced the grass throughout the succeeding decades. Among the many fine marques to have visited through the years are the aircraft built by Benny Howard. At least some twenty-six DGA-15s, two DGA-11s, the Younkin Mr. Mulligan replica, and a Jim Younkin designed Mullicoupe (a Howard derivative) have handily operated into and out of IA27. The following is a look back at those Howards and their owners who have supported our efforts to make Antique Airfield the center for the owners, restorers, and pilots of antique airplanes. The first Howard arrival at Antique Airfield occurred in conjunction with the first AAA/APM National Fly-in in The familiar green and white DGA-15, N28259, which was owned and flown for decades by Joe and Mary Hecker from the San Diego area, was very likely the Howard to hold that distinction. But also attending that year in Howard s were Bob Meyers in NC67425, also from the San Diego area; Ron Cook from Sergeant Bluff, IA in NC75599; and John Turgyan from Trenton, NJ in N It is quite likely that John and Joe were two of the most traveled and experienced Howard drivers of the time, as for years to come one or both would be seen at almost any flyin anywhere in the country in their Howards. Throughout the years there have always been Howards in attendance during the annual fly-in. Regular Howard attendees, such as the Heckers and John Turgyan, were joined at various times by the likes of Don Allenbaugh from Antioch, CA in NC67771 (this aircraft is now in the USMC museum in Quantico, VA); Ted Peterson from Fullerton, CA in NC67425; and Scott Petegna from Fredricksburg, VA in NC In 1976, Clayton Graves from Santa Paula, CA attended the AAA/APM Fly-in in N Also during this period, Les DeLine from the San Diego area arrived in NC9011H, the first of at least three Howard s he owned. In future years, Les would also attend in NC53386 and NC9471H.

1977 saw the arrival of the first DGA-11 at Antique Airfield, though it was not during the AAA/APM Fly-in.

That memorable flight occurred during the Texas AAA chapter fly-in at Denton, TX in June 1978, with John Turgyan acting as PIC.

The Trainors continued to attend fly-ins far and wide in this well-known Howard, including trips to the AAA/APM Fly-in.

2 1977 saw the arrival of the first DGA-11 at Antique Airfield, though it was not during the AAA/APM Fly-in. Bill Wright of Tulsa, OK arrived one sultry summer afternoon to show off his newly restored, award winning DGA-11, NC I recall that this is the first Howard in which I had a ride. That memorable flight occurred during the Texas AAA chapter fly-in at Denton, TX in June 1978, with John Turgyan acting as PIC. I believe it was shortly after that ride that John purchased NC18211 from Bill, while John s DGA-15, N95462, passed into the hands of Chub and Bette Trainor. The Trainors continued to attend fly-ins far and wide in this well-known Howard, including trips to the AAA/APM Fly-in. As for John s DGA-11, we understand that after a long hiatus, it has again returned to airworthy condition. We hope to see NC18211 and John in attendance at the 2009 AAA/APM Fly-in Sep. 2-7, In 1979, another DGA-11 arrived during the AAA/APM Fly-in. This airplane, NC18207, had just been restored and was being flown by Bob Younkin of Fayetteville, AR. This same aircraft has been a regular visitor during the last few years, being flown by Bob s brother Jim Younkin, or Jim Wiebe. This Howard was originally owned by the Morton Salt Co., and Jim has indicated NC18207 will be in attendance at the 2009 AAA/APM Fly-in as both a representative of the Howard Club, as well as part of our Corporate Wings theme, celebrating those antique/classic aircraft that have been used as tools of commerce. During the 1970s, various Howard s attending the AAA/APM Fly-in would prove to be consistent award winners but it wasn t until 1978 that one would be named AAA Grand Champion. That year, Ron Rippon from Rockford, IL arrived in his DGA-15, NC It was voted to receive the top award offered at the AAA/APM Fly-in. NC22423 continues to be a regular visitor to Antique Airfield, flown at one time by Fred Kirk, but during the last few years by either Mike Iverson or Jim Lund. Other Howard s that attended in the late 1970s and beyond, include NC flown by Dan Kumler; Dick Martin s DGA-15, NC22416, which is now registered in New Zealand; Bob Richardson in NC52947, which is now on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight; James Ross in NC52986; and George and Libby Hefflinger in NC9271H. We would see George, Libby, and the Howard at Antique Airfield quite often during the years. George was President of the APM Board of Trustees, and the Howard was used as his transport to and from Antique Airfield, whether attending a board meeting, fly-in or work weekend. Years later, this Howard would show up at the AAA/APM fly-in with Dave Schober as owner/pilot is the year that Jim and Bob Younkin completed their very accurate replica of Mr. Mulligan, and we were excited to see it turn final on our then 2200 runway (now 2350 ) during the AAA/APM Fly-in. I was standing with Bob Younkin as brother Jim made his approach, and Bob s comments and body English suggested he was still an old Navy LSO at heart. However, Jim s approach, landing, and rollout looked just perfect to my eyes. Later during the fly-in, Jim took Bud Dake for a ride in Mr. Mulligan, demonstrating the aircraft s awesome performance to all assembled. Reportedly, it was shortly before/after that flight that conversations took place leading the way to Jim s design of the Mullicoupe, an airplane that could be considered a Howard derivative. Howards continued to be part of our fly-ins and activities throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. During this period, another Howard that became a regular on the grass here at Antique Airfield was NC This Howard first arrived as the charge of Howard guru Les DeLine. Sometime later Joe Pundzak, an APM Board Trustee, purchased this Howard to use as his corporate airplane. It was in this Howard that I received my checkout as a Howard pilot on

Then in 1998, Bud Dake arrived in his P&W Mullicoupe, NX274Y.

NX274Y is now in the care of Mark Holliday, and we were happy to see it once again on final to Antique Airfield during the 2008 AAA/APM Fly-in.

Included among various Howards that have joined us throughout the last decade are Ed and Barbara Moore in their award winning DGA-15, NC68431, in 1999.

3 Then in 1998, Bud Dake arrived in his P&W Mullicoupe, NX274Y. Few will forget the absolutely incredible display of this aircraft s performance as well as the awesome fly-bys Bud made on his departure from Antique Airfield. NX274Y is now in the care of Mark Holliday, and we were happy to see it once again on final to Antique Airfield during the 2008 AAA/APM Fly-in. We certainly hope to see it back in 2009 to take its place with the rest of the assembled groups of Howards. This then brings us to the current era. Included among various Howards that have joined us throughout the last decade are Ed and Barbara Moore in their award winning DGA-15, NC68431, in Then once again at the 2001 AAA/APM Flyin a DGA-15, Ron Rippon s NC1227, garnished a top honor, the Classic Sweepstakes award saw Mike Vaughn s Howard, NC22410, voted as the Grand Champion Classic. Mike s Howard is a regular attendee and fixture here at the AAA/APM Fly-in. It has been joined at times during the last several years by N9865H, Gary Lust s NC5604V, Joe Dudley in N9599H, Rick Atkins in NC67722, Mike Iverson and/or the Lunds in NC22423 and NC22424, Paul Bjornstad in NC36259, and first time Howard visitor Jerry Lugten with NC66294 in So there you have a synopsis of the various Howards that have operated into and out of Antique Airfield throughout the last thirty-nine years. I am certain that I may have missed some Howards and Howard owners, and I would certainly enjoy hearing about any Howards I may have missed. It is hoped that a record group of Howards and Howard owners will join us for the AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in, Sep. 2-7, 2009 to help us celebrate Corporate Wings, Featuring Howard Aircraft.. We would like to believe Benny Howard himself would be at this gathering, if he were still with us. After all he was AAA member M-5394!! For more information please contact me at or AntiqueAirfield@sirisonline.com. Watch our web page, for updates on activities planned for this event. Those interested in learning more about Howard aircraft are encouraged to check out the Howard web site at contact the Howard club, phone or Archibaldb@starband.net or join the new discussion group on Yahoo: Brent Taylor

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