COWL FLAPS - JULY 12 - Gulf Coast Wing

MICROSOFT
COWL FLAPS
For Members of the Gulf Coast Wing CAF
IMPORTANT DATES
• SATURDAY, JULY 07
0900hrs —Staff Meeting
1100hrs—Wing Meeting
1200hrs —Cook Out, Band,
and Tours —
1500hrs—Revenue Rides
1600hrs—Revenue Rides
1700hrs—Revenue Rides
• SATURDAY AUG 11
0900hrs — Staff Meeting
1100hrs—Wing Meeting
1200hrs — Potluck
1300hrs— Work on TR
VOLUME V ISSUE VII
JULY 04, 2012
Inside this issue:
Wing Leader’s Report
Maintenance Hanging
of Engine #4
Executive Officer
And Supply Officer
Reports
Wing Social at Rudi
Lechner’s
June 9th Rides at TJC
and PX Update
2
3
4
5
6
B-17 Tour Tips 7
Contact Info
8
Cols Joe Duncan, Gary Barber and Jeff Foltz work on
component fittings on the #4 Engine.
Photo by Col Kevin Hong
n a perfect world we might order up a new Wright Radial 1820-97 engine, turn a few knobs, screws and
I lines, lifting it up into position and “snap” it on…..but it isn’t that easy. When substantial damage to parts
in the #4 Engine were recently discovered, it was apparent that a change-over was needed, and an overhauled
engine was available to do just that. The Gulf Coast Wing maintenance team has been working overtime
to complete the hanging and now tests are being conducted in time for our July 7th Gulf Coast Wing
“Open House” at Tomball Jet Center.
As with any Wright R-1820-97 engine, proper oil is required, and as a condition of the warranty on
the “new” engine, 120-straight mineral oil must be used during the first 100-hours. Finding this oil is, however,
no easy task. When found, expect to find it in 55-gallon drums at a cost exceeding $950. Oil is a necessity...a
BIG necessity to keep these engines running as shown in this excerpt:
From THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD...AND DID by George Hilliard, Flight Line Chief 398th
BG 603 Squadron: “The Wright Cyclone R-18200-97 could take a lot of punishment as long as long as it had
sufficient oil in the tank. Sometimes the rocker boxes would take a flak hit and when it landed, the oil would squirt
from the damaged rocker box each time the piston would come up on the compression stroke. When the engine ran out of
oil, the crankshaft would get so hot that it would break off on landing and sending the propeller skipping across the run
way. But for those of us who flew or serviced the B-17G, we can be grateful for the technical knowledge and research that
went into the little engine that could … and did. The many of us who had the job working on the R-1820’s felt that it
was the right engine for the right airplane at the right time.”
Similar to World War II crew members, we’re very fortunate to have the skilled and talented professionals
on our team to keep this Flying Fortress airworthy. Though we don’t fly TEXAS RAIDERS into combat environments
as Mr. Hilliard describes above, all the essential conditions to keep this bomber in the air are found
in the talent pool of our dedicated volunteers, A&Ps, and of course the funds it takes to keep her flying.
Thanks go to Cols Gary Barber, Chuck Conway and the maintenance volunteers. More photos of the engine
change-out can be found on Page 3.
Sandy Thompson, Editor

Page 2
COWL FLAPS
Wing Leader ‘s Report
Heading into July.....
Happy 4 th of July to all our members, their families and friends of the CAF!
Independence Day is a celebration of our Nation’s struggle for independence from the British Crown in the late
1770s and 1780s. The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the U.S. Congress on July 4 th , 1776. What many
people are not reminded of is that America’s fight for independence lasted for many years. Great Britain finally
recognized “The United States of America” by signing the Preliminary Articles of Peace in 1882! In celebrating The
4 th of July, we are reminded that the most serious challenges in the history of our great nation were long, hardfought
battles by our military. Our military, the finest and most professional in the world, is now engaged in the
longest war in our nation’s history. On this July 4 th we honor all those proudly serving in our military and all of our Veterans. Because of
their sacrifice, we continue to be the Beacon of Freedom for the entire world! “Thank You!” to all who have served this great country by
wearing her uniform!
As you know, The Gulf Coast Wing will be celebrating the Holiday on Saturday, July 7 th at Tomball Jet Center. Our day will begin with our
normal Staff meeting at 09:00am and an abbreviated Membership meeting at 11:00. From noon until 1:00pm we will be honored to host
Bob Price and his high school age “Big Band” The Painter family, proprietors of Tomball Jet Center will be bringing in the Charlie Parker
Band for contemporary music from 1-3:00pm. John Elliott will be playing WWII tunes over the PA system during band breaks and after
3:00pm. We will be grilling on the tarmac and selling burgers and dogs all afternoon! Living History Flight Experiences are scheduled in the
afternoon. Come out early as we just might see (around 9:00am) a “Fly-by” by the Houston Wing’s C-60 on her way to the Thunder Over
Cedar Creek air show! It’s going to be a long, FUN but hot day. Drink plenty of liquids, use plenty of sunscreen and make use of the shade
inside the hangar!
Once again I must congratulate our maintenance crew, led by Gary Barber and Chuck Conway. They have accomplished the seemingly
impossible! During pilot training on June 10 th , Texas Raiders #4 engine developed a power problem. The aircraft was flown back to Hooks
airport where our maintenance team determined that an engine change was required. Fortunately, we had recently picked up our fresh
engine and had it on the engine stand next to the airplane. Our Super-Human maintenance crew immediately went to work, removing the
propeller and damaged engine, moving all the accessories to the fresh engine and mounting the replacement engine, reinstalling the propeller
and making all the connections in record time! The engines have all been run and all adjustments have been made. The airplane should
be back in the air by the time you read this! The dedication and professionalism of our maintenance team is truly amazing. There is not a
better bunch of volunteers in the entire CAF!
A special “Thank You” goes out to Tom Newton who brought his tools, crane and expertise out twice to help remove and then reinstall
the #4 propeller! I also want to say “Thanks” to each and every one of our members who assisted with the engine change for your dedication,
your time and your talent. The airplane would not be flying this weekend were it not for this terrific team of volunteers!!!
Airbase Houston continues to build steam. The Airbase committee held its’ first meeting on June 19 th and is meeting at Ellington Field on July
14 th to look at several possible locations for our proposed facility. I should have more to report to you about the progress in next month’s
newsletter.
Our partner in Airbase and Wings Over Houston, formerly known as The West Houston Squadron has recently achieved “Wing” status. Their
organization is now known as The Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Congratulations to The Houston Wing and it’s Wing Leader,
our own Stan Turner!
The Gulf Coast Wing now has a formal marketing committee, headed by Col Marilynn Hueni. In addition to Marilynn, the members of the
committee are Cols Bruce Guest, Doc Hecker, Kara Hueni, Kevin Hong, George Doland, Chris Ebdon and myself. The committee is
charged with analyzing all of our marketing efforts, looking at new and better ways to gauge potential profitability and make recommendations
to the Staff on activities and events. The committee has met twice over the past few weeks and will be presenting their initial recommendations
in the July 7 th Staff meeting. Please take the time to talk with any member of the marketing committee and give them your
ideas on how we can better present the Wing and TR, better take advantage of any potential money-making activities and create more net
profit for the bottom line!
Other News: Marilynn Hueni is also our new Special Events Coordinator! She spearheaded the Wing Social at Rudi Lechner’s restaurant on
June 13 th . The event was quite a success with 23 members taking advantage of the opportunity to mix & mingle with one another. She and
our Recruiting Officer, Col Rick Thomas, are going to make these Wing Socials a quarterly event. Please get with Marilynn or Rick with
your ideas on activities and venues! (See Page 5 for photos)
I have asked Don Price to fill the position of Wing Development Officer and have asked Donna Kuski to be our Wing’s new Cadet Coordinator.
Both individuals have accepted their nomination. I hope to have these two confirmed in the Staff meeting on July 7 th . “Thank You!”
to Don and Donna for stepping up to the plate! Continued on Page 6

VOLUME V ISSUE VII
Page 3
Ole Nygren and Ken Hyman
Chuck Conway, Chris Williams, Lee Brown,Gary Barber
Bruce Guest and Bob Mulkey
Gary Barber and Chuck
Conway, Chris Williams
Chuck Conway, Bud Bearce, Ben
Anderson, Lee Brown & Gary Barber
Chuck Conway, Bruce Guest &
Gary Barber
Chris Williams, Ben Anderson,
Gary Barber & Chuck Conway
Ben Anderson and George Doland
Thanks to Joe Duncan, Kevin Hong, Bob Mulkey, Dave Madden and
Chris Williams for submission of these photos.

Page 4
COWL FLAPS
Fellow Colonels,
Happy 4th of July to all of our fellow members. I hope that everyone has taken a moment on the 4th to
give thanks for our freedoms that so many tend to take for granted and a special moment of silence for our
Vets who have given the ULTIMATE sacrifice in preserving our freedoms.
You know, we may all not agree - especially when it comes to politics. That is what makes the good ole
United States of America the proud and unique nation that it is. Each of us has different views on just
about everything. There are MANY countries on the big round rock called Earth that do not extend these
and many other liberties to its citizens. No matter how screwed up things may get here - this is OUR country and I, for one am darned
proud to be a United States Citizen and proud of defending her liberties and freedoms. May all of our liberties and freedoms live on
FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July is taking us to many horizons - from Texas to Colorado, to Missouri, to Illinois, then in August on to Indiana, to Ohio, to Kentucky,
then back to her home base at TJC. That is A LOT of traveling and spreading that good ole CAF-GCW and "Texas Raiders" good will to
our fellow Americans. For those who are traveling with her, be sure to extend the friendly hand of welcome to our visitors. When you
meet our Vets, please be sure to thank them for their service - especially our Active Duty men and women - and their families for their
support and dedication. Naturally, if you see some of our fellow Marines, be sure to tell them that an old retired Master Sergeant says
"Thanks for serving" and "Semper Fi"!!!!!!!!
This Saturday will be a special event for all at TJC. Even our good friends at the West Houston Wing will be extending their friendship
with us. It should be a great time for all. Don't forget, there will be a Marshalling class at 1300 in the TJC Conference Room and handson
training on the ramp with 3 revenue flights expected. Yep, some of you may have the distinct opportunity to exercise your "puppet"
traits if you have Marty as your instructor on the ramp. Ask Jerrie.
Have a fantastic and SAFE July. Semper Fi
Wayne F. Kennedy
Executive Officer
SUPPLY OFFICER’s UPDATES
Material Condition Tags
I was recently walking through a hangar workshop where a volunteer was reassembling a spare aircraft
component that had been disassembled and cleaned. While looking over the work in progress,
I noticed a similarly completed component on the bench that had a green tag attached to it. As a
matter of curiosity, I enquired as to the serviceable status of the completed component, and was told
by the volunteer that it was ready to be placed on the serviceable spare parts shelf. The volunteer
stated that since the part was “ready to go”, he decided to mark it with a green “go” tag. When I
asked him what was generally understood by the term “green tag”, he seemed hesitant. He was
definitely puzzled when I told him that a “green tag” was understood to mean that a part was unserviceable,
but repairable. I then asked him if he knew what FAA Form 8130-3 was used for. Since the
volunteer was not a certificated repairman, or airframe or power plant mechanic (A&P), he was unfamiliar
with what is known in the aviation maintenance community as an Authorized Release (FAA
Form 8130-3) Airworthiness Approval Tag. Only a part certified as airworthy (new, repaired or overhauled)
can be issued a FAA Form 8130-3 for installation on an aircraft.
Col R.B. “Doc” Hecker
Material Condition Tags were initiated by the US Armed Forces early in the 20 th Century to rapidly
classify aircraft parts according to their airworthiness status. The system utilizes color codes for easy identification of parts
condition, and the current tag cards are marked with a Department of Defense (DD) number. The following aviation Material
Condition Tags are currently in use by our Armed Forces:
Continued on Page 5

VOLUME V ISSUE VII
Page 5
Continued from page 4
DD Form 1574 Yellow Serviceable
DD Form 1575 Brown Suspended
DD Form 1576 Blue Test / Modification
DD Form 1577-1 Red Unserviceable - Condemned
DD Form 1577-2 Green Unserviceable - Repairable
The term “yellow tag” is colloquially used in the aircraft industry, but it has no real formal meaning or value as to parts serviceability.
Many serviceable repaired or overhauled parts are returned from Repair Stations with a yellow coded tag, but a
close inspection will reveal that the tag is labeled as FAA Form 8130-3. A rejected or non-airworthy part may be “red
tagged”, but will not have the FAA Form 8130-3 release. Without the FAA Form 8130-3 attached, the aircraft part is not suitable
for installation. The FAA Form 8130-3 ultimately becomes part of the maintenance record of the aircraft to prove the
“chain of approval” of the airworthy part.
FAA Form 8130-3 is a dual use form. It can be used to identify newly manufactured aircraft components to be shipped both
domestically and internationally (Authorized Release), and is used by FAA approved Repair Stations to certify repaired or
overhauled status (Airworthiness Approval Tag). The legal language regulating
the use of FAA Form 8130-3 can be found in 14 CFR FAA Order 8130.21.
Our organization is highly dependent on the use of volunteer labor, but any
work performed on aircraft components must conform to current FAR and FAA
requirements. If in doubt, please feel free to consult your Supply or Maintenance
Officers to assist you in returning serviceable parts to inventory, or in
identifying legal components to install on our aircraft.
New & Old Engines
Photo by B. Mulkey
RB “Doc” Hecker, A&P
GCW Supply Officer
n a move to hold casual, social
I functions outside of the hangar
environment, the Gulf Coast Wing
held it’s first Social Evening event at
Rudi Lechner’s Restaurant on
Wednesday evening the 13th of
June. Future events involving wing members,
their families and friends are being
coordinated by Col Marilynn Hueni and
Rick Thomas.
Photos by Col Sam Bulger

Page 6
COWL FLAPS
WING LEADER’s REPORT—Continued from Page 2
Tomball Jet Center has graciously agreed to allow the Wing to publish TJC’s address as the mailing address of the Wing. Mail will be held
in their offices to be picked up by any member of the voting Staff. We are also looking into subscribing to an “800 number” answering
service that would be answered by a live operator. The costs of this service are being developed.
Please tell your family and friends about Saturday’s planned activities. Try to bring as many people as possible. As always, please keep
safety in the forefront and let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you and make your experience in the CAF a more positive
one!
See you Saturday!
Over & Out!
John
FROM THE PX OFFICER…
THANK you all for helping make the Public Rides day on June 9th a great success!
The PX actually made $1,337.00!!!! We are truly fortunate to have such
devoted and hard-working members! We are working with Judy Bell in an
online PX section to be added to our remodeled Web Site. This should be up
and running by year’s end.
Col Vicki Thomas
Commemorative Air Force
Gulf Coast Wing - PX Officer
(281) 620 5639 (c)
(281) 303 8008 (h)
vthomas4@comcast.net
We had a good showing at the
June 9th Passenger Rides at
TJC. Showcasing the “Mae
Wests” that Doc Hecker had
customized , all the way to the
passengers who flew with a flag
honoring a veteran from
WWII, the day was a success
as wing members participated
on a “home-field”. Photos by
Kevin Hong and Sandy Thompson.

VOLUME V ISSUE VII
Page 7
B-17 TOUR TIPS
he first half of 2012 is gone and we still have a couple of months left to showcase
T TEXAS RAIDERS. Thanks to all the wing members who have worked so hard to
keep this B-17 in the air, operating at peak-performance. The maintenance team has contributed
so much in getting the #4 engine back into an operable state. Thank You.
B-17 Operations Update
1. JUNE EVENTS— With the major part of this month spent in replacing #4 engine, we had just one event on the 9th of
June, when we conducted walk-through tours and rides on site at Tomball Jet Center. The result was $176 in tours
and $9,925 in Rides. Considering that there were no lodging or rental car expenses, this was a very acceptable
weekend of revenue. We look forward to the next event on Saturday the 7th of July, which will host live music, f
food, plenty of public visitors and good participation by our wing members.
2. TOUR PLANNING FOR 2013 — A training and introductory session to TOUR PLANNING was held a couple of
months ago for those wing members who are considering becoming involved in planning summer tours for TEXAS
RAIDERS. It is our intention to have in place a tour-committee at years end, to plan the 2013 touring schedule. If
you are interested and have experience in touring with the B-17 along with a minimum of 2-years CAF and Gulf
Coast Wing membership in good standing, we would be interested in talking to you about tour planning.
3. UPCOMING EVENTS and the 2012 TOUR — . Please check the schedule on our web-site frequently as we are still
in negotiations with some event-coordinators:
JUL 07………………...Rides at Hooks Airport TJC……………Rides, Static Tours
JUL 12-15……………..Rifle Air Show, Rifle CO………………Flying, Rides, Static Tours
JUL 15-18……………. Pueblo Air Museum, Pueblo, CO……….Rides, Static Tours
JUL 24-27……………..Branson, MO……………………………Rides, Static Tours
JUL 27-31……………..Chanute Air Museum, Rantoul, IL……...Rides, Static Tours
JUL 31-AUG 02………Zionsville, IN Executive Airport………..Rides, Static Tours (north Indianapolis)
AUG 02-05……………Miamisburg, OH Wright Bros Airport….Rides, Static Tours (south Dayton 381st)
AUG 05-07…………….Lexington, KY………………………….Rides, Static Tours (LEX Air Museum)
See more schedule entries at www.gulfcoastwing.org
4. EXTENDED TOUR PROCEDURES — If you are traveling with TEXAS RAIDERS this summer on an extended
tour, there are policies in place which require participation by everyone on the tour. It’s necessary to have the proper
uniform with name-tag, an ability to be on time when the transportation leaves the hotel for a duty-day, the willingness
to work, sharing responsibilities to accomplish tasks at hand, and of course to have fun at the end of the day. If you are
joining the crew en-route by POV, here are the hotels arranged to date:
Rifle, CO………………..Comfort Suites Rifle 970 625 9912
Pueblo, CO……………...La Quinta Inn Pueblo 719 542 3500
Branson, MO……………La Quinta Inn on the Strip 417 332 1575
Rantoul, IL………………The Quarters Inn 217 783 1234
Indianapolis……………...Country Inn and Suites 317 876 0333
Dayton, OH……………...Wyndham Garden Inn 937 434 8030
Lexington, KY…………...under negotiation
5. Touring with Texas Raiders can be a physical commitment, and your willingness to spend your free time traveling with
the B-17, working long hours on the road and in in the summer’s scorching heat is something that can be described as
hard work but very rewarding.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the flight operations, please feel free to contact me at
txraiders@uwmail.com or 817 341 1541.
Col Walt Thompson, Bomber Operations Officer

COWL FLAPS—JUNE 07, 2012
WINGS OVER HOUSTON
AIRSHOW
OCT 27—OCT 28 2012
FEATURING—THE BLUE ANGELS
www.wingsoverhouston.com
Col Sandy Thompson
Gulf Coast Wing—CAF
Public Information Officer
113 Coldwater Creek Lane
Weatherford, TX 76088-6402
Phone 817 341 1541
FAX 817 341 2075
Email
B17Rides@gulfcoastwing.org
info@gulfcoastwing.org
We’re on the Web !
www.gulfcoastwing.org
more powerful 2000 hp engines. Ky Putnam saw this as something he wanted to fly, and he readily
volunteered. Gulf Coast He trained Wing on Elected A-20s (which Staff at that time were known as P-70s) and were also used in
training
Wing Leader……….Col
as Night-Fighters.
John
Next
Stofer………..jlstofer@aol.com………….…………...713
up…Ky was introduced to the YP-P61. As Ky puts
503
it….”They
0160
wanted
Adjutant……………Col
us to fly ‘em, and
Don
figure
Outler….……djoutler@comcast.net………………...281
out what was wrong…then they’d make the corrections
486
afterward.”
1830
Finance
The
Officer…….Col
P-61 three-man
Kara
crews
Hueni………..texasraidersgal@yahoo.com…..………832
were used in the Pacific Theatre, but for what was
221
needed
5911
in
Europe,
Bomber
two-men
Opns……...Col
crews were
Walt
the
Thompson….txraiders@uwmail.
norm. ”My radar operator was
com……….………817
a fellow by the name
341
of
1541
Johnny
Marunovich,
Executive Officer…..Col
a Hungarian by
Wayne
descent
Kennedy….wfkennedy@swbell.net………………..281
(which would come to be pretty beneficial later on).
855
He
2520
trained
in Fighter Florida Opns……….Col and I trained in California, Buddy Cooksey…..b17_tora@hotmail.com………………214 then we trained together in California.”
215 2946
Note:
Safety Officer………Col
The P-61, is a twin-engine,
Ky Putnam………kyputnam5600@comcast.net…………..713
powerful combat aircraft, equipped with four 20mm Hispano
683 8930
M2 forward
Supply
firing
Officer……...Col
cannons, mounted
R.B.
on
Doc
the lower
Hecker…tcflyingdoc@yahoo.com………………210
fuselage, and four Browning M2 50 caliber machine
391
guns.
1072
Two
Pratt & Whitney R2800-25S Double Wasp radial engines were mounted out on each wing. It had a 400
mph
Maintenance
top speed (which
Ofcr….Col
according
Gary
to
Barber
Ky was
…..gabarber914@gmail.com………….……..281
a “Power-Pull” ) with a 40,000 ft service ceiling. With
808
a a
8511
66-foot
wingspan and up to 22,600 lb full load weight it was huge for a fighter. Therefore it was dubbed The Night
Gulf Coast Wing Appointed Staff
Fighter, Black Widow because it was routinely black and was flown at night to attack enemy targets. SCR-
Webmaster………...Col Herb Duncan……...duncanenterprises@gmail.com…………
Public Info Officer…Col Sandy Thompson….thompsonb17@uwmail.com...………817 341 1541
PX Officer………….Col Vicki Thomas………....vthomas4@comcast.net…………281 303 8008
Morale Officer……..Col Suzie Bredlau……….rikkysue@aol.com…………………281 398 6977
Development Ofcr…unassigned…………………………………….……………………………...
Gulf Coast Wing Hangar is located at 9310 Max Conrad Drive, Spring TX 77379
Volunteers and wing members are dedicated to the preservation in flying status of WWII aircraft
which include the TORA fleet and the B-17, TEXAS RAIDERS. Interested parties are encouraged to
visit, volunteer and, of course, join our organization. CAF memberships with full-voting privileges
are $200/year. Supporting/Associate memberships provide benefits without voting privileges and
are $75/year. Cadet memberships for ages 12-23 are $45/year. Membership forms are found on
our website at www.gulfcoastwing.org or www.commemorateairforce.org
If you’ve received this
newsletter by mistake,
but you are happy with
what you see, please
feel free to contact any
one of us listed in this
document, to join our
group. The Commemorative
Air Force
is dedicated to the
educational preservation
in flying condition
of WWII and combat
aircraft. Our mission
extols the sacrifice
made by veterans from
all wars who have
helped us live in freedom.
Col Sandy Thompson
Gulf Coast Wing CAF
113 Coldwater Creek Lane
Weatherford, TX 76088-6402
Gulf Coast Wing
Of The
Commemorative Air Force