VA Vol 4 No 6 June 1976 - EAA Vintage Members Only

--------,-­around an aluminum hub and then baked. Many nightsI would stay up late watching the tires being baked.The crucial moment would arrive when the moldcooled and was re moved from the newly baked tire, forif there were any blisters or air bubbles, the tire wouldbe useless. Many days, we had more failures thansuccesses!The Welch 02 engine was a 45 horsepower, twocylinder engine. I don' t know how many of these w eremade, but I certainly would like to see even a part ofthe Welch engine! I know of two Welch airplanes flyingtoday. Another is bei ng rebuilt a nd there is a fourthone lice nsed, but I am not certain it's flying.The company had to s hut down production withthe onset of World War II. With Orin's experience a nd5knowledge, he was needed elsewhere for his country.March 13, 1943, Orin Welch was officially " lost" whileflying "cargo" over the Hump. It was, of course, atragic loss for all of us.For many years, I wouldn't go near a n airport or airplane.Recently, I found out that not o nly were his airplaness till flying, but that Orin is remembered bythose wonderful people that are s till living, thosewonderful people that gave us this great pioneer aviationheritage.My childhood love has brought me back into theworld of aviation again and I hope, in the years tocome, I can be a part of " Keeping the Antiques Flying"and Sport Aviation alive.Orin We lch is standing by the prop of the airplanethat he used to solo in 1923.IT IS A TRIBUTE TO ORIN WELCH THAT HIS AIRPLANES DRAW A CROWD WHERE EVER THEY ARE. SEVERAL HAVE BEEN ACTIVE AT OUR MEETS Editor's Note