Welcome Ed VanWinkle

The Cold War Air Museum attracts many visitors because of its unique mix of aircraft, associates and projects.

Meet Ed VanWinkle, a Rotary Wing CFII, who recently joined our restoration and flying team.

Ed and Larry, pictured here, took Larry's beautiful Bell 47 out for some proficiency work last weekend. We look forward to seeing more of Ed in the near future.

Mi-2 attends a Gala Event

The Cold War Air Museum Mi-2 and crew were recently invited to attend the 30th anniversary event at The Studios at Las Colinas.

We are fortunate to be in an area with so many talents and benefits.

Mike clears the area below for the Mi-2's arrival. The crew also kept a sharp eye on the weather. Dumping rain and hail to the South, the weather cooperated for this flight by providing VFR conditions with a dramatic backdrop of low clouds.

We received the Red Carpet treatment and many visitors, actors and executives had an opportunity to see the MI-2 and visit with Cold War Air Museum Associates at the Las Colinas Studios.

The "Gala" was a celebration and review of thirty years of television and movie production complemented by recent change and renovation by the Muller Group.

Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, and Linda Grey from the TV show Dallas
were there and Cold War Air Museum Associates got an opportunity to briefly meet them and answer a few questions about the Mi-2 and the Museum.

The show must have been translated and watched in Eastern Europe as people would ask us about "JR" in our early travels there.

And Mike got to sit on the bench that played a supporting role in Forrest Gump while he watched hand rolled cigars being made. Life is even better with a box of chocolates and a good cigar.

With thanks to Mike, Johnny, Brad and Larry for crewing the event as well as Chris Williams for introducing us and sharing these pictures. More great shots from Chris and Bobbi can be found at the www.artsciencephotos.com web site.

Cold War Air Museum - Diverse Interests, Common Goals

Recent posts on the Cold War Air Museum Blog have featured the L29 and MiG-23, both "Gas Guzzlers" by the standard of the Hi Max below.

To say that the Hi Max is tiny compared to the MiG-23 is an understatement. Its fuel burn  per hour  is approximately equal to the MiG's fuel burn  per second  in burner.

One of the strengths of the Museum is the diversity of interests among the volunteers and associates that come together to share interests in flying, history and passing on that heritage to others. One of the associates previously featured, Homer Webb (principal at a local alternative high school), has adopted this beautiful little aircraft. With a fuel burn of only 2.5 gallons per hour, the jet guys can only mutter "it was a lot more fun when Jet-A was only a Dollar a gallon" (and some can remember when surplus fuel was only $0.10 per gallon).

Fast or slow, big or small, loud or not-so-loud, vertical lift or fixed wing, the Museum is a place where we all enjoy a common interest in flying machines, their operation, sharing their history and sharing with others stories of a time when so many of these machines were born. We are fortunate that Homer's willingness to accept and excel at challenges is typical of our group.  Fly Safe Homer!

ArtSciencePhotos Contribution

Chris Williams, a new associate at the Cold War Air Museum is a frequent and welcome visitor.

His website, www.artsciencephotos.com displays some of his professional work. Chris recently came out and took some candid shots to share with us. We are looking forward to more contributions from Chris in the blog.

This shot caught a busy crew loading up the MD500 for a flight to North Texas on an animal population control mission.

Larry concentrates on his preflight cockpit checks in this colorful shot.

And, they're off. The MD500 is a great performer, even with three big guys and all their gear.

The hunt was fun for all even though the wily animals did not put in their expected appearance.

The target rich environment for photographers at the Cold War Air Museum sometimes includes transitory populations of other interesting machinery. These tractors came from another fine collection and are temporarily being housed in some of the scarce spare space at the museum.

Knocking about the Museum, Chris and his special associate Bobbi got a rare opportunity to sample from the variety of tastes and interests on display. The Jets, Props, Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft are sometimes complimented by other vehicles and equipment on display, in storage, and in use.

A sepia tint seems just right for this shot of Bud and Jon in the Mutt ( See Warbirds on Parade for another picture of Phil's Vietnam era jeep). The tint makes the picture look older (and the passenger younger, thank you Chris).

And the R44 gets a rare appearance in the Blog with Renee in the cockpit. At a low sun angle, and partially back lit, Chris augmented the picture with some black and white technique to bring out more detail and drama.

Thanks Chris! We look forward to more contributions and an upcoming Blog post that will feature you and your good work.

Feature Associate Update - Larry Dodson

We are fortunate at the Cold War Air Museum to have a fine group of associates and volunteers.

Our previous post on Larry, (click on the associates label, below) featured his Bell 47, but it is time for an update since he has upgraded to this beautiful MD500D.

Related to the OH-6 of Vietnam era, this "D" model is distinguishable by it's 5 main rotor blades and "T" tail.

Previously employed at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, N58431 was used for Patrol, Mountain Rescue and Training during it's 25 years of service. Valued for her high availability and "up-time", many were sad to see her go, but departmental policy dictated upgrading the entire fleet to "F" models for improved "hot and high" performance.

With thanks to Larry for sharing his story and flying with the Museum, and thanks to Andy Nixon as well for sharing some of his great photo work.

Feature Associate - Pete Coz

From time to time, the Cold War Air Museum takes pleasure in announcing a new museum board member. While we value all of our associates and volunteers and respect their input, it falls to the board to help set a final direction and goals for the museum. Recently (and regretfully), one of our founding board members passed away. We are fortunate in having someone of experience and ability to fill in.

Pete Coz (on the left), is shown here being congratulated by Museum President Bruce Stringfellow.

Although he is originally from Massachusetts (and received his College degree in Maine), Pete has diligently been studying (be'n stud'den) “Texan” for the last year in order to be able to communicate with the other Directors. His ability to flawlessly mimic John Wayne and his repertoire of classic movie lines, as well as his great sense of humor has helped him to be accepted by most of the natives.

A veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, he has amassed over 3600 flight hours while advancing through positions of increasing responsibility during 21 years of service. Pete holds all instructor designations for the AH-1W and pioneered the training program for the first Cobra pilots in Taiwan in 1993. Now holding FAA Commercial Fixed and Rotary wing ratings, he is one of the few in the U.S. to hold a civilian rating in the Mi-24 Hind helicopter.

Lt Col (U.S.M.C. Ret.) Pete Coz and our other veteran associates bring a level of professionalism and experience to the museum which we greatly appreciate. With the increasing number of events to which our associate's aircraft are being flown, flight safety is always on our minds. His serious side (reflected below, studying before a flight review) is complemented by an ability and desire to communicate with the troops about what needs to be done and why.

With two “Pete's” active in the group (see feature associate Pete Taylor), Coz has been frocked with the nickname “Colonel Pete” to avoid confusion.

Welcome aboard, “Col. Pete”.

Feature Associate - Homer Webb

We are fortunate at the Cold War Air Museum to have a fine group of associates and volunteers.

Homer Webb is an Assistant Principal in the nearby DeSoto Schools, Alternative Education Program. Homer is a frequent visitor and volunteer who can easily talk with both grown ups and kids about the history of the aircraft and the cold war. Just a few hours away from finishing his private pilot rating, Homer has ridden and flown in various musuem associate's aircraft and looks forward to the opportunity to fly in this L39 someday (hopefully soon).

Homer recently visited the Aircraft "Boneyard" near Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.

Homer's pictures, like that of the Sr-71 above, add detail and interest not found in our previous story about Davis Monthan, "Miles and Miles of Dreams" posted last year.

Feature Associate - Larry Dodson

We are fortunate at the Cold War Air Museum to have a fine group of associates and volunteers. Larry Dodson has recently come aboard as an active volunteer, working on the UH-1B restoration.

Larry owns his own business, specializing in excavation and emergency response for A T & T. A Helicopter Private Pilot, he is currently working on his Commercial rating.

Larry's beautifully restored Bell 47 G-2 was originally manufactured in 1957.

Larry frequently fly's down to the Museum to help out on the weekends. The Bell 47 and Schweitzer (aka Hughes, aka TH-55, aka Osage), parked here together, provided primary training for the majority of helicopter pilots from the Korean War through Vietnam.

We appreciate Larry's help. Come join Larry and the gang at the Cold War Air Museum where you can watch (and help!), as we get our many projects "off the ground"!

Cold War, Timeout

The cold war was not always fought with weapons. In fact, the whole point of the "cold" war was to avoid the use of weapons, specifically, weapons of mass destruction. The message of the opposing super powers was often carried by economic or cultural means, including movies and music.

At this year's George Washington University Commencement (set on the Washington Mall with the capitol building as a backdrop), Dave Brubeck received an Honorary PhD and told a story from his cold war days.

Dr. Brubeck told of being asked to take his Jazz group to eastern Europe in 1958 by then American President, Dwight Eisenhower. While in Poland, he was approached and told "We have something in common". When he asked what, the Pole replied "Our people both love freedom".

Upon awarding him the Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy in 2008 (the first individual recipient of this award), the State Department wrote; "as a pianist, composer, cultural emissary and educator, Dave Brubeck's life's work exemplifies the best of America's cultural diplomacy."


Dr. Brubeck first "toured" Europe with General George S. Patton's Third Army, creating and leading the unit's first racially integrated jazz band. Years later, following their return from the 1958 European tour, the Brubeck Quartet released their "Time Out" album, which is still popular today.

Congratulations to our Cold War Air Museum Associate who recently received his Master's degree from the University's Elliott School of International Affairs. The struggle for world peace is no less difficult or any less important today than it was during the "cold war", so we extend our thoughts and prayers to all those throughout the world who are working to make the world a safer and better place, whether through diplomacy, trade, culture, or conflict resolution using live fire.

With thanks and credit to YouTube sources linked.

Feature Associate, New Director Andre Plaskota

Recently we elected another new director at the Cold War Air Museum.

Andre is a local businessman who frequently flys his Piper Cheyenne on extended business trips. Andre is also a long time partner in one of the L29's on the field and actively participates in various airport activities.

68SJ was featured in one of our earlier posts. We appreciate Andre's support and look forward to his participation at the museum.

A UH-1 from the 56th Transportation Company

The UH-1, serial number 62-1890, being restored at the Cold War Air Museum is the subject of ongoing historical research. We know from military records that she was deployed to Vietnam with the 56th Transportation company in 1966.

Military and FAA records further reflect that the aircraft was returned to the U.S and served with various units before being released to the National Guard and thereafter to the Washington National Forestry Service, where she gained her "N" number, 333WN.

We are appreciative of the various web sites and veterans groups who have attempted to preserve their unit and aircraft histories. It may be possible that the picture below is of our ship, or one like ours, "in country". We are hoping to hear from everyone who has a story or pictures to share from 62-1890's past.

Pete, one of our associates, contacted Major Gerald Royals (Ret.), a former commander of the 56th, who shared some recollections of 62-1890. A picture of Maj. Royal "in his younger days" and several photos from unit operations are on the 56th's page at the Fly-Army-Air website. Our thanks to Major Royal for his information and the picture and information found on his web page.

The 56th was a helicopter recovery company, call sign "Good Nature". Recovering damaged helicopters from the field and repairing them accounted for keeping more than 10% of the airborne unit's flying. An early motto used by the unit was "You Crash and Call - We Dash and Haul". Inspection of the pictures on the website shows three generations of nose art. The final insignia adopted by the unit, is seen on the nose of the UH shown beside the Major and matches the unit patch shown below.

"Find'm, Fix'M, Fly'M" certainly fits the history of the Cold War Air Museum as well.

Antihelicopter mines saw their first use during the Vietnam war. Improvised explosive devices were placed in likely landing areas with the intention of destroying arriving aircraft. From what we have learned to date, one such device went off underneath 62-1890 while she was attempting to recover another helicopter downed in a previous landing. Although the belly of the ship was heavily damaged, she was flown back to base where further inspection scheduled her for extensive repair.

Flown to the USNS Corpus Christi Bay, a floating repair depot, she was eventually returned to the U.S. for overhaul.

We hope to hear more about this worthy aircraft and her extensive history. Please contact us with updates that we can share as her restoration continues.

Feature Associate, Johnny Stevenson

We are fortunate at the Cold War Air Museum to have a fine group of associates and volunteers. Johnny Stevenson is a great asset to the museum and we are fortunate to have him on board!

An Army veteran with 21+ years of regular service, Johnny first started working on UH-1's in 1980.

Johnny's can-do attitude is infectious. He works hard and everybody around him just naturally works hard as well.

With A&P, IA and Helicopter Pilot ratings and over thirty years of helicopter experience, Johnny is definately helping us get our projects off the ground!

The Aerovodochody L-29, a cold war era jet trainer

The associate that started all the local jet warbird interest talks about the Aerovodochody L-29 and how the first aircraft came to Lancaster before the Cold War Air Museum was formed.

Thank's Roma!

A number of L-29's are based at the airport and associated with the museum. For more stories, click on the "L-29" label below. Come see an L-29 "in real life" at the Lancaster Airport near Dallas. The museum is open every Saturday.

(bumped — video with improved audio posted)

Two Changs a'Flying

On the second day of Cold War Air Museum Christmas,
Jon and Miles gave to me,
"two CJs flying".

(With apologies to The Twelve days of Christmas Song)...

Christmas eve and Christmas day saw a rare sight in Dallas - SNOW. But as you can see from these pictures, by the next day it was all gone. With the weather cold, clear and calm, Jon and Miles took the opportunity to take to the air. Miguel had a chance to go along with them and we thank him for these pictures. You can see more of his photos on his Flikr pages. Without much narration, this post is simply dedicated to the fun of flying.

The day was beautifully clear and the moon was visible in the sky.

The long lens on Miguel's camera makes the aircraft appear much closer than they are.

Miles smiles, looks like they had a good day of flying.

In the calm air, the vortices from the propwash are clearly visible when Jon turns on the smoke.