Naval Air Station Wildwood

I. Naval Air Station Wildwood

Southern New Jersey, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware River, had been closely associated with naval aviation with several air bases during the Second World War. The larger and therefore more important was the Naval Air Station Wildwood.

Tracing its origins to President Roosevelt, who had used the funds to New Deal civil airport construction in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for military conversion in case of war, Naval Air Station Wildwood was caused by the emerging requirement for a pilot training base to protect the Atlantic coast of the German submarines that had led the U.S. supply ships traveling to Britain. Nazi Germany, which has already captured in France in June 1942, had become a growing threat.

In southern New Jersey, U.S. Coast Guard moved its station, which had originally been built as the First World War naval base in 1917, the Navy, who was then who commissioned the Naval Air Station Cape May, in September 1940 and which observation and scout training squadron had been carried out later.

But the urgency of additional facilities had intensified the following year, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, alerting the need for fighter planes and dive bombers pilots domain. The foundation of Cape May had been woefully inadequate for this purpose, resulting in a series surveys in the Lower additional land in the municipality.

The first 500 acres, leased for $ 1.00, from Cape May County for subsequent conversion for civilian use, has led in March 1942, government construction tenders and laborers under the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers began the arduous deforestation in clearing trees and filling of wetlands to pave the way for the fight against a squad training base in Rio Grande. Although the construction effort was a success, its purpose was not: the Army ultimately chose to establish a similar facility about 40 miles north, in Millville, abandoning the project.

The clear, area of 500 acres, with potential application as an auxiliary field Size evil Cape May Naval Air Station, had fallen short of 400 acres of the Navy requirement under 900 acres, and this had only been remedied by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders emergency resolution "authorizing an additional $ 15,000 for land acquisition. Expenditure was win-win was seen as providing both the Navy with the necessary land for the base and the county with the employment necessary to arrest by the economic downturn in the quicksand of depression, although the need for such a facility has been clearly demonstrated by the simultaneous battle of the Coral Sea in May and the Battle of Midway in June, the victories only be maintained with qualified bases where pilots could be trained. In fact, the number of pilots had been estimated at 20,000. The Rio Grande project base, it is argued, would be crucial for the maintenance of naval aviation footprint in the Pacific.

Resultantly, the Navy, the leasing of land County and the appropriation of $ 500,000 for the new airfield, begun in October 1942, subsequently completing a 4,000-foot runway, three runways 5,000 feet, a control tower, hangars, barracks, an operations building, a canteen, a water supply station, a steam heating plant, a sewerage and roads, with employment of 362 local civilians.

The base, taking its name from the nearest post office, had been commissioned "Naval Air Station in Rio Grande" on April 1, 1943, and Lieutenant Commander Morris Ruggles Brownell Jr. had assumed command of it, but the confusion starting with the city with identical names in Texas had led to its reclassification as "Naval Air Station Wildwood" on 17 June, so far a unique name associated with a resort in southern New Jersey. Complemented by Pebble Woodbine, which had opened two months later, in August, and ease in Delaware, the new Naval Air Station relevance to the needs of the Navy allowed him to concentrate capacity and dive bombing training pilot new field. He had also attended in relation to the Naval Air Station Cape May and Atlantic City.

Thirty Squadron Composite (AV-30) Carrier Air Group 30 (CAG30) was the first that has been ordered by the Navy in its new facility in April 1943 for the USS Monterey, although the size of the squad had initially demanded the use of eight cabins and tents to the west and hotels in Wildwood for 150 of its pilots to downtown construction base had been completed.

The first bombing combined Squadron Fourteen and Fifteen (VB and VB-14-15), training in the framework of the Air Detachment Fleet Wildwood Operating Plan for the Defense of the eastern border of the Sea "in Douglas SDB Dauntless aircraft flying squadron practiced, bombing practice individual, diving, sailing, glide bombing, artillery, fixed, free kick, night flight instruments, and fire on anti-submarine surface.

II. Aircraft Naval Air Station Wildwood

Instrumental for the Naval Air Station Wildwood and strategy of the Navy fought in the Pacific had been dive-bomber aircraft, providing precision strike fast moving targets at steep angles of descent. Such designs, the low-wing type of metal fuselage usually powered by a single piston engine, was capable of operating from aircraft carriers to the provision arrester hook and had been equipped with dive brakes, for example, bands parties, to prohibit excessive unrecoverable profiles, airframe stress limit, and increase the duration of the maneuver to improve the accuracy, purpose, and the path of the pump itself, which was usually done in a hinged shelf pump. After its launch, had to be projected to the floor with enough room arch of the propeller to prevent interference.

The Douglas SBD Dauntless, the first open water bomber to be deployed at the station, had been the standard of the Navy, ships aircraft position is responsible for several decisive victories in the Pacific. Based in the Northrop BT-1, an explorer and dive-bomber, had given their lives as the XBT-1 when the Navy had ordered a single prototype. First flight in this way in August 19, 1935, the aircraft, powered by a 700-HP Pratt and Whitney R-1535-66 Twin Wasp Jr. double row radial engine, had offered a low-wing, split flaps, wheels aftward, semi-retractable key stored in fairings under the wings, and a spare tire fixed, but the aircraft structure, considered underpowered, had subsequently been renovated and improved, 825 horsepower R-1535-94 engines in December, and divide the flap had been replaced with the correct type to hidden features management.

The subsequent XBT-2, significantly modified after Douglas had acquired Northrop, there is a tandem fixed, forward-facing and backward, pilot, gunner / radio operator, fabric-covered ailerons, elevators, rudders, and two 50-caliber Browning machine guns installed on the deck nose and synchronized to fire through the propeller arc, one under the fuselage, rocking the cradle mounted release, 1,600 pounds of bombs under the two towers and pump 100 lbs. Powered by a 1000 horsepower, nine-cylinder, air cooled Wright Cyclone R-1820-32 radial engine which led to a three-leaf, adjustable step spinner propeller equipped, the aircraft fuel stored in two 90-gallon wing tanks full, four wing tanks totaling 210 gallons central section, and a single tank, auxiliary 15-gallon fuel.

The design, redesignated SBD-1 under the Douglas scheme model, had entered service Marines with VMB-2 Squadron in 1940 and the Navy had operated 57 of the same type.

Despite its extensive program of improvement which had not yet far enough and had been stripped of armor, resulting in the SBD-2, which had offered an increase in capacity of 100 gallons of fuel and ammunition reviewed. It had entered service with the Navy to the fuselage 58.

SBD-3's success had led several previous shortcomings by introducing a capacity fuel even greater, self-sealing fuel tanks, crew and armor protection, a bullet-proof windshield, a Wright Cyclone R-1820 / 52 engine and modified bodywork.

The SBD-4 was fitted with propellers hydromatic and electrical system replaced the previous 12 volts with a 24 volt one, while the SBD-5, the numbers produced version, had been built in Douglas' new Tulsa, Oklahoma, from the factory. With a total length of 33 feet and a wingspan of 41.6 meters in height, the 1,200 horsepower Pratt and Whitney Aircraft R-1820-66-fed had a maximum of 10,855 pounds weight loss and a top speed of 255-mph. He had a range of 770 miles.

The final version, the SBD-6, had highlighted the power plant more able, with a rating of 1,350 hp, and greater fuel capacity.

The Douglas SBD Dauntless had been instrumental in many victories in the Pacific theater. At the Battle of Midway, for example, that had occurred on June 4, 1942, the rate had destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers, sank a heavy cruiser, and another seriously damaged, while Ryugo sank in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. At the Battle of Guadalcanal, which took place between November 12 and 15 of that year, nine transport was destroyed and sank the cruiser Kinugasa, ending his career as a carrier-borne two years later on June 20 1944, with victories against the Japanese fleet flying in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

During initial training at the Douglas Dauntless Naval Air Station Wildwood, however, has not been as victorious, with the increasing number of casualties of the same pilots who had trained in them because of the poor in case of accidents characteristic set, leading to a replacement coach.

The replacement came in the form of the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, as instability, structural weaknesses and inferior design had hardly been synonymous with "better."

Based on the design fashioned biplane 1930 maneuvers for dive bombing, the aircraft had been upgraded significantly when the Navy had submitted in 1938 a specification for a bomber carrier-based scout for two crew members and capable of carrying 1,000 pounds of bombs internally over long distances.

The resulting prototype, designated XSBC2C-1, had first taken to heaven on December 18, 1940, but was structurally weak and has demonstrated the characteristics of bad management, maintenance, engine failure two months later on February 8 during an approach and crashes. The U.S. Army, intended to target weaknesses in the production performance aircraft, and ordered the guy, and a first series of redesigns, which means a longer fuselage, larger tail, increased armor, installation an autopilot, and self-sealing fuel tanks, had resulted in an aircraft that bore little resemblance to its previous iteration.

The new version, first flight on October 20, 1941, sustained in-flight structural failure in a test flight two months later, on December 21, forcing its pilot parachute to safety, and shows the production of six aircraft, it was determined that the 40 percent increase in gross weight from 7122 pounds initial version of the 10,220 pounds today, was dangerously excessive.

The aircraft, which appears in his first costume SB2C-1 had been a metal, a half-wing monoplane powered by a single, 14-cylinder, air cooled, double row, with the Double Wasp, 1,700 hp Wright R-2600 piston engine -8 was a three-bladed propeller. The wings folded for easy storage carrier, filed within the hull, fins divide the profiles of the dive bombing and outboard flaps and their fuel tanks had been self-sealing. crew had been housed in the bow and stern cabin style canopy greenhouse, and configuration of the tail and was wearing a low-drag fuselage, stinger hook type of detention. Weapons had included four 12.7 mm guns Browning ala-installed the machine, a 1,000-pound bomb bomb bay storage, and flexible mounting in the rear cockpit.

All 200 SB2C-1 built had been used for pilot training.

The success SB2C-1C, of which 778 had been produced, had offered additional fuel tanks and was the first to enter combat, targeting its initial incursion of Japanese strength Rabaul on 11 November, but the design has been woefully underpowered statistics.

The singular produced SB2C-2 had been allocated to the exploitation of amphibians with floats, while the SB2C-3, trying to correct the deficiency energy of the basic design have been equipped with a four-bladed Curtiss Electric propeller by a 1900 hp R-2600-20 engines. He entered service in 1944, the rate had enjoyed a considerable production run of 1112.

The SB2C-4, the most widely produced variant 2045 cells, had offered a total length of 36.8 meters and a wingspan of 49.9 meters, which had minimized perforated dive flaps induced shock. Developed by the previous version R-2600-20 engine, 16,616 pounds fighter, armed with two wing-mounted 20-mm cannons, two aft cockpit installed, 7.62 mm machine guns, and the fuselage bay and carried out under the rack, 2000 pound bombs could reach a top speed of 295 mph and cover up to 1165 miles.

The SB2C-5, the last major version was built, has introduced an increase in fuel capacity. Nineteen seventy had occurred.

Navy Squadron VB-17, based on the aircraft carrier Bunker Hill, was the first to operate successfully SB2C Helldiver, the release of 23 aircraft, divided in six, four divisions units in their first season of major combat in November 1943.

During the subsequent period of four months, the type carried out dive-bombing missions to Tarawaya, Nauru, New Zealand, Truk, and the Marshall Islands, and in June the following year, Helldiver fleet was based on five aircraft carrier Bunker Hill, Essex, Hornet, Wasp, and Yorktown. Four months later this number had risen to eight.

Operating with TBM Avengers, the SB2Cs had managed to sink the super battleship, Musashi, and later said 44 air-to-air victories, having gained more shipping kills any type of aircraft.

Although the Helldiver had initially been plagued by an antiquated heritage and numerous flaws in the design, introducing progressive changes had provided an effective dive-bomber that had been central to many victories in the Pacific theater.

As a solution for accident rates, Naval Air Station Wildwood, however, that only served to produce the opposite effect with the introduction of the aircraft to the program training, the number of deaths has increased pilot training!

Combined Bomber Squadron fifty-two (CV-52), arriving at the station in September 1943, the artillery and torpedoes began training with the main battle third base carrier-based, the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger.

Encouraged by the Navy from the requirements of a torpedo bomber with a speed reaching 300 kilometers per hour, a range of 1,000 miles with a maximum payload 2000 pounds, a service ceiling of 30,000 meters in height, and internal weapons bay, the aircraft, designated XTBF-1 and designed by Grumman Iron Works, had appeared with a more robust body and Wright 14-cylinder, 1,700 horsepower and two-row radial R-2600-8 engine. Their wings, whose largest in the area had led to simplistic flight characteristics, had folded against the fuselage in order to save space during storage company and its armament consisted of three machine guns .30 caliber, one of which was mounted on the nose and fired through the propeller arc, one of which had been located and shot in the belly back, and one of which had been installed as a rear gunner turret. Because of its mid-mounted wing, sufficient internal space had been created to store a 2,000 pound torpedo, four 500 pound bombs or additional fuel, and the three-person crew had covered the pilot, the tail gunner, and the bombardier / gunner in the belly.

The first production aircraft, designated TBF-1, its first flight on August 1, 1941, and the insatiable need for this fighter very capable had required additional production capacity in the form of a production line at General Motors. so manufactured, which had been designated TBM-1 and first appeared in this mode, the end of 1942.

The ability amended TBF-1C, with the provision of fuel tank in the bomb bay, and two integral wing tanks has increased from 335 to 726 gallons, resulting in an increased range matching, and individual units, .30 caliber machine gun had been replaced by two .50 caliber, mounted on the wings, as well as one of the turret. The counterpart of General Motors assembly line had been designated TBM-1C.

The last, and numerically most produced variant, the TBM-3, had offered a 40-foot overall length of 11.5 inches and a wingspan of 54.2 meters. Powered by a 1900 hp Wright R-2600-20 engines, the plane used for reconnaissance, exploration and glide torpedo attack, had been equipped with a look forward, dorsal and ventral gun and wing hard points for rockets and drop tanks. With a gross weight of 17,895 pounds, rising to 2,060 feet per minute, cruise at a maximum speed of 276-mph, and fly 1,000 miles raids. Some 4657 were produced.

Although only Grumman TBF Avengers six were delivered in time for the June 4, 1942 Battle of Midway, five had been destroyed in two separate missions, while the sixth had succeeded in dropping his torpedo before returning to base with little more than a fin to provide a longitudinal control.

Two months later, on August 24, 26 aircraft were launched from Saratoga and enterprise companies around the Solomon Islands, sinking the light carrier Ryugo in the second of four strikes with a torpedo.

Yet three months later, in November, the 37,000 tonnes, Hiei, the Japanese naval forces had been destroyed after multiple attacks Avengers at the Battle of Guadalcanal.

In the North Atlantic type, operating from the USS Bogue, had destroyed about 30 submarines and tore a hole transport cavernous Japanese, I-52.  

One of the most famous Avenger pilot, George HW Bush, had been shot down on September 2, 1944 on Chichi Jima after taking off from USS San Jacinto, but who had successfully parachuted to safety.

Two months later, the plane had been instrumental in sinking the Japanese battleship, Musashi, in the Battle of the Sea Subuyan.

The final testament to the kind of robust and torpedo launch had occurred on April 7 1945, when a fleet of Avengers had destroyed the battleship Yamato and the cruiser Yahagi during his trip to Okinawa.

Of the 9836 produced Avengers 7546 had been built by General Motors.

The fourth-largest aircraft to be used at Naval Air Station Wildwood, perhaps trying to correct defects before SB2C, had offered performance efficiency and diametrically opposed. His speed and ability, not duplicated by any fighter of this case, has allowed him to leave behind and outclimb any enemy aircraft propeller. That aircraft was the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair.

On the basis of the Navy U.S. Office of Aeronautics demand high performance, carrier-based fighter to the Vought-Sikorsky Division of the Unified Aircraft Corporation, the proposed design, called V-166-A, had planned to use air cooling, Pratt and Whitney R-1830 Wasp radial engine because of their reliability in service, but speed targets can be achieved only with the much larger XR-2800-4 Double Wasp. So far the world's most powerful piston engine, had developed more 100 hp per cylinder, of which there had been 18, which requires a diameter of 13.4 meters tall, three-bladed Hamilton Standard Hydromatic propeller. Although there required considerable ground clearance due to its size, the purpose for which a carrier-based fighter was designed had issued a short, strong undercarriage struts to support the rapid contact, often strong and covered almost instantaneous deceleration requires such an operation. As result, these parameters had been issued conflicting solutions design, and engineers had only been able to secure both the clearance of the propeller enough and short enough landing gear linkage through the introduction of a gull-wing configuration, which had coincidentally improve the characteristics aerodynamics of the aircraft, which rose higher operating speeds. He had been the first wheels flushly stored in the retracted mode.

The Pratt and Whitney engine whose air intake was at the root of the wing, closely fit the circular shape of the fuselage.

First flight on May 29 1940 in prototype form, the aircraft, designated XF4U-1, had been driven by the 1,850 hp R-2800-4 engine and had offered a greenhouse cabin and four .50 – Colt-Browning machine guns, two of which were installed in the nose and two of which had been located in the wings.

The first production the standard version, the F4U-1, had been driven by the 2,000 hp R-2800-8 and had offered only wing-mounted weapons. Taking to the skies 31 July 1942, was the first fighter to exceed 400 km / h in level flight.

Several subsequent versions were offered. The F4U-2, for example, had been intended for night missions, while the F4U-3 had been designed for the coupling of high-altitude operations 2,000 horsepower R-2800-16 Dual Wasp engine with two turbochargers Bierman 1009A models. Due to their mechanical difficulties, has eroded their performance and option was quickly discontinued.

The F4U-4, a fighter-bomber version, had provided a total length of 33.8 meters and a wingspan of 41 feet, which had provided an area of 314 square-feet. Your engine R-2800-18W 2100 hp, driving four-blade propeller, have been equipped with water injection and methanol to produce a maximum of five minutes, number of 2,450 war emergency hp, resulting in a maximum 446 km / h speed. Its service ceiling was 41,500 feet.

The F4U-5, the final version, there appears a fuselage of five inches longer, one of two degrees, the motor down at an angle to increase stability; duralumin panels outer wing and control surfaces to meet their higher speeds, and a 2350 hp, twin-turbocharged engine equipped with Pratt and Whitney R-2800-32W. The guy had a service ceiling 45,000 meters in height.

In January 1945, an additional appropriation $ 500,000 has enabled the Naval Air Station Wildwood to expand and acquire new equipment, including weapons, tactics, links coaches, a 20 mm artillery school, and a catapult and arresting gear to promote the practice carrier landing in your field of auxiliary Georgetown. Part of this appropriation was used to acquire missile-equipped F4U Corsairs.

Although the station was originally designed for 108 officers, 1,200 soldiers and 72 aircraft, the number had risen to 443, 2497, and 154, respectively, and October 1944, the takeoffs and landings peaked at 16,994. Dive bombardment target practice had occurred along the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay, while a lighting system in a field of membership has enabled the pilots to a perfect night carrier landings.

When the respective training was completed, pilots, now organized into groups of air, had transferred to their assigned aircraft carrier.

III. Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum

When victory, had closed the doors on the World War II theaters in 1945, Navy had interrupted their training programs at the Naval Air Station Wildwood and in December the following year, had been disabled, its 109 buildings have been declared surplus. Of these, 79 had been offered by the War Assets Administration, which had acquired the property on an intermittent basis, for use off-site while several larger structures had been given to Cape May County, who had resumed the operation of the station. Hanger Number One, which had been designed by architect Albert Kahn and whose construction had begun as early as October 1942, had been one of them.

Consisting of wooden trusses bolted Pratt divided into panels of three meters on the level of the ceiling, the cavernous structure, 2,558,000 cubic feet had been 290 feet long, 219 feet wide and 51 feet high, and completed with cross-braced vertical supports at its north and south and central support provided once the division between its two internal bays. Its east and west elevations had been created by 12 full-height telescoping doors. In addition to housing offices once the fleet of aircraft in the air station, stressed also, work rooms and maintenance facilities.

The hangar, which have been used for various purposes after the war, had its U.S. headquarters overseas Airlines (USOA) between 1949 and 1964, which provided a comprehensive system of routes with its own fleet and flight crews, and had also just found a company banner-towing aircraft.

The structure later dropped, after having fallen into a state of disrepair with cracked windows and rotted wood had been raised by Dr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Salvatore in 1997, which had formed the nonprofit organization the Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation save and preserve it as a memorial to the 42 pilots who have lost their lives during their training here from 1943 to 1945 and was subsequently listed on the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places in the Level of National Significance. hangar that houses the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, which has about 30 aircraft, engines, interactive exhibits provided by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, films, a library and a gift shop.

From the aircraft, the Grumman F4F Wildcat, with a three-bladed propeller, wings folded, self-sealing fuel tanks, and six machine guns, had served at the station, and was the first designed U.S. fighter capable of shooting down a German plane.

The Consolidated PBY Catalina, a high wing, twin-engine, hull-shaped fuselage for operations amphibious patrol had been a terrorist armed with firearms of .50 caliber Browning machine, torpedoes and depth charges, and has made multi-role missions, including undersea exploration, search and rescue, and support.

The Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet, built in 1943, had been the most widely used predominantly World War II, the head coach. The two people, a single engine, open cockpit biplane had served as a first step before the transition pilot more heavy, the more complex equipment.

The Vultee BT-13, often the "next step", pointed out in tandem controls and instruments, and had also been used widely.

The Grumman TBM-3E Avenger, a major aircraft based at Naval Air Station Wildwood, is one of eight designs, such as the very houses hangar is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

The T-28C Trojan, which had replaced the AT-6 Texan in Asia and Africa, had company provided landing practice, and is equipped with a hook of detention. It had been used for close air support against the forces enemy ground.

EO-2 Bird Dog, the military version of the four seats, two sheets of high wing Cessna 170 tail wheel had been rockets set targets of white phosphorus under his wing during the Vietnam War and has also been used as an observation aircraft.

Various designs of helicopters are also represented by the museum. The HH-52A helicopter Seaguard amphibious search and rescue, for example, has a fuselage of the hulls of ships, as stabilizers and floats, which had been parked in a switch of the U.S. Coast Guard ice.

The AH-1 Cobra, the backbone of the fleet of the Army U.S. helicopter attack and a type still in use today have been equipped with rockets and machine guns mounted. Formerly part of a Vietnam "Kill Team", who had followed a Loach, had drawn fire from the ground.

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois Huey, the most widely used military helicopter with more than 16,000 after been produced, had contributed to numerous missions, including air assault, command and control, medical evacuation, search and rescue, combat and transport, particularly during the Vietnam War, although still used by the Air Force and Marine Corps today.

Combat aircraft also are represented. The Lockheed T-33 Thunderbird, a low-wing single-engined two-seat trainer with a bubble canopy, and had gone from drawing board aircraft in 150 days. His F-80C Shooting Star counterpart had served for 40 years in the Air Force more than 20 world. example of the museum had served in the Yugoslav Air Force.

The single-engine, delta wing McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, which had entered the first service with the Navy in 1956, could operate from an aircraft carrier, yet deliver nuclear weapons.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat features twin engines and vertical tail. The F-14A museum, which had entered service in 1982, was later upgraded to F-14B standard and was the first to exceed the 7,000 takeoffs and landings taken from the USS John F. Kennedy.

The Northrop F-5E Tiger II lightweight supersonic fighter displayed during the Cold War, was designed as a response to the Soviet MiG-21.

Apart actual aircraft fixed and rotary wing, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum often hosts fly-ins, veterans ceremonies, conferences and travel history field studies.

The 1,000-acre Cape May Airport, the location of the museum, is itself of historical value, having evolved from naval air base. Sporting 4.998 feet two runways (1-19 and 10-28), six roads, three parking ramps, installation of an annual general aviation fields 39,000 aircraft movements mainly composed of corporate, leisure and rentals, and stands as a testament to the location in the fields after the corn crop, had cultivated later dive-bombing pilots whose skills have been instrumental in the Pacific theater and the last victory of World War II.

About the Author

A graduate of Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus with a summa-cum-laude BA Degree in Comparative Languages and Journalism, I have subsequently earned the Continuing Community Education Teaching Certificate from the Nassau Association for Continuing Community Education (NACCE) at Molloy College, the Travel Career Development Certificate from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA) at LIU, and the AAS Degree in Aerospace Technology at the State University of New York – College of Technology at Farmingdale. Having amassed almost three decades in the airline industry, I managed the New York-JFK and Washington-Dulles stations at Austrian Airlines, created the North American Station Training Program, served as an Aviation Advisor to Farmingdale State University of New York, and devised and taught the Airline Management Certificate Program at the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center. A freelance author, I have written some 70 books of the short story, novel, nonfiction, essay, poetry, article, log, curriculum, training manual, and textbook genre in English, German, and Spanish, having principally focused on aviation and travel, and I have been published in book, magazine, newsletter, and electronic Web site form. I am a writer for Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York. I have made some 350 lifetime trips by air, sea, rail, and road.

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New Gen Combat Foregrip, Finger Grooves, Black $20.99 Angled foregrip Finger grooves Ergonomic design Ambidextrous Thumbrest Textured surface Mounts to Picatinny rail Impact-resistant polymer End cap hides interior storage area Black 2.25"Wx4.50"H 6 oz. Includes 4mm Allen wrench and hex screw The Leapers UTG angled foregrip will work with either airsoft guns or firearms. It’s an inexpensive way to get a durable foregrip that quickly attaches.

UTG Combat Web Gun Case, 42", Army Digital $95.94 Gun case 2 reinforced wrap around carry handle Dual #10 interlocking UTG patterned zippers Bungee band to secure the ammo pouches Web molle system with Velcro pockets for added storage Universal rifle magazine pouch Full adjustable Velcro closure reinforced by UTG patterned quick-release buckle closure Dual sets of UTG buckles & wrap-around straps at top and bottom of case Smart case interior design Polyester material 6 lbs 42"x13" Army digital Carry up to two rifles at a time with the UTG Combat Web gun case. This case is great for carrying scoped Model 4/15, Mini-14 and MP rifles. The dual sets of UTG buckles and wrap-around straps at the top and bottom of the case provide maximum protection for your gun. This case is thickly padded and is made with durable polyester material that protects your gun from everyday wear & tear and adverse weather conditions. Pick up this gun case today!

UTG Combat Web Gun Case, 42", OD Green $95.94 Gun case 2 reinforced wrap around carry handle Dual #10 interlocking UTG patterned zippers Bungee band to secure the ammo pouches Web molle system with Velcro pockets for added storage Universal rifle magazine pouch Full adjustable Velcro closure reinforced by UTG patterned quick-release buckle closure Dual sets of UTG buckles & wrap-around straps at top and bottom of case Smart case interior design Polyester material 6 lbs 42"x13" OD green This 42" UTG Combat Web gun case is great for carrying scoped Model 4/15, Mini-14 and MP rifles. Carry up to two rifles at a time and store spare clips in the universal magazine pouch with ease. Dual sets of UTG buckles and wrap-around straps at the top and bottom of the case provide maximum protection for your gun. This case is thickly padded and is made with durable polyester material that protects your gun from abrasions and adverse weather conditions.

Aftermath Hitman CQC Metal AEG $275.99 CQC = Close Quarters Combat

UTG Combat IRB Xenon Flashlight, 260 Lumens, 3 Functions, Weaver Mount, Handheld $53.94 Tactical flashlight 3 functions: on, off, momentary 37mm bulb Push-button momentary Twist-on switch Combat/tactical head Law-enforcement rated rolling stop shoulder 9V 260 max lumens 70 mins. max battery operating time 1.07" diameter 7" long 9 oz. Aluminum body Incl. 3 CR123A batteries, remote pressure switch & Weaver mount Similar flashlights are used by law enforcement. The 260-lumen bulb shined in the eyes of an animal at night may temporarily stun them. Great if you want to jacklight nocturnal quarry, such as raccoons, rats and possums. Put the UTG Combat IRB Xenon flashlight on your gun or just hold it in your hand.

H&K G36KV AEG Airsoft Rifle, Black $419.99 with 4 x magnification combat scope

H&K G36KV AEG Airsoft Rifle, Brown $419.99 with 4 x magnification combat scope

1×32.5mm ITA Combat Red/Green Dot Sight, 1/2 MOA, 38mm Tube, Quick-Detach Weaver/Picatinny Mounts $59.4 ITA combat dot sight 1x magnification 32.5mm objective lens diameter 38mm tube Red or green illuminated dot (dot is black when not ill.) 4 MOA dot 1/2 MOA (1/2" click value @ 100 yds) Windage & elevation adjustments Unlimited parallax adjustment 100′ field of view @ 100 yds Unlimited eye relief 26mm exit pupil 7.1 oz. 4.25" long Incl. flip-open lens covers, 3V CR1620 lithium battery, mounts, Allen wrench, hex screw, 2 quick-detach Weaver/Picatinny mounts, manual and cleaning cloth Other features: Patterned illumination rheostat Variable brightness levels Integral sunshade Instant lock-on target feature High-tech emerald coatings 2 quick-detach Weaver/Picatinny mounting deck High-profile cantilever mount Low-profile vertical mount Fits Weaver/Picatinny rail

G&G Combat Machine R16 Carbine AEG, Desert Tan $173.94 Semi/Full Auto, 450 round mag

G&G Combat Machine R16 Battle Ready AEG Combo $215.94 Included: battery, charger, BBs

G&G Combat Machine R16 Battle Ready AEG Combo, Tan $215.94 Included: battery, charger, BBs

Tactical OP Bipod, SWAT/Combat Profile, Telescoping & Folding Legs $31.14 Tactical bipod Fully adjustable legs with Posi-lock wheel & quick-retract button Folding legs with external spring-tension control Picatinny and swivel stud mounts Steel platform Aluminum legs Legs extend up to 7.9"

UTG Bipod, SWAT/Combat Profile, Adjustable Height, Rubberized Stand $23.94 Bipod Panning Posi-lock Telescoping legs (6.7" to 7.5") Folding legs (reversible) Swivel stud or Picatinny mount Rubberized feet 6.2" to 6.7" center height This is a smaller bipod & is recommended for smaller shooters.

UTG Bipod, SWAT/Combat Profile, Adjustable Height, Steel Feet $23.94 Bipod Panning Posi-lock Telescoping legs (6.7" to 7.5") Folding legs (reversible) Swivel stud or Picatinny mount Steel feet 6.2" to 6.7" center height This is a smaller bipod & is recommended for smaller shooters.

1x26mm ITA Combat Red/Green Dot Sight, 1/2 MOA, 30mm Tube, Quick-Detach Low & High Weaver/Picatinny Mounts $55.14 ITA combat dot sight 1x magnification 26mm objective lens diameter 30mm tube Red or green illuminated dot (dot is black when not ill.) 4 MOA dot 1/2 MOA (1/2" click value @ 100 yds) WIndage/elevation adjustments Unlimited parallax adjustment 70′ field of view @ 100 yds Unlimited eye relief 22mm exit pupil 5.6 oz. 3.94" long Incl. flip-open lens covers, 3V CR1620 lithium battery, Allen wrench, hex screw, 2 quick-detach Weaver/Picatinny mounts, manual and cleaning cloth

1x34mm ITA Combat Red/Green Dot Sight, 1/2 MOA, 30mm Tube, Quick-Detach Low Weaver/Picatinny Mount $59.99 ITA combat dot sight 1x magnification 34mm objective lens diameter 30mm tube Red or green illuminated dot 1/2 MOA (1/2" click value @ 100 yds) Windage/elevation adjustments 60′ field of view @ 100 yds Unlimited eye relief 28mm exit pupil 6.7 oz. 6.4" long Incl. flip-open lens covers, 3V CR1620 lithium battery, Allen wrench, hex screw, quick-detach Weaver/Picatinny mount, manual and cleaning cloth

UTG Low-Profile Deluxe Universal Picatinny & Swivel-Stud Bipod $31.14 High Tech Durable Aluminum Construction Clever Picatinny and Swivel Stud Mounting Systems Unique Posi-Lock Feature to Prevent Tipping Panning with Fully Adjustable Center Height From 8.5" to 10.5" Steel Combat Stand See zoomed images for mounting options

Marines Airsoft Gel Trap Target, 12" $14.99 airsoft target Marines trademark logo 12" Keep your shooting skills sharp with this Marines Airsoft sticky target. This target has a gel trap surface that holds each of your shots for precise & quick scoring. The lower tray underneath the target captures all of your stray shots for easy clean up. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this target will go to the Wounded Warrior Regiment project (WWR). This program provides and facilitates non-medical care to combat & non-combat wounded and injured Marines & their families.

Walther Tactical Folding Knife, 3.1" Non-Serrated Silver Blade, Black Handle $23.94 Tactical folding knife 440 stainless steel blade 7.36" open 3.1" non-serrated blade .125" blade thickness 6.40 oz. Thumb stud Open assist Liner lock Aluminum scales Removable pocket clip Glass-breaker on pommel Includes a synthetic pouch Whether you’re looking for a survival knife or just another general-use edged tool, this should fill the bill. This combat folding knife will be useful in so many ways, you’ll wonder how you got along without it. Get one for your range bag, tool box and glove compartment.

Tactical LED Flashlight, 150 Lumens, Handheld, Right-angle Head, Lanyard & Batteries $53.94 Tactical flashlight Push-button on/off tail switch Combat/tactical head Right-angle head CREE Q5 LED 23mm LED IRB bulb 6V 150 lumens 2+ hrs battery operating time .91" diameter 3.74" long 4.1 oz. Aluminum body Incl. 2 CR123A batteries & lanyard Great for shining the light of day in dark spots. Right-angle head makes it even easier to use the flashlight so you can quickly spin it around to quickly shine in new places. On/off tail switch has a positive feel. Don’t be left in the dark!

UTG Tactical LED Flashlight, 200 Lumens, 5 Functions, Handheld, Lanyard & Batteries $69.54 Tactical flashlight 5 functions: 3 brightness levels, strobe & SOS CREE Q5 LED 37mm integrated bulb reflector Push-button on/off tail switch Combat/tactical head Law-enforcement rated rolling stop shoulder 9V 200 max lumens (100 lumens/medium, 50 lumens/low) 1.5+ hrs battery operating time/high; 3+ hrs battery time/medium; 6+ hrs battery time/low 1.07" diameter 7.13" long 9.8 oz. Aluminum body Incl. 3 CR123A batteries & a lanyard This is a very bright light, plus the tactical bezel on the head is a great defense weapon! Put one in your glove compartment, tool box, nightstand and emergency preparedness kit. If you need a light, you’ve got it. If you need an emergency defense weapon, you’ll be glad you have the UTG Tactical LED flashlight in your hand!

UTG Tactical Scenario Vest – Black $51.54 Tactical vest Suitable for real world use Premium synthetic material Law enforcement quality Velcro Snap-on & buckle systems Reinforced sniper shoulder Four generous rifle magazine pouches Three pistol/flashlight pouches Utility & grenade pouches Survival radio pouch Elastic cartridge holders for cqb scenarios Premium quick draw holster w/ spare pouch Velcro & strap attachable double magazine pouches Law enforcement belt system w/ two magazine pouches Three large mesh pockets Combat quality zipper Complete ventilation mesh system Incl. additional two magazine chest plate This vest fits teenagers up to adults. Waist fits from 32" up to 56", belt fits up to 52".

Low Profile Removable Front Sight and Red Laser Combo $35.94 Improve the accuracy of your airsoft gun with the Leapers UTG Low Profile Removable Front Sight and Red Laser Combo. This awesome aluminum sight/laser combo has a low profile designed for easy installation on handguards. The laser features double coil springs for optimal windage & elevation adjustments. Take aim and fire! Removable Front Sight Tower Complete with A2 Square Post Assembly and Integral Combat Quality Tactical Red Laser Pressure Switch and Batteries Included Switch Operating Type: Push-button on/off Switch Laser Control & Adjustment: TS & 4 Points Laser Beam Movement: 80cm @ 10m Laser Type: Class 3R Laser Output Power: 2.5-3.1mW Laser Wavelength: 630-640nm Laser Beam Diameter: 15-20mm@15m Laser Operating Temperature: 14oF – 113oF Laser Battery Operating Time: 80mins Laser Range: 500m Laser Life Time: 6000hrs Pressure Switch Included: Yes Diameter: 0.55" Length: 2.64"

Tactical LED Flashlight, 150 Lumens, 5 Functions, Handheld, Lanyard & Batteries $51.54 Tactical flashlight 5 functions: 3 brightness levels, strobe & SOS CREE Q5 LED 26mm integrated bulb reflector Push-button on/off tail switch Combat/tactical head Law-enforcement rated rolling stop shoulder 6V 150 max lumens (80 lumens/medium, 30 lumens/low) 2+ hrs battery operating time/high; 5+ hrs battery time/medium; 10+ hrs battery time/low 1" diameter 5.5" long 5.9 oz. Aluminum body Incl. 2 CR123A batteries & a lanyard This is an extremely useful and practical flashlight. If you haven’t tried one of these terrific handheld lights, you’re in for a big surprise. Not only is the light extremely bright, the tactical bezel on the head makes a dandy defense weapon! Put one in your glove compartment, tool box, nightstand and emergency preparedness kit. Women can easily fit one in their handbag. If you need a light, you’ve got it. If you need an emergency defense weapon, the UTG Tactical LED flashlight is a handy thing to have in your hand!