Friday, June 3rd

The early bird arrivals flying into the Biplane Expo found scuzzy weather that carried into Friday. By Friday, a moderate gathering of people were watching the few planes making it in after dodging thunderstorms. The enthusiastic crowd was happily catching up on each others going's on since last year. While skies were clearing toward evening, pilots in the know were seen taxiing they prides and joy south to the corporate hangers on the south end of the field. Thunder storms built at sunset, with a violent line moving through later, with tornados to the west, damaging property, including a mobile home.

Hatz Nutz migrated between the Hatz tent, the flight-line, and exhibits. It proved to be a low stress environment to renew frendships and gather the latest news.

Gathering of the Gaggle

Friday afternoon saw a continued gathering of members informally discussing the goings on of each other that could evolve into in-depth thesis on construction, design, how-to, or club/plane history.

Caasi Moore (left front) is seen discussing his comprehensive bibliography of Hatz information with Jim Pinkerton (Treasurer - center) and Lyman Hatz (elected President on Saturday). Caasi has done an outsiding job of tracking and preserving the evolving history of the Hatz CB-1. He has detailed knowledge of variations in the construction plans, biplane construction, plane ownership, and history of the club.

Behind Caasi (far left - back to camera), is our Northern Director Mark Marino, discussing construction and design of his and Sandra's new Hatz Bantam, a highly modified Hatz CB-1 that he will market kits for under the FAA Sport Plane class. It is attracting a lot of attention and interest. On the table is the comprehensive construction builder's log (see: www.hatzbantam.com for details).

Kevin Conner (elected Vice President on Saturday) brought his fuselage to the fly-in for all to examine. Not having started my construction yet, having an honest to goodness example in front of me was extremely helpful in understanding its construction. Kevin brought a set of his wings last year. (I have serial #806 while Kevin's is serial #805 - Someone needs to get busy - like me)

Don Berry (left in right-hand photo) discusses aspects of tail construction with Kevin Conner. Many Hatz have had slight variations in the way the horizontal stabalizer was attached and how the angle-of-incidence was set.

Sandra Ettestad with Jean Berry. Sandra and Mark brought parts from their Hatz Bantam to show at the fly-in, along with must-have Hatz caps and shirts for the members. Jean is one of the founding members of the club.

The planes that made it Thursday and Friday were in meticulous condition and abundant enough that it was a joy to stroll the grounds through them. Pilots intermingled with the crowd to discuss their planes. Here we see a yellow Beach Staggerwing, a blue Waco (#26 was in the Recent National Air tour), and a white cabin class biplane.

State of the Biplane Nation

Jerry Brown hosted the State of the Biplane Nation forum in the late afternoon (left photo - from left to right: Earl Downs, Jerry Brown, Steve Curry, Tom McMurtry, and Frank Rezich). Earl Downs (Kit Fox Designer) discussed the new Sport Pilot class and how it relates to new light aircraft. Steve updated us on radial engines, while Tom talked about his days flying the U-2, SR-71, and the X-24B (you start your flair at 1,500 ft.). Frank had a very interesting talk of his personal history, being involved with the Howard Company at Chicago Muni in 1940, putting in 20 years with North American - helping direct the development of the XB-70 and B1-B, and now building replacement wings for Travelairs.

The forum broke for the usual informal discussion of fine points. Here we have Tom and Frank conversing with members of the audience.

Jerry Brown (right photo) is seen working the crowd just after the forum. The State of the Biplane Nation, Dinner, and Tribute are the highlight of the on-field activities (besides the flying).

The 2005 Friday dinner and tribute honored Scott Crossfield. After Fly-in chairman Charles Harris (seated left) introduced Mr. Crossfield, one of the giants in the test pilot field and the first man to exceed Mach 2 and Mach 3, Mr. Crossfield was presented the award by NBA director Virgil Gaede (I think), and flanked by Vice Mayor Mike Dunlap and Oklahoma State Senator Charles Ford. Always a gentleman, Mr. Crossfield spoke a few words of acceptance then greeted the over 150 person assembly.

Saturday, June 4th

With clearing skies, planes started arriving on Saturday, fleshing out the fly-in very nicely. More than 60 biplanes turned up before the afternoon activities started. No Hatz made it in though. The abundance of biplanes were a welcome sight and brought the plane fans back to the flight-line.

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting was held under blue skies. Lyman Hatz accepted the vote to become President of our renamed association (now the Hatz Biplane Association - HBA). Kevin Conner became our Vice President. The rest of the slate stayed the same.

Lorin Wilkinson and Kevin Conner are seen here afterwards, yakking under the Hatz tent.

The Hatz Biplane Association (HBA) officers are:

A tip of the ol' hat to Chuck Brownlow for serving 4 years as President during times of great change

Flight-line and Phillips 66 Hangers with exhibits.

SE5 (left) and Fokker D-VII (right) attract at crowd. Both are high quality replicas that show how exposed pilots were in the early fighters.

Kevin and the Fokker's builder are seen cleaning up their ty-down site before departing for the home field (a few miles to the south). With clearing skies, some pilots took the opportunity to head homeward in the mid-afternoon though many stayed for the Awards Banquet and left Sunday.

Hatz want-a-be on the Move...


Left: Kevin Conner taxiing the Fokker to put it to bed at home. Wing walkers cleared the way free of pedestrians.

Homeward Bound

The Dalton Gang

On the way home, we stopped in Coffeyville to see the site of the Dalton Gang's last bank robbery. Needless to say, they over reached themselves when they tried to rob two banks simultaneously. I worked with one of their nephew's, several generations removed. He is a great guy, but like them, he marches to another drummer as far as being independent.

Oshkosh

Photo and Text Credits: Eric Livo