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This page was most recently modified Thursday, July 02, 2009
Welcome to AeroKnow,
an aviation museum, a not-for-profit aviation data bank, model museum
and educational enterprise, based in Springfield, Illinois, USA.
Telephone number, mail and e-mail information are provided at the bottom of this page.
When you write to AeroKnow, you are writing to founder, director
and webmaster Job Conger. I am not a pilot, even though I wrote
a pilot report about a Piper Aerostar featured in a national aviation magazine. I have
flown right seat , front seatand back seat with some terrific people who appreciate
what I'm doing with aviation, and there's no one I'd rather
spend time with than aviation people.
If you have news of interest to aviation enthusiasts and historians, and
if you would like to be placed on a mailing list of aviation enthusiasts to be
notified whenever the aviation pages here are updated, e me writer@eosinc.com
Join Abe
Lincoln's Air Force and receive a membership card and membership
certificate, suitable for framing, by sending your check for $20, renewable annually for
$15, payable to AeroKnow to 428 W. Vine St., Springfield, Illinois 62704-2933. For more
information about Abe Lincoln's Air Force, click here
Calling all Artists -- Newly launched here at AeroKnow is Arts
Round Table, dedicated to telling the world about art and artists in Springfield,
Illinois. If the site were a Wittman Taillwind, I would say that the rudder jig has been
built, but that's all, and I'm a long long way from a complete airplane. If you're into
music, literature and visual art, please visiit what's up so far by clicking here
ON SALE
NOW
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Springfield
Aviation by Job Conger Last year, Arcadia asked me to write Springfield Aviation, a book about Springfield, Illinois aviation history. It was great fun to write and arrange, and it is a delight to the eyes. Arcadia has exceeded my hopes, and they are great people to work with! If your Sangamon County or collar county library, organization or business would like to host a book signing, please drop me a note. jobconger@eosinc.com Buy your copy and a few extras for friends and family at your favorite bookseller and from www.arcadiapublishing.com |
(Photo by Steve Hinton) |
It
is also for sale, autographed and inscribed as you request, during business hours at The
Granite Guy, 3755 N. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield. Call ahead -- 217-753-9062 -- to
be sure I will be available. ORDER your autographed copy from the author by
enclosing your check or money order for $24.24 -- $19.99 (for the book)
$1.25 (Illinois sales tax) and $3.00 (postage and handing) payable to Job Conger at The
Granite Guy, address above.
If you can live without my autograph, you may
purchase the book at the following excellent retailers: Prairie Archives,
Springfield Novelties and Gifts, Springfield Hammers Hobbies, the pilot shop at FBO 1st
Class Air at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, the terminal at Abraham Lincoln Capital
Airport, Barnes & Noble, Springfield, Walden Books, Springfield, Des
PLaines Hobby, Des Plaines, Illinois, Baker and Taylor, Springfield and Springfield
Walgreens Stores on 2525 Stevenson Dr., 3216 E. Clear Lake Ave., 2140 N. Peoria Rd., 1310
S. 5th St. , 1155 N. 9th Street and 2500 S. Koke Mill Rd.
A letter from Corwin H. Meyer -- former
Chief Engineering Test Pilot, Grumman Aircraft and Springfield native son:
Dear Job.
What a fabulous book, the very best I have evere read on aviation. Its
size is very carryable, has zillions of excellent pictures with wonderful coverage and
captions that usually leave one wishing that the words had covered all the questions the
reader could wish for. I was highly honored to be on your list {of Springfieldians
pictured and described}. I was pleased and complimented to the highest of heavens
for your doing so.
The chapter headings were not only timely but were a complete picture
of aviation from its simple beginning to its fulfillment even as of now.
You are an excellent writer and I hope that you do more because you
could end up very rich.
You do not live very far from where I lived in Springfield. I lived and
grew up at 1044 Williams Boulevard.
Thanks again for giving me the finest aviation book I have ever seen.
Job I love you for your kindness to past history which I was able to
enjoy for over 67 years.
(signed)
Corky
Because Mr. Meyer had sent me
pictures of him in response to my sharing the news of the book in preparation, and with
his permission included a picture of the gentleman during his Grumman years, I sent him a
gratis copy of Springfield Aviation.
 When
State Journal-Register reporter John Reynolds visted in early September to interview
me about Southwest Airport, what should have been 30 minutes chatting across the living
room table became an interesting hour and a half of touring the AeroKnow collection. He
posed here for a picture taken by concurrent visitor Kevin Panting, model builder
extraordinare. |
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 Loren Jenne met with me when I was putting Springfield Aviation together in the spring. During that visit we discovered we had been born exactly 30 years apart: him, September 5, 1917 and me, September 5, 1947. We agreed to meet on our birthdays this year and to toast each others' good health, which we did, savoring his favorite Seagram's VO and posing for this picture which his child bride Hazel kindly snapped for us. |
 The October 4 booksigning at Prairie Archives, 522 E. Adams in historical downtown Springfield went well. Proprietor John Paul had cookies and coffee ready, had posted posters in his windows advertising the event and the weather was perfect. |
 Paul Wells came from Mason City to buy the book. WOW! He's a retired aviation professional, and we spoke the same language for a fast-moving hour's visit. Paul also purchased the last copy of my second book of poetry Wit's End for sale anywhere in the known world, including my hoose. That's earnest author on the right. Believe it or not, I am NOT standing five feet behind him; I was almost on his elbow. Paul's a big fellow, and a solid conversationalist! |
 No one paid more attention to me than Hanna, the 14 year old Golden Retreiver and greeter at Prairie Archives. Hanna is a "chocoholic" and hovered close by my signing table and the Oreos and Chips Ahoy's placed there by the esteemed proprietor from 11 am until I departed a little after 2. |
 A highlight of the signing was a visit by Springfield Business Journal Editor Bridget Ingbrightsen holding her youngest daughter Sheila in the back row and in front from left to right: Dorothy, Loretta and their no-doubt harried brother Steve. Look between the necks of Dorothy and Loretta and discover the face of host John Paul! |
 Here is the book-meister himself, whom I have been privileged to know for at least 30 years; a gentleman extraordinaire who has sold me more books than any retailer I've known. After the signing, I autographed several copies of Springfield Aviation for him to sell. |
Cindi (Bilyeu) Allender attended Lawrence Elementary School one year behind me. In a phone call she recently explained how Claudine Mander, a former teacher at Lawrence, who remembered me from the mid-50s and now in her 90s, asked Cindi to purchase my book for her and ask me to autograph it. She came buy Sunday with three books: one for Mrs. Mander, one for her and her husband, and one for her employer, the Illinois Association of School Boards, a private enterprise. I was delighted to see Cindi again and autograph the books. |
 On March 24, I shared the story of Springfield Aviation at Pawnee, Illinois Public Library, thanks to an invitation from directer Bennett Bess and Kevin Panting who generously drove me there and took pictures. My car is not fit for highway driving. Before the presentation I printed several enlargements of pictures included in the book and some not, wrote large-type, concise captions (so visitors could read the information from standing height) and displayed the pictures along with an array of the book. |
 One of the attendees was actually pictured on page 87, helping attach a target dart to the wing of a 170th TFS F-84F Here he (left) poses with me after the presentation. I signed several books, thanks to good people who had purchased the book before my visit to the Library.nnet |
 The director is a hardy gentleman; one of just a few people I know who make me look like a bearded nine-year old. His arrangement of the tables and chairs and publicity generated before my visit were absolutely first class. Thanks to Bennett, his staff (who brought cookies) and all who attended. If YOU direct a library or know someone who does, here is your invitation to invite me to your your venue for a similar presentation. writer@eosinc.com |
| MENU Abe Lincoln's Air Force Air Combat Museum Aircraft Data Index Aviation History News Avuatuin Book Reviews Books Surplus History Book Reviews - coming soon Historair Files Springfield Chapter, Illinois Pilots Association Jim LeRoy Remembered Magazine Index Magazines Surplus Modelair Museum Model Catalogs Surplus Model Kits Surplus Photo Galleries Postcards for Trade Recommended Links Research in Progress Slides for Trade Springfield High - Aerial Views of Springfield, Illinois U.S.A.F. Museum Site Map |
This Week in Aviation History July 2, 1952 -- The United States Air Force disclosed the existence of the Lockheed F-84C Starfire. It was the first USAF fighter armed solely with air-to-air rockets. July 3, 1945 -- "Slim" Farrett was at the wheel for the first flight of Northrop's new XF-15 Reporter, a two seat reconnaissance "version" of the P-61 Black Widow. July 4, 1936 - Passenger service with the Douglas DC-3 commenced when American AIrlines flew its first scheduled flight between Chicago, Illinois and Glendale, California. July 5, 1969 -- The Shenyang (SAC) J-8 fighter, capable of flying at Mach 2, flew for the first time.. July 6, 1939 -- McDonnell Aircraft Corp. was formed. July 7, 1819 -- Madame Blanchard became the first woman to die in a balloon crash when her hydrogen-filled balloon was ignited during a fireworks display. July 8, 1908 -- The first woman to fly in an airplane, Madame Therese Peltier, took to the air in a Voisin biplane flown by Frenchman Leon Delagrange. July 9, 1953 -- The first production model Fairey Gannet AS.1 flew for the first time. |
Special research request from a friend . . .
John Bulli is urgently seeking photos for inclusion in a forthcoming book on the RAF
Bomber Command raid on Wilhelmshaven of December 18th, 1939, often referred to as the
Battle of the Heligoland Bight. He's particularly interested in late-01939 photos of
Wellingtons and personell of 9, 37 and 149 Squadrons. All photos will be credited to
owners or copyright holders, copied and returned. If you can help, contact
John Bulli
630 W. Fayette
Springfield, IL 62704
phone: 217-789-4394
fax: 217-528-3050
NEW at AeroKnow
April 9 -- Photos of covers and indexes to the Spring 2009 American Aviation
Historical Society Journal and the March-April issue of World Airshow News has
been posted at the Magazine Index page. View them by clicking here
February 15 -- Two pages of pictures taken during President Barack Obama's February
12 visit to Springfield, Illinois are posted at the new Boeing VC-25A Gallery. View them
by clicking here
February 11 -- The newest issues of Air & Space Smithsonian, World Airshow News
and World War I Aero are photographed and indexed at the Magazine Index home page. View
them by clicking here
February 4 -- New to the Photo Galleries pages are pictures of the prototype
Bombardier CRJ 1000 photographed during a fortuitous chance encounter at Abraham Lincoln
Capital Airport, February 3, 2009. View the pictures by clicking here
January 31 -- AeroKnow supporter John Bulli has added some kits to his disposal list
page. To learn what, click here
January 31 -- Flight Journal, indexed, has been added to the Magazine
Index page. View by clicking here
January 30 -- The collection's Model Airplane News index has been updated and posted here
January 26 -- The December 2008-January 2009 issue of Aerospace Smithsonian has been
photographed and indexed at the Magazine Index page. View by clicking here
January 17 -- Pictures from a January 13 visit to Springfield's Air Combat Museum
have been posted at my ACM home page. View them by clicking here
January 4, 2009 -- Cover photo and index of the Winter issue American
Aviation Historical Society Journal has been posted at the Magazine Index page.
View it by clicking here
December 19 -- I have started a North American AT-6 photo gallery. View it by
clicking here
September 21, 2007 - A photo gallery of the North American P-51D and BT-13 owned and flown
by Dr. Mark and Joan Foutch has been posted here
September 15, 2007 -- A biography of Springfield, Illinois native son Dr.
Mark R. Foutch -- The Show is on the Podium by Paul R. Foutch -- has been
posted at our Book Reviews page. Read all about it by clicking here
September 6, 2007 -- New at Recommended Links, Historical: Kaman HH-43 Huskie and early
Kaman helicopter fans will enjoy visiting Johan Ragay's fine site. He is based in The
Netherlands, but his writing and understanding of the English language is better than many
of mis amigos de Norte Americano. I highly recommend this site. www.h43-huskie.info
-- A review of The Royal Air Force in Oklahoma by Paula Carmack
Denson has been posted at the In Review page.
See the front cover and read the review by clicking here
MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS:
AeroKnow invites you to add this enterprise to your list of comp
subscriptions by directing your aviation-related periodicals to
AeroKnow
428 W. Vine St.
Springfield, IL 62704-2933
In return, we will feature a photo of the front cover of every issue you send in
2007 jplus an index of articles relating to human flight PLUS information about how to
order subscriptions and single copies from you or your designated distributor. To
see what your donation does for you, visit the AeroKnow Magazine Index page by clicking here Enthusiasts all over the world will learn what you have
published which THEY want to read. And you will have a source publicly posting index
information so you don't have to do it. Please take advantage of this service TODAY.
Questions? E-mail writer@eosinc.com
ATTENTION MAGAZINE READERS:
Don't leave it up to your wife, mother, girlfriend or other professional
efficiency consultant to pitch your aviation magazines when you least expect it. DONATE
the aviation magazines you've read to the address above. In return, AeroKnow will send you
an index of evey issue you donate. You can also find indexes to issues currently on hand
at the Magazine Index page, right here
SPEAKING OF MAGAZINES
Do you happen to know anything of the following:
-At top of each front page-
1028 Lectures on Aviation Serialized in 54 weekly Issues
Aeronautics
An Authoritative Work Dealing with the Theory and Practice of Flying
Color: Silver, blue and white
Softcover
Volumes 1 thru 9
Published by the National Aeronautics Council
Ron Ryan Mockler - Editor
First issue 1940
I have the the series from Issue No. 1 thru Issue No. 54
and a couple of duplicates
Question: Did the series go beyond volume 9?
Question: Is this of interest to the aviation historical community?
Question: Are there other collections available?
Best Regards,
John Sforza -- jasforsa@gmail.com
 If the models of these unique aircraft seems vaguely familiar to you, you may enjoy visiting my USAF Museum web page by clicking here |
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SUPPORT American Aviation Historical Society
This organization, founded in 1956, publishes a rich, photo-packed, technically illuminating quarterly Journal and a professional but much smaller, less formal Newsletter between Journals. I am privileged to serve as a volunteer on the organization's editorial committee, but the real work is done by Managing Editor Hayden Hamilton, Journal Editor Albert Hansen and a group of dedicated historians and contributors all over the world. NEEDED NOW, besides new members, are new members and established members who desire to contribute articles about US aviation history to AAHS. Articles must be US-connected, but may feature foreign-built aircraft. For example, a recently published article about DeHavilland Mosquitos evaluated for widespread deployment by USAAF units brought to light aspects of that versatile aircraft and US pilot capabilities which this historian had never considered.
There is a TON of fascinating aviation history that remains unknown to most of us, waiting for new authors to reveal it via their research and memories. You do not have to be a published author to contribute. Hayden and hardy crew can take your story and refine it to a finished article that will do you proud and serve curious present and future generations. To learn more about how you can help, email Hayden Hamilton whose address is found at the bottom of the AAHS web site home jpage -- www.aahs-online.org
Tell him AeroKnow sent you.
Civil Air Patrol, Central Illinois SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
This organization of teen agers and adults was formed in World War II and continues today. It conducts 90% of the searches for aircraft lost in the US, including major involvement with the loss of Steve Fossett. The Springfield-based squadron is looking for new members to help with the search mission and more. Opportunities to learn about aviation are many. Senior members work in the fields of emergency services, youth programs and aerospace education. Young people age 12 and older study aeronautical science, take orientation flights and develop leadership skills working with the military and civil sectors. The local squadron meets Wednesday nights, 6:30 p.ml to 98:00 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport's Illinois Air National GUard Base. Visitors should call 41401441 or 280-0648 to make arrangements. For more information visit www.ilcapspi.org Tell them AeroKnow sent you!
P.S. -- Earnest webmaster is a former Springfield composite squadron member and I recommend it without reserevation. The leaders and members are focused, sincere, competent people, and you will be warmly welcomed aboard. And what you learn, including skills applicable to eventual enlisting in the armed services AND in civilian life will stay with you for years.
Springfield, Illinois Area Pilots Should Get to Know
Visit the Springfield Chapter Illinois Pilots Association web site by clicking here
The Springfield Chapter meet first Wednesdays during the summer starting at 6:30 at Jim Thornton's hangar, D-35 on Charlie Ramp of Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. You do not have to be a member to attend a meeting and see what we're all about. Chapter members and friends receive a monthly newsletter Capital Crosswinds (Job Conger, editor) sent via conventional mail about a week in advance of the next meeting. President this year is John Salz. Attend a dinner meeting of this friendly group. Call Vice President Darley Copp, phone number at the end of the next paragraph for location of the next meeting. Tell her AeroKnow sent you.
DO YOU HAVE COMMEMORATIVE LICENSE PLATES? The Springfield Chapter, IPA wants to pay you a reasonable price for all you don't want to hold onto so they can be sold to collectors and funds added to the Charlie Wells Memorial Scholarship Fund. Your contribution will pay for the college education of young men and women who desire careers in aviation. DONATE your plates to this effort, and the scholarship fund benefits even more. The plates do not have to be aviation-related; ALL special license plates are needed. If you have plates to sell or donate, call Darley Copp, 217-529-2578.
Slip 'n' Skid pilots' club
NEXT MEETING -- WEDNESDAY, Ju;y 15. Meet some good people, savor a pot luck dinner and ATTEND!
The informal gathering of pilots, aircraft owners, pilots and friends meets 3rd Wednesday of the month at The Light House restaurant on south Sixth Street starting about 6:30. There are no dues to pay in this club. The members are called to be reminded of meetings. It's essentially a social club that also shares news from the grapevine and plans group flights to midwest destinations for $100 hamburgers and more. For the latest news of the next meeting LOCATION call Darley Copp --529-2578.
FRIENDS of Springfield Air Rendezvous
I recently went through my copies of the Springfield Air Rendezvous air show Official Souvenir Programs in my collection and discovered I am missing those publications for 1993 and 1997, I need at least three copies of each of those programs, up to ten if possible, for the AeroKnow collection and to use in trade for issues I need. I have some copies of years not listed above for trade. If you can help, call me -- 217-544-6122 or email me. Thanks.
THANK YOU RITA KUGLER, Springfield for donating flying model materials several books about peanut and pistachio rubber-powered models, three views and aviation monographs, full size plans, model engines and model kits in memory of her husband Don Kugler. Her kindness has added significantly to free flight and scale model resources here, and will be appreciated by future visitors and correspondent6s.
THANKS TO MIKE GEORGE, Springfield, Illinois for his donation of several hundred issues of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (E.A.A.) Sport Aviation, the EAA Warbird Division's Warbirds and many miscellaneous av mags. These titles are of special historical interest because of their superb documentation of one-of-a-kind and more popular home-built general aviation aircraft, restored civilian types and of course, restored military aircraft. Partly in recognition of Mike's major boost to AeroKnow resources and partly because it needs to be done, and now we can do it, I am initiating a priority focus on indexing not only Mike's donation, but all copies of those publications already in the AeroKnow collection. There are still some holes in the publication run of those titles. If you would like to fill those holes, please e writer@eosinc.com and I'll send you a list of current inventory of those (or any other) titles. In the meantime, if you want good advice regarding business and home security, look up George Burglar and Fire Alarm Company and give them a call.
THANK YOU GARY FLECK for the pictures
from your dad's airports, an almost forgotten part of Springfield's rich aviation history!
It was a pleasure talking about your memories of the days out by the lake and Sunday
flying with your dad and family. The story of his enterprise will receive the long-overdue
cover it merits when my book hits the shops.
THANK YOU Dave Beatty of Beatty Televisual for sharing pictures from the three
Springfield airports you photographed extensively in the 50s through 70s. The two and a
half hours we spent considering just a part of your incredible collection could have gone
on for another eight hours if we hadn't committed the rest of your afternoon elsewhere.
Those pics from the National Air Races at Southwest in 1956 are nothing less than what the
French say as "incroidale!"
THANK YOU Slip N Skid Fliers Club - Brian & Carol Borecky, Etta Bunger, Joyce
Cooper, Bill & Darly Copp, George Covington, Tom & Dorothy Fitzgerald -- for
your support of Springfield Aviation generously expressed at your March meeting.
AeroKnow now accepts PayPal!
From your PayPal account, you
may direct your support to jobconger@eosinc.com
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT!
 1267 W. Wabash Springfield, Illinois 217-787-4747 www.beattytelevisual.com |
audio visual rental, sales electronics repair home theater installation, commercial telephone and voice mail systems, commercial and residential sound systems, television repair, Lionel train repair interactive classroom systems and more |
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Place your business or organization's
card
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If you live on Springfield's northeast side and need printing done fast and well by a nice fellow, visit Chuck and tell him AeroKnow sent you. Chuck will support AeroKnow with a ream of paper every time someone visits and orders significant printing and mentions AeroKnow. After he introduces you to Noel, you will likely visit often just to say hello to his joyous Pomeranian! |
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My friend Kevin is a lawn magician and gardener extraordinaire. The joy and enthusiasm so evident in his work and great sense of humor even on the hottest days are incredible. When you call him for a free estimate, tell him his neighbor at 428 recommended you get in touch. |
AeroKnow was organized by a group of
aviation enthusiasts who believe the best way to learn is to share what we know and reap
from the wealth of feedback contributed by those who appreciate what we do. We intend to
accomplish this mission through Abe Lincoln's Air Force, our support organization, by
offering what we know to aviation enthusiasts all over the world and by developing
subscription services of interest to new and experienced aviation historians.
AeroKnow Honor Roll
-- Mike George, Springfield, Illinois
-- Richard Strode, Springfield, Illinois
-- Peter Bourke, Melbourne, Australia
-- Barry Tempest, Kingscliffe, England
-- Brian Borecky, Springfield, Illinois
If you have a business or personal web site connected to aviation, or Springfield, Illinois, please add a link to AeroKnow.com to your web site and recommend it to others. Tell us about your aviation-related web site, and if we visit and add a link to it.
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"It is better to break ground and head into the wind than it is to break wind and
head into the ground."
-- Thanks to Malcolm Jefferson
who sent the above to Barry Tempest, and to Barry for forwarding it to AeroKnow.
