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GIFT SHOP HOURS WEBSITE POST ACCESS FOR NON- ID
CARD HOLDERS
MUSEUM HOURS
MONDAY - FRIDAY
9 - 4
SATURDAY
9 - 3
WWW.ARMYAVIATIONMUSEUM.ORG
GIFT SHOP - CLICK ‘SHOP’ VISITOR CONTROL CENTER
OZARK GATE: M - F / 8 - 4
DALEVILLE GATE: M-SUN / 8 - 4
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
WWW.RUCKER.ARMY.MIL
OPEN ‘MISCELLANEOUS’ TAB
CLICK ‘GATE PROCEDURES’
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CALL
334-255-0607
MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 - 4
SATURDAY 9 - 3
CLOSED FEDERAL HOLIDAYS
OPEN MEMORIAL DAY,
INDEPENDENCE DAY AND
VETERANS DAY
The Prop & Rotor Issue 02 Spring / Summer 2020
Army Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 620610
Fort Rucker, AL 36362
334-598-2508
Issue
Spring /Summer 2020
by Robert Mitchell Museum Director
Hello again from the Army Aviation Museum! Like
much of the country, we are currently closed to the
public due to the pandemic, but the staff is still hard
at work. The ground has finally been broken on the
Training Support Facility (TSF) and it’s full speed
ahead!
As you can see in the photos to the right, good pro-
gress is being made in regards to the many restora-
tions currently underway. The YUH-61 (top) just got its
first coat of paint and she will soon be ready for the
roll-out. The YAH-63 (center) will be right behind her
and as an added bonus the three barrel 30mm can-
non is off being rebuilt. The YOH-4 (bottom) is in the
final stages of restoration and will be returning to
the museum soon.
Our Foundation has also received authorization to
spend funds on the restoration of the Cessna YH-41A
Seneca and the UH-1 TOW Huey helicopters.
Although much of what we cover here is aircraft res-
torations, it is important to mention that all of Army
Aviation history and its technological evolution will
be on exhibit in the TSF. It will host everything from
uniforms, air traffic control equipment, weapons, ra-
dios, and much more. Initially, access will only be for
Soldiers in training, but recent authorization has
been granted to open the facility to the general
public on a limited basis. (Continued page 2)
Director’s Corner
TSF Progress Update
Spring Cleaning
Membership Recognition
New Flowers
AAAA Cribbins 2020
Gift Shop News
Charity Climb Donors
AAMF Climb Fundraiser
Spotlight on OQ-2 Drone
Pg. 1 & 2
Pg. 2
Pg. 3
Pg. 3
Pg. 4
Pg. 4
Pg. 5
Pg. 5
Pg. 6
Pg. 7
Pg. 2 Pg. 3
If you’ve been on the installation recently, you
may have probably noticed the ongoing con-
struction of the new Training Support Facility
(TSF) adjacent to the museum (pictured
above). Crews have erected barriers and
cleared the ground for the foundation. Things
are moving right along and the TSF is expected to be ready to open in late 2021. At right is
an artist rendering of how the TSF will appear when complete. The TSF will house approxi-
mately 100 aircraft and feature the evolution of Army Aviation, along with modern class-
rooms for training Soldiers.
WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO OUR NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP
1SG Raymond B. Young
BG (R) Paul Bontrager
CW5 (R) Michael Nowicki
MS. Dianne Nowicki
MS. Tommie Harding
MR. Greg Barnes
LTC Donald Willoughby
SFC Peter Sorenson
THREE YEAR MEMBERSHIP
MR. Cary Rhodomoyer
COL (R) Rich Johnson
MR. John Mitchell
MAJ Michael Humphreys
MR. Arthur Mowad
MR. Edward Levi-DeRosa
ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP
SGM (R) Richard Frye
COL (R) Michael Simmons
MR. Hunter C. Murray
(Continued from page 1)
In closing, I would like to mention that we’ve finally re-
ceived furnishings and cases to fill our much awaited
“Army Values and Heritage Gallery.” Although work has
been temporarily interrupted, we hope the gallery will
open soon for Soldiers and the public. It’s important to
see these artifacts and read the fascinating stories of
sacrifice and accomplishment by U.S. Army Aviation Sol-
diers.
We certainly hope that by the time we publish our next
newsletter things have gotten back to a normal basis
and we are once again open for public visitations and
resume Soldier training. Until next time, stay safe and fol-
low us on Facebook and our website for more photos
and stories of the Aviation Branch.
Above the Best!
SPRING CLEANING
Although the museum has been closed since
mid-March, the AAMF staff has been hard at
work outside. We took on several spring clean-
ing projects to include the installation of 50
new Legacy Pavers! After installation, the pav-
ers, which lead to the entrance of the muse-
um, were washed and re-sanded giving them
a fresh, new look.
PARDON OUR PROGRESS
Pg. 5
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS
Pg. 4
THE GIFT SHOP
Linda Gentzyel, Gift Shop Manager
Greetings! Although the shop is closed to the
public, we’ve had lots of time for spring clean-
ing and adding new inventory. You’ll love our
updates! Our online store is OPEN so be sure to
check out all the new stuff. We will do our best
to keep you updated on any changes so be
sure to check our website often for the latest
information.
We are excited to announce the Gift Shop was
invited to the Cribbins Symposium in Huntsville
in November. We hope you will visit us there!
Stay safe and well. We hope to see you soon!
Synchronizing Across the Army Aviation Enterprise
November 16-18, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL
The 2020 Joseph P. Cribbins Training, Equipping and
Sustainment Symposium is a two and a half day event
that supports the entire Army Aviation Enterprise. The
Symposium attracts aviation trainers, operators, logisti-
cians, project managers, capability managers, re-
search & development and key decision makers from
across the active Army, Guard and Reserves.
U.S. Army Chief of Staff GEN James McConville, has
been invited to provide the keynote address, fol-
lowed by briefings from the Aviation Branch Chief
and other Aviation “6-Pack Plus” key leaders. There
will be many opportunities for one-on-one briefings
with PEO-Aviation project managers, Army Futures
Command Capability Managers, equipment manu-
facturers and other industry leaders in separate meet-
ing rooms. Look for AAMF Gift Shop in the exhibit hall.
AAMF & GIFT SHOP ATTENDING 2020 CRIBBINS SYMPOSIUM
Several beautiful baskets of flowers
were purchased from Pat’s Petals in
Ozark, Ala., and planted just outside
the entrance of the U. S. Army Avia-
tion Museum on May 18. We hope to
re-open soon so everyone can enjoy
them!
Everyone here at AAMF would like to say
‘THANK YOU’ to LTG (R) Richard Kenyon
who ‘showered’ the Army Aviation Muse-
um Foundation with a generous donation
to be used for the purchase of new
plants and flowers outside the museum. WWW.ARMYAVIATIONMUSEUM.ORG (CLICK ‘SHOP’)
YH-41A CHARITY CLIMB DONATORS
River Bank and Trust
Textron Aviation
Martin “Ranger” Steiner
Jan Bullinger
Lena Sadiwskyj
Jay Beaudoin
Rolf Schoelkopf
Leslie Edens
Christopher McNeil
Rep. Steve Clouse
Joe Harmon
David and Virginia Howard
Bruce Grantham
Sonja Helms
COL(R) Keith Gay
Wade Brinson
Ronald Ferrell
CWO (R) Eric Bull
Robert and April Watkins
LTC (R) Robert Hutson
John Bullinger
Dr. Arthur Missirlian
Kelley Dolan
MG (R) Richard Kenyon
Jessica Bullinger
Brent Hohbach
John Mitchell
CW4 (R) Michael Carroll
Sheila and Alain Coutu
Eugene Pawlik
Abigail Bullinger
John Haire
Catherine R. Bullinger
Dale Marsh
Linda Gentzyel
COL (R) Rich Johnson
MG (R) Mark Curran
Robert Phares
Tom Morrow
CWO Brad Foley
LTC (R) Tim Toomey
Tommie Harding
George and Sue Baum
MG (R) Lou Hennies
Wendy and John Sexton
COL (R) Chris Carlile
Anonymous Donor
The Army Aviation Museum Foundation wishes to recognize and thank the following 47
pledgers for their generous donations to our charity climb fundraiser to restore the Army’s
YH-41A “Seneca” helicopter. With their support we raised $10,320 for restoration of the
Cessna built Seneca helicopter and for use with other artifacts. We thank you!
SPOTLIGHT ON THE OQ - 2 Drone
Pg. 7 Pg. 6
Article by James Kale
Research suggests that the first U. S. military use of un-
manned airplanes came after the Army requested
Charles Kettering of Dayton, Ohio design a flying
bomb. The Kettering Flying Torpedo, later called the
‘Kettering Bug’ was built for testing — however, it had
no remote control system and was largely unsuccess-
ful and was never produced for combat.
In the late 1930s it became apparent that America
would most-likely be involved in a major war. The Ar-
my needed to train ground gunners to fire at enemy
aircraft, however, it seemed there were no volunteers
to fly target airplanes. Since the cost of using combat
airplanes for target practice would be prohibitively
high, a suggestion was made to build small radio-
controlled (RC) planes to use as targets. After a few
contract attempts, the OQ-2 was developed for Army
use.
The OQ-2 was originally a small, RC aircraft model de-
signed by Walter Righter. The design, along with its
engine design, was purchased by actor Reginald
Denny. Calling the new design, the RP-2, he demon-
strated several updated versions to the Army as the
RP-2, RP-3 and RP-4 in 1939. Following some design
changes and different model designations, the Army
placed an order for 53 drones designated as the OQ-
2. After testing, a large order was placed in 1941. The
Navy also began ordering and using them for ship-
board gunner training.
Thousands of OQ-2s were manufactured at the Radio-
plane Company plant at the Van Nuys Airport in the
Los Angeles metropolitan area. It was at this factory
on June 26, 1945 that Army photographer David
Conover saw a young woman assembler named Nor-
ma Jeane Mortenson-Dougherty, whom he thought
had potential as a model. She was photographed in
the plant, which led to a screen test for Norma Jeane,
who later became the world famous actress known as
Marilyn Monroe!
The OQ-2 is a simple aircraft powered by a two-
cylinder, two-cycle piston engine. The RC system was
built by Bendix. Launching was by catapult and re-
covered by parachute should it survive the exercise.
The drones were modular in construction so that if hit
by ground fire they could be easily rebuilt and reused.
A number of other target drones were built by the Ra-
dioplane Company, including licensed subcontrac-
tors and competing companies during the war, most
of which never got beyond prototypes. During the war,
the Radioplane Company manufactured nearly fifteen
thousand drones. In a 1950 experiment a derivative of
the OQ-3 Radioplane drone was used to lay military
communication wire. The company was bought by
Northrop in 1952. Today, an OQ-2 model drone hangs
on display in the museum from the ceiling in the main
hall.
OQ-2 General characteristics:
Crew: none (RC - Pilot on ground)
Length: 8 ft. 8 in (2.65 m)
Wingspan: 12 ft. 3 in (3.73 m)
Gross weight: 104 lbs.(47 kg)
Power plant: 1 Righter O-15 (2-cylinder gas engine)1.7
hp(5 kW)
Performance: Maximum speed - 85 mph (137 km/h)
Endurance: 1 Hour
Norma Jeane Mortenson
assembles an OQ-2 aircraft
During January and February the Army Aviation Museum
Foundation embarked on an ambitious fundraiser project to
raise $9500 for the restoration of a 1950s Army helicopter
built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The AAMF Executive
Work Group approved a request by then foundation direc-
tor Leslie Edens and AAMF board member James Bullinger
to conduct a charity climb to help restore a YH-41A
“Seneca” helicopter sitting in storage for a half century.
The fundraiser concept was simple - have people pledge a
dollar amount towards Bullinger completing a successful
climb to the summit of Ecuador’s second highest volcano
Cotopaxi. “It was a team effort to pull this together,” Bull-
inger said about the AAMF project. “Leslie Edens started the
snowball rolling and we had help from Linda Gentzyel, Bob
Barlow, Chris Braund, Capt. Steve Floreno, and new foun-
dation director Leah Dunkle to promote our event and get
the word out. We received help from area media, used the
AAMF Facebook page and website,” Bullinger said. Many of
the AAMF board members pledged their support as well. “We had a very generous donation from Tex-
tron Aviation, the parent corporation of the Cessna Aircraft Company,” he added. By Bullinger’s Feb. 8
departure date to Quito, the Foundation had received 29 pledges totaling $7,912 and included a $5,000
pledge from Textron Aviation.
In Ecuador, Bullinger met up with his guide Estalin Suarez with AGR Expeditions, who would lead him on
three acclimation climbs before attempting Cotopaxi. Bullinger succeeded in summiting 3 extinct volca-
nos: Pasochoa at 13,780 ft, El Corazon at 15,718 feet, and Illiniza Sur at 17,267 feet. After a day of resting
and prepping gear, the pair headed to Cotopaxi on Feb. 15 to climb to a refuge at nearly 16,000 feet.
Thirty-three pledges had been received totaling $8,242. There they rested before their 11:46 p.m. start for
the summit. After 9 hours and 45 minutes of upward climbing the two crested the 19,347 foot summit on
Feb. 16 at 9:31 a.m. — mission accomplished!
“Heading to Ecuador I had two concerns, not
meeting our fundraiser goal and not reaching the
summit,” Bullinger said, “But it came together
nicely in the end. Thank you to all the people
who helped us reach our goals!” After the climb,
additional pledges came in until reaching
$10,320 from 47 pledgers on Feb. 26.
To see photos and videos, and to read more
about this adventure—visit the AAMF Facebook
page. Scan the QR code
with your smart phone for
quick access to Facebook.
Approvals are in the works
for restoring the YH-41A.
Look for it later when the TSF
opens in 2021!
A OQ-2 Drone soars
again in the museum
Climber James Bullinger stands next
to the Army’s only remaining YH-41A
Seneca helicopter in the Museum’s
storage facility. The aircraft needs
about $9500 in restoration work.
Bullinger’s guide Estalin Suarez captures a victory
photo on the summit of Cotopaxi at 19,347 feet.
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