Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviation Historians Conference - Post 7

The Forgotten Americans: Aerial Combat over the North Sea and English Channel - Colin Owers

As a nice complement to the film on the first US Naval aviators, Colin Owers, provided an excellent presentation on the use of Curtis flying boats in British operations from the start of the war. We were guided through the various models of aircraft, often produced in small numbers. All of this, proceeded the entry of the US into the war.

Humorous note: At one point the British were attempting to christen a new plane. When a British flag could not be located for the ceremony, they found a British postage stamp to stand it for the flag.

Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviaiton Historians Conference - Post 6

James Deitz - Anatomy of a WWI Painting

Artist James Deitz took us on a circuitous journey of his logic for the makings of a good paining, as well as a humorous explanation of what inspires him as a painter. At the same time he revealed to us what, in his view, are elements of a bad painting.

Mixed with a bit of comedy, Deitz eventually settled on a work he created for a themed exhibit. To satisfy the need for the painting to include cars (while he wanted airplanes) he ended up with a very wide, horizontal work, which he broke in two. He then proceeded to work through his logic as he made adjustments to the painting until it reached its final state.

He closed his presentation with a humble thanks to WWI aviation researchers past and present, stating that because if their work, elements of WWI history will not be forgotten.

Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviation Historians Conference - Post 5

Screening of the documentary film "The Millionaires Unit"

After a brief introduction by film producer Darroch Greer, we next got to watch a mostly complete cut of “The Millionaires’ Unit” a documentary based on the book by Marc Wortman. 

This is the story surrounding the beginnings of US Naval Aviation. The nucleus of this group were Yale students, mostly of wealthy families. This was a really nice production. The producers expressed interest in hearing from attendees about what they liked and disliked about the film. There were many offers of assistance and some small corrections expressed after the presentation, but generally the movie was very well received by the group.

Darroch stated their ultimate goal would be to have the documentary shown by PBS, possibly on the series “American Experience”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxHeGONIoNk

Film Teaser on YouTube:

Web Site of the file – designed to raise funds to complete the film: http://www.millionairesunit.org/

Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviation Historians Conference - Post 4

Russian Aeronautical Activities during the First World War - Carl Bobrow

Carl Bobrow, a Museum Specialist at the National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian), has been interested in activities of the Russian air service since the 1980s and has traveled to Russia as part of his research. His presentation on “Russian Aeronautical Activities during the First World War” centered around the creation of large aircraft by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky is remembered more for his innovations with helecoptor technology later, but earlier he designed and built significant, large aircraft for Russia before and during the war.

The presentation delved into the transfer of technology from Sikorsky’s breakthroughs in large aircraft design to other aircraft both successful and unsuccessful (humorous) in Germany and England.

Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviation Historians Conference - Post 3

The Belgian Air Service in the First World War - Presentation by Walter Pieters

Winning the award this year for the presenter who traveled the farthest, up next was Walter Pieters, who was in from Belgium. His presentation, "The Belgian Air Service in the First World War" goes along with his recent book by the same name. His book was part of the conversation Thursday night. For those who have seen it, read it and own it, it is said to be the first and last book on every detail pertaining to the Belgian air service during the war.

In his presentation, Walter worked through the history of the war, year by year, cited statistics, and used impressive photos and aircraft profiles. Along the way, Pieters was able to cite some of the humorous animosity between the Belgians and the French during the war which still exist today.

Since the Belgian air force was rather small, Pieters was able, in a short, time to provide a wide spectrum of war-time operations - including European and African theatres of conflict.

Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviation Historians Conference - Post 2

Opening Comments from J.R. Williams and the first presentation from Greg Vanwynegarden.

The sky was clear over Monterrey on the first official morning of the OTF conference, with both the sun and the moon taking up prominent positions overhead. After a simple, brief, breakfast we were ushered down the hall to the conference room were the day's proceedings were to take place.

The conference began with opening remarks from J.R. Williams in asking who was new to League conferences – of which maybe a third of the room were, and who had been members of the league for less than two years – and again a large portion of the room raised their hands. He then went on to encourage everyone in the room to continue to promote the League and to try and get as many new members as possible.

Ted Huscher then introduced the poster he created for the conference, his seventh, for the attendees to sign.

The first presentation was from Greg Vanwyngarden on “Jasta 18, the Staffel with the Split Personality.” Jasta 18 is the focus if his recent book: "Jasta 18 - The Red Noses." Greg wove a compelling story of the flying unit using many detailed photos as well as first person quotations, primarily from the translated journals of pilot Rudolf Berthold. His presentation laced together both the story of this jasta, as well as the pilots who few against them.

Vanwyngarden’s presentation also included use of artwork from Russell Smith and Jim Deitz among others.

Field of Dreams - 2011 League of WWI Aviation Historians Conference - Post 1

It looked like most of the attendees arrived last night for the conference. From the looks of the attendee list there are about 80 people coming to the event.

My flight from Philadelphia was delayed due to fueling problems, but was uneventful from there. The two-hour shuttle bus ride from San Francisco to Monterrey was shared with attendee Joe Holland who came in from New Jersey on a different fight. While driving along looking at the California countryside, we got to talk about our interests and his experience with some of the old-timer WWI aviation researchers in the NYC/New Jersey area.

Monterrey was beautifully sunny, with a slight breeze. I am told it us usually foggy this time of year.

The Thursday night opening reception was from 6 to 8 PM. There were continual greetings and conversations going for the whole two hours. I am going to say there were more wives and significant others in attendance this time than in previous years, but I could be wrong. Dan Polglaze was sharing some war-era books and post-war unit history books with some fascinating photos and stories.

After the reception time was over some people moved on to the hotel's Tapas restaurant for more drinks and food.

As we entered the restaurant it was kind of odd to see three aviation artists Jim Deitz (presenter), Mike O'Neil and Russel Smith conversing while walking one after another. It kind of reminded me of the comical drawing showing pilots of SPA 3, walking like storks in a row.

The conversations in the bar were diverse, weaving in and out of aviation subjects about WWI, WWII and other related and unrelated issues.

Ted Huscher, a presenter in earlier conferences, had some interesting details to share about is recent trip in Italy to visit sights related to WWI aviation and his past and present research relating to ace pilot Josef Kiss.

Fred Murrin spent some time discussing plans for the next Dawn Patrol Rendezvous being planned for Dayton in 2014.

I also had an opportunity to speak with Jim Streckfuss about this year's induction ceremony at the National Aviation Hall of Fame and recent changes with this organization.

I will try to post more updates as the conference continues.