| [Wings 'n' Things/ Aviation......Nov. 15, 2004]
DOUGLAS WWII FLIGHT TRAINING BASE AND CADET REUNION Ann and Harris Bowen and their PT-17 Stearman participated in a unique event in mid-October. The Love's Landing residents flew their big yellow bi-plane to the annual grassroots fly-in in Thomasville, GA over the preceding weekend, then headed up to Douglas, GA for the bi-annual celebration dubbed "Return to Douglas," this year held on October 14. On alternating years a group of cadets at the former military training school travel back to Douglas to reminisce and get together with old acquaintances. This year Harris Bowen was one of six pilots who brought his Stearman to Douglas to give rides to the cadets who trained in these aircraft so many years ago! Back in 1930 Wesley Raymond, Robert Richardson and others founded a school at the Douglas Airport (now Douglas Municipal Airport) to teach basic flight skills to college students. With the start of World War II the school became the 63rd Flight Training Detachment Airbase, home of the 63rd Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment (AAFFTD) and provided primary flight training for several thousand young men. In addition to working clerical and food preparation jobs, many local women served as civilian base dispatchers and aircraft mechanics. Although officially closed in 1944, the airstrip and hangars have continued in use as a municipal airport and the barracks and administration buildings have seen a wide variety of community uses. According to early AAFFTD records, arrivals at the base in August 1941 noted that the school had some very primitive beginnings. At the time, the airstrip was 800 feet wide and 2,600 feet long. There was one 10 by 12-foot frame building. Offices were in private automobiles and under the wings of airplanes. Construction began right away, and by October there were two barracks and a mess hall to accommodate the first class of cadets, who took off east and west regardless of north and south winds. The landing area was increased to 2,000 feet square. By November the second class of cadets arrived, and the following month the first class of cadets graduated. Also in December the first hangar was completed; prior to this the Stearmans used for training were left to the so-called whims of nature. Seeing the airport as it is today, it is difficult to think of it ever being so spartan. (There is now a paved 6000-foot-long northeast-southwest runway). This year's celebration had to be postponed by one day due to weather fallout from Hurricane Matthew as it passed on out to the west of the area. The Bowens reported that festivities included a morning reception, tour of the Veteran's Park, airport terminal, and Raymond-Richardson Aviation Base, followed by the dedication of the WWII Flight Training Museum. After the lunch break the returning cadets were able to look over the six PT-17 Stearman aircraft on display. Those who wished to go for a ride were taken aloft by Harris Bowen and the five other volunteer pilots. According to Bowen, they couldn't have picked a windier day, but the skills of the pilots kept all aircraft safe and sound. They gave rides to 85 grateful WWII cadets, some of the wives, and some of the other participants in this year's event. Bowen said each Stearman pilot flew approximately 15 veterans, and "all the old men seemed to enjoy themselves." Ann Bowen said that even though the rides must have been rough, "each one came in with a grin on his face." To see more about this nostalgic event go to www.danpatrickphotography.com. |