TOUR AMERICA 2019: CHECOTAH, OKLAHOMA – THE SOONER STATE

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   Onapa Campground and  RV Park,  Checotah, OK 74426

September 1, 2019

Temperature 89

Arkansas Air and Military Museum

Once again the storms rolled in.  This time around 1 am.  Lots of thunder and lightening, and torrential rain but thankfully no wind.  Which is really good since I didn’t bring the awning in before going to bed.  Why should I?  There was nothing in the forecast about not even one storm.  Go figure.

Last Wednesday our we stopped for the night at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum.

It was a very small Museum and most of the exhibits, planes, memorable, etc I had discovered before.  There were, though, a few new things that I would like to share with you.  The Museum is divided into two buildings.  The first building is the

 

One of the first planes I discovered was Sam Walton’s first airplane which is a Ercoupe.  It was intended to be simple to fly.  This safe, docile aircraft required only minimal flying skills.  Though it seated two people it soon proved to be too small for Sam’s need so it was quickly replaced with a larger plane.

Here’s a enlarged page from one of Sam Walton’s log books.

Under the category of I wouldn’t be caught dead in this are the next two planes.  The first is a 1930’s Pietenpole Aircamper.  It was designed to be a home built aircraft.  This one was powered by a Ford Model A engine which was the engine of choice in the 30’s.  It is still being used in some planes today – yes, they are still being built and flown today.

Plans and information for the construction of said aircraft were published in the 1932 Modern Mechanics Flying and Gliding Manuel.

The second aircraft was a 1935 Curtis Wright CW-1 Junior.  It had a pusher engine, pilot forward and passenger behind, and a high mounted wing.  Unfortunately, the depression era in which it was introduced and its unusual configuration ganged up to doom its production.

The next building was the

Walking in I discovered the Flying Banana.  Officially it was known as the H-21 and was a multi-mission helicopter.  It could be equipped with either wheels, skis, or floats.  It also had self-sealing oil and fuel tanks and could be equipped with external fuel tanks.  It saw extensive service with the U.S. Army transporting troops and supplies.

The cockpit from the outside and the inside.

The troop section.

There was a display of Army Ambulances from different wars.

WW II Nose art commonly used on bombers, transports and fighters.

A display of souvenir pillow cases that a GI could buy and send back home.

There you have it.  It was, indeed, small but interesting.  I’m glad I had the chance to visit it.

Our day on The Road of Retirement has come to an end.  The temperature is back up but we’re comfortable as long as we stay inside.  I worked some more on our route plan for next year.  Made a few more reservations.  Overall, it was another great day in paradise.

Thanks again for coming along with us today.  We always enjoy your company and your comments.  Catch your on the ‘morrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!