Appendix 7: Civilian Aircraft Airborne During Pearl Harbor Attack
1. Aeronca 50TC
a. Registration:
b. Serial number:
c. Owner:
d. Operator: Gambo Flying Service
e. Instructor: Mrs. Marguerite H. Gambo
f. Student: ??
g. Takeoff from:
h. Land:
i. Fate on 7 Dec 41:
j. Disposition today:
k. Points of Interest:
2. Interstate Cadet
a. Registration: N37266
b. Serial Number: 109
c. Owner: Underground Flying Club
d. Operator: Andrew Flying Service
e. Based at: John Rodgers Airfield
f. Instructor: Cornelia Fort
g. Student: Soumalo
h. Takeoff from: John Rodgers Airfield
i. Land: John Rodgers Airfield
j. Fate on 7 Dec 41: Near miss with Japanese Torpedo Bomber, Strafed by additional attacking aircraft, landed and strafed again, both occupants survived to warn those inside Andrew Flying Service Building
k. Disposition: Owned by multiple owners in Hawaii. Returned to US in ‘??, lost to scrap through passing of owner ????, recovered and restored in 2012, currently flying and owned by Lost Aviators of Pearl Harbor LLC. Based at Skagit-Bayview Airport (KBVS)
l. Points of Interest:
i. See main body of paper
3. Aeronca TC
a. Registration:
b. Serial Number:
c. Owner:
d. Operator: Hui Lei Lei Flying Club
e. Based at:
f. Instructor: Tommy Tomerlin
g. Student:
h. Takeoff:
i. Land:
j. Fate:
k. Disposition:
l. Points of Interest:
4. Aeronca 65TC
a. Registration: NC33768
b. Serial Number:
c. Owner:
d. Operator: Gambo Flying Service
e. Based at:
f. Pilot: Roy Vitousek
g. Passenger: Martin Vitousek
h. Takeoff: John Rodgers Airfield
i. Land: John Rodgers Airfield
j. Fate: strafed in the air, landed safely, hid in bushes beside runway
k. Disposition:
l. Points of Interest:
5. Cub 1
a. Registration:
b. Serial Number:
c. Owner:
d. Operator: K-T Flying Service
e. Based at:
f. Student Pilot: M. F. Poston
g. Takeoff: Halewia
h. Land: — Honolulu (bailed out over the Pali)
i. Fate:
i. “They (Poston & Tyce) were passing over the Pali at 6000 feet when attacked by two enemy planes. The attacking planes shot away the propeller and engine from POSTON’s plane and he parachuted to safety from an altitude of 4000 feet. The accompanying plane was also shot down. POSTON definitely observed the markings of the attackers, claiming them to be German Messerschmitt 109’s with distinguishing Japanese “Red Suns” on their wing tips. POSTON landed beyond the Pali and was taken into custody by two deputized civilian police who returned him to the Honolulu Shore Patrol Station where he was questioned then returned to his ship.” www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/ph110.htm
j. Disposition:
k. Points of Interest:
i. Tim mentioned some issue with the “bail out” story. What is that?
6. Cub 2 (Actually 1933 Waco UIC Cabin Class Aircraft)
a. Registration: N13408
b. Serial Number: 3767
c. Owner: K-T Flying Service (Charles Knox & Bob Tyce)
d. Operator: K-T Flying Service
e. Based at:
f. Instructor: Bob Tyce
g. Student: (M.F. Poston)
h. Takeoff: Halewia
i. Land: John Rodgers Airfield
j. Fate: Strafed and killed on ground after landing
k. Disposition: “For Sale” (flyer: N13408_1.pdf) in 2012 “Southern Sweden near Copenhagen” www.vintageaeroplane.com
l. Points of Interest:
i. Why is there a discrepancy regarding the Waco vs. a Cub?
7. Cub 3
a. Registration:
b. Serial Number:
c. Owner:
d. Operator: K-T Flying Service
e. Based at:
f. Renter: Cpl. Clyde Brown
g. Passenger: ?? Sgt. Warren Rasmussen
h. Takeoff:
i. Land:
j. Fate: MIA: shot down over ocean
k. Disposition:
l. Points of Interest:
8. Cub 4
a. Registration:
b. Serial Number:
c. Owner:
d. Operator: K-T Flying Service
e. Based at:
f. Renter: Sgt. Henry Blackwell
g. Passenger: ?? Sgt. Warren Rasmussen
h. Takeoff:
i. Land:
j. Fate: MIA, shot down over ocean
k. Disposition:
l. Points of Interest:
Appendix 8: Hawaiian Interstate Cadet S-1’s on Tim Cislo’s original list in May 2015
1) Registration NC34940 / Serial Number 35
a) On list due to logbook entry by pilot Poston
b) Found on initial FAA internet N number inquiry. Ordered from FAA on 18 May 15 but records will take some time as those records are apparently not fully entered on FAA database
c) Currently, there is no reason to eliminate this Interstate from being the aircraft Cornelia was flying. Research continuing
2) Registration NC34943 / Serial Number 38
a) Original Application for Airworthiness by Andrew Fling Service: 25 Mar 41
b) Sold to “Flying Pioneers” on USS Louisville, Pearl Harbor Hawaii: 3 Sep 41
i) Andrew Flying Service/Olen Andrew took a note on the purchase
c) Repossessed on 28 Jan ’46 for non-payment and no response to demand for payment. Last payment 1 Dec ’41. Multiple letters sent without reply
i) USS Louisville was out at sea, returning to Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec ‘41
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Louisville_(CA-28)
d) Aircraft Registration certificate issued to Olen Andrew on 22 Aug 46 after lengthy back and forth (3 official exchange cycles recorded by FAA) between Olen Andrew and FAA regarding Andrew foreclosure on note taken by Andrew against aircraft for loan to allow Flying Pioneers to purchase the aircrat.
e) No records of Airworthiness Certificate of any kind are recorded after 31 Mar 41
f) 17 Aug 48: Registration cancelled by Olen Andrew in mysterious fashion claiming “it was sold in 1941”
i)
g) It was there at Andrew Flying Service but no record of repair exists so there are no descriptive records of repairs needed to return it to flying service. It is at least somewhat leading that no mention of damage to the aircraft was mentioned during the repossession process so it may be reasonable to conclude it was not damaged on 7 Dec 41.
3) Registration NC34945 / Serial Number 40
a) Original Application for Airworthiness by Andrew Flying Service: 25 Mar 41.
i) It seems Olen was buying at least two airplanes that day.
b) Application for Periodic Endorsement of Airworthiness dated 2 Jan 46 makes no notes of any significant repair but for vague remark which may indicate a new engine was installed. “Aircraft” status section was filled in as “Good.”
c) Note in “Remarks”: “Aircraft in storage since 1941”
d) Sold to Hickam Aero Club in ‘58
e) Airworthiness revoked in the ‘70’s. Apparently based on Hawaii the whole of its life.
f) Record of repair in 1946 reflects an aircraft without damage commensurate with being strafed. Aircraft simply came out of storage and was returned to flying status. That is reasonable indication that the aircraft was not the one Cornelia was flying.
4) Registration NC37245 / Serial Number 88
a) Original Application for Airworthiness by Andrew Flying Service: 31 May 41.
b) Aircraft accident 15 July 41
i) Aircraft nosed over by prop wash of another large aircraft when student taxied behind without heed. Rt wing main spar cracked. Returned to service 24 Oct 41.
c) Tail wheel broke off on rough field. Returned to service 4 Dec 41.
d) One record for weight and balance filed 29 Dec 41: no mention of any damage.
i) Similar piece of paperwork filed for 29 Nov 41 may indicate that the December paperwork was dated incorrectly.
e) Next inspection record is 30 Nov 45:
i) Mentions “Major Overhaul” of engine
ii) Has “Good” in the aircraft remarks section.
(1) No mention of aircraft damage commensurate with strafing
iii) Final remark is “Aircraft has been in storage since start of war.”
iv) This is the last inspection record on scanned in file from FAA
v) Aircraft registration cancelled by Andrew Flying Service 19 May 55
f) Record of repair in 1946 reflects an aircraft without damage commensurate with being strafed. Aircraft simply came out of storage and was returned to flying status. That is reasonable indication that the aircraft was not the one Cornelia was flying.
5) Registration NC37246 / Serial Number ?? (89?)
a) No FAA record returned on Internet search of FAA N Number search engine.
b) Extrapolated Cadet S-1 serial number could be 89
c) Why is it on Tim’s list?
d) If this is an Interstate Cadet on Hawaii, there is currently no reason to eliminate it from being the aircraft Cornelia was flying. Research continuing
6) Registration NC37266 / Serial Number 109
a) Primary aircraft addressed in main paper
7) Registration NC37268 / Serial Number ?? (111?)
a) FAA N Number search engine only shows a 1977 Cessna 310. No cancelled N Numbers shown before that.
b) Extrapolated Cadet S-1 serial number could be 111
c) Why is it on Tim’s list?
d) If this is an Interstate Cadet on Hawaii, there is currently no reason to eliminate it from being the aircraft Cornelia was flying. Research continuing
8) Registration NC37328 / Serial Number 171
a) Original Application for Airworthiness by Andrew Flying Service: 29 Sep 41
b) FAA Registration was issued 15 Dec 41
c) Application for airworthiness certificate was next filed by Olen Andrew on 29 Nov 45.
i) Mentions “Major Overhaul” of engine
ii) Has “Good” in the aircraft remarks section.
(1) No mention of aircraft damage commensurate with strafing
iii) Final remark is “Aircraft has been in storage since start of war.”
d) Next overhaul in 1947 reflects major work on fabric and all surfaces. Surfaces “Refreshed.”
e) Aircraft fabric replaced in ‘56
f) Bought by John Gentry in Hawaii ‘79
g) Deregistered in 2011 due to no response from Mr Gentry on FAA registration enquiry
i) Last registry in ’05 in New York
h) Record of repair in 1945 reflects an aircraft without damage commensurate with being strafed. Aircraft simply came out of storage and was returned to flying status. That is reasonable indication that the aircraft was not the one Cornelia was flying.
9) Registration NC37329 / Serial Number ?? (172?)
a) FAA N Number search shows a Beech Sierra (1970 yr of first manufacture) deregistered due to being destroyed. FAA published database reflects no other aircraft.
b) Extrapolated Cadet S-1 serial number could be 172
c) Why is it on Tim’s list?
d) If this is an Interstate Cadet on Hawaii, there is currently no reason to eliminate it from being the aircraft Cornelia was flying. Research continuing
10) Registration NC37345 / Serial Number 188
a) The aircraft in Cornelia’s logbook. First entry in her logbook is 29 Sep 41 (prior to manufacture date)
b) Original Application for airworthiness by Judd Goodrich of North Hollywood California: 17 Oct 41
c) First Repair and Alteration Form is dated 19 Sep 42. Work is done in Tucson Arizona and reflects a Tucson address for Mr Goodrich.
d) It is impossible for the aircraft to have been in Hawaii before it was built. It is very unlikely that the aircraft went to Hawaii and back so as to be in place on 7 Dec 41, then back to Tucson by 19 Sep 42. The 29 Sep 41 entry in Cornelia’s logbook is proof the logbook contains an error on that date and leads to a reasonable conclusion that 37345 was not the aircraft Cornelia was flying.
11) Registration NC37368 / Serial Number 211
a) Original Application for airworthiness by W.I. Tupman, Los Angeles California on 19 Nov 41.
b) Bought by William Rey Myers, 1 Apr 42 for “pleasure”
c) Aircraft crashed in Blythe California on 15 Mar 42 (no injuries)
d) Records through 1955 never indicate any tie to the Hawaiian Islands for this aircraft.
i) Arthur Ward (last owner: 1966 to “expired” in 2011) lived in Port Townsend Washington and FAA records never indicate a Hawaii address for him either.
e) Simply impossible for this aircraft to have been the plane Cornelia was flying 7 Dec 1941.
12) Registration NC37943 / Serial Number ???
a) Too late of a manufacture date to be on Hawaii 7 December 1941
b) Tim’s N Number issue list says it may be a J-3
13) Registration NC37945 / Serial Number ???
a) Too late of a manufacture date to be on Hawaii 7 December 1941
b) Tim’s N Number issue list says it may be a J-3