Smallest of our local airmen, own the largest airplane. Organized in mid-June this year, the local chapter of the Air Scouts, is a healthy squadron now of 16 air-minded youngsters.

They are sole owners of the giant C-46 cargo plane, now at permanent rest on Smith Field, north of Warsaw. By selling admissions to the plane during the first few months, the scouts took in a total of $375. It is not all profit. There were deductions for gasoline, mechanics' fees and other expenses which come out.

Roomy interior of this box-car of the air is now to become a class-room. Through the good office of Dr. Ironside, of the Winona Christian Assembly, the scouts were given a number of dandy folding seats which are being installed in the plane.

What an interesting way to study, seated in a venerable veteran of a great war! Instead of playing hooky, just a glance through the pilot's door at the glamorous instruments ahead should provide a diversion.

Three of the lads were fortunate enough to attend a training encampment at Chanute Field this summer. They are now the officers "heavy brass" of the squadron. Alan Kelly is squadron pilot, Louis Driskoll is assistant squadron pilot and Gordon Crates is communications scribe. Sounds interesting, doesn't it?

Other members known as observers after their first rating are Jack Berlin, Tom Berlin, Bert Ragan, Tom Kehoe, Charles Linn, Dick Sims, Herb Dye, Myron Funk, Bill Harford, Ronald Jacobs, Bob Walton and Jim Walton.

Frederick Strauss Jr., pilot-operator on the west side of Smith Field is the squadron leader, ably assisted by Louis R. Shellhamer. To these adults falls the task of coordinating the boys' activities. Fred had the touchy job of landing the big C-46 on Smith Field. He did creditably, had room to spare.

For their first community project the boys are going to attempt to secure a second air-marking for Warsaw. three miles west, the Creighton hatchery buildings are located in a strategic position along the Pennsylvania railroad and U. S. highway 30, can be seen for miles.

On the Creighton black roof, the Air Scouts are planning a marker which already has CAA approval...........of town. Those markers are certainly a god-send to pilots, especially in dirty weather. It is a good, constructive endeavor, with a practical purpose. They plan to do the work themselves.

The three boys who went to Chanute Field already have their natty Air Scout uniforms. Balance of the eaglets' uniforms have now arrived at the scout counter at Carter's--so lookout! These youngsters are going to look as classy as they are.

Rumor Room
Bert Anderson, another air-minded automobile dealer, saves hours when he goes after new cars to Detroit. By highway, it takes four to four and one-half hours to reach the place where Bert picks up new autos. He goes by air in one hour and twenty minutes, is half-way back by the time a driver would just arrive.

Let's get this straight. I've been writing Strauss Airways for weeks and it ain't right. Over at Municipal we have Carlin Airways, but at Smith Field it's Strauss Skyways. Not Airways, but Skyways. The third operator here is Paul Lowman, Lowman's Flying Service. These names are touchy with the boys.

Bell helicopters are being used extensively in South America to combat the locust plagues. Very successfully, too. The army is now testing a new five-place helicopter, does 90 miles an hour cross-country, climbs 450 feet per minute.

Forest fires are being successfully battled with helicopters, too, rescuing victims, spotting new first. Maybe our home-town boy, Larry Bell, will bring one to Warsaw and Mentone some time and show his product off. We'd like to see one here for a couple of days.

Warsaw Daily Times Fri. Sept. 19, 1947