Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Planes of Fame Feb.2, 2013 Chino Airport




WHAT: Open to the public, Planes of Fame Air Museum (Chino, CA) presents its monthly Living History Flying Day. The topic for the February 2 event is ‘Jets of the Korean War', featuring the North American F-86 Sabre. The featured speaker is Royce Williams (Captain USN Retired), an F9F Panther pilot during the Korean War. The F-86 Sabre will be on display and perform a flight demonstration. At 12:00 noon, following the presentation, there will also be a Membership Sponsored raffle flight.
WHO: Captain E. Royce Williams had boyhood dreams of becoming a military pilot. In 1943, he enlisted, and he became a naval aviator. Royce became carrier qualified in the F6F Hellcat on the old USS Ranger (CV-4.) He flew the F6F, and later the F4U Corsair and the F8F Bearcat. Royce eventually transitioned to jets, where his first operational deployment was on board the USS Oriskany, flying the F9F-5 Panther. While deployed in 1952 to Korea with the VF-781, Royce engaged seven Soviet-piloted MiG-15s. It is believed that Royce downed three of the bogies, although official reports credited him with only one. With his Panther badly shot up, Royce limped back to the Oriskany. MiG kills were rare for the Navy in Korea (only 55 aerial victories), and the Panther was generally outclassed by the Mig-15 in most dogfights. Royce retired from the Navy in 1980. He served as an exchange pilot with the USAF flying the F-86 and F-100. He also served as CO, XO and of VF-33 on board the USS Enterprise flying the F8-E Crusader, and later on board the USS America flying the F-4 Phantom 11. Royce's decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V", the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star Medal.
Kevin Thompson (POF Moderator and Aviation Historian) and Edward Maloney (Museum Founder & Curator, and Aviation Historian) moderate and join in the presentation.
WHEN: Saturday, February 2, 2013, 10am–12 noon: Speaker program & flight demonstration. Museum doors open at 9:00am.
WHERE: Planes of Fame Air Museum, 7000 Merrill Avenue #17, Chino, CA 91710
WHY: It is the Mission of Planes of Fame Air Museum to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. The Museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and airshows in fulfillment of this mission.
Planes of Fame Air Museum, ‘Where Warbirds Fly and Aviation History Lives’

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