Disaster at Luke Field - Revision history

Moleski at 01:16, 9 July 2012

2012-07-09T01:16:59Z

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	The runway was ''not'' surfaced with linked steel plates, also known as "pierced steel plates" (PSP); [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Matting Marsden Matting] was not put into production until 1941.		The runway was ''not'' surfaced with linked steel plates, also known as "pierced steel plates" (PSP); [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Matting Marsden Matting] was not put into production until 1941.

	The "landing mat" referred to in the documents associated with the Naval Board of Officers was ~~a system~~ intended to promote rapid drainage: "At Luke Field, Hawaii, workmen spread a six-inch layer of crushed rock, rolled it, oiled it, and covered it with fine stone. Reports from Hawaii within a few months told of weeds poking through the 'new and widely-advertised landing mat.' At Moffet Field, California, putting together a mat entailed hauling in rock, stabilizing it with emulsified asphalt, and finishing it with a coat of asphalt and sand. An asphalt runway built in 1938 permitted flying at Nichols Field, Philiippine Islands, regardless of the condition of the rest of the field" <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=E1gGW_TqLawC&pg=PA370&lpg=PA370&dq=%22luke+field%22+%22landing+mat%22+1937&source=bl&ots=ytzasl1eP7&sig=rIaz6AwsXrAI7FXddmAz39f9MI0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Gy76T7uSKqWf6wGZ_6nOBg&ved=0CFwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22luke%20field%22%20%22landing%20mat%22%201937&f=false ''Aviation in the U.S. Army, 1919-1939.'']</ref>		The "landing mat" referred to in the [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm documents associated with the Naval Board of Officers] was two layers of stone intended to promote rapid drainage: "At Luke Field, Hawaii, workmen spread a six-inch layer of crushed rock, rolled it, oiled it, and covered it with fine stone. Reports from Hawaii within a few months told of weeds poking through the 'new and widely-advertised landing mat.' At Moffet Field, California, putting together a mat entailed hauling in rock, stabilizing it with emulsified asphalt, and finishing it with a coat of asphalt and sand. An asphalt runway built in 1938 permitted flying at Nichols Field, Philiippine Islands, regardless of the condition of the rest of the field" <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=E1gGW_TqLawC&pg=PA370&lpg=PA370&dq=%22luke+field%22+%22landing+mat%22+1937&source=bl&ots=ytzasl1eP7&sig=rIaz6AwsXrAI7FXddmAz39f9MI0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Gy76T7uSKqWf6wGZ_6nOBg&ved=0CFwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22luke%20field%22%20%22landing%20mat%22%201937&f=false ''Aviation in the U.S. Army, 1919-1939.'']</ref>

	"During the night it showered heavily."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref> The attempted takeoff was shortly after 5:40 AM, so the sun might not have had time to dry the runway. It should be noted, however, that the review board judged that "the nature and condition of the Luke Field landing mat had no bearing on the causes resulting in the crash."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref>		"During the night it showered heavily."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref> The attempted takeoff was shortly after 5:40 AM, so the sun might not have had time to dry the runway. It should be noted, however, that the review board judged that "the nature and condition of the Luke Field landing mat had no bearing on the causes resulting in the crash."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref>

Moleski at 01:15, 9 July 2012

2012-07-09T01:15:00Z

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	Amelia's first round-the-world flight attempt ended on March 20, 1937, with a [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldReport.htm ground-loop while trying to take off] from Hawaii for [[Howland Island]].		Amelia's first round-the-world flight attempt ended on March 20, 1937, with a [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldReport.htm ground-loop while trying to take off] from Hawaii for [[Howland Island]].

	The runway ~~seems to have been~~ surfaced with linked steel plates~~.<ref>~~[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Matting Marsden Matting.~~]</ref>~~ The ~~slipperiness~~ of ~~the steel surface may have contributed~~ to the ~~loss~~ of ~~control~~, ~~especially since~~ the ~~ground may still have been wet from~~ the ~~night before~~: "During the night it showered heavily."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref> The attempted takeoff was shortly after 5:40 AM, so the sun ~~would~~ not have had time to dry the runway. It should be noted, however, that the review board judged that "the nature and condition of the Luke Field landing mat had no bearing on the causes resulting in the crash."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref>		The runway was ''not'' surfaced with linked steel plates, also known as "pierced steel plates" (PSP); [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Matting Marsden Matting] was not put into production until 1941.

			The "landing mat" referred to in the documents associated with the Naval Board of Officers was a system intended to promote rapid drainage: "At Luke Field, Hawaii, workmen spread a six-inch layer of crushed rock, rolled it, oiled it, and covered it with fine stone. Reports from Hawaii within a few months told of weeds poking through the 'new and widely-advertised landing mat.' At Moffet Field, California, putting together a mat entailed hauling in rock, stabilizing it with emulsified asphalt, and finishing it with a coat of asphalt and sand. An asphalt runway built in 1938 permitted flying at Nichols Field, Philiippine Islands, regardless of the condition of the rest of the field" <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=E1gGW_TqLawC&pg=PA370&lpg=PA370&dq=%22luke+field%22+%22landing+mat%22+1937&source=bl&ots=ytzasl1eP7&sig=rIaz6AwsXrAI7FXddmAz39f9MI0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Gy76T7uSKqWf6wGZ_6nOBg&ved=0CFwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22luke%20field%22%20%22landing%20mat%22%201937&f=false ''Aviation in the U.S. Army, 1919-1939.'']</ref>

			"During the night it showered heavily."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref> The attempted takeoff was shortly after 5:40 AM, so the sun might not have had time to dry the runway. It should be noted, however, that the review board judged that "the nature and condition of the Luke Field landing mat had no bearing on the causes resulting in the crash."<ref>[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldProceedings.htm "Luke Field Proceedings."]</ref>

	It is ironic that Earhart tried to reach Howland twice and failed both times.		It is ironic that Earhart tried to reach Howland twice and failed both times.

Moleski: /* Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax */

2012-06-24T22:40:04Z

Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:40, 24 June 2012
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	== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==		== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==
	[[File:Hand Ax Marbles no 2.jpg\|~~right~~\|300px]]		[[File:Hand Ax Marbles no 2.jpg\|thumb\|left\|300px]]
			<br style="clear: both" />

	== References ==		== References ==
	<references/>		<references/>
	[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]		[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]

Moleski: /* Identifying the pocket knife */

2012-06-24T22:39:43Z

Identifying the pocket knife

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 24 June 2012
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	One of the items was a [[pocket knife]] with serial number 22309 on it. This seems to have been "a Cattaraugus model 22309 ... The model number signifies 2 blades, 2 bolsters, style number 30, and the 9 indicates a bone handle."<ref>Rick Jones to EPAC, 26 April 2009.</ref>		One of the items was a [[pocket knife]] with serial number 22309 on it. This seems to have been "a Cattaraugus model 22309 ... The model number signifies 2 blades, 2 bolsters, style number 30, and the 9 indicates a bone handle."<ref>Rick Jones to EPAC, 26 April 2009.</ref>
			<br style="clear: both" />

	== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==		== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==

Moleski: /* Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax */

2012-06-24T22:38:08Z

Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 24 June 2012
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	== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==		== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==
	[[File:Hand Ax Marbles no 2.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|300px]]		[[File:Hand Ax Marbles no 2.jpg\|right\|300px]]

	== References ==		== References ==
	<references/>		<references/>
	[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]		[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]

Moleski: /* Identifying the pocket knife */

2012-06-24T22:37:39Z

Identifying the pocket knife

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:37, 24 June 2012
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	One of the items was a [[pocket knife]] with serial number 22309 on it. This seems to have been "a Cattaraugus model 22309 ... The model number signifies 2 blades, 2 bolsters, style number 30, and the 9 indicates a bone handle."<ref>Rick Jones to EPAC, 26 April 2009.</ref>		One of the items was a [[pocket knife]] with serial number 22309 on it. This seems to have been "a Cattaraugus model 22309 ... The model number signifies 2 blades, 2 bolsters, style number 30, and the 9 indicates a bone handle."<ref>Rick Jones to EPAC, 26 April 2009.</ref>

			== Marbles No. 2 Hand Ax ==
			[[File:Hand Ax Marbles no 2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]

	== References ==		== References ==
	<references/>		<references/>
	[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]		[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]

Thomas: italicize ships' names, fix internal link

2011-02-26T17:49:01Z

italicize ships' names, fix internal link

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:49, 26 February 2011
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	:"By the time the airplane had stopped doing the ground loop, the Luke Field fire department was at the plane prepared to put out any possible fire. The mechanics from the Hawaiian Air Depot who were standing along the edge of the landing mat ran across the run-way to the plane with fighters. Mr. Mantz with a fire fighter accompanied these mechanics. Miss Earhart was standing up in the cockpit soon after the plane had stopped turning, and a short time after that, crawled out of the cockpit and went to the rear cabin door."		:"By the time the airplane had stopped doing the ground loop, the Luke Field fire department was at the plane prepared to put out any possible fire. The mechanics from the Hawaiian Air Depot who were standing along the edge of the landing mat ran across the run-way to the plane with fighters. Mr. Mantz with a fire fighter accompanied these mechanics. Miss Earhart was standing up in the cockpit soon after the plane had stopped turning, and a short time after that, crawled out of the cockpit and went to the rear cabin door."

	This is a classic conflicting eyewitness situation, even among the people who provided written statements at the time. Gerald Berger - like [[Leo Bellarts]], Frank Stewart, and [[Harry Balfour]] - had some first-hand involvement with an event which was to become legendary. The story each of them tells includes a dramatic element that is unsupported by the written record.		This is a classic conflicting eyewitness situation, even among the people who provided written statements at the time. Gerald Berger - like [[Bellarts\|Leo Bellarts]], Frank Stewart, and [[Harry Balfour]] - had some first-hand involvement with an event which was to become legendary. The story each of them tells includes a dramatic element that is unsupported by the written record.

	Gerald and I talked for quite a while. He told me that a couple of years later he was assigned to the seaplane tender USS Pelican. The ship had a Grumman J2-F "Duck" on the fantail which they swung out and plopped into the water with a crane. They were sent way down to South Pacific to take aerial photos of a whole bunch of islands.		Gerald and I talked for quite a while. He told me that a couple of years later he was assigned to the seaplane tender USS ''Pelican''. The ship had a Grumman J2-F "Duck" on the fantail which they swung out and plopped into the water with a crane. They were sent way down to South Pacific to take aerial photos of a whole bunch of islands.

	:I said, "Yeah, you were supporting the [[Bushnell\|USS Bushnell's survey.]]"		:I said, "Yeah, you were supporting the [[Bushnell\|USS ''Bushnell''’s survey.]]"

	:"Yes!! How did you know that? I have photos of the Bushnell."		:"Yes!! How did you know that? I have photos of the ''Bushnell''."

	:"Oh, we've tried to study up on things that happened in that area. Did you take any photos of the islands yourself?"		:"Oh, we've tried to study up on things that happened in that area. Did you take any photos of the islands yourself?"
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	:"I think so, but I'm not sure."		:"I think so, but I'm not sure."

	The Pelican's deck log does not indicate that anyone went ashore but Jack Petro, the foreman on Gardner, and a few of the workers did visit the ship for a few hours.		The ''Pelican''’s deck log does not indicate that anyone went ashore but Jack Petro, the foreman on Gardner, and a few of the workers did visit the ship for a few hours.

	Although Mr. Berger's recollections contain no great revelations, it's always a privilege and a little bit spooky to speak with someone who "was there."		Although Mr. Berger's recollections contain no great revelations, it's always a privilege and a little bit spooky to speak with someone who "was there."

Moleski at 22:19, 20 January 2011

2011-01-20T22:19:29Z

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	* [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldReport.htm "The Luke Field Crash Report"]--an index to a multitude of primary sources about the crash.		* [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldReport.htm "The Luke Field Crash Report"]--an index to a multitude of primary sources about the crash.
	* [http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field.html Luke Field Inventory.]		* [http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Archives/Documents/Luke_Field.html Luke Field Inventory.]

	== Interview with Gerald V. Berger ==		== Interview with Gerald V. Berger ==

Moleski at 16:28, 25 July 2010

2010-07-25T16:28:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 25 July 2010
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	* [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldReport.htm "The Luke Field Crash Report"]--an index to a multitude of primary sources about the crash.		* [http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field_Crash_Report/LukeFieldReport.htm "The Luke Field Crash Report"]--an index to a multitude of primary sources about the crash.
			* [http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Documents/Luke_Field.html Luke Field Inventory.]

	== Interview with Gerald V. Berger ==		== Interview with Gerald V. Berger ==

Rickerjones at 16:28, 12 June 2010

2010-06-12T16:28:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 12 June 2010
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	== References ==		== References ==
	<references/>		<references/>
	[[Category:First World Flight Attempt]]		[[Category:First World Flight Attempt\|Luke]]