It’s remarkable how much aviation history is around us. Worthy of its own thread for sure. The challenge will be getting people to tell stories about themselves, or others they know, but I think it will be worth the effort.
I had the privilege of knowing Tom Wardleigh when I lived in Alaska. I knew he had a rich history, but I was young and history unfortunately didn’t interest me. Several years ago I picked up a copy of Success On The Step, the Kenmore Air story. My mouth dropped open when they started talking about the first mechanic they hired in 1946 or 47 - Tom Wardleigh. Lots more in this book about Tom, including pictures of him as a young, tall kid.
I was hired by Kenai Air in 1979 as a copilot on a Turbine Commander based in the NPR-A at Camp Lonely. My first Captain was a retired American Airlines Captain named Fred Chambers. Several years ago I picked up a book on Alaskan Aviation history and there was a whole chapter on Fred. Based in Nome in the 30’s flying for Mirow Air Service, flying to Fairbanks in the winter, losing engine (or just weather forcing him down, can’t remember all the details) and surviving with his passengers waiting to be rescued by dogsled. Hans Mirow died in a plane crash searching for Fred. Fred was sent to Texas to get an instrument ticket at American Airlines, they ended up hiring him and he retired with a double digit seniority number. I sat next to both of these men and never considered asking them about their story.....
