A Stinson 10A restored Civil Air Patrol airplane is waiting in the wings at the World War II Victory Museum.
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was founded a week before the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor.
Civilians patrolled the coastal areas of the mainland from enemy attack, including German submarine patrols which preyed on U.S. shipping to Europe and Great Britain. The Stinson was manufactured in Fort Wayne, Mich. It came off the production line Jan. 18, 1941, and was delivered to Gordon Gibbs in Falmouth, Mass., where Gibbs flew the Stinson on patrol, watching for Nazi U-boats.
"We are so grateful to the late Col. Al Sambold, his widow and Col. Margie Sambold and Ray Lyon for restoring the Stinson,” said Bob Krafft, executive director, explaining the three’s involvement in the Civil Air Patrol brought them together on this project. “We need to do some preparation work at the museum in Auburn and ready an area here and then we want to suspend the plane in our Homefronts Gallery. The Civil Air Patrol played such a vital role in the defense of our nation, but it has largely been overlooked. We’re pleased to be able to share that story with our visitors.”
Lyon, a civilian defense contractor by day, is a lieutenant colonel in the CAP on the weekends. He’s been working on this project since 1995, trying to negotiate with various foundations, seeking funds restoring the aircraft.
He’s glad the plane finally is back to her old glory.
In contrast to the many vehicles on display at the World War II Victory Museum in Auburn, it isn’t camouflage green. Instead, it’s a bright yellow orange.
“That was the original colors given to them when they were delivered from the factory,” Lyon explained, “and they never changed them.
“These weren’t military airplanes,” he continued. “These were civilian airplanes.”
And their efforts to protect the coast – especially from Maine to Florida – worked, Lyon said, referring to an interview with a German U-boat captain who was not pleased with the Civil Air Patrol’s presence. “… The German submarine captain who pulled away from the East Coast said it was because of those little yellow airplanes,” Lyon said.
Plans call for the new World War II Victory Museum exhibit to be well under way by mid-summer, Krafft said. The airplane will need to be reassembled. Some artifacts have been gathered for the display and more are being sought. Already, the museum is seeking a grant to help with the interpretation of the Civil Air Patrol’s role in World War II and the continuing impact on our nation.
Anyone with more information or artifacts concerning the CAP’s role in World War II is asked to contact the World War II Victory Museum at 260-927-9144 or bob@dvkfoundation.org.
The copy of The Salute from fall 2006 now is available. If you want a copy e-mailed, e-mail teresa@dvkfoundation.org.
