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New Series Launches -- CAP Timeline Flight: Sikorsky S-39B
With the approach of Civil Air Patrol's 80th anniversary on Dec.1, Maj. Ronald C. Finger of the Minnesota Wing's Crow Wing Composite Squadron worked with Col. Frank Blazich of the Col. Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History on a special project -- to create “Timeline Flight” paintings showcasing some of the wide variety of CAP aircraft flown over the years.
The 21 aircraft selected span the Coastal Patrol days of World War II, the postwar years and finally the aircraft Civil Air Patrol aircrews fly today. This is the first one. Others will be posted every five days.
The Sikorsky S-39B was once described as looking like a collection of aircraft parts flying in formation. This was no streamlined beauty. Coastal Patrol Base No. 2 flew NC803W out of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for sea rescue operations. One such rescue mission in July 1942 resulted in Maj. Hugh Sharp, pilot, and his observer, 1st Lt. EddieEdwards, becoming the first civilians awarded the Air Medal.