Model Airplanes

Something for everyone awaits you and your family at this year’s Fly-In at Crossville Memorial Airport, Whitson Field, on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 9 a.m. The Annual Open House and Fly-In will celebrate the airport’s 83rd anniversary.

The Open House Fly-In will once again have three drawings for one free ride in helicopters and planes. There will be an individual winner for a ride in a 1927 Waco Model 10 Biplane, and an individual winner for a ride in a P51 Mustang plane. One winner and a friend will win a ride in a Huey H1 Copter.

You are invited to bring your lawn chairs and umbrellas and spend the day at the airport. Many planes, including other WWII warbirds, will be on display for your inspection. There is something extremely exciting about watching these vintage war planes land and take off. It makes no difference how old you are, fascination with flying never gets old.

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought’s manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft F3A.

From the first prototype delivery to the U.S. Navy in 1940, to final delivery in 1953 to the French, 12,571 F4U Corsairs were manufactured by Vought, in 16 separate models, in the longest production run of any piston-engine fighter in U.S. history (1942–’53).
The Corsair served in the U.S. Navy,

Article source: http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/news/local_news/annual-airport-open-house-fly-in-set/article_a108faf6-97e8-11e7-8050-1f58c12ff2e0.html

James M. Gehrisch, 88, of Crestline, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at Galion Community Hospital, Galion.

Jim was born in Galion on Dec. 15, 1928 to the late John and Mabel (Moore) Gehrisch.

He married Joan (Hipp) Gehrisch on May 27, 1951 and she preceded him in death on September 29, 2008.

Jim was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and years ago, a member of the Kiwanis Club, both of Crestline. Jim went to school to study cabinet making and started Gehrisch Builders where he did remolding and carpentry work for many years. He was employed by the City of Crestline as a building inspector for ten years.

Jim enjoyed building model airplanes, and loved watching the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and the TV show Jeopardy. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a life-long member of the American Legion Post 488, Crestline. 

He is survived by his daughter, Vicki and Jim Yetter, Crestline, his step-daughter, Dixie and David Elrod, Crestline, his grandchildren; Jimmy Carroll, Erich Yetter, Andy and Kati Yetter all of Crestline, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, his sister-in-law, Mable Hipp, and his special friends Joan Scheiber Gehrisch, and Bill Fisher.

In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his granddaughter Angela Carroll and brothers, John and Ron Gehrisch.

Friends may call Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, after 11 a.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 410 North Thoman St., Crestline, with Pastor Diana Seaman officiating. Burial will follow

Article source: http://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/james-m-gehrisch/article_b7cee444-9711-11e7-8bc3-bfe9d58c449c.html

He claims to have lost count of how many replicas he’s built and given away over the years but with the shelves of his workshop bulging with aircraft, a safe answer might be “a few.”

“I’m not much of a modeler,” he said. “I’m more of a collector. A friend got me a model aircraft for Christmas in ’49 and I’ve been doing it ever since. … I like the history.”

MODELING MEMORIES

Mitchell is an original member of the East Texas Modelers, a group devoted to crafting small-scale plastic replicas of aircraft, science fiction craft, ships, automobiles, motorcycles, tanks and helicopters.

Some of the group’s creations are on permanent display in Tyler’s Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, while others are maintained in personal collections.

The group also repairs and maintains the museum’s inventory of vintage models to ensure displays remain in top-top condition.

“We’re trying to get people interested in what we do, especially the kids,” Mitchell said.

The group meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at the museum, 150 Airport Drive, with details available by calling 903-386-7277.

“We welcome anybody,” said current club president Michael Hilgert, of Athens. “We all build models and have varied interests.”

Hilgert, a retired sales engineer, said he started assembling models as a boy and has yet to tire of the hobby because there’s always something new to learn and acquire.

“About 50 percent of the building is doing the research, especially on the aircraft,” he said.

Article source: http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-News+Local/301542/east-texas-modelers-honor-history-through-hobby