-- Updates --

Well, it looks like I'm able to get things uploaded and running again.  I experienced a catastrophic site failure and have only now begun to rebuild the site.  Please be patient as I sort things out...

-- Happy New Year --

-- Updates --

I've updated several new pages.  In the Winged-Brush Gallery, I've added a gallery dedicated to the art of Belgian artist, Dan Vercammen.  I've also added a simple 'tidbit' about the aircraft dope company - Berryloid.  Check them out!
 

I found an interesting web project today, Proyecto SCW, a group of dedicated historically-minded flightsim enthusiasts who are recreating the aerial conflict experience of the Spanish Civil War.  You can find more information HERE.

-- Updates --

I've updated several pages in the Airlines section.  I added Mamer Air Transport and Robertson Aircraft Corporation.  I'm working to get the FS Files section more up to date, as well as a couple other things but time is tought - -still...

-- Happy New Year --

-- New Release --

FS design group, Golden Age Simulations, has released their second commercial aircraft package -- just in time for Christmas!  Travel Air 6000 Alaskan Adventure Pack for FS2004 and Golden Wings 3.  For more information, click HERE.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

- Now Available -

The 2006 Hallmark "Sky's the Limit" Christmas ornament is now available.  This year's model is the Monocoupe 110.  For more information on the complete series, click HERE.

-- Updates --

I'm back! 

After a prolonged and extended period away from my web page, I'm back.  In my absence, a number of things have changed and appeared and evolved.  Over the coming month or two, I hope to catch up and get things rolling here at Wing Publishing.

One of the first things I'd like to bring to everyone's attention, is the newly inaugurated Golden Age Simulations web site.  This group of dedicated flightsim enthusiasts continues to fine tradition, begun by Bill Lyons, of recreating the Golden Age in the flightsim world.  Click on the team's logo below for more information.

-- Updates --

I've uploaded a new gallery -- Mike Newcomer Gallery.  Mike's work focuses on the romantic and heroic epic of the early U.S. airmail.  I hope you enjoy these paintings as much as I do.

-- Updates --

I've long enjoyed a gentleman's website and live audio feeds which feature music of the 1920s and 1930s -- Radio Dismuke.  Now you too can discover the pleasures of flying along humming to such tunes as "Happy Days are Here Again".  For more information, click HERE.

-- Updates --

I've been busy with teaching responsibilities and family matters these past months.  Still, I've managed to keep working on updates for this site.  It's just going to take a it longer to get things posted.  Meanwhile,  I've updated the FS pages again HERE.  I have many more files to take screen shots for and get posted but at least I'm keeping at it...

I recently visited the Map Room at the New York Public Library in NYC and discovered a cache of aeronautical charts and maps.  I'll be posting some scans of these eventually.  But for now, I've uploaded a sample catalog page from the 1933 offerings of the Department of Commerce (and for which NYPL has most of the actual maps!) that offers some information on the Airway Strip Maps.  You can view the page HERE.  I've also been asked for more information on the Air Mail routes and these are available HERE.

More to come...promise! 

-- Updates --

I've been busy with updates.  To begin with I offer a brief look at one of aviation's most mysterious organizations -- The QB (or Quiet Birdmen). 

-- Updates --

I've updated the Airships pages and the the Airlines pages.  I've also uploaded a discussion and photo gallery of the only floating airship mooring mast -- the U.S.S. Patoka, the airship tender for the Shenandoah.

-- Happy New Year --

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

- Now Available -

The 2005 Hallmark "Sky's the Limit" Christmas ornament is now available.  This year's model is the Laird Super Solution.  For more information on the complete series, click HERE.

-- Updates --

I've completed a rework of the FS Files sections.  I have also added a FS2002/FS2004 section.  I will be updating this section over the next several weeks as time permits.  Enjoy. 

-- Updates --

I've discovered another interesting poem.  "Memories of McGirr Field" is a poem by Alice Eakle Marks, the daughter of an airmail airfield manager.

I've added a small page offering glimpses of Surviving Airway Beacons.

I've gathered the previously released Airport Postcards into an organized section.  These pages feature views of airports (most in the U.S.).  You can find them all together now  HERE.

 

I've uploaded three more aviation art galleries, the Albert Enckler Gallery, the Thomas Hoyne Gallery and the C.E.P. Davis Gallery.   Mr. Enckler was a native Ohioan whose work features a number of very interesting and unusual aircraft.   Thomas Hoyne is a well-known nautical artist in addition to painting aircraft.  The C.E.P. Davis Gallery is a series of paintings depicting the aircraft of the Gloster Aircraft company.  Enjoy. 

-- Updates --

I've added another interesting little piece of historical reference to airway beacons.  This brief discussion from 1931 concerns the U.S. government crack-down on private and commercial beacons which were beginning to make things a bit complicated while flying across the nation at night.   "Too Many Beacons" is available HERE.  Enjoy. 

-- Updates --

After some prodding by a fine fellow named Mark Smith, I've finally completed a set of pages discussing the visual marking of airways in the United States.  These discussions shed a lot of light on the subject of rooftop signs and some other more unusual and unexpected methods for assisting pilots find their way.   You'll find these pages under the Aeronautical Advances pages.  Look for the    buttons.  Enjoy. 

-- Updates --

I've uploaded another aviation art gallery, the Chas Downs Gallery.  Mr. Downs' work features a number of unique aircraft which operated in and around College Park, Maryland during the 1920s and 1930s.  Enjoy. 

-- Updates --

I've uploaded a new aviation art gallery, the Lawrence Rice Gallery.  I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Rice at the Dayton Air Show this past July.  I hope to purchase his prints in the future to decorate my den.  Enjoy. 

More is on the way...I promise!

-- Updates --

I've updated the Airport Postcards pages.  I've added two more pages as well as a page on Dinner Key (Pan American Airway's seaplane base in Florida).  More coming... Page 3, Page 4.

-- Updates --

Back at work once more... 

I've been busy with many real life matters and have only just gotten back to updating these pages.  I've added a new resource -- Airport Photos Postcards.  These pages feature views of airports (most in the U.S.).  I've added two pages worth at present, with more to come.  Page 1, Page 2.

I've also added an anonymous poem dedicated to aviation mechanics which I just thought was interesting.  As a retired Air Force flightline mechanic myself, it just struck my fancy.  Maybe it'll strike yours.

-- Updates --

 I've added another art gallery page - Robert Bausch Gallery.  Take a look.

-- Happy New Year --

-- Updates --

 I've added another art gallery page - William Trotter Gallery.  Take a look.

-- Updates --

I keep finding interesting things to buy with a golden age theme.  This week's find was actually something I found last year and forgot about.  I'm hoping to get a copy for myself soon.

This poster commemorates the 2003 National Air Tour.  It features the aircraft which participated in the recreation of the Ford Air Tours of the 1920s.  Information on the poster is available HERE.
 

I also discovered an interesting musical CD.  British artist, Judge Smith, has created a rock song-story about the loss of the British airship R.101 in 1930.  The music is in the tradition of Rick Wakeman ("Journey to the Center of the Earth"), Jeff Wayne ("War of the Worlds") and Alan Parsons ("Tales of Mystery and Imagination").  For more information, click HERE.

-- Updates --

I've added a new section in the Virtual Modeler's Workshop devoted to Air Racers.  This section, like the others, is a work in progress and will be added to as I find new material.  I have also added another art gallery page - Sam Lyons Gallery.  Take a look.

-- Updates --

I've added a fun activity page for kids -- two paper airplanes (Lockheed Vega 5B and Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis") to build.  Just thought these would make a fun activity with children or grandkids. 

- Now Available -

The 2004 Hallmark "Sky's the Limit" Christmas ornament is now available.  This year's model is the Spartan 7-W Executive.  For more information on the complete series, click HERE.

I'm trying to complete my Christmas present to you readers.  So check back soon.

-- Updates --

I've added two more of the miscellaneous galleries -- Gallery No.4 and Gallery No.5.  I also have added a small note on the Origin of the Airmail Pilot Wings in the Miscellaneous section.

I hope to have a major update to the Virtual Modeler page very soon.

-- Updates --

I've added another of the miscellaneous galleries -- Gallery No.3. 

-- Updates --

I've added another of the miscellaneous galleries -- Gallery No.6.  What do you know about the history of in-flight entertainment?  Take a peak HERE for a discussion on this topic.

-- Updates --

I've added another of my brief looks at significant technical innovations introduced during the 1920s and 1930s.  This time the discussion is the First Airplane Deicers.   Two more of the miscellaneous galleries have been added:  Gallery No.2 and Gallery No.7 -- more still coming.

-- Updates --

I've been updating the original art gallery pages.  I've added a wealth of new photographs and information. These are the miscellaneous galleries.  Gallery No.1 and Gallery No.8 have been uploaded.  Why not take a look.

-- Updates --

I've just found out about a new movie coming out in December -- The Aviator.  It's a bio-epic on the early years of Howard Hughes' life.  Read more about it HERE.  Ever heard of a Flying Grocery Store?  I hadn't either.

I'm continuing to bring back old web pages from past versions of the Beacon.  I've updated some materials in the Bookshelf.  There is a discussion of the "Epic of Flight" series by Time-Life, an excellent series with a lot of useful information on early aviation.  I've also added a Videos page.

-- Updates --

I've added several new FS alerts.  Bill Lyons has released yet another gem -- The Classic Travel Air package  and a European freeware design team has begun releasing their wonderful Virtual 1929 Schneider Trophy Race package.  I've also added or updated the following:

I have long been fascinated with the Ford involvement in aviation.  To that end I have added a few pages focusing on this subject.  I have added a discussion on Stout Air Lines and Maddux Airlines, two of the earliest airlines in the U.S. and also early operators flying Ford Trimotors. 

 

-- Updates --

I've added a collection of U.S. aeronautical maps collected from various resources published during the period 1919-1939 (mostly from Aircraft Yearbook series).   There are also two new discussions, under the Airways section of Aeronautical Advances -- Airway Radio Progress (dated 16 November, 1929) and Airway Marking - Identification of Cities and Towns.

-- Updates --

I've added a preview of an older FS/CFS package which some may not have seen -- U.S. Navy Airship package by Doug Westfall.  This package offers a chance to fly the Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk and the U.S.S. Macon/Akron rigid airships which carried the little planes.

I have finally gotten around to compiling and editing the wonderful ramblings of a great friend, Jim Nichols.  These are memories of his father's life as a pilot and operator of a flying service in the golden age.  Thanks, Jim.

-- Updates --

I've added another section under Aeronautical Advances -- Research and Development.  The first two articles under this section have been uploaded, discussions of NACA and CAA.  A new section has been added under the Miscellaneous section -- Aviation Trophies and Awards.   I've added a new page offering information on aviation museums offering golden age as their principal subject under the Miscellaneous section.

-- Updates --

I received quite a few emails from folks asking for my lists of aircraft and other files created for Flight Simulator & CFS.  I have also been asked to update this information to reflect the new FS-ACOF files.  I've added one additional section to this site:  The Flightsim Page.  It is here that I'll be spotlighting new FS files &  products.  I have also placed the older FS files lists HERE.  The most recent list is under construction.

-- Updates --

After several attempts, I have finally merged all of my previous efforts into one web site.  The Beacon, the Winged-Brush Galleries, and the Virtual Modeler's Workshop are now gathered into one web site.

-- Updates --

 

I've added quite a bit of new material under the Airlines section.  Recent additions include discussions on airlines in the Soviet Union, Japan, and Australia.   Much more to come in this section.

The Airships section has been updated.  Ever heard of an all-metal airship?  Yes, I did say metal!  Read all about the ZMC-2, the U.S. Navy's remarkable mini rigid.

-- Updates --

I have added a few new pages:

Read about the new  "Heroes of the Sky" exhibit which recently opened at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.  The exhibit features 15 golden age aircraft in new displays.

 

 

I finally completed the first set of scanned AFDs (Airfield Directories) published by the U.S. Government. These directories offer a wealth of information on airports much like their modern counterparts.  The first scanned set is dated: 1 January, 1936.

I have just completed another major upload of this site.  Among the updates are the following articles:

Under Aeronautical Advances I've added a Flight Instruction section with an article on Flight Simulators and the Link Aeronautical Trainer.  In the Instruments and Navigation section I've added a brief discussion of the Dalton Flight Computer (otherwise known as the E6B) and a discussion on the first successful aircraft automatic landing.   There are two new articles under Aircraft Developments which discuss the NACA cowling and the Controllable-Pitch propeller.  I have added another trophy page -- the MacKay Trophy.

I've added a page under the Airlines that introduces Air Travel Guides.  Finally, I've added an introduction to a W.P.A. aviation bibliography project.

There's much more coming...

-- Happy New Year --

-- Updates --

I've added the following new material:  A brief discussion of one of the earliest airliners built -- the Lawson Airliner, c.1919.  I've also added a page on one of the earliest aerial tour operations in the U.S. -- Flights over the Grand Canyon.

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I've added the following new material:  A brief discussion of a airline radio position map used by United Airlines (1932), a detailed article on the Loth Landing System (1932) -- an early instrument landing experiment, and a complete set of tables describing the U.S. List of Department of Commerce radio communication and radio range stations and intermmediate radio stations (this is a real treasure).

I've also updated the Airlines section with two airline genealogy charts showing the complex mergers and joint ventures of the airlines in Europe and the United States before 1940.

I'll be back on Monday with more...

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I've added the following new material: a section on NACA National Advisory Council on Aeronautics, I've reloaded a couple of commercial interests for collectors; namely a page on an interesting reproduction of a Spalding aviaion supply catalog, and a preview of a set of fine-art prints of golden age flying boats by Mike Machat.

Old articles which I've corrected and uploaded today include: the Radio Flyer (the first flight simulator).

New material includes: a discussion of the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, and the Trans-Canada Air Pageant of 1931.   These articles are as yet, unlinked except from this page.  Also in keeping with my interest in aviation trophies and awards, I've uploaded a page on the MacKay Trophy, and the Collier Trophy -- both of which are still actively awarded today.

Finally, I've started the project dear to my heart -- a comprehensive resource section on Airlines and Airliners in the Golden Age.  At present all I have uploaded is the introductory material, but over the coming months this section will grow rapidly!  Take a look at the Airlines in Italy section today, for a clue of what's coming.

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I've added the following new material: a discussion of the NACA Technical Report Server (hosted by NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia).  This site offers a host of technical reports and publications related to aeronautical advances in the golden age.

I've uploaded a couple of fun things under the Miscellaneous page including: information on a series of paper airplane models from Fiddlers Green; two inexpensive golden age screensavers; a golden age of aviation Christmas ornament series from Hallmark; and a neat collection of art prints from Chevron.  Enjoy...

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I'm slowly, but surely, reposting the material from the original "Beacon", among these is the following: an article on The Sperry Pilot for Automatic Flying by Assen Jordanoff.  There is a descriptive article on the Earth Inductor Compass (the type of compass used by Lindbergh in the "Spirit of St. Louis" in his 1927 trans-atlantic crossing).   There is an article on Hugo Leuteritz and his development of the long-range (ADF) automatic direction finder for Pan American Airways; an article on the use of radios as weather advisory aids; an article on instrument and radio flying from 1935; an article discussing the first radio broadcast from an airplane, dated 1924; a discussion of Pan American Airways use of radios in 1929;

Today, I've also added several new articles...

There is an interesting article on The Richfield Beacon Airway, a private venture by Richfield Oil Company of California.  This airway was constructed in 1929 for private and business pilots along the Pacific coast of the United States.   I've also uploaded an article on early Flight Inspection -- the job of inspecting airway beacons and radio range stations.

I'm  particularly excited about an article I've transcribed from the May 1933 issue of Aviation, "Down the Landing Beam: or a New Adventure in Wonderland" by S. Paul Johnston, Assistant Editor of Aviation.  This article discusses the newly-tested instrument landing system installed at Newark Airport.

I've also started a series of articles which will attempt to document the history of aviation regulatory agenies in both the United States, and Europe.   In my first installment "Before the Federal Aviation Administration"  I present a brief survey of the aviation administrative agencies in the United States before 1940.

I found a couple of interesting tidbits that I thought might be interesting to some folks.  I have placed these in the Miscellaneous section on the front page of this site.  Included in this section you'll find a copy of the first pilots license issued in the U.S., as well as a photo and story of the youngest pilot licensed in the U.S.

I've also uploaded a page entitled: Landmark Governmental Legislation and Control
Affecting Commercial Aviation in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.

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I have just completed the first uploading of this site.  I'll be posting regularly from this point on...