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Thinking back

Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:07 pm

As a kid I grew up around Flushing, New York. My brothers and I used to go down to Flushing airport (near LaGuardia). It was a small general aviation airport. An old Barmstormer named "Speed" had a flying service there.

They had a small fleet (about 5-6) AT-6s that were used for skywriting over New York City. They were called "the Skytypers". Many times they were skywriting over our house.
(I have heard the difficult place to do skywriting is China!)

My brothers and I would stand in the swamp weeds at the approach and watch the AT-6s come in right over our heads!

I had my first airplane ride there when my Dad bought us a flight in a Piper TriPacer.

It was the late 50s or early 60s when there was a F6F Hellcat parked there. I remember seeing a "for sale" on it. I believe it was for $6,000!

Sadly, Flushing Airport is now returning to a swamp. They tore down the last hangars a few years ago. One still had "Speed's" logo on it.

Here is the story:

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NY/Air ... Queens.htm

(scroll down the site to Flushing)

Anyone else remember the place?

Ken
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