The rains came, but too late to save the air show which was scheduled for June 13, next Sunday. Dedication of Warsaw Memorial Airport, otherwise know as "Municipal," will be held definitely on Sunday, July--that's right, July--25th.

Feature of the completed field will be a black-topped runway, 2,500 feet long. Under the black top is 12 inches of gravel, which must be packed by rain. It would cost several thousand dollars to do it artificially. The rain did not come in time to help the contractors complete their work. By July 25, however, the runways will all be finished, the taxiways will be neatly graded, gutters and manholes in and everything shipshape for a great day for the general public.

It's an ill-wind that blows no good, and because of the later date, Warsaw is going to get a real new attraction for the dedication and air show. For the first time in this area, a helicopter will be flown from the new field in a crop-dusting demonstration.

Stuart Sales Corporation, of Indianapolis, is sending a brand new Bell Helicopter. It will be equipped with crop-dusting equipment. You will see it soar, hover, fly straight up, blow dust in the peculiar swirling manner of the helicopter. The rotary-winged craft will be a novelty to this part of the country. Of special interest is the fact that it is built by Lawrence Bell, native of Mentone, boyhood chum and close friend of Morrison Rockhill. More than 1,000 Flying Farmers of Prairie Farmerland have been invited to attend the show. Busy Bill Renshaw, who heads all their activities, will be here in person to take part in the dedication.

The usual aerial gymnastics and stunts will be pulled-off during the day, but my old favorite is the balloon ascension and parachute drop. We'll have one!

Most manufacturers of personal aircraft will have their latest models on display at Warsaw Municipal on both Saturday July 24, and Sunday, July 25. By the way, it's all free on Saturday, but there will be a reasonable charge for the Sunday show. (If you fly in, it's free on both days).

Another date, June 15, is worth fifty bucks to some lucky artist. This is closing date of the contest for a Warsaw Aero Club emblem. Stanley Arnolt, president of the club, offers the half-century note for the winning design. Anyone can place the entry. There are no restrictions. Send your entry now to "Smiling Jack" Doswell, Arnolt Corporation, Warsaw or to Sky Writing.

Frank Hartsock and son-in-law Curt Broughton, make practical and pleasant use of Frank's Ercoupe. About every other Sunday they take an aerial jaunt to someplace interesting. Two weeks ago they left Warsaw at 12:30, saw the six-wheel car qualify for the big race at Indianapolis, and were home again before dark. They are keeping a weather-eye out now for a Sunday fit to fly to Niagara Falls and return. Don't blame them a bit, I would, too.

It is positively dangerous to loaf in the pilots' shack at Municipal Airport these days on account of the low-hangar flying. This is also know as throwing the bull in polite society. Old-timer Cliff Reitzell, new Carlin Airways instructor, is a past-master at his vocation of flying and his avocation of telling about it. The worst of it is, his yarns are worth listening to. Cliff has flown airplanes for years, been a barnstormer, crop-duster and regularly employed instructor. One of his cute little specialties---in his spare time when not instructing---is cutting off the motor at 3,500 feet and coming down in a series of loops, spins, snap rolls, etc., making a glider landing on the airport.

Instructors may soon be a surplus commodity, anyway. Did you read about the two kids, nine years old, who swiped an airplane, flew it several hundred miles and landed without mishap? They learned how reading comic books. (Don't try it. It isn't that easy).

Cliff Goshert, of East Center street, will get his free airplane ride from Sky Writing on Dedication Day at Memorial Airport---if he claims it. The free sight-seeing ride was awarded because his folks, the Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Gosherts, were the oldest readers of Sky Writing to write in during our recent contest.

The National Safety Council has awarded twenty-three United States airlines safety awards for completing the year with a passenger or crew fatality. Fifteen of the winners not only went through last year safely but have records of accident-free travel ranging from two to 15 years.

At least one jet engine has been licensed for commercial operation as Allison at Indianapolis received a certificate on their motor, permitting it to be used by airlines.

Monthly Aero Club meeting Thursday evening, June 10, 8 p.m. at Smith Field.

Warsaw Daily Times Mon. Jun. 7, 1948