Corkey's Plane Talk

As I taxi out in a light rain I know I’d better get out of Dallas because the skies are about to open up. I’m headed to Frasca Field in Urbana, IL, for Rudy Frasca’s fly-in. Rudy’s fly-in is old grass roots fun, like the first days of the EAA conventions. Good fun flying, flying stories, and new friendships, all summed up as aviation fellowship. The setting is his private airport with a hard surface and grass runways, a beautiful clubhouse surrounded by trees, picnic tables and a museum hangar. Fun signs such as “Lucille’s Flying School and Hot Dog Stand” and “Rudy’s Airplane Rides” let you know you’re going to have a great time. Yes, there are hot dogs and hamburgers and yes there were a PT-23 and Great Lakes giving free airplane rides. People and planes, there were plenty of both. Paul and Audrey Poberizney were there (Paul was running around in a golf cart parking airplanes), Rudy, his wife and all the kids and grand kids (WOW the Frascas are a gang), and then there was Jim Bede with endless jokes on every subject. There were just too many interesting people there to mention. Airplanes, everything from war birds to Cubs graced the parking area. There was a Great Lakes bi-plane that was outstanding along with a matching pair of Stinsons, one a Voyager and the other a Station Wagon. I have to mention the yellow PT-19 with the shark’s mouth painted on the nose; I have seen this flying machine at many shows.

This trip to Rudy’s was a little work and pleasure for me. We were shooting lifestyle pictures for our Fury multi-page brochure that will be in the Fury information package along with our DVD, pictures, 3 view, etcetera. To answer the many questions I get about this information packet, yes it will be available at Oshkosh. Doug Edmonds, a renowned photographer and noted for his life style shots, did his magic; he impressed me. Doug asked me if we could arrange for some of these people to be in our shoot. I pointed out two couples and asked if they would fit the bill. Doug said they were perfect and did I think they would do it? He looked at me as I got up, walked to their table and said, “Hi, we’re shooting pictures for our Fury brochure and need a good looking lady and an ugly guy. You two are perfect, would you do it?” The expression on Doug’s face was priceless; I don’t think he thought I would ask them like that, hahahahaha. They laughed and were game for the shoot. The other couple had watched all of this and smiled as I approached them. Doug sat apprehensively, not knowing what to expect. I spoke to the lady of the second couple “Sweet lady, is he bothering you? I see he has been trying to pick you up for the last hour with no success. Would you two mind leaning on the fence behind the Fury for some pictures?” I said to the guy, “you may have more success with her if she thinks you’re something special by being in our pictures.” Everyone was in good spirits and the shots came out like Doug wanted them, perfect. Oh, by the way both couples were married and enjoyed the shoot and my approach. Doug also shot pics of Rudy’s P-40 with the Fury and others that you can view when you get your Fury information package. I hate calling it an information package because it is really a first class prospectus of and about the Fury, its history, construction, future and lots of exciting Fury flying on the DVD.

With the brochure shoot complete it was time to do some flying. Rudy wanted to see the Fury and his P-40 making formation fly-bys for the attendees, oh twist my arm. Bob Frasca was flying their T-34 in the pattern, so I took off and flew several fly-bys with the T-34 while waiting for the P-40 to taxi out and take off. The Frasca gang has a lot of airplanes. I guess that’s why Rudy had so many kids; he needed pilots. David Frasca flew the P-40 and was a great lead. I joined up and around we went the Flying Tiger and the Fury. In formation I had flash backs of flying my P-51 and Bearcat next to Rudy’s P-40. He and I flew together a lot back then. I also have to say that with the P-40 I couldn’t hear my engine, hahahaha. I could sure hear his. This P-40 is the most photographed Flying Tiger in the world. After we landed, both of us answered questions about the flying, the airplanes and of all things KnotWax. The bugs were all over the airplanes. As I answered questions I was cleaning bugs and again they asked, “what are you cleaning the bugs off with?” My reply was “water,” then I handed them my rag, poured from my water bottle and said, “have a go!” KnotWax just amazes me and I’m sooooooo glad it covers the Fury. The people wanted to see us fly again so Rudy told them “tomorrow David and Corkey will fly the Wildcat and Fury.” David and I looked at each other and thought “it must be good to be the King” hahahaha. In fact everyone at the show addressed Rudy and Paul P. as King Rudy and Pope Paul, which they took in good sprit.

The next day I had Paul P’s grandson-in-law, Mike, with me. He was in love with the Fury and wanted to fly it. Mike had been kept busy flying all the free rides for Rudy in the PT-23 non-stop, so I gave him his wish of flying the Fury. I told Mike I understood his plight; that when I would fly into the EAA convention at Rockford as a young pilot Paul P. would be next to my Mustang before I shut down. I would be unloading the 51 as he would say, “I have several press people for you to fly.” I was happy to do it. Mike was in lust and love with the Fury. Eventually I had to tell him it was my turn, hahahaha, and we joined up with the Wildcat as it took off. Yep, I had flown our 51 and F8F in formation with this Wildcat, what memories. At least with the Wildcat I could hear my engine, a comforting sound. A friend and noted photographer, Paul Newman — NO JOKE, that’s his name — shot pics of the Fury with the P-40 and Wildcat. I can’t wait to see them. When I was preteen I saved my money and sent it to Paul Newman for a set of race pictures he sold from magazines ads. He sent me the pics and my money back with a note telling me to enjoy aviation. I would spread these post card pics out on my desk doing homework and in school, hahahaha. He and I have remained friends for many years. I still have the pics in my collection.

Saturday night was the fly-in dinner in the main hangar, which has a Big Ass fan to keep us cool — yes, that is the name of the company that makes this fan: “The Big Ass Fan Co.” If they turn it up full speed, it blows everybody out the doors. I’m telling you it looks like helicopter blades. You’ve got to see one - I want one! The only thing that cost anyone anything other than the cut-rate fuel price was the catered dinner. Rudy covered the breakfasts, lunch, snacks etc. It must be good to be the King, hahahaha. I was reminded again at the dinner as I sat with Jim and Jane Bede enjoying the meal when I heard Rudy on the speaker. “We had a DVD to show but it’s only audio, no pictures, so Corkey Fornof will tell us about the LoPresti Fury and flying for the movies” to which an approving applause sounded. I improvised, but that’s what I always do when giving one of my talks. Sunday morning I said my goodbyes, mounted up and headed out. Next stop, the COPA gathering in Duluth, MN. I hope it’s not as cold as it was last year.

Check 6,
“Corkey”