Here’s Looking at You, Floyd Bennett
New York City’s first municipal airport couldn’t take a bad picture.
- By Diane Tedeschi
- AirSpaceMag.com, September 14, 2010
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Comments (6)
While in command of the USS William R. Rush [DD-714] from Aug 1974 till Aug 1976, my family and I lived in quarters built during the time [1940's] Floyd Bennett field was a Naval Air Station. A fantastic place to live, with Lots of historical buildings, hangars, runways, and great views of Jamaica bay, and the skyscrapers of NYC.
We have wonderful memories of Floyd Bennett field.
Our son learned how to ride a motorcycle at Floyd Bennett, and is now the top rider/manager for Dunlop motorcycle tire testing.
Our daughter, was so fascinated with the view of NYC from her upstairs bedroom, that she returned to the city after college. Today she she serves in the US National park service, which for a time in 1975-76 had a detachment on Floyd Bennett field.
Excellent historical photos/comments.Well done Air & Space Smithsonian.
Posted by Capt. Tim H. Roberts USN [ret on September 19,2010 | 08:21 AM
In 1939, Henry B.Chapman set a new long-distance world record for light seaplanes, flying from Jamaica Bay opposite Floyd Bennett Field 1,163.8 miles to the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans. His airplane was an Aeronca S-65-C monoplane, powered with a continental 65 HP engine. He was wished well by the then manager of Floyd Bennett Field and later provided with a congratulatory note and photograph of the sendoff; I have this photo of this Mr. H.Rohn (sp?) shaking hands with Chapman. He had enough fuel to go on to Houston, but the radio reported the weather was bad in Houston, and he had accomplished his objective so he set the plane down in New Orleans. The National Aeronatic Association presented him the CERTIFICATE OF RECORD of his accomplishment on January 1, 1940. Chapman was my uncle, godfather and stepfather, marrying my widowed mother in 1946, 14 years after my father, Chapman's brother died. Noone had to change their names. I have oral and written records of all this.
Posted by Henry G. Chapman on October 23,2010 | 02:10 PM
If my memory serves (and the information was correct) the DC-1 was never built. The design was so good it was modified to the DC-2 (two rows of seats) and only one was ever built. Once tested, it showed such promise that the design was modified into the DC-3 (3 rows) that went into production. As such there was never a DC-1 commercial pilot.
Posted by joe on October 25,2010 | 02:56 PM
I disagree with joe above; A prototype DC-1 was produced, however after it was flown, several modifications were made, and when it was placed into production it was re-designated the DC-2. According to "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" (1997) the DC-1 was completed and delivered to TWA Airline, who used it for promotional flights, but never placed it into airline service. One of the promotional flights of the DC-1 was a coast to coast record flight (14 hr. 4 min.) on Feb. 18-19, 1934. The DC-2 fuselage was 2 ft. 10 in longer and had accommodation for two additional passengers. The a/c was immediately ordered by several airlines, and the U.S. Navy, who designated it the R2D. The Army Air Corps waited until 1936 to order it, which they designated the C-32, C-33 and C-34.
Posted by Ted Wilkinson on March 4,2011 | 10:37 AM
I was stationed there (1975-1977) as the "Doc" Independent duty HM. There were 21 active duty (TAR) personnel and many Naval Reservist drilled on the weekends. My clinic was on the second deck of the hangar.
I have many memories and met lots of interesting people, one I remember was Lowell Levine who was/is a famous Forensic Dentist and I remember signing his orders when he went to help identify those who perished in the plane crash in the Canary Islands.
I especially remember the Jewish War Veterans who had their chapel on the same upper deck in the hangar. They treated me with much kindness and invited me to the services.
The Commanding Officer as I was stationed was Carl Lahr and I remember his Secretary Ms. Segona.
I would welcome email from anyone who remembers me from those days. I retired from the Navy in 1981 and had a 21 year career at the VA Hospital in Memphis, TN as the Certified Anesthesia Tech. and retired there
Go Navy
Ray G. McConnell
email: rajan14@xipline.com
Posted by Ray McConnell on May 2,2011 | 10:06 PM
I was lucky to be stationed (USNR) at Floyd Bennett in 1976 during the centennial and observed the arrival of the sail ship. It was great!
Posted by MILLER REHM on February 1,2013 | 02:58 PM