Welcome to the September 1996 issue of the "Supercruiser," the Western Museum of Flight's monthly newsletter.

Why talk about the Northrop N-3PB? The Western Museum of Flight is a direct result of the Northrop N-3PB. The Museum was founded in 1981 when a group of volunteers restored a rare World War II era Northrop N-3PB seaplane. This aircraft had been raised from a glacial river in Iceland. After restoration, the N-3PB was donated to Norway, and is currently on display in Oslo, Norway.

History: The N-3PB was originally designed in 1939 for Norway to be used for offshore patrol duty. This special-purpose aircraft become the first production airplane of the newly formed Northrop Aircraft, Inc. The three-place, single-engine, cantilevered low-wing monoplane patrol bomber had two floats attached by full cantilever pedestals to the left and right wings.

The first flight test took place on 1 November 1940 at Lake Elsinore, California. The Northrop N-3PB was soon identified as the world's fastest military sea plane. 24 aircraft were ordered by Norway on 12 March 1940. Within the short span of eight months, the first production aircraft rolled off the Northrop assembly line.

The N-3PB No. 320-"U" Story: On 25 April 1941 the first Norwegian Naval Squadron was officially established at its new base at Reykjavik, Iceland. It had been decided to equip the new 330 Squadron with the N-3PBs. On 19 May 1941, 18 aircraft arrived in Iceland onboard the Norwegian merchant vessel "Fjordheimn". Twelve N­3PBs were immediately put together. The squadron was divided into three flights: "A"-flight being based at Reykjavik, "B"-flight being based at Akureiry in Northern Iceland, and "C"-flight being based at Budareiry in Eastern Iceland. Three aircraft were given to each flight, with the remaining six being kept as a reserve, being gradually put into operation following losses.

The first operational sortie by the N-3PB was flown out of Reykjavik on 23 June 1941. The aircraft was piloted by Lieutenant A. Stansberg. The squadron was inspected for the first time by the head of Royal Air Force Coastal Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Philip B. Joubert de la Ferté on 11 July 1941.

The story of Norwegian 330 Squadron in Iceland can fill several books. From 1941 until the summer of 1943, the Squadron was moved to Scotland. While in Scotland, a total of 7473 flying hours were logged. Of these, 4272 hours were flown during 1041 operational sorties. Missions included: 246 anti- U-boat missions, 379 convoy escort missions, 250 reconnaissance flights and 18 ambulance flights.

During the operations in Iceland, the squadron lost 21 men and 10 N­3PBs. The squadron was accredited with 15 U-boats spotted. Nine U-boats were attacked and seven were damaged. N-3PB's were also accredited with damage to eight enemy aircraft.

In the spring of 1943, the squadron moved to Scotland. Here they were re-equipped with the Short Sunderland flyingboats. During April and May of 1943, a number of N­3PBs were transferred from Akurairy and Budareiry to Reykjavik to be scrapped. On April 21, 1943, N-3PB No. 320 -"U", took off from Budareiry to Reykjavik. The pilot onboard was Wsewolod Bulukin and the wireless operator was Leif Rustad. On route to Reykjavik, the crew encountered heavy snow-showers. They were forced to land on the glacier river Thjorsa. The aircraft was wrecked during the landing. Fortunately, both crew members swam ashore to safety, and were able to get back to their squadron within a few days. Meanwhile, back in the river, the N-3PB sank down into mud and water.

Thirty six years later, N-3PB No. 320 was successfully salvaged from the Thjorsa river in Iceland. This was accomplished through a joint effort of Icelandic, Norwegian, British and American volunteers. In November 1979, the wreck was flown to the Northrop Aircraft Division plant at Hawthorne, California to be fully restored. A year later, on November 10th, 1980, the only remaining example of the Northrop N-3PB was proudly rolled out (below picture) at the Northrop Aircraft Division plant, following a complete restoration.

Manufacturer: Northrop Aircraft, Inc., Hawthorne, California; Number Built: 24; Wing Span: 48 feet, 11 inches; Overall Length: 38 feet; Wing Area: 376.8 sq. feet; Overall Height: 12 feet; Takeoff Weight: 10,600 lbs; Speed - Maximum: 257 mph; Speed - Cruising: 215 mph; Range: 1,400 miles; Service Ceiling: 28,400 feet: Powerplant: Wright Cyclone, Air Cooled, Radial, 1200 hp; Armament: Four 50-cal guns, Two 30-cal guns, One 2,000 torpedo, or equivalent weight of bombs.

This month we've added three new volunteers, they are Joe Rajacic, who is a United Airlines Pilot, and is helping the museum in the marketing area, Hy R. Joseph who is working on the Link Trainer restoration project with Fred Erb and Moe Star. Merle Coffee who was the Radio Operator on the Spruce Goose, is going to help identify and tag Spruce Goose parts.

The WMOF had visitors from unique places this month. We had Robin Paech from Papua, New Guinea, Andrew Cruz who is a English teacher in Seki-city Japan, brought his students in to see our aircraft. The students jumped right in and helped clean up the YF-23A "Black Widow II" canopy, Eddie Daley from British Aerospace, R. Hughes & E. Richards from the U.K., Mike Falugi, Lt. Mays & Ken Leges from WPAFB, Ohio, Aaron Porter from Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Gordon Yates from Tampa, Florida and Jim Rosen from Eugene, Oregon. We even had Mel Tuckman and Al Baruch from Staten Island, New York, if that isn't unique, what is?!!

Jack Wilson was born and raised in L.A County, and lived in Hawthorne since 1936. Jack started working for Northrop in June of 1941 and retired after 39 years in 1980. Jack was drafted into the Army Air Force in May of 1943. He served on the Consolidated B-24 "Liberator" in India, carried gas to China over the hump, and bombed rail lines in Burma and Thailand. He also bombed the bridge on the "River Kwai" in 1944 and 1945. Jack returned to Northrop in 1946. Jack worked on the restoration of the Northrop N-3PB from start to finish. In addition to the N-3PB, Jack has worked on the following restoration projects: the SNJ "Texan", T-38 "Talon", XP-56 "Black Bullet", X-4 "Bantam", YF-17 "Cobra", JB-1 "Bat", the DH-82A "Tiger Moth" and Jack's favorite, the YO-3A "Quiet Star". Jack has volunteered a lot of his time to the Museum and has given many tours to schools, organizations, tourists etc.

After approximately one year of working on his Cessna, Stu Alpin, owner of Aptec Electronix had his first flight on Saturday. Stu credits his success to Gordon Goddard who provided the technical advice required to complete his task. He has been leasing a tie-down space at The Western Museum of Flight since June of 1996.

During the month of September, the Western Museum of Flight's "Home Page" had 32,127 "hits". "Cyber-Guests" from over 50 countries visited us.

The Museum's "CyberShop" is now also open. We are selling numerous aircraft books, posters, etc. Be sure to check us out on the Museum's web site at http://www.wmof.com.

The Southern California Historical Aviation Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Dick Miller as the newest life member. Dick is a long time VAB Club member and WMOF Volunteer.

The Western Museum of Flight has received notification from the United States Navy that a Grumman F-14A "Tomcat" has been released to the Museum. The aircraft is currently at Miramar NAS in San Diego, California. Plans are currently being formulated to transport the F-14A to the Museum. Watch for the arrival of our ...

Will be the subject of the October Vintage Aircraft Boosters Club meeting. As usual, the VAB Club will meet at the Northrop Grumman Recreation Clubhouse at 5:00 pm on the last Wednesday of the month (10/30/96). As usual, the Museum will remain open until 5:00 pm to accommodate SCHAF members, club boosters and guests.

Reconnaissance is the gathering of intelligence data. We are most familiar with it as "tool" for military intelligence to assess the strength of an advisary. Major John H. Dieken, USAF, Retired, will present a history of military reconnaissance from the unsuccessful attack on biblical Cannan by the Israelites, through the use of balloons as artillery spotter platforms, the use of aircraft during WW I, and the use of recce aircraft during WW II. In 1981, Major Dieken was sent as an Exchange Office to the British Joint School Of Photographic Interpretation (JSPI) at RAF Wyton. At RAF Wyton, he taught interpretation of aerial photography, Infrared, and Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) imagery.

Just a not so subtle reminder that the end of the year is coming up fast. Its time to get those tax-deductible donations into the Museum. Books, magazines, airplane pictures, aircraft memorabilia, CASH, are all gratefully accepted. The books and magazines are carefully sorted by our volunteer Library staff. Extras are bagged and sold in the Museum's gift shop. With each donation, you will receive a donation receipt for your tax records.

Also, if you are planning to become a SCHAF Life Member, DO IT NOW and take the tax deduction on your 1996 return.