https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc FTaD6A2oKU1EAGj68WeL3jBQ5ucdvRvjEeuNbWwyzGbZzl <https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JH cFTaD6A2oKU1EAGj68WeL3jBQ5ucdvRvjEeuNbWwyzGbZzl&id=100064070529204> &id=100064070529204 This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the "Tiny Winny." The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern....I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal...waiting to fly or keeping track of your students.mgb https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z /data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x889a129f7351c5f3:0x525940bf8f4ad623!8m2!3d30.4876 954!4d-87.6997094!16zL20vMHBndzc?entry=ttu <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13 z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x889a129f7351c5f3:0x525940bf8f4ad623!8m2!3d30.487 6954!4d-87.6997094!16zL20vMHBndzc?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMS4wIKXMDSoASAF QAw%3D%3D> &g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> mgbrattland@brattland.org Admin/Moderator SanDiegoCarGuys List & Calendar of Events <mailto:sandiegocarguys@brattland.org> sandiegocarguys@brattland.org 619 454-0496 '38 Willys 2 Dr Sedan Webmaster for <http://www.brattland.org/> www.brattland.org <http://www.overthehillgang.com/> www.overthehillgang.com <http://www.overdrivehotrodnews.com/> www.overdrivehotrodnews.com <http://www.gerlecreek.org/> www.gerlecreek.org <http://www.helobubbas.com/> www.helobubbas.com <http://www.prowlers.org/> www.prowlers.org <http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.gerlecreek.com <http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com <http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com <http://www.nssha.org/> www.nssha.org <http://www.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> www.nhahistoricalsociety.org <https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/
You had to do well or your instructor had no ride back to Saufley.. Sent from Gmail Mobile On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc...
This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z...
*CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *
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Bill, Were you an instructor at VT-1 in the fall of '71 ? CDR Lindsay Blanton, JR USN (RET) 399 Abercorn Circle Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Email: skytrainco@protonmail.com Phone 406-471-7259 Sent with Proton Mail secure email. On Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 2:08 PM, Bill Sears <billcsears@gmail.com> wrote:
You had to do well or your instructor had no ride back to Saufley..
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc...
This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z...
CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com
mgbrattland@brattland.org
Admin/Moderator SanDiegoCarGuys List & Calendar of Events
sandiegocarguys@brattland.org
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No, sir. In 71 I was begging flight time on shore duty in Norfolk. Sent from Gmail Mobile On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM skytrainco@protonmail.com < skytrainco@protonmail.com> wrote:
Bill, Were you an instructor at VT-1 in the fall of '71 ?
CDR Lindsay Blanton, JR USN (RET) 399 Abercorn Circle <https://www.google.com/maps/search/399+Abercorn+Circle+Chapel+Hill,+NC+27516?entry=gmail&source=g> Chapel Hill, NC 27516 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/399+Abercorn+Circle+Chapel+Hill,+NC+27516?entry=gmail&source=g> Email: skytrainco@protonmail.com Phone 406-471-7259
Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email.
On Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 2:08 PM, Bill Sears < billcsears@gmail.com> wrote:
You had to do well or your instructor had no ride back to Saufley..
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc...
This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z...
*CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *
*mgbrattland@brattland.org <mgbrattland@brattland.org> *
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From: Bill Sears <billcsears@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2025 11:50 AM To: skytrainco@protonmail.com Cc: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: VT-1 Solo Instructors-Summerdale, AL No, sir. In 71 I was begging flight time on shore duty in Norfolk. Sent from Gmail Mobile On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM skytrainco@protonmail.com <mailto:skytrainco@protonmail.com> <skytrainco@protonmail.com <mailto:skytrainco@protonmail.com> > wrote: Bill, Were you an instructor at VT-1 in the fall of '71 ? CDR Lindsay Blanton, JR USN (RET) 399 Abercorn Circle <https://www.google.com/maps/search/399+Abercorn+Circle+Chapel+Hill,+NC+27516?entry=gmail&source=g> Chapel Hill, NC 27516 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/399+Abercorn+Circle+Chapel+Hill,+NC+27516?entry=gmail&source=g> Email: skytrainco@protonmail.com <mailto:skytrainco@protonmail.com> Phone 406-471-7259 Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. On Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 2:08 PM, Bill Sears <billcsears@gmail.com <mailto:billcsears@gmail.com> > wrote: You had to do well or your instructor had no ride back to Saufley.. Sent from Gmail Mobile On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> > wrote: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc... <https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHcFTaD6A2oKU1EAGj68WeL3jBQ5ucdvRvjEeuNbWwyzGbZzl&id=100064070529204> &id=100064070529204 This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z... <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x889a129f7351c5f3:0x525940bf8f4ad623!8m2!3d30.4876954!4d-87.6997094!16zL20vMHBndzc?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D> &g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> mgbrattland@brattland.org Admin/Moderator SanDiegoCarGuys List & Calendar of Events <mailto:sandiegocarguys@brattland.org> sandiegocarguys@brattland.org 619 454-0496 ’38 Willys 2 Dr Sedan Webmaster for <http://www.brattland.org/> www.brattland.org <http://www.overthehillgang.com/> www.overthehillgang.com <http://www.overdrivehotrodnews.com/> www.overdrivehotrodnews.com <http://www.gerlecreek.org/> www.gerlecreek.org <http://www.helobubbas.com/> www.helobubbas.com <http://www.prowlers.org/> www.prowlers.org <http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.gerlecreek.com <http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com <http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com <http://www.nssha.org/> www.nssha.org <http://www.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> www.nhahistoricalsociety.org <https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/ _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com <mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com <mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com>
Oh, I remember those ready room chalk boards. I remember the early mornings of spotty overcasts and “launch the weather check” to check for sucker holes. In those days we were training Vietnamese kids, and there was an RVN trainee on watch in the tower. as a translator for the panicked Viet solo that was lost. Standard reply was to turn south until you saw the gulf shore, then turn left or right, ya got a 50-50 chance. Sent from Gmail Mobile On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
*From:* Bill Sears <billcsears@gmail.com> *Sent:* Friday, November 14, 2025 11:50 AM *To:* skytrainco@protonmail.com *Cc:* mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com; HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> *Subject:* [Helobubbas] Re: VT-1 Solo Instructors-Summerdale, AL
No, sir. In 71 I was begging flight time on shore duty in Norfolk.
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM skytrainco@protonmail.com < skytrainco@protonmail.com> wrote:
Bill,
Were you an instructor at VT-1 in the fall of '71 ?
CDR Lindsay Blanton, JR USN (RET)
399 Abercorn Circle <https://www.google.com/maps/search/399+Abercorn+Circle+Chapel+Hill,+NC+27516?entry=gmail&source=g>
Chapel Hill, NC 27516 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/399+Abercorn+Circle+Chapel+Hill,+NC+27516?entry=gmail&source=g>
Email: skytrainco@protonmail.com
Phone 406-471-7259
Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email.
On Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 2:08 PM, Bill Sears < billcsears@gmail.com> wrote:
You had to do well or your instructor had no ride back to Saufley..
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc...
This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z...
*CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *
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Earl Spencer went on to be the first CO at NASNI (then called NAS San Diego). He was the first husband (1916-1927) of Wallis Simpson. He and Simpson divorced and she later she went on to marry King Edward the VIII after he had abdicated the throne of England.
On Nov 14, 2025, at 10:48 AM, <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc... This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z...
CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@brattland.org <mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> Admin/Moderator SanDiegoCarGuys List & Calendar of Events sandiegocarguys@brattland.org <mailto:sandiegocarguys@brattland.org> 619 454-0496 ’38 Willys 2 Dr Sedan Webmaster for www.brattland.org <http://www.brattland.org/> www.overthehillgang.com <http://www.overthehillgang.com/> www.overdrivehotrodnews.com <http://www.overdrivehotrodnews.com/> www.gerlecreek.org <http://www.gerlecreek.org/> www.helobubbas.com <http://www.helobubbas.com/> www.prowlers.org <http://www.prowlers.org/> www.gerlecreek.com <http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com <http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com <http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> www.nssha.org <http://www.nssha.org/> www.nhahistoricalsociety.org <http://www.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/
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Wow Don, that is a great bit of Inside Baseball. Watched all the BBC drama on this topic over the years but never really new anything about her first husband. Thanks for that addition….mgb From: Donald Steuer <steuerfamily@aol.com> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2025 12:10 PM To: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com Cc: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: VT-1 Solo Instructors-Summerdale, AL Earl Spencer went on to be the first CO at NASNI (then called NAS San Diego). He was the first husband (1916-1927) of Wallis Simpson. He and Simpson divorced and she later she went on to marry King Edward the VIII after he had abdicated the throne of England. On Nov 14, 2025, at 10:48 AM, <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> > <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> > wrote: <https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHcFTaD6A2oKU1EAGj68WeL3jBQ5ucdvRvjEeuNbWwyzGbZzl&id=100064070529204> https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc... This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x889a129f7351c5f3:0x525940bf8f4ad623!8m2!3d30.4876954!4d-87.6997094!16zL20vMHBndzc?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D> https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z... CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@brattland.org> mgbrattland@brattland.org Admin/Moderator SanDiegoCarGuys List & Calendar of Events <mailto:sandiegocarguys@brattland.org> sandiegocarguys@brattland.org 619 454-0496 ’38 Willys 2 Dr Sedan Webmaster for <http://www.brattland.org/> www.brattland.org <http://www.overthehillgang.com/> www.overthehillgang.com <http://www.overdrivehotrodnews.com/> www.overdrivehotrodnews.com <http://www.gerlecreek.org/> www.gerlecreek.org <http://www.helobubbas.com/> www.helobubbas.com <http://www.prowlers.org/> www.prowlers.org <http://www.gerlecreek.com/> www.gerlecreek.com <http://www.ford6vcarburetion.com/> www.ford6vcarburetion.com <http://www.westcoastwillysclub.com/> www.westcoastwillysclub.com <http://www.nssha.org/> www.nssha.org <http://www.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> www.nhahistoricalsociety.org <https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/> https://sh60fhoas.nhahistoricalsociety.org/ _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- <mailto:helobubbas@helobubbas.com> helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to <mailto:helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com> helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com
I got my wings in summer of 72, through the Helo pipeline. No fleet seats available so stashed at Naval Air Station Cecil Field flying the station C1, S2, and T 28. Went to VRC 40 at NAS Norfolk to get qualified in the C1. Cecil Field ops officer assign me as the arresting gear officer with a crusty old E9 to take care of everything, so he said go fly those three airplanes as much as you want. I loved the T 28 and flew from Cecil down to NAS Key West for lunch almost 3 times a week. You guys in Jacksonville heard about me and so every once in a while you would fly your H-1 over to Cecil and give me some helo flight time. After a year and a half fleet seats opened up in helos so I was sent to the RAG at HS-10 and then to HS-8. My primary flight training in 1971 was at VT-1 Saufley Field, with plenty of bounces at Summerdale. I'm pretty sure I did my solo there with the instructor standing under the trees. As you said good memories. CDR Lindsay Blanton, JR USN (RET) Sent with Proton Mail secure email. On Friday, November 14th, 2025 at 4:03 PM, randall abshier <abshierr@cox.net> wrote:
‘71, was logging almost 100 hrs per month at SAR Jacksonville; H-34, H-1, T-28, S-2, C-47, C-131, and the HU-16 Seaplane. Great two years, almost 2000 hrs, before going HS-15 pre-com and the first SH-3Hs. Did VT-1 Saufley in ‘68 as a AOCS cadet before commissioning. First reverse flow class. Our solo flights were out of Saufley down to Summerdale for t/g bounces-sometimes bounces were harder than others. That Fri gathered in BOQ courtyard for tie cutting. Not allowed into O’club as cadets like the Ens/JGs ceremony. Great memories! Nothing beats “fly Navy”. Sent from my iPad
On Nov 14, 2025, at 12:22, mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com wrote:
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Wow Don, that is a great bit of Inside Baseball. Watched all the BBC drama on this topic over the years but never really new anything about her first husband. Thanks for that addition….mgb
From: Donald Steuer <steuerfamily@aol.com> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2025 12:10 PM To: mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com Cc: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com> Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: VT-1 Solo Instructors-Summerdale, AL
Earl Spencer went on to be the first CO at NASNI (then called NAS San Diego). He was the first husband (1916-1927) of Wallis Simpson. He and Simpson divorced and she later she went on to marry King Edward the VIII after he had abdicated the throne of England.
On Nov 14, 2025, at 10:48 AM, <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02i6r7YvgviPNJGBd7JHc...
This picture reminds me of Summerdale in Fall of 1971 where you did your solo flights in the “Tiny Winny.” The instructor would get out and sit in the shade adjacent to a small building like this in the center of the old airfield and keep track of their students in the pattern……..I suspect the picture if someplace more central to Pensacola, but the same principal…..waiting to fly or keeping track of your students…mgb
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Summerdale,+AL/@30.4828044,-87.7207961,13z...
CDR Mike Brattland, USN (Ret.) mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com
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participants (5)
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Bill Sears -
Donald Steuer -
mgbrattland＠gerlecreek.com -
randall abshier -
skytrainco＠protonmail.com