expectations of Mrs. Woodward , the re lief of the golfers and the delight of the pilots, the money was put to good use. Hence Woodward Field appeared. It's just the kind of airport where the types of planes we fly feel most at home. Woodward Field has a rich history, too much to tell in this article. For in stance, during WW II it was used as a Stearman Base for training pilots. After the war it was a War Assets Administra where tion distribution station thousands of war weary planes were sold into civilian life. (I wonder if any of them have come back to visit during these fly-ins?) Before all of that a gal named Jessie Woods ran the airport flight instructed and restored airplanes. Which was pretty quiet activity for someone who was used to jumping out of and walking the wings of just about anything that flew. The little room where she used to live is still there as is the wood stove which warms the room nearly as well as the memories that live on there. There are lots of special places like that on Woodward Field. The place almost talks to you. You just have to stop and look and listen. During that weekend in October it's really easy to see what I mean. Stear mans and Wacos and Staggerwings and Cubs glide in and kiss the ground as if they actually know this is a place where they're really welcome. Oh, sure, the hard surface runways (4500 and 3000 ft.) get used more than the 1500
This 1934 Douglas Dolphin, NC14205 is the only known flying example. Owned by Colgate Darden, Cayce, SC it received the Rarest Airplane award.
ft. of grass. But, it still feels like a grass roots airport. This year we had 300 airplanes of which 175 were show planes. Now when I say, "show planes," I mean show planes. We are talking gorgeous. These folks take a lot of pride in their aircraft and it really shows. I surely wouldn't want to be one of the judges, but every year a very dedicated group go out and
One of the flight lines at Camden '87.
take up the gauntlet. The awards are presented at the traditional, this is no place to start a diet, Saturday night ban quet which this year was attended by 250 well-fed people. The 13 award winners included: Grand Champion Classic - 1947 Stin son 108-2, N389C owned by Bill Doty, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Grand Champion Antique - 1944 Beech Staggerwing D17S, N52962 owned by Gloria and Eddie Swarthout, Tavares, Florida. You can fly your own plane into Cam den or you can fly the airline into Colum bia and drive a rental car less than an hour through some of the prettiest Carolina pine country that you 'll ever see. If you do rent your own car you have the added advantage of touring the quaint city of Camden and the beau tiful surrounding countryside where in terest in horsepower tends to lean to ward the four-legged variety. If you do that you'll probably want to extend your stay so that you can try to take in as many of the good things as possible. You'll need to stay a long time because there's a lot to smile about in Camden! If you can't wait until next October to experience a Chapter 3 fly-in, try to at tend their annual spring fly-in in Bur lington, North Carolina in May. You'll see just what I mean. Not only are the people some of the friendliest in the country, they also restore and fly some of the most beautiful antiques that you'll ever see. For information on EAA Antique/ Classic Chapter 3, contact: Jack Good night, president - chapter 3, 1202 Fair way Drive, Kannapolis, NC 28081, phone 704/933-2639.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 25