For Bill Berle from a writer

[RickLertzman]

For Bill Berle:
I enjoy your page. I am trying to reach you to talk to him about a biography I am writing about Bob Cummings.

I want to talk with you about aviation and any knowledge you had about Bob's work as an aviator (the Aerocar and Molt Taylor, Beechcraft 18 etc.)

I also want to talk with you about your book and your father. You wrote a small paragraph about that in your great book about your father and Bob Cummings, and I'd like to talk with you. I know from the Cummings family that your father was the first speaker at Bob's funeral in 1990.


I have interviewed others, on another note, about Cummings work as an aviator and work with Molt Taylor on the Aerocar. I have talked to many aviators and would also like your input on that for this book, also.


I look forward to an opportunity to talk with you, at your convenience.

Thanks

Rick Lertzman
216 831 1360
[email protected]

[VictorBravo]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

Uh... OK. No problem. But how this relates to a public forum on Taylorcrafts is beyond me... sorry everyone else, I do try to keep Taylorcraft stuff somewhat separate from the unimportant things (usually).

A writer? My condolences

If you are doing some work related to him, you might want to know that Bob Cummings' old airplane "spinach" which is a two tone green 1936 Porterfield, is based at my home field. Still flies occasionally, the owner is a fellow I don't know well but his name is John Crittenden. I can find him for you, or send you to someone who knows him if you like. Spinach was owned by another guy named John Innes at my airport for years (Whiteman airport WHP), and when he passed away he bequeathed it to Critter. The plane still has the old LeBlond radial on it.

To at least have this DISTANTLY related to Taylorcrafts, the Porterfield used an airfoil called the M-6, wihch is I believe a derivative of the old 23012 we fly with. When you look at a Porterfield, you will ntice a similarity, except that the Munk M-6 wing has "reflex" or a raised trailing edge, presumably to reduce the pitching moment so the tail can be smaller. Someone correct me on this if you know more about it.

You can call me if you like, but it is hit and miss whether I will be around at any one moment or another. 818-701-6801 is the home number.

My old man and Bob Cummings were friends back in the day, and according to an old family story some of their adventures cannot be discussed publicly

Again, sorry for the non-T-craft intrusion, all that other stuff ain't me anymore for better or worse.

Bill

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

Not TOO far off is it? Didn't Bob Cummings fly a Taylorcraft at one time? Anybody know which one and if IT still is flying?
Hank

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

Sorry to join in this oblique (for the Taylorcraft Forum) topic... but,

Bob Cummings flew into Wichita in 1967, or may be '68. He toured the Lear, Cessna, and Beech factories. I think he was flying a C-310, Queenaire, or a T-Bone... long time ago and I'm fuzzy about some of this. Anyway, he spoke to a group of us at the Beech plant where I was a cub-PR
intern. Instead of talking planes, at lunch at least, he talked about fat-laden American diets, animal rights, inhumane animal slaughterhouse practices, and the various diseases bred inside humans by these practices.

We though he was a nut and let him go with vague handshakes and less than heartfelt goodbyes. It turns out he was 40 years ahead of his time, probably a genius, and a man I greatly mis-judged. For historical perspective it wasn't until 1981 that the AMA knew anything about collestrol and heart disease.

Interesting how these things work in one's mind over time. Bob Cummings gets little credit and not even much rememberence on issues that are now at the forefront of converstation and political debate. I thought of him just the other day when NYC voted to ban trans-fats.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[Forrest Barber]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

Rick indeed jumped into our public forumn about three times since I was off. BUT it was great to add all this new knowlege to my old brain... I will forget it tomorrow anyhow, BUT I did copy into Word. Rick you are forgiven and please let us know when you publish!!
NOW somewhere else tonight I mentioned the Taylorcraft Continental FA-III, that too was a flying car, it was the Fulton Airphibian and I was driven on the airport in it , I see there are two left? hmmmmm.
Oh well back to the tube.

[RickLertzman]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

Ed and others:

Thank you for that great story. You are right. Cummings was far advanced in health and vitamins. His father was a surgeon, in Joplin, Mo. and was a pioneer in that field in the 20's and 30's and passed that on to Cummings.
Cummings wrote a best seller about that in 1960 called Stay Young and Vital.
It was interesting to read your experience. I'd like to add that to the book if its ok with you.

Cummings was the godson of Orville Wright (his middle name was Orville). Wright taught him to fly in 1927, when he was 17, on the TravelAir #1 that was partially designed by Lindbergh and I believe Walter Beech. It was the first steel tubular plane. Cummings also received the first flight instructors license in the U.S. It was #00001. I have a copy of that.

Cummings also was friends with and worked with Howard Hughes in experimental planes. He was also good friends of Gen Clarence Shoop who worked for Hughes as the head of Hughes Aviation and was one of the great test pilots.

Cummings flew many different planes. I know he loved his Beechcraft 18. He also owned one of the 5 Aerocar's produced. His plane is now owned and still is in service by Ed Sweeney in Colorado, who is workiong on the Aerocar 2000 project.

Thanks again

Rick Lertzman
[email protected]

[hangarb7]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

I am in my early-mid fifties and I would purchase your book on Bob Cummings. I remember some things about him, such as the Molt Taylor air car and his TV comedy from the 1950s.

Jack D
N44057

[Forrest Barber]

Re: For Bill Berle from a writer

Perhaps Wright signed his license?? What date was on that Flight Instructor license. In the beginning , you Instructed on the
"Limited Commercial"