Lee Historical Society

Newsletter

Vol. 6, No. 12

December 2009

Lee Historical Society, Inc.

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA  01238

www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com

.

When friends, neighbors or relatives move, downsize, or just clean house, PLEASE, ask them to think of the LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY before they discard any old books, pictures, postcards, letters or memorabilia of the TOWN OF LEE. We are also interested in obtaining old Lee High School yearbooks and Town Reports.

New Members to Welcome:

Hunter & Graziano P. C., 10 Park Place, Lee, MA 01238

Our Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, December 3rd at Crossway Village. The following were elected to three year terms on the Board of Directors; Maria Hopkins, JoAnn Zarnoch and Robert Kelly. The entire Board of Directors then proceeded to elect the officers for 2010, which include; Gary Allen, President, Ethel Noonan, Vice-President, Bambi Johndrow, Secretary and Mal Eckert, Treasurer. Congratulations to all.  Also on the ballot was a question regarding the changing of the date of our Annual Meeting. The main reason for the change was because of inclement weather postponing the meeting for the past two years. This question passed and a new date will be set for the Annual Meeting when the weather is more favorable.

The Society thanks Ethel Noonan, Mary McGinnis and James DiMario, the outgoing members of the Board of Directors, who have completed a three year for their service to the Society.

The Annual Meeting was adjoined and the Program Meeting was immediately started with a presentation by local historian, Lion Miles of Stockbridge entitled “General Charles Lee, Traitor or Patriot”. Many interesting facts and thoughts were brought forth about this man for whom our town is named. The jury is still out on whether or not we should change the name of Lee to something else based on General Lee’s exploits.

The January Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 unless there is a conflict with a possible special Town Meeting.

Condolences go out to member Vic Mottarella and the entire Mottarella family on the passing of Remo Mottarella, a resident of Lee until 2007. He passed away on November 13th at the age of 88 in Santa Barbara, California.

Recollections VII, 

By U. S. Navy Retired Commander Vic Mottarella,

A native of Lee

(Continued from the November – 09 issue)

Ground School

      The war was over and the Navy was in no hurry to get us into the cockpit – we spent about three weeks undergoing lectures on various ground school subjects.  We consumed considerable time on CAA (Civil Air Administration) regulations.  The CAA was the predecessor of the FAA.  Volumes had been written on these regulations and for the most part I found this study most boring.  Another subject we spent a lot of time on was learning the fighter directory vocabulary.  The purpose of this vocabulary was to enable Radar Air Controllers aboard ship to clearly transmit detailed instructions to the pilot of a fighter using a minimum number of words.  There were a total of about 90 code words that had to be memorized. A few of these words are illustrated below:   

 

   Hawk – an enemy Dive Bomber           

   Bogey – an unidentified plane (could be friendly or unfriendly)       

   Turkey – an enemy Torpedo Bomber

   Bandit - an enemy plane

   Rat – enemy fighter

   Chick – Friendly Fighter      

   Saunter – Reduce power to conserve fuel

   Buster – Proceed with normal power settings

   Gate – Go to maximum power to close on enemy

   Roger – I understand your transmission

   Wilco – I understand and will comply with your instruction

   Vector – used with magnetic compass heading assigned to intercept a bogey

   Starboard – turn right followed by the assigned number of degrees to turn

   Port – turn left followed by the assigned number of degrees to turn

   Angels – Altitude in thousands of feet – Angels 30 means climb to 30,000 feet

   Orbit – Circle your present position

   Pancake – Land, refuel and rearm

   Tallyho – Aircraft sighted and identified as hostile

   Scramble – Take off immediately     

After the second week of ground school we finally started introductory courses on the Hellcat. No dual cockpit Hellcats existed which meant our first flight would be solo.  Previously, we had always been assigned to fly with an instructor when checking out in a new airplane.  The Hellcat had an engine that was over four times as powerful as anything we had flown to date.  We were all eager to fly it but I cannot honestly say this strong desire existed without some apprehension. 

The Hellcat

    I was soon to learn why Navy pilots had given the Grumman Aircraft Corporation the name, “The Grumman Iron Works”.  Every plane that had been manufactured by this company, to date, was built like a ton of bricks and each could take a lot of punishment.  The Hellcat was no exception.  One particular Hellcat was the recipient of more than 200 bullet holes and safely landed on the carrier after competing in several air battles – this plane was flown by Butch O’hare who shot down most of the eight Japanese planes accredited to that airplane. Lieutenant Gene Valencia stated after shooting down 23 enemy aircraft in the Hellcat, “I love my Hellcat so much that if it could cook I would marry it”.   John Votolato and I were impressed by the plane’s immense size.  It measured over 13 feet in height and when standing in front of it we could not reach the propeller spinner (center of the propeller) with our fingertips.  It was over 33 feet long with a wingspan of 42 feet. With maximum load it weighed over 15,000 pounds.  It had a top speed of 380 miles per hour - not quite as fast as the Corsair but respectable for the age in which it served.  With water injection the 18 cylinder power plant could deliver over 2200 horsepower.  The plane’s absolute ceiling was over 37,000 feet.  Internal fuel capacity totaled 250 gallons but it could carry a 150 gallon drop tank and since fuel consumption at reduced power used approximately one gallon per minute the plane could stay in the air for several hours.  Armament consisted of six 50 caliber machine guns with six 5 inch rockets or a 3000 pound bomb. It had attachments where three 1000 pound bombs could be substituted for the single 3000 pound bomb.  According to Navy records 7870 Hellcats were built during the war.  The plane is credited with destroying 5156 enemy planes and had a kill ratio of over 19 to 1, a record for any fighter at any time.  One big difference from the planes we had previously flown was the radio – the Texan we flew at Corpus Christi used a coffee grinder to change radio frequencies that made it difficult to precisely tune in on a particular frequency.  The Hellcat had a modern VHF (Very High Frequency) radio that was crystal controlled with ten preset frequencies.  Instrumentation was considerably more complex than we had experienced in the Texan.  The rudder pedals were adjustable to accommodate pilots with either short or long legs – because of the powerful engine it was important to be able to apply a lot of pressure on the right rudder to overcome torque, especially for takeoff.  The plane also had a rudder trim tab to help offset torque and the strong tendency for the plane to veer to the left when applying maximum power.  On one occasion I forgot to adjust the rudder pedals and jammed the throttle forward for takeoff and found myself going sideways because I could not apply enough right rudder pressure.  Fortunately, I was still on the ground and I was able to reduce throttle immediately with no damage done to either the airplane or to my pride!  We spent about a week reviewing the flight characteristics of the plane as well as becoming familiar with the various knobs, levers and instruments.  On the third week they let us in the cockpit and after a short period we finally satisfied the instructor with a blindfold checkout.  A few days later we got to start the plane and a few days after that we got to fly the beast. One thing that impressed me was how high we were off the ground – with the seat fully extended we could see over the nose but our eyes were about 12 feet from the ground.  On March 5, 1946, after taxiing the plane to the run up area near the take off end of the runway and carefully going over the extensive check-off list I called the tower and indicated I was ready for takeoff.  After my clearance I gradually increased throttle to full power -I had the rudder trim tab turned all the way clockwise to offset the expected torque but I still had to apply a lot of right rudder pressure to keep the plane going straight down the runway.  I climbed to about ten thousand feet towards the designated tactical training area, a few miles west over the Everglades.  These are Votolato’s words concerning his first flight:   “Having been warned and fully expecting a lot of torque would be generated by the large radial engine on takeoff, I fed in right rudder gradually.  When I had applied maximum right rudder and noticed that I was still drifting left and was about to run off the runway I pulled back on the stick and staggered into the air just above stalling speed.  After that incident I had the carpenter shop fabricate a couple of wooden blocks that I attached to the rudder pedals before each flight – this allowed me to apply more pressure, especially on that right rudder pedal”.

        I put the plane through various maneuvers to familiarize myself with the capabilities and feel of the airplane including the stall speed.   I started a slow roll and noticed that the control forces to accomplish the maneuver were considerably heavier than it had been in other airplanes I had flown.  One thing that pleased me was the almost docile manner in which the Hellcat flew at slow speeds. Stall characteristics were even more pleasing – the plane stalled but almost had to be coaxed to do so.   There was no tendency for the plane to spin – this desirable characteristic in stability was a definite asset especially when flying at low altitudes and at slow speeds when making an approach to a carrier landing.  One undesirable characteristic was noticed when I put the plane into a left turn at slow speed - in order to make a coordinated turn it was necessary to apply a little right rudder because there was insufficient right rudder trim tab.  It feels very awkward for a pilot to have to apply right rudder when making a left turn (for pilots this was called cross controlling) – that was the only criticism I could find with the Hellcat on that first flight.  The seat was adjustable and could be raised to a point at which your head nearly touched the plexiglass canopy.  This allowed me to clearly see the centerline of the runway over the huge engine when approaching the field for my first landing.  The landing was uneventful.  I flew a total of seven familiarization flights in the airplane with the last occurring on March 12, 1946.  During these flights I put the plane through every conceivable maneuver that I had learned at my previous duty stations.  I accumulated 7.5 flight hours in the familiarization flights.  The whole purpose of this phase of training was to build up confidence in the airplane and in my case I felt it was very worthwhile.   (Continued next month)

Winners of the November “Calendar Raffle” for 2009

Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to all that donated gifts to our raffle. The proceeds of this raffle will fund our newly created scholarship that will start in 2010 and also will help with our other programs of the society.

Nov. 1Barb/Gary Allen*Four tickets to a Springfield Falcons hockey game & baby afghan (Beverly

  Trombley)

Nov. 2Aldo Pascucci   $25 gift certificate (Karen Keenan House & Home), tour tickets (Ventford

  Hall) & $10 gift certificate (Lee Video)

Nov. 3Charles Shaylor Jig saw (Dresser Hull) and manicure (Lucky Nails)

Nov. 4Dolores Eckert  $50 cash (RW’S) and BONUS of 2 tickets to “A Christmas Carol (Berkshire

  Theatre Festival)

Nov. 5Mary McGinnis**Two tickets to Jacobs Pillow.

Nov. 6Barb/Gary Allen*$50 gift certificate (Crown Jewelers) and two large two topping pizzas (Locker

  Room)

Nov. 7Gil Biron    $50 cash (Daley & Sons) and BONUS of four tour tickets (The Mount)

Nov. 8Henry Zukowski $25 gift certificate (Pauline’s at Greenock), wash, cut & dry (Sandy’s Place)

  & $50 gift certificate (Chez Nous)

Nov. 9Arlene Duquette$25 (Naoussa Gallery) $25 (Vic Motarella) and BONUS $25 Gift certificate

  (Price Chopper)

Nov. 10Tim Shaeffer    Dinner for 2 (Lion’s Den) and needlepoint (Joan Zukowski)

Nov. 11Candace Jackson    Full size Jacquard quilt (Country Curtains)

Nov. 12Milton Lestz    3- D picture of your home (Walt DeFreest) and a ladies Handbag (Cindy’s

  Bags)

Nov. 13Ann Langlais   2 tickets to Shakespeare & Company and BONUS of a $25 gift certificate

  (Big Y Supermarkets)

Nov. 14Mary McGinnis **   Gift certificates; $25 (Lee Hardware), $20 (Hats & Jewels), $15 (Green

Grocer/Claire’s Café)

Nov. 15Fran Bona      $100 cash (Valley Mill Corporation)

Nov. 16Brian Cosgrove**    $50 gift certificate (Zabians’) and a haircut (Monk’s Professional Barbers)

Nov. 17Bob Longerato**     $50 gift certificate (Henry’s Electric), $20 gift certificate (McDonald’s of Lee)

  and a haircut (Steve’s Barber Shop)

Nov. 18Jen Baily        $25 gift certificate (East Lee Package & Varity) and a set of hand painted

  wine glasses (Sheila Maroney)

Nov. 19Karen Kelly    $50 cash (Carlson’s Auto Body) and BONUS of a $25 gift certificate (Price

       Chopper)

Nov. 20Tom Swift      $30.00 gift certificate & shampoo (Terrace Hair Salon) and Two tubing tickets

       (Ski Butternut)

Nov. 21               Brian Cosgrove**   $100 gift certificate (Dave Comalli, Lee Car Wash)

Nov. 22John Cinella  A year’s family membership (Hancock Shaker Village) and a $15 gift

certificate Lee Power Equipment Co.)

Nov. 23Mandie HoodGift Certificates: $25 (Sullivan Station), $25 (Joe’s Diner) and $25 (Mary Kay

Cosmetics/Nancy Searing)

Nov. 24Bob Longerato**   Drilling/screwing kit (Carr Hardware of Lee) and two show tickets (to the

Colonial Theatre)

Nov. 25Paula Miller  Two tickets to a 2010 Red Sox game (from a Foundation To be Named Later)

Nov. 26John Cinella  2 tickets to the Norman Rockwell Museum & “American Chronicles”, the art of

Norman Rockwell (Rockwell Museum) and a $75 gift certificate to Myron’s Call

      (Myron Hood)

“Nov. 26”      Joann Conroy       “BONUS DAY” - $100 Savings bond (Berkshire Bank) and a gift bag (South

Adams Savings Bank)

Nov. 27Karen Hoffman      $100 cash (LB Corporation)

Nov. 28Everett Fennelly    Gift cards: $10 (Price Rite), (2) $20 (Arizona Pizza) and $25 (Dunkin Donuts of

Lee)

Nov. 29Lynda Newton$75 service card (All Clean Air Duct & Dryer Vent Service/ Nancy Searing)

Nov. 30Marty Keenan$50. cash (Consolati Ins. Agency & Autographed Clay Buchholz baseball (Red

Sox)

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE MONEY!!!

1.Sign up as a new member or renew your membership between September 25, and January 31, 2009 and pay the following:

(a.)A Senior or a Student Membership for the next three years will be $12.00.

(b.)An Individual Membership for the next three years will be $27.00.

(c.)A Family Membership for the next three years will be $42.00.

(d.)A Business/Corporate Membership for the next three years will be $72.00.

Become a member or enroll an out of town friend or relative to a gift membership.

Student Membership - $5.00Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00

Business Membership - $25.00Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00

Family Membership (All members of one family living at home) - $15.00

Please circle one:Student          Senior          Individual          Family          Business/Corporate

Name_______________________________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________

City____________________________State__________________Zip____________________

Telephone____________________Email___________________________________________  

Is this a renewal membership? __________

Would you be interested in serving on a committee? __________

Or helping out at one of our fundraisers? ____________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mail to:

Lee Historical Society

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA 01238

.

The Lee Historical Society has the following items for sale. Any of these would make a great gift for those out of town friends and relatives.

(1.)Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored pictures of “Old Lee” for $10.00 or 3 for $25.00

      plus $2.50 if shipped.

Refrigerator Magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”) Street scenes of early Lee for $3.00 each or  

            a set of three different ones for $7.50. No shipping charge.

            (Only a few single ones left)

(2.)Cookbook – “Boiling Water” – a 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the society for a price of $10.00 plus $3.50 if shipped.   

(3.)“Historical Lee” – a tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles written between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver. $10.00 plus $2.50 if shipped.

(4.)“Third Strike”, a book, the last of three written by Ralph W. Smith that was published in 1984 with stories of people and tales of earlier days in Lee. Price is $15.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

(5.)2008 Commemorative Mug with the image of Memorial Hall (1st in a series) $10.00, add $3.00 if shipped.

(6.)2009 Commemorative Mug with the image of Central Fire Station (2nd in series). $10.00 add $3.00 if shipped.

Both mugs can be purchased for $18.00 for the set plus $5.00 shipping.

         

         Please send me (amount) ____________of (item) __________________________________

Enclosed is my check for (No cash please) ______________________________________

Name___________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City_____________________State___________Zip______________________________

LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

P. O. BOX 170

LEE, MA 01238

THE LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WISHES ALL OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON AND BEST WISHES FOR A GREAT 2010.

Please support our “Business Members” that support us.

Bartini Roofing CompanyBen’s ShopCharles Flint Antiques

290 Pleasant Street68 Main Street52 Housatonic Street

Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lenox, MA 01240

Greylock Federal UnionQuality PlusL. V. Toole Insurance Agency

47 Main Street260 Chestnut Street195 Main Street

Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238

Sullivan Station RestaurantPaperdilly, Inc.Dresser Hull Company

Railroad Street74 Main Street60 Railroad Street

Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238

Robert M. Kelly, PaperhangingKelly Funeral HomeThe Jonathon Foote 1778 House

South Prospect Street3 Main Street1 East Street

Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238

Morgan House Restaurant & PubLee BankDevonfield Inn

33 Main Street75 Park Street85 Stockbridge Road

Lee, MA01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238

Hunter & Graziano P. C.

P. O. Box 337

10 Park Place

Lee, MA 01238