While clearing a wooded area near the old base incinerator at Freeman Field, our bushhog operator, David Foster, noticed some loose aircraft aluminum just sitting on the surface. He then passed along photographs from his camera phone that showed German aircraft parts. Unbelievably, they were just lying about, completely out [...]]]>

What a difference a week makes….

While clearing a wooded area near the old base incinerator at Freeman Field, our bushhog operator, David Foster, noticed some loose aircraft aluminum just sitting on the surface. He then passed along photographs from his camera phone that showed German aircraft parts. Unbelievably, they were just lying about, completely out in the open. Two days later, the Freeman Field Recovery Team had enlisted the help of Foster Brothers Excavating to probe the area. Within minutes, we were recovering German artifacts. The depths of the items varied from 2-8 feet. Among the artifacts were an Me-262 Jumo 004 turbine wheel with blades, a BMW 801 crankcase, various cylinder heads, camshafts, German electronics, MG parts, electronic control boxes, a tailwheel assembly that appears to be off a Messerschmitt BF-109, various valves, cowling pieces, etc…..

Co-Director Terry Gunter arrived on Saturday to help identify many of the recovered parts and to deliver our new power washer. His trailer is certainly getting a workout between digsite and the storage area. Scott Cooper continues to be a key member of the Team, he is definitely the “go-to” person in the absence of Terry or myself. The level of cooperation between the Team and the Seymour Airport Authority remains strong, in fact, when a pair of our vehicles were mired in the mud a few weeks ago, J.J. came to our rescue with an airport vehicle and a winch. ( I told you to go fast, Scott……) Ted Jordan, Larry Bothe, plus other museum and airport members have added their support during these efforts as well.

Vinny from the PBS station in Indianapolis was contracted by Digital Ranch Studios and Rob Kirk, to film the recovery of the buried items. This will, in turn, lead to a promotional video for sponsorships, network requirements, and the preservation of the actual excavation. Vinny is a competent professional who conducts his business in a way that you hardly know that he is even there. We look forward to seeing the footage.

Eight faculty and student members from Utah Valley University, in Utah are currently lending their skills in all aspects of our endeavor. They have been active in moving recovered items from the digsite, cleaning, identifying, and cataloging the various parts that we have exhumed, as well as providing great humor during a very busy time. The team is very grateful to them and their professor, Rick Fish. As a sidenote, Rick and I became best friends in 4th grade, and spent many summers playing in an old derelict C-119 at our local airport. It is nice to know that the sense of adventure that was present in those two 10 years-olds lives on….

David Gray, Executive Director.

He [...]]]> In the past few days I have had the pleasure to speak to a man whose father was a civilian employee at Freeman Army Airfield during the time that the German aircraft/equipment was assigned there.  His father was a representative for Consolidated-Vultee, a large aircraft manufacturer at the time which later evolved into General Dynamics.

He recalls a time as a teenager when he worked on post himself, and recalled many anecdotal memories of the times that German jets filled the air over Seymour.  He also recalls witnessing the burial activities prior to the base closing in 1947.  When he asked his father about the excavations, his father merely stated that he wasn’t supposed to see that.  He has pointed us in the direction of the Northwest corner of the field, just off the end of the runways.  We believe that there were several burial areas, but we welcome this new information. 

It should make for an interesting Spring.

Dave Gray, Executive Director

We have a new partner in our project. The folks at Blood Hound Underground based in Brownsburg, Indiana have been wonderful at providing Ground Penetrating Radar for our search. Their equipment and personnel are top-notch and have been a pleasure to [...]]]> It has been awhile since the last update, but alot has been happening.

We have a new partner in our project. The folks at Blood Hound Underground based in Brownsburg, Indiana have been wonderful at providing Ground Penetrating Radar for our search. Their equipment and personnel are top-notch and have been a pleasure to work with. They also specialize in a method of excavation that involves a wet-vacuum method that will do the least harm to the artifacts. We welcome them aboard with open arms.

Team members Terry Gunter, Scott Cooper, and David Gray, along with Rick Fish and two additional faculty members from Utah Valley University recently completed a four-day research trip to National Archives in Washington, DC. The documents we found did not provide a “smoking gun” as to where the buried equipment is located, but it still provided worthwhile clues regarding inventories and the atmosphere between Wright Field and Freeman Field. We also made important contacts with archivists and the curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum.

Two weeks ago was the initial exploratory dig in the Southeast corner of Freeman Field. Foster Brothers Excavating provided the excavator and it’s operator, Chris. Chris handled the bucket as if it were an extension of himself. We are very proud of the job that he did. David Foster came out to observe, and was thoroughly briefed as to our methods and goals. We look forward to working with them again in the near future.

Through the assistance of Ted Jordan, we were able to get in contact with Mr. Ken Hammer. I had the rare priveledge of interviewing Ken at his home in Wisconsin. His wife, and son, Randy were incredibly kind and opened their homes to me as if I were a member of the family. Ken is now 91 years old and has an incredible memory. His job while at Freeman Field? He was the officer in charge of inventory and movement of the captured German aircraft and equipment. His knowledge and insight regarding the gradual closing of the base have helped us a great deal.

We are also in contact with the Dorney family. Colonel Dorney was a talented pilot who flew many of the captured aircraft at Freeman Field and also its last Commanding Officer. In fact, during an airshow in 1945 his wife became the first female jet passenger in America when Hal Watson took her for a flight in a two-seat Me-262. They are very supportive of our project, and have offered their assistance. We thank them.

Rob Kirk and I spoke early this week regarding the status of the documentary. He says that he is focusing on selling the 2-3 hour documentary special to the networks this week. We should know soon which network will be airing the program. Rob has been very supportive and helpful throughout this project, sending us a camera for our everyday tasks, as well as doing the first pre-production filming back in October. He is the executive producer of Digital Ranch Studios, their series “Dogfights” being one of our favorites.

We have entered into an agreement with the Jackson County School Board in order to search the area of Freeman Field which they own. Initial magnetic and metal detection searches indicate large sources of metal. This is our most encouraging result to date as it was the exact area in which one of the original bulldozer operators reported burying aircraft parts and crates. As soon as the snow melts, we plan on conducting a GPR search grid, then digging. We will keep everyone posted.

Even as Winter sets in, we continue to work, research, interview and prepare for what promises to be a very busy Spring. Thanks to everyone involved with the Freeman Field Recovery Team. This is about recovering and preserving history. It just also happens to be fun.

David Gray, Executive Director