Delbert L. Holstein

Bill,

While brousing the webring, I ran across some incomplete C-119 history. The new C-119s (51 models) assigned to the 12th were CF models. They had the F airframe and the C engines. One of the main differences was the C airframe had electrical operated landing gear and the F had hydraulics.


The engines were R-4360-20-WA (water/achohol). I also believe the one in the photo (614) was one we received that was marked for the a Artic. I remember taking all the RED paint off of them.


I also remember the G models we had at Dreaux AB. They had R-3350s on them and , maybe the F models had 3350s also, I can't remember.


I do remember being assigned to 8243 working for SSgt George Bennett. I think he was a fine man. He tried to keep me straight, but back then I was hopeless!


Note: I wrote Delpert about the 4360 engines we had. Here is his reply.

We sure did have those big beautiful 4360s. Did you know that they mounted one of them on the nose of a B-17. After take-off with the main engines they started the 4360 and shut off the mains and gained considerable airspeed.


I was stationed at Biggs AFB, Texas and we had C models there with the electrical operated landing gear and they were a bear to work on. The landing gear.


That big paddle blade propeller was a Hamilton Standard Full Reverseable. A good prop. The G model came out with a Curtiss Electric. It had problems. It would reverse in flight. As a result, the reverse was blocked. This continued for a long period of time until they developed the C-2 prop regulator. This cured the problem and we had reverse again. This was very important because of some of the fields we flew into had short runways.


The engine on the G model was a R-3350 Turbo Compound with 3 power recovery turbines in the exhaust system. There was 1 on top and 2 on either side of the engine. When a shaft sheared, you lost that engine. I don't remember any G models going 1000 hrs with the same engines, but there were some of the CFs that did. You tell people today about a 28 cyclinder engine and they can't comprehend an engine that large.


I remember the old hang outs very well, Cafe Royal was right across from the Hauptbahnhof. I was down there in 70 and they were still there and the bratwursts were just as good.

I remember one Sunday afternoon me and some one else, I don't remember who, was down town and we bought a lemon a piece. Then we went to the Big Maier Gustle and sat down right in front of the band. When they started to play we started sucking on the lemons. You can't imagine the noises coming from those horns (umpah-umpah). We were ask to leave, so we went to the American Star Bar. Another repeat performance and another eviction. We were ask to leave from every down town bar that had a band. No sense of humor at all. But we had fun, good clean fun!! We weren't drinking that afternoon either. Just having a good time.

I remember a 119 going in to a base in England. Made a gear up landing. When they ask the Lt.Col. aircraft commander why he didn't hear the tower telling him his gear was not down, he said he couldn't hear the tower because of the warning horn blowing in his ear. He was the 11th Sqdn CO. Lt.Col. Quinnette.

I well remember the First Sergeant Emmett Drumheller. He was from Beckley. WV. Do you remember the new Group CO after the midair collision? His name was Moomaw. Well, while I was in the APS, I was working the Main Gate one day and this vehicle pull up with a Colonel. He said he was Col. Moomaw, so I had him pull over to the side. Then I called the Desk Sgt and informed him that I had someone at the Main Gate trying to pass himself off as Col. Moomaw. Well, They sent the Flight Sgt up and also called Col. Moomaws office at Group Hqtrs. He got there about the same time as the Flt Sgt. And he cracked up. It was his brother. He shook my hand for not allowing impostors in. But the brother didn't think it was very funny to begin with, but he came around after a while. I saw him many times after that and when he saw me on the Gate he always had a smile.

I remember the Barber Shop down stairs. I also remember Fritz Zimmer, one of the barbers. He took me home for Christmas Dinner in 53. He lived in Offenthal. I spent a lot of time in that little town. I saw him last in 72. His daughter lives in Venice, Fl. He and his wife are deceased. There was a blonde headed barber named Helmutt, too. Fritz had a Barber Shop in the front part of his home and was still barbering in 72.

I just remembered a place across the highway from Gateway Gardens and back towards the civilian airport. They had good Wienerschitzel and it was easy to get to.


Well, that's about all I can remember of any significance. I do remember the C-119 as a relatively reliable aircraft.


It sure is good to talk to guys from old times.Well, talk to you later.

You have a wonderful site, and I can see that you must spend a lot of time working on it. Thanks a million for site and the comeback.

Delbert L. Holstein,
MSgt USAF (ret)

Note: Thanks Delbert for the kind words about the site. You have remembered some great information. Thanks.