Mom's Log
Day 10
Monday, June 6
Kansas
Iola, Kansas Chamber Of Commerce reception for Martha-very exciting! Five planes, and pilots Dan Murray-1928 Travel Air, Jack Greiner-1929 Travel Air, David Lamb – 1942 Taylorcraft, Gordon Conger – 1956 Piper Tri Pacer from Coffeyville to Chanute in a loose formation flight. Martha was in [Greg Shelton's Harvard,] the last plane, smoke system trailed and the take-off was almost straight up. TV cameras caught the whole show and showed two minutes of it on air at 11 p.m. Met 4 pilots from Texas. One invited her to stay at the hotel he owns when she gets there. He said she could have the best room and it is one of the top ten-rated hotels in the world, in Fort Worth, Texas, the Stockyard Hotel. The pilot(s) were Greg Shelton 1952 Canadian Harvard just like an AT-6 military WWII trainer, a powerful old warbird.
John Pierce, a corporate pilot with a 1948 Ercoupe, flew Martha from Chanute to Iola, Kansas. He called here on Wed. 6-8-88 to say there are no Spartan Executives (airplanes) in Tulsa. Vernon Foltz has a list of owner and addresses. It was manufactured in Tulsa before WWII and none are left in Tulsa.
Day 11
Tuesday, June 7
Missouri to Kansas
Martha stayed at an FBO – Fixed Base Operation –where she slept overnight in a tiny, dark room at the airport made for a napping place for corporate pilots. They call it the “snooze room.” It had a twin bed with navy blue sheets and a reading lamp over the bed. Down the hall, was a large bathroom (w/ shower) that was twice the size of the snooze room. At Kansas City, Missouri – downtown field where “Super Connie” a four-engine transport is being restored by a group of volunteers. Paul Pristo, original owner of the Lockheed Super Constellation. A 1940 huge passenger turbo-prop. Constellation volunteers are getting ready for Oshkosh this July. Cost of restoring is $90,000. The group is called “Save a Connie.” Some are retired stewardesses (flight attendants) aged 45 to 60 yrs old.
Gerald Griggs flew Martha to Wichita from Beech North in Wichita, KS.
Martha stayed in motel near the airport $26 in Wichita, KS. USA Today and Associated Press wire this morning “Barnstorming Zellwood woman artist calls first leg ‘magical.’” Orlando local paper and radio Wednesday morning.
Flew to Beech Factory in Wichita – no reception – cool – did not expect her or hear of her. Got a ride to Mac Donald’s then drove her to her motel.
Paul Pristo flew Martha from Kansas City, Missouri to Wichita, KS in a 1963 Cessna 310.