Paul Redfern...

Dear Forumites,

... does anyone still remember him?

Today, 25 August, would have been my mother's 72 birthday; this date was also an important milestone for Paul Redfern.

But again I ask, does anyone here even remember him?

I would be amazed if The Forum's Elders, Dan-San and RMJEROME among them, didn't remember this brave and resourceful pioneer.

In another post, I'll let everyone in on this man's incredible story; until then, I'll keep watch on how many of you Forumites read this thread.

While Paul Redfern did not have a direct connection to The Great War, I have found two connections with our favorite subject, one of which might help solve a question concerning, of all people, Werner Voss.

Until then, patience-- and remember, truth is stranger than fiction...

VBR,
Captain Lewis

PS Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mom!

[Barrett]

Capt. Lewis: I surely did know him. Walt was "Wimpy" to many of his friends--never quite knew the story there. He was, for the interest of new Forumites, among the pioneers in building and flying WW I replica and reproduction aircraft. (there's a difference!) I didn't fly with him a lot but frequently shared ramp space at airshows & flyins around the northwest. He settled in northern Idaho and died several years ago. A fine gent.

[wolfenbill]

Is Paul and Walt the same person?

If so, I do remember him. Heck. I bought a set of triplane plans from him back either in the late 60's or early 70's. Never met the man. Always wanted to. Northern Idaho was far away.

[Lyle]

I always though Paul Redfern was a neat guy 'cause he built his own triplane...that was in 1975. Today he should be remembered as a great contributor to the Movement! Anyone have his DH2 plans?

The question is about Paul Redfern not Walt. I met Walt once and he was indeed a great gentleman.

To have met Paul Redfern I would have to have done so before 1927. I won't say any more and spoil the fun, but he was an important aviation pioneer.

Dear Forumites,

On 25 August 1927, Paul Redfern, flying a Stinson SM-1 christened "Port of Brunswick", took off, alone, from Brunswick, Georgia (USA), aiming to fly, non-stop, for an estimated 50 hours to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), a distance of roughly 4,600 miles (1,000 more than Lindy's 'hop' earlier that year)...

His plane was spotted the next day when he buzzed *a freighter, dropping notes asking for the ship to point its bow towards land; the freighter did so. Redfern had already made history here, being the first man to fly across the Caribbean Sea, solo...

A plane was seen to cross the coast of Venezuela...

Redfern's fuel was estimated to run out at 4:30 pm on 27 August 1927.

He was never heard from again. That was seventy-five years ago...

I'll write more on this in a day or two; in the meantime, there is a webpage honoring Redfern (please browse Yahoo! to find it; just key in "Paul Redfern"). If you like old movies, rent (if possible) Too Hot to Handle, from 1937, starring Clark Gable (a year before he made Test Pilot with Spencer Tracy; both films are great for those of us who are just plane crazy).

The Forum is now open... and thanks, Ralph...

VBR,
Captain Lewis

[DJ]

Interesting story! What is the Voss connection???? You have me hooked.

It is a shame that sometimes all we remember about someone is their last flight or failure.
Paul built his first airplane (a glider) at age 16 and was a barnstormer and test pilot. I am very interested in learning about any WW 1 connections in his life Capt. Lewis.

The searches for him that continued until 1938 were fueled by persistent rumors of a crippled white man living with natives.

[DJ]

http://www.capnbilly.com/redfern.htm

Great site! Thank you for posting the link DJ