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Over the past three years, Flabob Airport has become my second home. Between attending school at the Flabob Aviation Preparatory Academy, Saturday's plane build project and flight lessons on Mondays, the people at Flabob Airport see more of me than my parents sometimes. But what a great place to spend time as nearly each and every hangar is filled with aviation history, both in aircraft and people. I don’t think I could have asked for a better place to be to learn about flight. |
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A Little Bit of History
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In the very early 1900’s Riverside County and the City of Riverside in particular was one of the richest areas in the country and of course attracted people from all around, including aviators. At that time, people that flew into the area landed on a small dirt field, which later would become March Air Field. However, March Field was closed in 1923 leaving the area of Riverside without an airport. Civic leaders addressed this problem and took out a lease on a small piece of land, adjacent to the Santa Ana River near the main highway that lead to Los Angeles. |
Then referred to as just “Riverside”, Flabob was first founded in 1925. Riverside struggled to survive through the 1920’s and the better part of the 1930’s right up until it was washed away by a flood in 1938. Most of those that utilized Riverside left after the flood but a few remained and moved their airplanes a few hundred yards downstream of the original site.
In 1943 business partners, in a machine shop in Los Angeles, Flavio Madariaga and Bob Bogen set out to find a location for their Los Angeles based machine shop that was more cost effective and better suited to service their customers. This new location needed to include a small airstrip for the delivery of supplies and to bring in customers. They ended up buying the little airstrip on the Santa Ana River that was still referred to as “Riverside” airport. The name change from “Riverside” Flabob was the product of a mistake made when an accident occurred at the Riverside Arlington airport but the emergency crews showed up at “Riverside” instead, or it might have been the other way around, nobody can say for sure. It was at this time that Madariaga and Bogen combined the first few letters of their first names “Fla” and “Bob” creating the new name for the airport “Flabob”. Many of the original structures of Flabob were either post war surplus, from March Airfield or purchased surplus wood that came from tank crates from General Patton’s tank corps training center in the Southern California desert.
For reasons unknown Flabob Airport became synonymous with aviation greats and was a home for aviators such as Margaret Ritchie, Frank Tallman and Art Scholl. Well known aircraft designers such as Ed Marquart, Lou Stolp and Ray Stits also called Flabob home. But after the deaths of Bogen and Madariaga, keeping the doors of Flabob open started to become challenging. With the uncertainty that Flabob would continue to operate, many pilots moved on to greener pastures.
In the year 2000, while looking for a home for his foundation, Tom Wathen purchased Flabob Airport. The Thomas W. Wathen Foundation is dedicated to aviation education and preservation and since being under the ownership of the Wathen Foundation, many much needed improvements have taken place at Flabob Airport. The Wathem Foundation also lends support to the on-site Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy and also sponsors a number of plane builds (restorations) performed by teen volunteers, under expert adult supervision.
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Historic Aircraft of Flabob
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Flabob has always been a mecca for aircraft homebuilders, hobbyists and restorers, as can be seen by taking a walk past its hangars, which are filled with a variety of vintage, experimental and even a few historic replica aircraft.
The aircraft, displayed on this page, are just a portion of the aviation history that can be seen at Flabob every day.
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N3N
This yellow N3N is a frequent flier of the skies over Riverside, California and a special plane to me as it was the first plane I ever flew in. What a great way to experience your first flight, in a vintage open cockpit bi-plane.
The N3N was the last biplane to see service with the United States and the last plane to be mass-produced by the Navel Air Factory. Roughly 1000 N3N's were built between 1936 and 1942. The original N3N-1 model had several major shortcomings which resulted in the redesign of the plane. The N3N-3 model corrected most of the shortcomings, of the N3N-1, and over 800 of this model was produced.
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Waco CG-4A Glider
Currently under restoration is this Waco CG-4A glider, which, I am told, will be the only flyable example of the CG-4A in existence, once the restoration is complete. A “new” way to land troops behind enemy lines, after paratroopers were dropped the gliders would follow bringing more troops, jeeps, howitzer guns, food and other war materials.
Usually towed behind a C-47 tow plane on 300 feet of nylon rope, the CG-4A was typically towed at around 110 to 130 miles per hour. The entire nose section, including the pilot's compartment, of the CG-4A elevated open creating a 70 x 60 inch opening into its cargo compartment. The CG-4A has a wingspan of almost 84 feet, is 48 feet in length and can carry 4,060 pounds, which was 620 more pounds than her own empty weight.
The CG-4A came into its own on June 6, 1944 with the D-Day invasion of Normandy. The CG-4A flew in combat in the European, Pacific, and China - Burma - India Theaters during World War II.
A little bit of trivia - after the war, the Ford plant at Kingsford MI (the largest producer of the CG-4A) was converted to the manufacture of Kingsford Charcoal Briquettes.
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Marquart MA-3 Maverick
One of the only two built, this is the original Marquart MA-3 Maverick. A small, single seat bi-plane, designed and built by one of the most famous homebuilders that ever lived, Ed Marquart. Nearing its original completion and able to taxi around Flabob Airport, this plane was purchased, from Ed, before it ever took flight. Fast forward nearly 50 years, a man flies a small bi-plane in to Flabob, locates Ed Marquart having lunch at the Flabob Café and asks him if he would be interested in buying his old plane back.
Ed’s intentions were to purchase the MA-3 and then donate it to the Wathen foundation however, Ed passed away before the deal was completed. The Wathen foundation, in its efforts to preserve the history of Flabob, struck a deal with the owner of the MA-3 and now it is a part of the foundation. No record of the second MA-3 can be found making this the only MA-3 Maverick known to exist.
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1903 Wright Flyer
The Los Angeles Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is building a precise replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first powered aircraft to achieve powered and controlled flight, on December 17, 1903. The project has had many homes and currently resides in a hangar at Flabob Airport. Once complete, it is intended to make it's first flight at Flabob Airport.
One of the primary goals, of the project, was to provide the most thorough possible documentation of the technical accomplishments of the Wright Brothers' first powered aircraft. Details of the Wright Flyer project and the history of the Wright Brothers accomplishments are available on the AAIA Wright Flyer Project web site.
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de Havilland DH.88 Comet
The only full-scale airworthy replica of the world famous de Havilland DH.88 Comet calls Flabob home. The original three Comets were built in 1934 to compete in the MacRobertson Trophy Race, from London, England to Melbourne, Australia, two of which finished the race. Two additional Comets were built, bringing the total to five.
The Comet at Flabob is an exact replica of the most famous of the Comets and the winner of the 1934 MacRobertson Trophy Race, the Grosvenor House, with a few exceptions made for safety reasons. Built for Tom Wathen, by the late Bill Turner, the Flabob Comet is the only Comet that still actively flies.
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R-4 Schoenfeldt Firecraker
The original Rider R-4 Firecracker was designed by Keith Rider and made several appearances during the 1936 air race circuit. In late 1936 the Firecracker was purchased by Bill Schoenfeldt and made several, well performed, air race appearances from 1937 through 1939. At the onset of WWII the Firecracker went into storage and was cannibalized for parts, over the years.
Some time in the 1980's, aircraft builder Stan Rackleff, home based at Flabob, set out to build an airworthy replica of the Schoenfeldt Firecracker. Sadly, do to heart failure, Stan never completed this project. Years later, as part of his purchase of Flabob Airport, Tom Wathen became the proud owner of the dust covered pieces of the Firecracker project, sitting in the corner of an old wooden hanger. Tom Wathen asked a friend, Major General Patrick Halloran if he could find the right people to finish the Firecracker project, which he did and in 1998 the parts to the unfinished Firecracker where hauled to the workplace of the McCombs to finish the job, which was completed around 2005.
The Schoenfeldt Firecracker gets its name from the distinctive sound the engine makes that resembles a string of firecrackers popping off.
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DC-3 Flabob Express
Now carrying the markings and amenities of a 1940’s Douglas DC-3 airliner, the original configuration of the Flabob Express was that of a military C-47. Once a part of the Royal Air Force and having experienced wartime service, the Flabob Express is now the centerpiece of the Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy’s traveling learning center. The Flabob Express is a hands-on exhibit of sorts, traveling to various air shows and encourages kids to climb aboard and learn a little about aviation.
Jerry Barto, a native of Riverside and collector of old aircraft, purchased the C-47 around 2001. After suffering significant damage in a windstorm, a group of Flabob volunteers offered their services to repair the aircraft. It took the Flabob group a year and a half to complete the repairs at which time Barto then donated the airplane to the then newly formed non-profit organization, Flabob Aviation Associates. Since that time the Flabob Express has been fully restored to a vintage 1940’s era passenger liner. Jerry Barto may have a soft spot for Flabob as, at the age of 12, this is where he took his first ride in an airplane.
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1941 Aeronca Super Chief
This Aeronca Super Chief was the first restoration project performed by the Young Eagles of the EAA Chapter One. The idea was conceived, by the Wathen Foundation, as another means to promote interest in aviation to young people. Chapter One Young Eagles volunteers, who showed a dedication to the program, were invited to participate in the Aeronca restoration and the rest is history.
The Aeronca was a deserted and decaying aircraft, purchased by the Wathen Foundation in 2000. An empty building was found to house the project and, under expert adult supervision, the restoration began by the volunteer Young Eagles, who performed all the hands on work. The end result was this beautifully restored 1941 Aeronca Super Chief.
The Aeronca, along with two of the “Aeronca Kids” flew to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2006, accompanied by a chase (or lead) plane and a small ground crew. The cross country trip, to and from Oshkosh, logged over 70 hours on the newly restored Aeronca and was an experience I am sure the Aeronca Kids will share time and again.
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The aircraft, shown on this page represents only a portion of the historic planes of Flabob. As my dad and I discover and learn more about other gems of Flabob we will add them.
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Flabob Fun Facts & Triva
First in Flight at Flabob
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As you pass through the entrance gate of Flabob Airport you can not help but notice the 12-foot replica of the Wright Flyer, mounted on a steel pylon, just to the west of the Flabob Café, re-creating their first flight. If you are one of those that spends your New Years Day watching the Tournament of Roses Parade, you might recognize the Wright Flyer from the parade in 2003.
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Andy Kaufman Visits Flabob
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...well not really, but a scene from the 1999 Universal Pictures movie, "Man on the Moon" was filmed at Flabob. Man on the Moon was the story of the life and career of comedian Andy Kaufman. In the movie, as in real life, Andy Kaufman, played by Jim Carey, was dying from lung cancer. Looking anywhere he could, for a cure, Andy sought out the help of psychic healers in the Philippines. In the town of Baguio Andy visited “The Clinic of Psychic Surgeon” in hopes to find a cure for his cancer. Universal found the landscaping, outward and inward appearance of the Administrative Office of Flabob to be perfect for the clinic setting and the rest is history. |
Tanks & Tail Draggers - The Patton Connection |
Flavio Madariaga had a well earned reputation of being a master scrounger and opportunist. One day, while flying over the Southern California desert, in a Stearman he had just purchased as war surplus, Flavio (then owner and part namesake of Flabob) spotted a group of men standing near what appeared to be stacks of lumber. The creative wheels began to spin in Flavio’s mind and before you knew it, he was landing the Stearman to investigate. This piece of California desert he just landed on, had once served as the training ground for General George S. Patton's U.S. Army tank corps. Tanks that had been delivered, to the training ground, arrived in large wooden crates, made of high-grade, one-inch oak which these men had purchased as surplus. Flavio saw this lumber as just what he needed to build sturdy new hangars at Flabob and so the horse trading began. Having just spent all his money on the Stearman, Flavio offered his newly acquired plane in exchange for the lumber and delivery. The men, not knowing how to fly, had little need for an airplane and declined the offer. Flavio sweetened the pot by throwing in flying lessons which was the deal closer. The surplus lumber was delivered and over time became hangars and other structures at Flabob. |
Smallest Plane in the World
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Flabob can boast to be the birthplace of one of the world’s smallest planes. In 1952, long time Flabob resident and aircraft designer/builder Ray Stits, built the Stits Sky Baby (Stits SA-2A Sky Baby - N5K), which flew many times at Flabob. With its seven-foot, two-inch span, the Stits Sky Baby held the title of the world's smallest biplane from 1952 thru 1984. Shortly after securing the record, Ray donated the Stits Sky Baby to the National Air and Space Museum which has had it on long-term loan to the EAA AirVenture Museum since 1963.
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Old McMadariaga
Had a Farm
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Leading up to and during WWII, many US military bases experienced growth, in support of the war effort, but as the war came to a close much of this expansion was no longer needed creating a market of war surplus items, as in the case of U.S. Army Camp Hahn. Adjacent to March Field (what is now March Air Reserve Base), in 1946 Camp Hahn became part of March Field and its structures began to be sold off as war surplus. Flavio Madariaga saw this as a great opportunity and tried to buy some of the building however, was quick to learn that the government imposed an eligibility requirement that the surplus buildings only be sold to farmers and clergymen. With the purchase of a wagon, donkey and some chickens (he might have borrowed the chickens from a neighbor), along with his horse and dog, Flavio had a photograph taken of himself which he then used to qualify himself as a farmer, making him eligible to bid on some of the surplus building, which he did successfully and had them moved to Flabob.
In 1949, one of these surplus buildings, which is said to have been the cookhouse for the NCO Club, became and still is the home to the Flabob Airport Café, a place well known in the aviation community and also unofficially serves as Flabob Airport's historical society and museum of sorts. This surplus builing was a vast improvement over the lean-to, constructed on the side of Hangar One, which was itself a tarted-up WPA tool and equipment shed left over from the New Deal. Oh and the food at the Cafe' is great too, I eat there all the time! |
In the opening scene of The Rocketeer (1991 Walt Disney Pictures) Cliff Secord is flying a Gee Bee R-1 racer. The reproduction Gee Bee used in that scene was built in 1978 by Bill Turner, in his hangar at Flabob where pictures of this plane still decorate the hanger walls. The reproduction was of a 1931 model "Z". The reproduction of the Gee Bee racer is currently on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. |
First in Manned Solar Flight
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On April 29, 1979 Larry Mauro’s Solar Riser lifted off from Flabob’s runway marking a new date in aviation history. A solar version of Mauro’s Easy Riser, this flight, of the Solar Riser, was the world’s first official flight in a solar powered, fully controlled, man carrying flying machine. The Solar Riser flew for about a half mile and achieved an altitude of roughly 40 before gently returning to earth. |
The Amazing Howard Hughes
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In his first major roll, Tommy Lee Jones starred in the 1977 made for TV two part mini-series “The Amazing Howard Hughes”. Several scenes for the movie were filmed at Flabob, one in particular is the scene where Hughes is producing the movie “Hell’s Angels” and has to fly one of the movie stunts himself. The scene called for the pilot to loose control of his plane and ultimately fly it through a barn. A rundown looking barn, made from balsa wood and poles, was constructed on the Southwest corner of Flabob and movie magic was made. |
More Notable Names of Flabob |
Frank Tallman - Hollywood stunt pilot, in the 1960s and 70s, maintained a hangar at Flabob, which he used for restoring military aircraft. Tallman flew stunt planes, in many notable movies including , "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (he was the pilot that flew through the billboard), "The Carpetbaggers" (1964), "The Wrecking Crew" and "The Thousand Plane Raid". Tallman also was the aerial coordinator and pilot for "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and flew in "Amelia Earhart", both television projects in 1976.
Art Scholl - One of the greatest aerobatic performers of all time, owned and operated an aerobatic school and maintenance facility, at Flabob, for a number of years. Scholl was also a movie stunt pilot with more than 200 commercials, television shows and films, including "The Right Stuff", "The Great Waldo Pepper", "Blue Thunder", "A Team", "CHIPS" and "Top Gun" to his credit. After the Flabob Café moved to it’s new digs, in 1949, the original lean-two became Art Scholl’s apartment.
Bill Turner - A WWII Consolidated PBY “Catalina” pilot, after leaving the Navy, Bill started “Repeat Aircraft” at Flabob. Over the years Bill Turner and Repeat Aircraft have built a number of replica aircraft including the “Miss Los Angeles” which was a replica of a 1934 air racer, a replica of the Turner-Laird LTR-14 that Roscoe Turner used to win the Thompson Trophy in 1938-1939, several replica Gee Bees, a de Havilland Comet DH.88, the Miles and Attwood Special which was the most winning racer during the big Cleveland air race years, and several other aircraft.
Lou Stolp - The legendary Lou Stolp designs and refined many aircraft including the Starduster Too, AcroDuster Too, Starlet, V-Star, Super Starduster, and Starduster One right at Flabob. The design rights to the popular Stolp Starduster line of homebuilt aircraft have been acquired by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty where aircraft aficionados can purchase the plans and materials kits necessary to construct one of these homebuilts.
Margaret Ritchie - A natural pilot, Margaret’s acrobatic abilities combined with the agility of the Akro won her the national women’s aerobatics title in 1966. Margaret flew and trained out of Flabob, where her husband George and his partner Clayton Stephens refurbished and resold airplanes. Together they designed and built the acrobatic Akro, for Margaret which included a canopy design that would accommodate her beehive hairdo. Sadly, Margaret was killed in 1969, while flying her Akro and as a symbol of a love of acrobatic, the Akro was cut into pieces and buried with her.
Ed Marquart - Having heard about Flabob through the EAA, Ed Marquart joined the Flabob family of designers and builders in 1955. Originally Ed went to work for Ray Stits, but after a couple of years, he was busy building his own aircraft design, the Marquart MA-3 Maverick and later the Marquart MA-4 Lancer and then on to his greatest achievement, the Marquart MA-5 Charger of which several hundred plans were sold and one hundred or so built. Ed spent many years building some very notable racer replicas with Bill Turner. Aside from his experience and expertise as a plane builder and designer, Ed was an early supporter of the EAA and served as Chapter One president for several years. Ed was another one of the great pioneers of aviation that called Flabob home.
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