“Miss L” restoration continues… Position of the mount cradle and tail mount have been verified!

From: Frank Roales
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
To: Russ Reston
Subject: Miss L

Russ:
Members of the Indiana Military Museum, Jerry, Max, his son and myself put in another very productive day with Miss L. The mount cradle and tail mount were set and welded to the display pipes and we slung Miss L into her new home temporality. ….IT FITS!!!! After a bit of celebrating she was removed back to the work area of the museum to continue the painting of the fuselage. When that is done the fuselage markings will be applied and final assembly will proceed. When time comes for that and the final mounting you will be notified as to the particulars.

Frank

Status update regarding the “Wildwood” / “Miss L” Mace B restoration currently underway at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN.

From: Frank Roales
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012
To: Russ Reston
Subject: Miss L

Russ:
Max, his son, Jerry, one of the IMM (Indiana Military Museum) volunteers and I had a good day today working with Miss L. We got the main fuselage back outside and were able to get the tail cone assembly and warhead section bolted back on it. The main fuselage is primed but still needs its base white coat before we spray the whole fuselage. The wings are all done, marked and ready for installation along with the tail assembly. Next Tuesday we hope to get the mount cradle and rear mount fit and welded to the mount post which are already in the ground. After these things are done we will have all the little informational markings, fuselage stars and Bars, compressor stripe and the “Nose Art” to be applied. Intake and exhaust cover plates will be the last of the small items before The big final assembly push. Max said he would let everyone know when we get to that stage. Perhaps some missileers would like to be here for the final assembly and mounting?

Beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Frank

PS doesn’t Max look at home in the MC-1 cab?

Do you remember what your military pay was?

As an E4, often my pay didn’t last the whole month.  Thankfully, I lived in the barracks and was able to eat at the chow hall…

Here’s an interesting link that was brought to our attention by Joe Molinaro (Sembach AB, 1963/1966).

Click here >>> Military Pay Tables – 1949 to 2012

The restoration of the “Wildwood” Mace, by the team at the Indiana Military Museum (www.indianamilitarymuseum.org/) in Vincennes, IN continues. Here’s the latest update.  (Note: During the restoration, the missile has gained a new nickname – “Miss L”).

From: Jerry Brenner

Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012
To: Frank Roales; Max Butler; Russ Reston
Subject: Mace missile restoration update, 260412

Russ,

Here is a little update on the Mace restoration. Please forward to the membership.

Since the weather is turning a little nicer, we have been able to get a few things done. The three pedestals are set in the ground, thanks to a lot of help and worrying by Frank as they dug the holes and put the uprights in the ground. We have acquired the top bracket that will hold the missile on top of the pedestals (bracket made by J&J Welding, Mt Vernon, IN). I took it up there today, Thursday and with some help, we were able to make sure that it did fit and it does. We painted it and Frank had a plate made for the exhaust which will replicate the tail exhaust and the red covering over the opening and it too was primed. Since the main fuselage is still inside, we painted all the seams so that they would be well coated when we took it outside and put the final coats of paint on it. We also fitted some cardboard in the intake so a plate could be made to cover the opening. After the pad outside our work area is concreted, we will be modifying the original transportation cradles and put the missile on them and add the tail section and start the final painting and then the fun part of adding the stencils and decals begins.

Jerry Brenner – USAF veteran, 1966-1970
Nuclear Weapons Specialist – MOS 46350
Rocket Jockey

Just learned from George Mindling that Revell has reissued their 1/32 Teracruzer with Missile Plastic Model Kit.

From: George Mindling
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2012
To: Bob Bolton; Russ Reston
Subject: Revell 1/32 Teracruzer with Missile Plastic Model Kit

Just an FYI… Revell has reissued the old MM-1 with Mace kit. It can be found on e-bay or many Internet sites for about $70.00

George

http://www.revell.com/model-kits/military/85-7812.html

March 27th, 2012

Cape Canaveral tours will now run every Wednesday and Thursday.  See below for the latest tour info submitted by Dick Beal.
Call 321-494-5945 or 321-494-5933 for reservations and more information.

From: Dick Beal
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
To: TAC Missileers (Russ Reston)
Subject: USAF Cape Tours – Updated Info

Hi Russ,

For anybody wanting a free 3 hour tour of Cape Canaveral, the Air Force Missile Museum, the Lighthouse (which we used to climb for exercise) and see what’s left of the Matador & Mace Launch Pads here is some updated information:

“In the past, tours of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were very limited. Fortunately that has changed; the 45th Space Wing is now hosting free bus tours on a more regular basis. This tour used to take place only once a month but now will run every Wednesday and Thursday, if there isn’t a launch or other mission operation going on.”

http://www.patrick.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=664 

Dick Beal
Cocoa Beach

Extract from the Patrick Air Force Base Website

http://www.patrick.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=664 

Are there tours of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Air Force Space and Missile Museum?

The 45th Space Wing Public Affairs Office offers free bus tours of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the general public the second Wednesday of each month. The three-hour tour includes a visit to the Air Force Space and Missile Museum, as well as active and retired launch pads and facilities. Tours begin at 8:45 a.m. at the South Gate of Cape Canaveral AFS. Reservations are required and seating is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. Call (321) 494-5945 or (321) 494-5933 for reservations and more information.

Do you know when and where these Matador launch photos were taken? The missile tail numbers are 40045, 40053 and 40065. Two of the original photos were marked “1959″ on their back. The third was marked “1960″. If you can help, please send Russ an email.  Thanks!

March 16th, 2012
Based on further investigation, these 3 Matador TM-61C launches took place at the Cape. Records indicate the following launch dates:

• 54-0045 on October 27th, 1959
• 54-0053 on December 9th, 1959
• 54-0065 on April 14th, 1960

From: John Hilliard
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012
To: TAC Missileers
Subject: TAC Missileers “Contact Us” Submission – Matador Missiles

I have 3 Matador launch photos and am trying to determine the launch dates. Two of them have a 1959 date on the back of the photos and one 1960. The numbers on the missiles are 40045, 40053 & 40065. I believe they are TM-61C Matadors.

Maybe you can help?

I can send you the 3 photos if someone can help.

Thanks,
John R. Hilliard

From: TAC Missileers (Russ Reston)
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012
To: John Hilliard
Subject: RE: TAC Missileers “Contact Us” Submission – Matador Missiles

Hi John,

Send me copies of the photos and I’ll post them on the website, asking if any of our members can identify the launch dates / locations.

Regards,
Russ

From: John Hilliard
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012
To: TAC Missileers

I’m a volunteer at the 45th Space Wing/PA office and a volunteer at the Air Force Space & Missile Museum & History Center at Cape Canaveral AFS. I conduct tours of the Cape and KSC. Also a member of AAFM.

I am attempting to get a photo of every launch from the Cape and VAFB. I have questions on the Matador and the Lark missiles.

Attached are the 3 Matador photos.

Thanks,
John

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3

San Antonio Riverwalk - photo courtesy of San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau

The 2013 TAC Missileers Reunion will be held in San Antonio, Texas …a really fun place to visit, with LOTS of things to see and do. The reunion dates and hotel have not yet been chosen, but we are targetting either the Spring or Fall, when the temps are most comfortable, AND we plan to stay at a Riverwalk / downtown hotel that is close to all the “action.”

We encourage all TAC Missileers to attend. Let’s make this our “most attended” reunion ever…

For more information about things to see and do in San Antonio, click here.  You may wish to request a copy of the free Official Visitor’s Guide, that is made available by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!  This webpage will be updated as soon more information becomes available. Stay tuned…

San Antonio Overview

– 5 minute video –

Click here to view the embedded video.

Just thought I’d post this info where it can be easily found…

Based on all the smiles in the Reunion Photos, everyone had a great time.

We are looking forward to seeing y’all at our 2013 Reunion in San Antonio, TX!

Russ

San Diego, California – October 12th, 13th and 14th, 2011

Everyone enjoyed the Oktoberfest...

The 2011 San Diego Reunion was a big success. We had over 200 attendees.

2011 San Diego Reunion Attendees

1. Nixon “Nix” Adams
2. Terry Akre
3. Darlene Akre
4. Joe Andrews
5. Bob Armbruster
6. Claire Armbruster
7. Hank Barlow
8. Donna Barlow
9. Warren Bayliss
10. Susan Bayliss
11. Ewing Bennett
12. Bob Bolton
13. Ingrid Bolton
14. John Bordne
15. Clay Boyce
16. Ron Boyle
17. Dave Boyle
18. Michael Brashear
19. Bette Brashear
20. Jerry Brenner
21. Johnny Brezina
22. Gordon Bruderer
23. Shirley Bruderer
24. Roy Burkett
25. James Bryan
26. Lorraine Bryan
27. Max Butler
28. Lois Butler
29. Jim Cagle
30. Susan Cagle
31. Tom Campbell
32. Christa Campbell
33. Bill Carpenter
34. Gaye Carpenter
35. Marion “Buck” Cashiola
36. Nowana Cashiola
37. Ray Chesney
38. Barbara Chesney
39. Jack Chyle
40. Renee Chyle
41. Don Clark
42. Nancy Clark
43. David Coddington
44. Josie Coddington
45. Cal Collier
46. Eva Collier
47. Gary Colsch
48. Patricia Colsch
49. Robert Conductor
50. Carole Conductor
51. Tom Conrad
52. Phyllis Conrad
53. Lowell Cook
54. Carl Corbin
55. Carol Veatch
56. Ken Corl
57. Pat Corl
58. Wilford “Cozz” Cozzens
59. Beverly Cozzens
60. John Crain
61. Louise Crain
62. Bill Crain
63. Donnie Cubbage
64. Katherine Cubbage
65. Clarence “Dave” Davenport
66. Ruth Davenport
67. Paul Davis
68. Tonya Archer
69. David DeRain
70. Claudia DeRain
71. Randy Doi
72. Mary Gen Doi
73. John Downs
74. Margaret Downs
75. George Dunlee
76. Mary Dunlee
77. Jim Dutcher
78. Erika Dutcher
79. George Eachus
80. Linda Eachus
81. Ted Ebbinga
82. Sandy Ebbinga
83. Larry Emerson
84. Jan Emerson
85. Julian “Zito” Esposito
86. Dale Evans
87. Linda Schneider
88. Charles Fenn
89. Sharron Fenn
90. John Fisher
91. Marilyn Fisher
92. Robert Fuelling
93. Dorothy Schneider-Fuelling
94. Jim Garner
95. Charles Edwards
96. Bob Gavula
97. Choy Gavula
98. Denny Gent
99. Judi Gent
100. David George
101. Aldo Giannotti
102. Katharina Giannotti
103. George Glaush
104. Carol Glaush
105. Jim Godley
106. Bonnie ?
107. Ellis Gosserand
108. Betsy Gosserand
109. Ric Haase
110. Marc Hagan
111. Shirley Hagan
112. Frank Hall
113. Leslie Hall
114. Leonard Hannasch
115. Arnold Hansen
116. Jacque Hansen
117. Larry Havemann
118. Carole Havemann
119. Bill Hayes
120. Anita Hayes
121. Frank Hewitt
122. Iris Hewitt
123. Steve Hipsak
124. Robert Hosiner
125. Linda Hosiner
126. Larry Idleman
127. Margaret Idleman
128. Ed Johnson
129. Rita Johnson
130. Kirk Kaskin
131. Lynn Kaskin
132. Michael Kelly
133. Trudy Kelly
134. Don Kizer
135. Werner Laag
136. Jackie Laag
137. Ron Lischka
138. John Lucas
139. Marion Lucas
140. Ron Lyscik
141. Sue Lyscik
142. David Maas
143. John Marasi
144. Christine Marasi
145. Charles “Marty” Martin
146. Linda Martin
147. Frank Martinez
148. Annie Durazo
149. Bill McLearran
150. George Moninger
151. Dorothy Moninger
152. Steven “Sam” Moore
153. Nick Nicholson
154. John Nozolino
155. Bill O’Hara
156. Robyn O’Hara
157. Joe Perkins
158. Sarah Perkins
159. Jim Plowden
160. Ellen Kaelin Plowden
161. Carmen Quatrochi
162. Natalie Quatrochi
163. Jennings Raff
164. Irene Raff
165. Joseph Rea
166. Lupe Rea
167. Russ Reston
168. Bridget Reston
169. Bill Rinker
170. Ginni Rinker
171. Ken Roberts
172. Gertrud “Peter” Roberts
173. James Robertson
174. Ginger Robertson
175. William Rodd
176. Ingrid Rodd
177. Kenneth Roth
178. Kim Roth
179. Stephen Rozic
180. Maisy Rozic
181. Chico Ruiz
182. Ed Sanford
183. Max Saylor
184. Robert Scott
185. Linda Scott
186. Bill Simpson
187. Thomas Sledge Jr.
188. Imogene Christian
189. Leon Slusher
190. Cheryl Slusher
191. Al Soboleski
192. Elsie Soboleski
193. John Stewart
194. Hilde Stewart
195. Joseph Traina
196. Hank Tracy
197. Kathy Heideck
198. Robert Valenti
199. Barbara Valenti
200. Elby Walker
201. Bob Walworth
202. Velma Walworth
203. Ron “Ski” Wiatrowski
204. Michael Wilczynski
205. Carolyn Wilczynski
206. Brian “Willie” Williams
207. Heidi Williams
208. Barry Woodling
209. Sandra Woodling
210. Felix Wylezik
211. Connie Wylezik
212. Jim Zumbrunnen
213. Mona Dodd

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to checkout the reunion photos —> HERE

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors

2011 Edition (click here)