Silver Wings USAF Belgium

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Dear Silver Wing Members,

I was an instructor pilot at Goodfellow AFB, Texas in April 1951 when Colonel Georges
Castermans began his flight training in the AT-6. He has been a leader in aviation for many
years, and though I don\'t recall meeting him at Goodfellow, I\'m proud to have been a member
of the organization that provided him with the basic training that enabled him to excel at all levels.

No one but those who have the Silver Wings know how hard it is to qualify for them. In
your history it mentions the high rate of people washing out of pilot training in the first few
classes. I started pilot training as an Aviation Cadet in January 1950, and seventy percent of my
class washed out.

Many things have happened since 1951, but the pride of having qualified for the \"Silver Wings\"
is something that makes all of us proud.

Sincerely,

John Stainsby Rivers
Lt./Col/ USAF, Retired


John Stainsby River, 21/09/2020   

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Would you please post that Pilot Training Class 53 Fox is having the 60th reunion Sept 16-19, 2013 at the Hope Hotel, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.
I have a few old e-mail addresses but have received a bunch back undeliverable. Would like to have all 53 Fox who have not heard from me, please contact me with a new e-mail address so I can send the info on the reunion.

Thanks,

Jim Mayton
Hondo
53 Fox.


Jim Mayton, 13/07/2013   

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Dear Sir,

We like to put your website to our links.

Our website is http://silverwing.zenfolio.com

Sincerely

Eddy Minnen
Silver Wing Magazine

Eddy Minnen, 16/04/2012   

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The Aviation Bookshop are pleased to announce that Captain Eric"Winkle" Brown, will be a guest at the Flanders Modelling Festival on Saturday March, 10th, 2012 and will be available at The Aviation Bookshop stand to sign copies of his new book on the Miles M.52 plus others from 11am.

Demand for his books is expected to be very high and stock will be limited, so to reserve your copy please contact The Aviation Bookshop in advance to avoid disappointment.

Email: info@aviation-bookshop.com Tel: +44 1892 539284

Captain Eric"Winkle" Brown, CBE, DSC, AFC, MA, Hon FRAeS, RN is a former Royal Navy officer and test pilot who has flown more types of aircraft than anyone else in history. He is also the Fleet Air Arm’s most decorated pilot and holds the world record for aircraft carrier landings.

There will also be a talk and book signing event at the Stampe & Vertongen Museum at the Antwerp Airport on Sunday 11th March from 10.30am.

Kind regards

Simon Watson
The Aviation Bookshop
31-33 Vale Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1BS
Website: www.aviation-bookshop.com

The Following books will be available:

MILES M.52 GATEWAY TO SUPERSONIC FLIGHT £20.00 - NEW!

WINGS OF THE LUFTWAFFE £35.00
WINGS OF THE WEIRD & WONDERFUL £35.00
FROM THE COCKPIT SEAFIRE £20.00
FROM THE COCKPIT FIREBRAND £20.00
WINGS ON MY SLEEVE £15.00


simon watson, 07/02/2012   

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I was also a member of class 53C at Greenville ,Miss. Desire Van Gerwen (157) was my roomate at the time. I did not see him again until I was on a trip to Belgium in the late 1970"s. I met his family and had a great visit. Unfortunately as you know he was killed flying his little By Plane in and airshow not longer after that. I do not have any of the details but I did visit with the family once again while on a trip to Brussels.
I wish more Cadet classes had a similar web site so that we might remain in contact.
Thank you.
Robert W. Weber
USAF 53C

Robert Weber, 19/04/2010   

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Raymond Daffe and I were roomates at Greenville, Miss.
Would like to correspnd with him.
Thanks for your time and consideration.



Robert Daugherty, 14/04/2010   

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Congratulations for your new website. I hope it will grow more and more and will present through photos, documents and pilots\' stories the various aspects of this unique training programme.

All the best to the Silver Wings!

Vincent Pécriaux
Les ailes militaires belges

Vincent Pécriaux, 30/01/2010   

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I fully agree, this is a wonderful site indeed !
Congratulations to the author and his team. Many thanks for this marvellous and precious tool;
Coco Cuignet 54-P

Jean CUIGNET, 30/01/2010   

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Wonderful site !
Congratulations to the author. He must have been passing many hours and days to realize this site.
I send by email you a photograph of the badge of the 3566th Training Squadron we were in at Waco James Connally Air Force Base in 1953.
Pipo
53F

Suggestion : pages describing each plane we flew during our training : T6, T28, T33 and F84G (as far as I am concerned).

Pierre-Paul Struye, 30/01/2010   

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