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Pilots, Pinballs and Politics: The History of Naples Municipal Airport

by Nancy B. Fessenden

151 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-1203; ISBN 1-4120-0835-2; US$22.00, C$29.00, EUR18.85, £13.06

Take off into the adventure of Naples, Florida and it's aviation roots. From WWII to the present, discover the spirit of local aviation, it's people, it's tragedies, and it's glory.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book During the early days of aviation in Collier County, Florida, planes landed on a golf course or on the beach. But, that all changed in December 1943. World War II clamored for more pilots, more gunners, and more aircraft. The Naples Airdrome was built and suddenly the skies over Naples, Florida were filled with P-39s, P-40s, B-17s, and RP-63s. The orange "Pinball" (RP-63) participated in the Army Airforce's flexible gunnery training program. Hundereds of pilots and gunners were trained for combat and sent to the Pacific or European fronts. Here is the story of an airport and it's people. Follow the making of an airfield, hollowed out in the sawgrass and swamps of Collier County. From alligator wrestling, bivouacs and beach parties to tragedies, hurricanes, and disasters, learn all about the life at Naples Airdrome. Here is the sweeping story of an airport, from military occupation in 1941 to aviation's premier destination for the rich and famous in the 1980s. Here is a rich fascinating history of the Naples Municipal Airport's spirit and mission to the world of aviation.

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About the Author Dr, Nancy Fessenden is a licensed private pilot, local historian and Personal Historian. Born in New England and finally landing in Florida, she was educated at Binghamton University and Capella University. As a regular contributor to aviation magazines and newsletters, her enthusiasm and love of flight takes off, leading readers to new horizons in aviation literature. Her flight across America in her Cessna 172 with a friend is her most memorable life experience, yet flying with her children or grandchildren is a close second. She lives in Naples, Florida while pre-flighting for retirment in east Tennessee.

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Sample Excerpts

The Flying Fortress made contact with the control tower at Naples, as it headed north over Marco Island. With permission to proceed northward along the coast, the pilot and crew of the B-17 were glad to be heading back to Buckingham. Only one more "attack" on it by the nearby AT-6, and the day's missions would be over. Suddenly, something went terribly wrong. The two planes collided mid are, sending pieces of planes exploding in a macabre pattern of grease, metal, and fuel. The noise was deafening.

The enlisted men of Naples Airdrome were the backbone of the base. They served as medics and clerks, as observers and dishwashers, ball players, theater projectionists, target buildings, mechanics, air crew and linemen. They stood at the intersection of the runways in sweltering heat checking the gears on landing airplanes; they rode along with pilots looking for downed aircraft; and they filled the massive fuel tanks of the Pinballs and P-40s. They were champion baseball players and hard drinking warriors at the local Swamp Buggy Tavern, or Beer Garden next to the Post Exchange. But, mostly, the enlisted men supported the war efforts by following orders in maintaining the air craft and facilities of the Naples Army Air Field.

Later, in November 1976, a twin-engine jet, owned by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, crashed on takeoff from Naples Airport, without fatalities, yet all 11 passengers were sent to the hospital. The cause of the crash rested on a suspicion of seagull hits on takeoff. The Airport Authority and the City of Naples were working on a solution to the bird problem. The obvious solution was to move the dump. The other solution was to move the airport.

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Catalogue Information

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