The Wilmington morning star., 1945-12-12
SCOUTS HEAR PLAN
TO BUY AIRPLANE

The Cape Fear council, Boy
Scouts of America may be the me-
dunn through which the Army
Air Corps and the Reconstruc-
ton Finance corporation may give
an air program to Wilmington,
Capt. Robert L. McCauley, of the
Army Air corps said yesterday.
Capt. McCauley conferred with
Scout officials and air-minded Will
mingtonians during his two-day
stay here yesterday and today. He
is acting as liason officer between
Scout executives in the Carolinas,
Georgia and Florida, and the
Army Air Corps training COM
mand, Fort Worth, Texas.
In April of this year, the Air
Corps instituted program of
training for schools and insti-
tutions throughout the country. It
later included, during June Of this
year, assistance to Air Scout pa
trolls through the medium of manu-
els, equipment, complete planes
and communication equipment de-
clared surplus.
This training equipment, Capt
McCauley, expl a i n ed, is being
handled by the RFC and is avail
able upon a cost slightly over
freight charges. For example, a
B-24, in flight condition for de-
livery to the nearest airfield of the
troop making such purchase,
can be had for $3.50. The plane is
complete with radios, and auto
matte pilots, but cannot be flown
after delivery. It's use is strictly
for ground training purposes, he
stressed.
Aid is given any Scout council,
desiring to take advantage of the
program in the securing OF equip
ment, including securing of techni-
cal advisors and unearthins of any
surplus army equipment in the
area that can be made available
for such training program.
Capt. McCauley pointed out that
the program is non military and
does not include any military
training. It is administered under
the auspices of the Air Scout
troop program as set up by the
national scouting council and in
cludes only material or advisory
aid.
In his conference with scout
leaders, the Captain pointed out
the benefits to be derived from
the program and cooperation be-
tween the AAC and the Air Scout
groups. He stated:
"All scouts who are interested
in aeronautics will be able to work
with and handle actual airplane
parts and equipment and will give
them a good. basis for ground work
if they desire to enter that phase
of aeronautics at a later date"
1.-The technical training will be
of extreme benefit to any scout
who Is interested in later vo-
cation of mechanics or communi-
cations, for both will be stressed
in the study"
my idea would be 70 purchase
a plane, preferra' " an ATT
which is a Navy-type two-engineo
plane. Such a plane would be com.
plete with all equipment and could
be used by group of from six
to eight boys at single meeting,
1t could serve as combined train.
ing center and meeting place for
the troops that might be organ.
ized."
1t was also brought out during
the conference with local Scout
leaders who have taken air train.
ing that a Link Trainer" would
be valuable purchase as it would
give the youths ground flight train.
ing in addition to ground me.
chanics.
John Colucci, Jr., who was pres.
ent at meeting this morning at
Scout headquarters, n d actively
interested in aviation here, sale
the program was one that, regard
less of the lack of flight training,
would stand the youths in gooc
stead for possibilities late in com
mercial air work.
c. w. Baker, Scout executive fol
the Cape Fear District expressed
great interest in the possibility Of
the formation of an Air Scouting
group, both in Wilmington ano
other towns in the area.
Baker explained h many
scouts, who are now in the young
er groups, have shown a definite
trend towards an interest in avi
alton and expressed feeling that
it would be DESTROYS from a stand.
point of keeping the scout interest
ed in the organization after he
reached an older age.
To be eligible for such group
Baker explained, the boy must be
Is years old or older.
TWO BILLION PURCHASE
NEW YORK, Dec. 11-lR- Life