Props and Jets: The Shifting Relationship Between the United States Air Corps and a Major Industrial City from 1925 to 1948

Merriam Press Aviation History Series

June 25, 1925, inauguration of Rodgers Field marked the beginning of Allegheny County Commissioners' investment into commercial aviation. A modest acquisition of 40 acres that has with time evolved to the presence of the 1500 acre Pittsburgh International Airport across town. This book chronicles the dreams, successes, failures, promises, and fatalities in the intervening events from 1923 to the opening of the commercial terminal at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport (GRP) in 1952. Over time, Rodgers Field, the first field, could not be enlarged, expansion of Allegheny County Airport, the second field, proved too expensive, with GRP, the third field, finally large enough to fill the needs of the commercial and military needs.

In the 1920s and 1930s the political leadership of Allegheny County struggled to craft the best aviation facility to attract military and commercial interests. Experience with the shortcomings of Rodgers Field provided guidance in the design of the Allegheny County Airport.

During World War II, Pittsburgh lay in the flight path of immense numbers of thirsty military aircraft being flown from one area of the United States to another. The breadth of the Greater Pittsburgh Airport provided the necessary space for runways and parking areas to accommodate the impressive traffic landing for refueling, maintenance and repair. In that time period, the media devoted most of their attention to the battle arenas, in foreign lands and on distant oceans.

Conflicts won meant yet another step to victory when the United States service men and women could return home. But the success 'over there' was totally dependent upon the war production system 'over here.' In addition to the military history of Rodgers Field, this work details the worthy participation 'over here' of the two Allegheny County airfields.

Contents

Rodgers Field: Pittsburgh's First Municipal/Military Airport (Doomed From The Start)

One Of The Best

Only A Presidential Intervention Could Save This Local Airman

ACA: A Push For Prominence In The Air

The 575th Of The Air Transport Command Begins At ACA

An Approaching Storm

Tora Tora

Conversion Of The Bell Farm Into A CAA National Defense Airport

Further Sources Of Delays In Construction Of The Moon Township Defense Air Field During 1943-1944

The 575th Begin Operations At The Greater Pittsburgh Airport

Luftwaffe Sorties Over Pittsburgh

Personal Recollections About The Army Air Base: Greater Pittsburgh Airport

Donuts

Heroes Past Always Present

Looking Back: It Never Happened

A New Mission In Response To An Iron Curtain: Soviet Threat Always a Dubious Ally

Auxiliary Reserve Training Sites

Appendices

Commanders of the 575th Base Unit, 6th Ferrying Station (ACA) and the 444th Base Unit, Reserve Training, Air Defense Command, Grp

Major and Minor Military Aircraft Accidents at Rodgers Field, ACA, GRP, or Nearby

Military Personnel Stationed at ACA and/or GRP at Some Time During the Time Span 1942-1950

Air Traffic Controllers at ACA During World War II

Members of the 324th Observation Squadron, 99th Division, US Army 3rd Air Corps, Rodgers Field, Aspinwall, Pa, and Allegheny County Airport

Aviation Mechanics at Rodgers Field in 1928

Abbreviations

Index

162 photos, illustrations, drawings, documents