Burlington, VT. – February 11, 1936

Burlington, Vermont – February 11, 1936 

     On February 8, 1936, a fleet of U. S. Army aircraft assigned to the 20th Pursuit Group at Barksdale Airfield in Louisiana, arrived in Burlington to participate in aerial “war games” with army planes from the 3rd Attack Group stationed at Concord, New Hampshire.  In all there were 31 planes which, it was reported, was the largest concentration of aircraft to date at the Burlington Airport.   

     The “war games” were to be conducted over several days to test how the aircraft would react to cold weather, and to hone readiness and response capabilities of the air crews. 

     In one particular exercise, 6 bombers and 9 attack aircraft took off from Concord to conduct and air raid on Burlington.  The aircraft approached the city in groups of three, with each group attacking at five to ten minute intervals.  The raid was successful, but 16 defending aircraft “shot down” the attackers before they could get away, with both sides claiming victory.

     On February 11, three aircraft participating in maneuvers crashed at the Burlington Airport.     

     The first occurred at 6:30 a.m. when a pilot taking off in a Boeing P-26 struck a snow bank and wrecked the aircraft.  The pilot was not seriously injured. 

     The second crash occurred at 8:30 a.m. when a pilot flying a Boeing P-36 came in for a landing and overshot the runway and crashed at high speed into a snowbank.  The pilot was not seriously injured, but the aircraft was wrecked. 

     The third crash occurred later in the day when a pursuit plane taking off in poor visibility failed to gain sufficient altitude and crashed into a snowbank.  The aircraft flipped over onto its back, but the pilot wasn’t seriously injured. 

     The “war games” came to an end on February 15 due to poor weather. 

     Sources:

     Burlington Free Press, “Two Army Planes Here Crack Up In Maneuvers, No Serious Casualties”, February 11, 1936

     Burlington Free Press, No Headline-news snippet, February 12, 1936. 

     Burlington Free Press, “Burlington A Mass Of Ruins”, February 13, 1936, pg. 12.

    Burlington Free Press, “Air Maneuvers Come To End”, February 15, 1936.

   Daily Alaska Empire, “Army Pursuit Planes Crash”, February 11, 1936

Early Burlington Vermont Airport Articles

Early Burlington Vermont Airport Articles 

     The Burlington (Vermont) International Airport had is beginnings in 1919 with the U. S. Government seeking a suitable place for an airfield.   The airport was officially dedicated on September 22, 1921.

     Click on images to enlarge.

The Bare (Vermont) Daily Times
April 28, 1919

     The following newspaper article appeared in The Bare (Vermont) Daily Times on May 18, 1920.

Airplanes Went From Boston To Burlington In One Hour, 49 Minutes

     Burlington, May 18. – Two airplanes arrived at Fort Ethan Allen yesterday afternoon in record breaking time from Boston.  One plane was piloted by Col. Grennan, chief of the air service of the New England division, and the other by Colonel G. C. Brant of new York City.  Both planes left Boston at 3:30 yesterday afternoon.  Colonel Grennan, who arrived five minutes ahead of Colonel Brant, made the trip in one hour and 49 minutes, which is believed to be a record for this flight.  His average speed was 110 miles per hour.

      Colonel Brant made a detour on the way to fly over the town of Groton, where he is acquainted.  The machines used were Dehaviland planes equipped with Liberty motors.  The trip is one of several which the officers are making in New England for the purpose of promoting airplane landing fields for the coming season.  Burlington has been considered as a very important location for a landing field and various locations here will be inspected during the officer’s visit.

———-

 

Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia)
August 11, 1920

The Bare Daily Times
(Bare, Vermont)
August 12, 1920

The Caledonian Record
(St. Johnsbury, Vt.)
September 20, 1921

     Also see Early Postcard Views of Burlington Airport

Burlington Vermont Municipal Airport

Click on images to enlarge.

Old Postcard View Of Burlington Airport

Old Postcard View Of Burlington Airport

Vintage Post Card View Of Burlington, Vermont, Municipal Airport

Vintage Post Card View Of Burlington, Vermont, Municipal Airport

Post Card View Of Municipal Airtort, Burlington, Vermont

Post Card View OF Burlington Airport

Post Card View OF Burlington Airport

     Also see Early Burlington Vermont Airport Articles

Return to Top ▲Return to Top ▲