Winged Victory w/ Rob and Scott

In this episode Rob and Scott are joined by Jennifer and Lydia, two students at University of Colorado Colorado Springs who are Interns working with the museum's Interactive Display Program. The conversation offer a unique look into how the museum brings history to life. 

Jennifer and Lydia share some of their hands-on experiences helping to design and build our newest interactive simulators; including a B-17 waist gunners position where guests can defend their bomber against attacking fighters wielding a realistic 50 caliber machine gun; a Norden Bombsight, and most ambitious of all a simulation where future guests will someday "fly" a B-25 bomber off the flight deck of the USS Hornet with Jimmy Doolittle.

This episode showcases how the museum is active helping to develop the next generation of Engineers and designers by giving them an opportunity to apply their modern technical skills to create an engaging experience for visitors.

Website: Worldwariiaviation.org

Our socials:

Rob Gale: [email protected]

Scott Klaers: @scottklaers Insta/Facebook

William Stephenson: lilboots_2of4 Insta

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This is part two of our sit down with Westpac Restorations owner Bill Klaers.
In this part we get a little more into the nuts and bolts of aircraft restorations and what it takes to have the drive to really produce a world class restoration.
We discuss the P-38 "White 33" restoration as well as the Curtis SB2C-1 Helldiver and touch on our current project, a war veteran P-40N.  Please enjoy this behind the curtain look into aircraft restorations, what it takes and what it means to those involved!

Website: Worldwariiaviation.org

Video Version of this podcast with all its visual glory!  YouTube @nationalWWIIaviation

Our socials:

Rob Gale: [email protected]

Scott Klaers: @scottklaers Insta/Facebook

William Stephenson: lilboots_2of4 Insta

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In this first of a two part conversation, Rob and Scott sit down with our first repeat guest Bill Klaers (owner of Western Pacific Restoration Services formerly WESTPAC Restorations), and discuss how WESTPAC came to be.  From the first Warbird ride, to the last world class restoration of the Helldiver with many stories in between.  Hear the spark that inspired a successful business man to completely reroute the course of his life for a passion he didn't know he had and the many adventures that came with that decision.

Website: Worldwariiaviation.org

Our socials:

Rob Gale: [email protected]

Scott Klaers: @scottklaers Insta/Facebook

William Stephenson: lilboots_2of4 Insta

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"From Student to Instructor to the Big League. We join Docent Arnie Easterly for a session chronicling his journey from a student whose Instructor threatened to quit mid flight; to becoming an Instructor resolving a real inflight emergency, to flying the most important helicopter in the world. 
In the style that makes him one of our most popular Docents, we hear a few of the stories he has to offer including personal insights into famous figures."

Website: Worldwariiaviation.org

YouTube for the Video Version of this Podcast: @nationalwwiiaviation

Our socials:

Rob Gale: [email protected]

Scott Klaers: @scottklaers Insta/Facebook

William Stephenson: lilboots_2of4 Insta

Leave some comments and share the show!

Episode 4 “Flying into fire: young men and aerial combat”. Rob and Scott are joined by Docents Ashby Taylor and Johnny Drury who describe their combat experiences over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam war. Like many who flew in WWII, these young men went straight into combat after their training. General Robin Olds, a fighter pilot who fought in both wars, said the combat environment in Vietnam was more difficult than WWII in Europe. 

Website: Worldwariiaviation.org

YouTube for the Video Version of this Podcast: @nationalwwiiaviation

Our socials:

Rob Gale: [email protected]

Scott Klaers: @scottklaers Insta/Facebook

William Stephenson: lilboots_2of4 Insta

Leave some comments and share the show!

In this episode Rob and Scott Sit down with board member and head of the education arm of the museum, Mark Earl as well as President, CEO of the museum Bill Klaers.  Bill is also owner of Western Pacific Aviation Services, formerly Westpac Restorations and Westpac Propellor Services.  He's also the driving force behind The Pikes Peak Regional Airshow along with partners Sportscorp.  We discuss the groundbreaking on the next phase of the museum, another 40,000sq ft that will double our current pavilion and what this means for the future of the museum.  We also touch on the education program from K-college and the impending A&P school.
An exciting announcement was made about a 13 1 hr docuseries that will be getting filmed at the museum in September.  Oh, and Airplanes, Airplanes and Airplanes and more.

Find us on the socials at:
Scott Klaers - @scottklaers on Instagram and Facebook
Rob Gale - [email protected]
Producer William Stephenson - @lilboots_2of4 Instagram
National Museum of WWII Aviation Colorado Springs, CO - worldwariiaviation.org

To watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube - @nationalwwiiaviation

In this episode, hosts Rob Gale and Scott Klaers return to continue the story of the SB2C-1A Curtiss Helldiver.  They are joined by two special guests: Lead docent Don Johnson, who recently gave a lecture on the aircraft (SB2C presentation - From Zero to Hero on YouTube @nationalwwiiaviation), and Matt McCauley, the man, along with some friend, who actually recovered the aircraft from Lake Washington in the 1980's.

The discussion delves into the incredible story of the Helldiver's discovery by the teenagers, the challenging recovery process, and it's remarkable journey from lakebed to its eventual restoration and first flight!

The National Museum of WWII Aviation Colorado Springs CO. worldwariiaviation.org

@nationalwwiiaviation (YouTube) for the video version of the podcast

Find The National Museum of WWII Aviation Colorado Springs on Trip Advisor at #8 of things to do IN THE COUNTRY!

Host Scott Klaers: @scottklaers (Instagram/Facebook)

Host Rob Gale: none... still

Producer/Editor William Stephenson: @lilboots_2of4 

Welcome to the very first episode of "Winged Victory w/ Rob and Scott" presented by The National Museum of WWII Aviation, Colorado Springs CO! 

In this episode, hosts Rob Gale and Scott Klaers interview the museums Chief pilot, Charlie Hainline.  Charlie is based out of Houston TX and has extensive experience in modern fighters as well as a variety of WWII Warbirds.  Charlie will be sharing his unique perspective on flying the Helldiver - exploring it's history, challenges and impact in WWII.