Typebook fbf

This book would not have been made possible without my infinite curiousity to learn more. My perserverance has led
to a wonderful discovery to share with the rest of the world. It’s about time that we all learn about a hidden gem in the
midst of a great city. Thank you to my professors, my friends, my family, and most importantly, GOD.

By Elisabetta DiStefano

FBF | 3

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”
—Amelia Earhart

2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future

FBF | 5
2011 © Elisabetta DiStefano “Jamaica Bay: Bird Life”

Preface

In the summer of 2011, I was
ready to put some mileage on
my newly purchased olive green Canondale
mountain bike. Each bike ride was treated
as a challenge for me. Within each of these
challenges, I have learned more about my
surroundings. Although I am a native New
Yorker, I moved to an area of Queens,
Howard Beach, that I was only partially
familiar with. Unfortunately, it was only
until this past summer that I really ventured
on uncharted territory on the bike path.
Every day I was looking forward to my next
cycle ride. I would track my adventures on
an iPhone application called: ‘Cyclemeter’.
The first landmark that I reached was,
Carnarsie Piers.
After reaching the Riding Academy, I wanted to go over the matter, I still wanted to learn more. It was a relentless
The Piers are also Mill Basin bridge further into Brooklyn. Bare in mind, I was pursuit to have an understanding of what F.B.F. really was
part of the Gateway not prepared for the monumental moment where I finally and what it needs … an identity. The reason it has been
biked to Floyd Bennett Field. In awe of the enormous green an unresolved green space with several abandoned area is
National Recreation space, I just kept riding and discovering. because every textbook on aviation fails to mention FBF‘s
Area (National Park This marked the moment where my life shifted. history. So before we move forward, we need to take a look
Having made the decision of using this as part of my thesis at our past.Floyd Bennett Field is two times the size of
Service) along with
research it led me to realizing my passion in urban planning. Central Park that doesn’t come close to being used on the
several other areas Diving deeper into the subject of this desolate space, I same level. My hope for this book is to unveil a hidden gem
along Jamaica Bay. struggled with its bureaucratic undertone. As a sore subject that is in our New York Urban backyard.


295
ro

T

C
ss

HA
Is FBF | 7
la
QUEENS

AN

nd
New Jersey

Parkway
M
495
y
78 278 Parkwa
NEWARK
JERSEY ns on
CITY R obi
Ellis Island
ie
North
ck
Grasslands Management
Newark Immigration Museum Park area

Ja
Area (no access)

International Statue of Liberty
Airport National Monument Governors Island Parking Campground
0 0.25 Kilometer
National Monument
Car-top boating Wildlife viewing 0 0.25 Mile
Fishing Bus stop
678

New York 27 RAPTOR POINT
y Picnic area
wa
rk Cross
Pa 27
ELIZABETH UPPER 27 Be
lt
Bay Blvd.
Permit
k w ay

BAY
Frank Charles John F. Kennedy
Memorial Park International
Airport
ar

Goethals Bridge
P

Fl
BROOKLYN

at
Canarsie

bu
Fort Wadsworth Pier

sh
Permit

Av
Visitor Center Verrazano- Jamaica Bay M
HANGAR B

en
Bergen od
Wildlife Refuge

ue
Narrows el
ke

Beach Fl
yi
Bridge ng JAMAICA BAY
npi

278 Fi
el
d
Tu r

STATEN ISLAND Fort Floyd
Wadsworth Ryan Visitor Center Bennett Permit
Field
s ey

MILL BASIN
LOWER BAY

Sh
INLET
B e l t P a r kw a y

or
Permit
Jer

Hoffman Island Plumb

eP
Beach Channel Archery Range

ar
(no public access) Beach Drive

kw
w

d

Miller Field
ar

ay
R i c hm o n d P a
Ne

Park
ev

Jacob Riis Park Gateway Environmental

Bi
Swinburne Island
ul

Nursery

ke
Study Center
Bo

(no public access)

wa
(New York City
Fort Tilden

y/R
Board of Education)
STATEN ISLAND North Forty
an

95 Breezy Point JAMAICA BAY UNIT

ockw
yl
rk w

UNIT
H

Ente
rpris

ay Gateway Greenway
e Ro

Shore Parkway
Ecology
ay

ad
Village
Great Kills Park Permit Park
Permit
Administration
Outerbridge
US Park Police NY Field Office
Crossing
Rang Armed Forces
PERTH Natural Area
e r Ro
ad Reserve Center

AMBOY ATLANTIC OCEAN

Blvd
n et t
Ben
RYAN VISITOR CENTER

d
Pond

Floy
Aviation Rd

RARITAN BAY HANGAR ROW HISTORIC DISTRICT
Visitor Contact
Station
Gil H
Rockway Gateway Greenway Me m o d g e s
orial
Bridg
Flatbush Avenue e
Sandy Hook Lighthouse GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Fort Hancock
Shore Marina
Park land Parkway SPORTS CONCESSION
SANDY HOOK UNIT Bikeway
9 Park water DEAD HORSE BAY ROCKAWAY INLET
36
Ranger Station Sandy Hook Legislative boundary
Visitor Center
Gar
d en
Sta
te
New Jersey North
0 3 Kilometers
Floyd Bennett Field Park Map (Gateway National Recreation Area) © 1998 National Park Service

0 3 Miles
Pa
rk

35
ayw


FBF | 9

1931–41
floyd bennett field (FBF)
1972–NOW
Gateway NPS aquisition
“Golden aGe of aviation”
FUTURE
1928–31 aviators AT FBF
FBF COmmunity Garden

Barren Island
Record Breaking flights
Kissena Bike raceS 2012–beyond
Aviator Sports & Recreation

other activities
1941–45 Ryan center (Administration building)
World war II / U.S. Navy

FBF Forefront of
aviation tecnology 1946–72
U.S. Coast guard COLD war / Post ww II
world’s first police “Cradle of aviation”
aViation unit


1 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future

FBF | 1 3

Barren Island
P rior to the opening of Floyd Bennett Field in
1930, a compacted dirt runway existed on the
island and was generously referred to as “Barren Island
industrial leaders, had been planning to create a major shipping
harbor out of Jamaica Bay. By 1927 the city’s Department of
Docks had spent well over $100,000,000 of city, state, and
Airport”, but was used primarily by one pilot who took federal money on the project. The city owned Barren Island,
customersup for joy-rides. The municipal airport site and could achieve two objectives by dredging the main
was chosen and designed by famed aviator Clarence D. Jamaica Bay channel while using the extracted sand to raise
Chamberlin. His preference was Barren Island, a 387-acre the level of the island to a height suitable for the airport.
(1.57 km2) marsh with 33 small islands in Jamaica Bay, off Also, many New York governmental leaders tought that it
the southeastern shore of Brooklyn. The site was favorable due made sense to locate the airport near this new industrial
to the lack of obstructions nearby, and because it was easily and commercial devolopment.
identifiable from the air. Second, Clarence D. Chamberlain, the American
After much debate over the merits of other sites within aviator who become famous for the Atlantic immediately
the city (including Governors Island, the purported favorite after Lindbergh, was hired by the city as a consultant on
of New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia), the site was aviation. He preferred the Barren Island site over others
approved. Six million cubic yards of sand were pumped from because of its location. There was nothing that would
Jamaica Bay to connect the islands and raise the site to 16 interfere with the landing or departing at the field for the
feet (4.9 m) above the high tide mark. The new airfield’s airplanes. Since the location of the island was located on
modern, electrically illuminated, concrete runways (when Jamaica Bay, the field would easily accomodate seaplanes,
most “airports” still had dirt runways and no night landings) which were becoming very popular and were considered
and comfortable terminal facilities with numerous amenities to be the most common aircraft to serve the Atlantic
made it among the most advanced of its day, earning a rating coastal area. Finally, the third reason, which is also the
of A-1 (the highest) by the United States Department of most important, is that Barren Island was already owned
Commerce at the time. There were 3 key reasons why Barren by the City of New York, so acquiring it was simple. All
Island site was selected by the Hoover Committee. First, since other proposed sites that were recommended by the
the late 19th Century the city and federal governments, in Hoover Committee would have to be purchased from
response to the urgings of many New York commercial and the United States Government or private individuals.

1929 thru 1931


FBF | 1 5

Floyd Bennett

B orn at Warrensburg, New York, on October 25,
1890, he left school at the age of 17 and became
an auto mechanic and part owner of a service garage. In
Mechanic. He and Byrd then began planning for an air
crossing of the Atlantic in their second plane, the America.
But Bennett suffered serious injuries when the America
1917, he enlisted in the United States Navy and signed up crashed, opening the way for Charles Lindbergh to make
for aviation training, but although he became a capable the first trans-Atlantic flight.
pilot he was retained for service as an aviation mechanic. Bennett was appointed second-in-command of
His chance for fame came in 1925 when he was assigned to Byrd’s 1928-30 expedition to the South Pole, most of
duty with Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Byrd’s naval the details he had planned. Before the expedition set
aviation group attached to D. B. MacMillan’s expedition out, he and Bernt Balchen (see biography under U.S. Air
to Greenland in that year. Both his character and ability Force) set out to salvage the Bremen, the first aircraft
caught the attention of his commander, and he soon to cross the Atlantic westwards, which had gone down
became Byrd’s close friend and personal pilot. Together off the coast of Labrador. On the way Bennett fell ill
they planned a flight over the North Pole, and on a second and died at Quebec, Canada, on April 25, 1928. He was
expedition in the next year they carried out the plan, flying mourned throughout the United States as a national hero.
a 3-engine Fokker monoplane, the Josephine Ford, from He had also been awarded a special medal of the National
Spitsbergen to the Pole and back on May 9. Both men were Geographic Society, with its seal on the reverse side,
awarded the Medal of Honor for their feat, one of the rare presented by President Calvin Coolidge in 1926. He was
peacetime awards of the Medal. Byrd was promoted to buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.
Commander and Bennett , by Act of Congress, to Warrant

1931 thru 1941


FBF | 1 7

“Golden Age”

Floyd Bennett Field
is one of world aviation history’s most notable sites. Throughout the 1930’s at Floyd
Bennett Field, many of aviation’s earliest and best -known pioneers, either began, or
ended their historic flights on the runways of Floyd Bennett Field. During what has
been called aviation’s “Golden Age,” pilots such as Wiley Post, Jacqueline Cochran,
Roscoe Turner, Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughes made significant contributions
to aviation through their vision and courage. Each of these record flights served to
further the advancement of human flight, and had profound effects on the history
of aviation, and of the United States.

1931 thru 1941


FBF | 1 9

Work began on New York City’s first municipal airport
on October 29, 1929. This proved to be ominous because
this was also the same day that the stock market crashed,
bringing on the Great Depression, which lasted through
the 1930’s. This was to affect New York’s new airport
throughout the years to come. Barren Island was expanded
and connected to Brooklyn by landfill, and Flatbush Avenue
was extended to provide access to the new airport.
Floyd Bennett Field was built to be the most modern
airport in the world. In an age when most runways were
grass or dirt, Floyd Bennett Field had paved concrete. Its
four hangars could house and service the largest airplanes of
the day. Facilities were built for seaplanes and flying boats.
The Administration Building also served as the terminal,
and provided for the comfort of pilots and passengers. The
entire airport was meant as an impressive gateway from the
air to enter into the nation’s largest city.


FBF | 2 1

Classification “A – 1 – A”

Floyd Bennett Field was dedicated as New York City’s first municipal airport on May 23, 1931, and received the Civil
Aeronautics Board’s highest airport rating of A - 1 - A. Almost immediately, Floyd Bennett Field became an extremely popular
site with aviators, especially those seeking to set speed and distance records. Twenty – six around the world or transatlantic
flights originated or terminated at the field between 1931 and 1939. In addition there were ten notable cross- country flights
began or ended at the field during this time.

1932: Roscoe Turners Bendix 1937 - Biplane at Floyd 1934 Stinson for Sale by Edwin
winning Wedell-Williams Bennett Field. Wormald in 1939.

The Bendix Trophy and Annette Gipson All-Women Air First, its location (on the Atlantic sea board of the United
Races both started at Floyd Bennett Field in 1933. States) set it up as a perfect jump-off site for transatlantic,
These were two of the most prestigious air races during cross country, and around the world flights. Also, the field
the 1930’s, and put Floyd Bennett Field at the center of had superb facilities, including one of the finest sets of
aviation’s “Golden Age.” There are several reasons why runways in the world. The runways were perfect for long
New York’s new municipal airport became a favorite of distance or speed flights that required a heavy fuel load.
pioneering aviators. Floyd Bennett Field was ideally suited for the record –
breaking flights of the 1930’s, and pilots were quick to extol
its advantages and make use of them


FBF | 2 3

Floyd Bennett Field, for In October 1939,
all the popularity it had Municipal Airport Number
enjoyed with the pioneering 2 was opened at North
aviators of the 1930’s, Beach in Queens. Later
proved to be a financial renamed LaGuardia
burden to New York City. Airport, this new facility
This was due to three major had the advantage of
factors. First, throughout its being much closer to the
life as a municipal airport, business and population
the only way to reach center in Manhattan, and
Floyd Bennett Field was was reachable by new
by driving along Flatbush highways and bridges.
Avenue. There were no Lastly, for most people
highways nearby, and mass air travel was far beyond
transit bus service had to their means. In the 1930’s,
travel the same crowded nearly 25 percent of
route as automobiles and workers were unemployed,
trucks. This meant that it and the average salary for
was inconvenient for most those with jobs was less
potential passengers to than $1,400 per year.
use Floyd Bennett Field. Therefore, very few people
Also, despite its facilities, could afford the expense
which were unrivalled by of flying. These factors,
any airport in the world, plus the obvious war
Floyd Bennett Field was clouds gathering around
unable to lure the lucrative the world, led New York
airmail contract away from City to sell Floyd Bennett
Newark Airport, in New Field to the U. S. Navy in
Jersey. Newark held the 1941. The navy, which had
primary contract for the been a permanent tenant
New York metropolitan since the field opened,
area. Although Floyd was looking to expand its
Bennett Field was within aviation capabilities in
the boundary of New York New York. The final civilian
City, it was designated a flight departed on May
secondary airmail field, 26, 1941, and Naval Air
and was only used when Station - New York was
Newark Airport was not dedicated on June 2.
accessible. This meant that
Floyd Bennett Field was
destined to lose money.


FBF | 2 5

Capt. J. Errol Boyd Jimmy Mattern Hugh Herndon Col. Roscoe Turner John Polando Wiley Post

Heroes of the Air and the Search for a Site

In May of 1927, an unknown airmail pilot named of its steady winds and lack of fog. It had been decided that
Charles Lindbergh flew non – stop from Roosevelt Field, New York City’s first municipal airport would be named
Long Island to Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France. His solo in honor of Floyd Bennett. Bennett, a naval aviator and
flight captured the imagination of the world. Billed as the Brooklyn resident, had been the pilot for Commander
New York – Paris flight, the fact that it began outside of Richard E. Byrd’s flight over the North Pole in 1926. Both
the city in Nassau County embarrassed New York City’s Bennett and Byrd were awarded the Congressional Medal
government. A panel was established, headed by noted of Honor for their feat. While preparing for a flight over D.W. Tomlinson Felix Waitkus Laura Ingalls Jacqueline Cochran Jimmy Dolittlev Howard Hughes
aviator Clarence Chamberlain to find a site to build a the South Pole in 1928, Bennett crashed on a test flight,
state–of–the–art airport within the city limits. The panel breaking several ribs and punturing a lung. Though not
settled on a site on Barren Island, off of the southern shore fully recovered from his injuries, he joined in the rescue
of Brooklyn in Jamaica Bay. The site of a small community, efforts to find two downed transatlantic flyers in Quebec,
a horse rendering plant, and a flying field operated by Paul Canada. The weakened Bennett contracted pneumonia in
Rizzo called “Barren Island Airport.” it provided good flying the cold climate, and died at age 38, despite the efforts of
conditions, and room to expand. The shores of Jamaica Bay Charles Lindbergh to fly a serum to the stricken aviator.
had been popular with flyers because

24, May 1939 [Francesco Sarabia flies from
Mexico City, 2,350 miles in record time to beat
that set by Amelia Earhart of 14:19:00 on
May 8th, 1935 (10:40:00, Gee Bee Racer).]
21–22 September 1935 [Flew from FBF to
Ballinrobe, Ireland, on a projected flight to Lithuania


FBF | 2 7

Air warfare of World War II
was a major component
of World War II in all theatres, and (with anti-air
and General Motors, testing them, and then
commissioning some 46,000 aircraft. Imagine the
Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1)¹ pilots soaring off
to deliver Wildcats, Hellcats, and Avengers to Navy
defense) consumed a large fraction of the industrial
output of the major powers. Germany and Japan and Marine aviation units on their way to fight in the
depended on air forces that were closely integrated major battles of the Pacific during World War II.
with land and naval forces; they downplayed the Floyd Bennett Field’s heritage in both civil
advantage of fleets of strategic bombers, and were aviation and military aviation is long and rich.
late in appreciating the need to defend against However, its greatest impact on United States
Allied strategic bombing. By contrast Britain and history took place during World War II when the
the United States took an approach that greatly “Janes who made the planes” and the men who
emphasized strategic bombing, and to a lesser tested and delivered the aircraft made Naval Air
degree, tactical control of the battlefield by air, Station New York (Floyd Bennett Field) the busiest

F
BF_ and adequate air defenses. They both built a
strategic force of a large long-range bombers that
could carry the air war to the enemy’s homeland.
naval air station in the nation. By reducing the
processing time for aircraft from 10 days (1941)
to three days (1943) they insured that the huge
Simultaneously they built tactical air forces that number of aircraft flowing off the assembly lines
could win air superiority over the battlefields, reached U.S. and Allied forces.
thereby giving vital assistance to ground troops. Located in Brooklyn, NY, today Floyd Bennett
They both built a powerful naval-air component Field is preserved by the National Park Service
based on aircraft carriers, as did Japan; these played as part of Gateway National Recreation Area.
the central role in the war at sea. Walking along Although it lacks the bustle of the past, it is not
Floyd Bennett Field’s historic hanger row today you silent. In Hangar B, volunteers contribute thousands
can almost hear the roar of the mighty engines that of hours annually restoring vintage aircraft that
powered aircraft on their way to patrol the vital sea once flew from the field. Visitors tour the airfield
lanes of the Atlantic during the German U-Boat learning its proud story: its defense of the nation
offensive of 1942. Look into Hanger B and imagine during World War II as it guarded ships leaving New
the ground crews receiving newly built planes York Harbor, as well as its role in one of the greatest
from companies like Grumman, Vought-Sikorsky, industrial feats of all time, giving wings to the armed
forces of the United States.

1946 thru 1972


2 8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future FBF | 2 9

N aval Air Station (NAS) New York was home
to the largest naval aviation squadron ever
assembled, Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1). On
Approximately 100,000 new aircraft were commissioned
into active service and delivered by all naval air ferry
squadrons during the war. Major transcontinental and
December 1, 1943, it also became headquarters of the coastal air ferry routes were laid out allowing for frequent
Naval Air Ferry Command which controlled all naval air stops at designated airports. Ferry service units or auxiliary
ferry operations throughout the United States. Three naval ferry service units were located at these stopover airports
air stations were the operating bases of the Naval Air Ferry to keep planes serviced and in flying trim. For ferrying
Command--NAS New York, home of VRF-1 and VRF-4, purposes the United States was divided into an eastern zone
NAS Columbus (Ohio), where VRF-2 was based and and a western zone with the Mississippi River the boundary.
NAS Terminal Island (Los Angeles, CA), home of VRF-3.

Sonar man Paul
D. Ananos of
Flushing
operates sonar
detection gear on
board helicopter.
He obtains
signals from an Lt. Cmdr. E. Richard Klages of Stony Brook and Cmdr. John W. Mahoney of Valley Stream check their flight plans
underwater buoy. before taking off from the Norfolk Air Station. Mahoney commands reserve unit.

FBF | 3 1

W ith a lease executed in January of 1936, the
Coast Guard was on it’s way to opening an Air
Station on Floyd Bennett Field. Dedication ceremonies were
set for April 23, 1938. There were parades and public officials.
Special guests were taken from the U. S. Barge Office at
the Battery aboard the Coast Guard tugs Comanche and
Manhattan to the sea plane landing at the field. The ceremony
was conducted by Rear Admiral R.R. Waesche, Commandant,
U. S. Coast Guard, who came from Washington aboard a large
Coast Guard cutter.
er means failed to reach the firefighters.A rescue hoist was
developed as were several pickup harnesses. This equipment
received its first real test at the Navy’s air-sea rescue
demonstration held off Manasquan, N. J. on October 2, 1944,
when 4 men were picked up from a rubber raft and 0 miles
south of Goose Bay Labrador. The Coast Guard and Army Air
Forces teamed up to rescue the crew. Two men were badly
burnt in the PBY when it caught fire after crashing in the
wilderness. Several days passed before a USAAF C-54 spotted
their distress signal. Two RCAF rescue ski planes, dispatched
to the scene, landed safely. One managed to take off with
several survivors. A blizzard prevented any further attempts
during the next two days. When the weather cleared, the first
plane returned and landed, but the snow was too soft for either
plane to take offwith a load, so they were flown out without
passengers. The 9 men left behind would be stranded for weeks
until the lakes thawed sufficiently for float planes to land.
Fortunately, a Sikorsky HNS Helicopter was available
at Air Station Brooklyn. It was disassembled, loaded on a
C-54 and flown to Goose Bay. When it was reassembled, Lt.
August Kleisch, USCG, flew the helicopter to a base camp
that had been set up at Lake Herr about 146 miles south of
Goose Bay, which could be supplied by ski planes. Kleisch
had to make 9 trips into the crash site, each trip averaging an
hour and a half, bringing out one man at a time. This rescue
mission really showed the versatility of the helicopter.


FBF | 3 3

Coast Guard was on it’s way to opening an
Air Station on Floyd Bennett Field. Dedication ceremonies
The task of organizing the training unit was completed
on June 1, 1944. Regular production trainers were now
available in sufficient quantities to start the training of
that the aircraft could not roll backwards. It just sat there
rocking back andforth with its tail over the seawall. LCDR
Red Lawrence rushed out of the operations office, crawled
were set for April 23, 1938. There were parades and regular classes. into the left seat and flew the helicopter out for him. It
public officials. Special guests were taken from the U. S. By the end of the first year of operations, over one didn’t take long to find out the cause of the accident. The
Barge Office at the Battery aboard the Coast Guard tugs hundred pilots and one hundred and fifty mechanics had pilot was STONED! The station wardroom had a beer mess
Comanche and Manhattan to the sea plane landing at the been trained to fly and service these aircraft. Over 3000 that was supposed to be closed until after working hours.
field. The ceremony was conducted by Rear Admiral R.R. hours had been flown by the HNS helicopters attached to The Commanding Officer was not aware of it, but some of
Waesche, Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, who came from Air Station Brooklyn. the students were having a few after breakfast. That was the
Washington aboard a large Coast Guard cutter. The HNS trainers were of limited operational value, end of the beer mess.
There was music (Semper Paratus) by the Coast Guard but there was one mission for which the aircraft was ideally On a more serious note, on April 21, 1945, a Canadian
Academy Band and luncheon was served inside the Coast suited. The Brooklyn Navy Yard requested that tests be run PBY-SA had been forced down 180 miles south of Goose
Guard hangar. It was hosted by Captain Thomas M. Malloy, to determine the feasibility of using helicopters as targets Bay Labrador. The Coast Guard and Army Air Forces
the Station’ s first Commanding Officer, and Commodore for radar calibrations of vessels undergoing overhaul in the teamed up to rescue the crew. Two men were badly burnt
J. S. Baylis, USCG, then Commander Third Coast Guard Navy Yard. The tests proved so successful that the Navy in the PBY when it caught fire after crashing in the
District, New York. Until the outbreak of World War II, the Yard requested that helicopters be assigned for this work wilderness. Several days passed before a USAAF C-54
activities of the Air Station were mainly concerned with from the Chief of Naval Operations. spotted their distress signal. Two RCAF rescue ski planes,
what now has become recognized as air-sea rescue. In the The trainers were used on several occasions for rescue dispatched to the scene, landed safely. One managed to
early days of the War, when submarine menace was acute and relief missions. Blood plasma was flown to the wreckage take off with several survivors. A blizzard prevented any
and combat planes were unavailable, the patrol and utility of the U. S. S. Turner after it exploded in New York harbor; further attempts during the next two days. When the
aircraft attached were armed with depth charges and served a youngster was rescued from a sandbar in Jamaica Bay and weather cleared, the first plane returned and landed, but
at least in a harassing capacity. As the submarine menace firefighting equipment was dropped to firemen fighting the snow was too soft for either plane to take offwith a load,
subsided and combat aircraft became available to the Navy, a blaze on a railroad trestle, when other means failed to so they were flown out without passengers. The 9 men left
the aid of Coast Guard aircraft was no longer needed. reach the firefighters.A rescue hoist was developed as were behind would be stranded for weeks until the lakes thawed
several pickup harnesses. This equipment received its first sufficiently for float planes to land.
By a directive from the Chief of Naval Operations, real test at the Navy’s air-sea rescue demonstration held Fortunately, a Sikorsky HNS Helicopter was
dated November 19, 1943, the station was designated a off Manasquan, N. J. on October 2, 1944, when 4 men available at Air Station Brooklyn. It was disassembled,
helicopter training base. Three Sikorsky HNS helicopters were picked up from a rubber raft and landed aboard the loaded on a C-54 and flown to Goose Bay. When it
were assigned. Shortly after this, the British Admiralty cutter Cobb in slightly less than ten minutes. Now and then was reassembled, Lt. August Kleisch, USCG, flew
requested that the Coast Guard train a number of pilots during helicopter training little incidents occurred which the helicopter to a base camp that had been set up at
and mechanics for them. Four British helicopters were livened up the routine. The following incident is as related Lake Herr about 146 miles south of Goose Bay, which
assigned for this purpose. A number of pilots were also by CDR. Erickson: On one occasion a “nonconformist” could be supplied by ski planes. Kleisch had to make
trained for the USAAF, the U.S. Navy, and the C.A.A. RAF autogiro pilot was approaching for a landing in an 9 trips into the crash site, each trip averaging an hour
CDR Frank A. Erickson was placed in charge of the HNS along aflight path which took him over a concrete and a half, bringing out one man at a time. This rescue
helicopter training and became Commanding Officer of the seawall when the aircraft suddenly lost lift. Fortunately, the mission really showed the versatility of the helicopter.
Air Station from December 1943 until February 1945. main landing gear hooked on the inside of the seawall so


FBF | 3 5

Coast Guard was on it’s way to opening an
Air Station on Floyd Bennett Field. Dedication ceremonies
The task of organizing the training unit was completed
on June 1, 1944. Regular production trainers were now
available in sufficient quantities to start the training of
that the aircraft could not roll backwards. It just sat there
rocking back andforth with its tail over the seawall. LCDR
Red Lawrence rushed out of the operations office, crawled
were set for April 23, 1938. There were parades and regular classes. into the left seat and flew the helicopter out for him. It
public officials. Special guests were taken from the U. S. By the end of the first year of operations, over one didn’t take long to find out the cause of the accident. The
Barge Office at the Battery aboard the Coast Guard tugs hundred pilots and one hundred and fifty mechanics had pilot was STONED! The station wardroom had a beer mess
Comanche and Manhattan to the sea plane landing at the been trained to fly and service these aircraft. Over 3000 that was supposed to be closed until after working hours.
field. The ceremony was conducted by Rear Admiral R.R. hours had been flown by the HNS helicopters attached to The Commanding Officer was not aware of it, but some of
Waesche, Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, who came from Air Station Brooklyn. the students were having a few after breakfast. That was the
Washington aboard a large Coast Guard cutter. The HNS trainers were of limited operational value, end of the beer mess.
There was music (Semper Paratus) by the Coast Guard but there was one mission for which the aircraft was ideally On a more serious note, on April 21, 1945, a Canadian
Academy Band and luncheon was served inside the Coast suited. The Brooklyn Navy Yard requested that tests be run PBY-SA had been forced down 180 miles south of Goose
Guard hangar. It was hosted by Captain Thomas M. Malloy, to determine the feasibility of using helicopters as targets Bay Labrador. The Coast Guard and Army Air Forces
the Station’ s first Commanding Officer, and Commodore for radar calibrations of vessels undergoing overhaul in the teamed up to rescue the crew. Two men were badly burnt
J. S. Baylis, USCG, then Commander Third Coast Guard Navy Yard. The tests proved so successful that the Navy in the PBY when it caught fire after crashing in the
District, New York. Until the outbreak of World War II, the Yard requested that helicopters be assigned for this work wilderness. Several days passed before a USAAF C-54
activities of the Air Station were mainly concerned with from the Chief of Naval Operations. spotted their distress signal. Two RCAF rescue ski planes,
what now has become recognized as air-sea rescue. In the The trainers were used on several occasions for rescue dispatched to the scene, landed safely. One managed to
early days of the War, when submarine menace was acute and relief missions. Blood plasma was flown to the wreckage take off with several survivors. A blizzard prevented any
and combat planes were unavailable, the patrol and utility of the U. S. S. Turner after it exploded in New York harbor; further attempts during the next two days. When the
aircraft attached were armed with depth charges and served a youngster was rescued from a sandbar in Jamaica Bay and weather cleared, the first plane returned and landed, but
at least in a harassing capacity. As the submarine menace firefighting equipment was dropped to firemen fighting the snow was too soft for either plane to take offwith a load,
subsided and combat aircraft became available to the Navy, a blaze on a railroad trestle, when other means failed to so they were flown out without passengers. The 9 men left
the aid of Coast Guard aircraft was no longer needed. reach the firefighters.A rescue hoist was developed as were behind would be stranded for weeks until the lakes thawed
several pickup harnesses. This equipment received its first sufficiently for float planes to land.
By a directive from the Chief of Naval Operations, real test at the Navy’s air-sea rescue demonstration held Fortunately, a Sikorsky HNS Helicopter was
dated November 19, 1943, the station was designated a off Manasquan, N. J. on October 2, 1944, when 4 men available at Air Station Brooklyn. It was disassembled,
helicopter training base. Three Sikorsky HNS helicopters were picked up from a rubber raft and landed aboard the loaded on a C-54 and flown to Goose Bay. When it
were assigned. Shortly after this, the British Admiralty cutter Cobb in slightly less than ten minutes. Now and then was reassembled, Lt. August Kleisch, USCG, flew
requested that the Coast Guard train a number of pilots during helicopter training little incidents occurred which the helicopter to a base camp that had been set up at
and mechanics for them. Four British helicopters were livened up the routine. The following incident is as related Lake Herr about 146 miles south of Goose Bay, which
assigned for this purpose. A number of pilots were also by CDR. Erickson: On one occasion a “nonconformist” could be supplied by ski planes. Kleisch had to make
trained for the USAAF, the U.S. Navy, and the C.A.A. RAF autogiro pilot was approaching for a landing in an 9 trips into the crash site, each trip averaging an hour
CDR Frank A. Erickson was placed in charge of the HNS along aflight path which took him over a concrete and a half, bringing out one man at a time. This rescue
helicopter training and became Commanding Officer of the seawall when the aircraft suddenly lost lift. Fortunately, the mission really showed the versatility of the helicopter.
Air Station from December 1943 until February 1945. main landing gear hooked on the inside of the seawall so


FBF | 3 7


FBF | 3 9

Air warfare of World War II
was a major component
of World War II in all theatres, and (with anti-air
and General Motors, testing them, and then
commissioning some 46,000 aircraft. Imagine the
Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1)¹ pilots soaring off
to deliver Wildcats, Hellcats, and Avengers to Navy
defense) consumed a large fraction of the industrial
output of the major powers. Germany and Japan and Marine aviation units on their way to fight in the
depended on air forces that were closely integrated major battles of the Pacific during World War II.
with land and naval forces; they downplayed the Floyd Bennett Field’s heritage in both civil
advantage of fleets of strategic bombers, and were aviation and military aviation is long and rich.
late in appreciating the need to defend against However, its greatest impact on United States
Allied strategic bombing. By contrast Britain and history took place during World War II when the
the United States took an approach that greatly “Janes who made the planes” and the men who
emphasized strategic bombing, and to a lesser tested and delivered the aircraft made Naval Air
degree, tactical control of the battlefield by air, Station New York (Floyd Bennett Field) the busiest
and adequate air defenses. They both built a naval air station in the nation. By reducing the
strategic force of a large long-range bombers that processing time for aircraft from 10 days (1941)
could carry the air war to the enemy’s homeland. to three days (1943) they insured that the huge
Simultaneously they built tactical air forces that number of aircraft flowing off the assembly lines
could win air superiority over the battlefields, reached U.S. and Allied forces.
thereby giving vital assistance to ground troops. Located in Brooklyn, NY, today Floyd Bennett
They both built a powerful naval-air component Field is preserved by the National Park Service
based on aircraft carriers, as did Japan; these played as part of Gateway National Recreation Area.
the central role in the war at sea. Walking along Although it lacks the bustle of the past, it is not
Floyd Bennett Field’s historic hanger row today you silent. In Hangar B, volunteers contribute thousands
can almost hear the roar of the mighty engines that of hours annually restoring vintage aircraft that
powered aircraft on their way to patrol the vital sea once flew from the field. Visitors tour the airfield
lanes of the Atlantic during the German U-Boat learning its proud story: its defense of the nation
offensive of 1942. Look into Hanger B and imagine during World War II as it guarded ships leaving New
the ground crews receiving newly built planes York Harbor, as well as its role in one of the greatest
from companies like Grumman, Vought-Sikorsky, industrial feats of all time, giving wings to the armed
forces of the United States.

1946 thru 1972

FBF | 4 1

Cold War

1946 thru 1972


FBF | 4 3

A fter the 1930s closure of Naval Air Station
Rockaway across the inlet, a hangar at Floyd
Bennett Field was dedicated as Naval Air Reserve Base
kept from the public at the time. In addition, Navy WAVES
(Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service)
served as air traffic controllers in the air station control
New York within the larger civilian facility. The New York tower, directing traffic at the busy Naval Air Station, while
City Police Department (NYPD) occupied a hangar for others served as parachute riggers, packing parachutes and
the world's first police aviation unit (fixed-wing at the time, liferafts for use by aviators. Still others performed aircraft
eventually to become a fleet exclusively of helicopters). maintenance as aviation machinist mates, some of whom
In addition, about 10 acres (40,000 m2) of Floyd also served as “plane captains” for locally based aircraft.
Bennett Field along Jamaica Bay was set aside by the city Throughout the remainder of the postwar period and
on long-term lease to the United States Coast Guard until the early 1970s, NAS New York - Floyd Bennett
(USCG) in 1936, for the creation of Coast Guard Air Field primarily functioned as a support base for units of
Station Brooklyn (CGAS Brooklyn). During World War the Naval Air Reserve and the Marine Air Reserve. CGAS
II, the civilian airfield was first leased and then sold to the Brooklyn continued to operate from NAS New York and
United States Navy, which subsequently established the installation also served as a base for units of the New
Naval Air Station New York (NAS New York) to host York Air National Guard during the Cold War.
several naval aviation units of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, to In the interim, commercial aviation in New York
include three land-based antisubmarine patrol squadrons, a City moved to a new airport in Queens, which took
scout observation service unit, and two Naval Air Transport advantage of the then-new Queens-Midtown Tunnel to
Service (NATS) squadrons (processing the majority of Manhattan. That airport was quickly renamed LaGuardia
the aircraft destined for the Pacific Theater), while still Airport in recognition of that mayor's efforts to bring
retaining the Coast Guard Air Station as a tenant. commercially-viable aviation to New York City.
The pilot Eddie August Schneider died in a training
crash on the tarmac in 1940. NAS New York aircraft
patrolled the Atlantic coastline and engaged German
U-Boats, sustaining casualties, though this information was


FBF | 4 5


FBF | 4 7

1970’s : Post War


FBF | 4 9

Gateway
(National Park Service)

LaGuardia pushed for Floyd Bennett Field to replace Newark Airlines used the cargo area available on passenger aircraft to carry
Airport in Newark, New Jersey as the city’s de facto main air airmail, guaranteeing a profit on empty flights, and often providing
terminal, including designs and plans to shuttle passengers to and more revenue than passenger ticket sales on under-booked flights,
from Manhattan in flying boats. He was only able to persuade which were common. Public skepticism about the safety of this
American Airlines to move its Newark operations to the new new form of transportation, as well as the Great Depression, made
airport, and many passengers complained that travel from Bennett air travel an expensive luxury. As LaGuardia was never able to
Field to Manhattan took longer than from Newark. In addition, convince the Postal Service to move its New York City operations
particularly in the early days of commercial aviation, freight - not from Newark to Floyd Bennett Field, neither did the airlines
passengers - provided the bulk of profits. As airmail was a major relocate. This hindered commercial air activities at the airfield.
fraction of air freight at the time, airports having contracts with
the United States Postal Service attracted commercial airlines.

1972 thru Now


FBF | 5 1

Ryan Center
(Administration Building)

L aGuardia pushed for Floyd Bennett Field to
replace Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey as
the city’s de facto main air terminal, including designs and
Service attracted commercial airlines. Airlines used the
cargo area available on passenger aircraft to carry airmail,
guaranteeing a profit on empty flights, and often providing
plans to shuttle passengers to and from Manhattan in flying more revenue than passenger ticket sales on under-booked
boats. He was only able to persuade American Airlines to flights, which were common. Public skepticism about the
move its Newark operations to the new airport, and many safety of this new form of transportation, as well as the
passengers complained that travel from Bennett Field to Great Depression, made air travel an expensive luxury. As
Manhattan took longer than from Newark. In addition, LaGuardia was never able to convince the Postal Service
particularly in the early days of commercial aviation, to move its New York City operations from Newark to
freight - not passengers - provided the bulk of profits. Floyd Bennett Field, neither did the airlines relocate.
As airmail was a major fraction of air freight at the time, This hindered commercial air activities at the airfield.
airports having contracts with the United States Postal

1929 thru 1931


FBF | 5 3


FBF | 5 5

A REPORT BY THE FLOYD BENNETT FIELD BLUE RIBBON PANEL

THE NEXT JEWEL IN NEW YORK’S URBAN PARK CROWN


FBF | 5 7


FBF | 5 9


FBF | 6 1

Page 6–7 Map Source: Gateway National Recreation Area
National Park Service (nps.gov/gateway)

Page 12–13 Map Source:


FBF | 6 3


FBF | 6 5


Typebook fbf

More Related Content

What's hot

Viewers also liked

Similar to Typebook fbf

More from Elisabetta Di Stefano

Recently uploaded

Typebook fbf