Dear Folks,
I have really been neglecting my letter writing but this finishing up business has kept us all morning. I’ll proceed to answer your letters: Dad I received your Chicago letter and I hope the business deal turned out OK. I really think that it is the wise thing to do because I really don’t see how you could keep up the pace there at home. From the sound of the set up it sounds like a pretty good deal. If you stayed at home you would just have to quit entirely and I don’t think you would or could do that. Let me know how things work out and just what the set up is. It looks like things are going along fine at Elaine’s and that Karen is really growing up. Say, thanks alot for the coupons and also thank Mr. McLain for me. I gave them to the Perkins and they really come in handy.
About having some pictures made. I was going to have some made but I wouldn’t have time to get them. I’ll try to get some made at basic but if we go to Pecos, Tex. they probably won’t even know what a camera is down there. We will be leaving probably the first week of Dec. and it isn’t certain that is where we are going. Say what is it you mean about small pictures for Bass + Taylors? I don’t think you explained that to me.
You asked if I really enjoyed flying as much as I thought I would. After you are up for about 2 hrs. straight it does get a little tiresome but if they would let you you would jump at the chance to stay up longer. It really seems like the more flying you do the more you want to do it seems to grow on you. Now that we are doing acrobatics it makes it all the more interesting because it really breakes the monotony to be able to do some loops, spins, snap rolls, slow rolls, etc. after working an hour on Chandelles and lazy eights. These Stearmans will do just about anything and you would really believe this if you could watch them for about 15 min. you would wonder just what kept the wings on. Oh yes – I passed my army check ride last Sat. I was going to send you a telegram but then I thought I would write and tell you about it.
https://youtu.be/jOB1Gkg2h18
Before you take off you have to go through a long check list and then the Lt. turned around and told me to take off, climb to 3500, do a chandelle to the left + right, a lazy eight to the left + right, a rudder exercise, a turning stall to the left, a snap roll, a slow roll, a two turn power on spin, and fly a cross road eight. He said all this in one breath and you half to do everything in order. I really gave him a good ride and the only thing I forgot was to check the time I took off and when we landed he really gave me hell for that. However, I think he was pretty well pleased + I think Long John was also because it was my first crack at the army check + I passed it and the other four in our group had taken it + failed. They will have rechecks this week. I am really just about through primary as soon as I get my time in because we only have to pass one army check. I have 53 hrs. now. I really never did think I would make it. I really think I owe Mr. Harbin a great deal because I don’t think anyone else but him could have taught me as much about flying in the time we have been here as he has. I don’t know where he lives in Phoenix but if you want to drop him a line just send it to
John B. Harbin
Thunderbird Field #2
Phoenix, Arizona.
c/o Hayward + Connelly
I am certain he will get it O.K.
Cleda, I received your letter today and I think I have answered some of your questions, as to how long I’ll be here, etc. Is Anne better? You asked about my name: Aviation Cadet Thomas Cartmell is alittle more proper than just Cadet ” “: It is so they won’t get mixed up with the West Point bunch. You have really got a problem as to what to do with Nick. The best thing to do would probably be leave him on the farm if you couldn’t take him along. Well I’m wishing I could be with you Thanksgiving but write me out another rain check.
With Love
Tom
