(From Sport Aviation (Experimenter), 01/1956, Page 11)
Walter Redfern’s snappy little “Knight Twister” is shown snuggled under the mammoth wing of a B-36, at a recent “open house” at the Spokane Naval Air Station.
Walter Redfern of P.O. Box 159 in Tekoa, Washington is having a world of fun flying his little straight-wing “Knight Twister” at air shows and other aviation gatherings.
He is extremely proud of the response shown him and his airplane at a predominantly military show, and asks us to reproduce this letter received from the base commanding officer:
“My dear Mr. Redfern:
Appreciation is a small word for my gratitude to you for your part in making the Air Shaw and Open House at the Naval Air Station on the 25th of September a success.
Your generosity in providing and displaying your aircraft not only assisted in producing the program, but demonstrated to me your interest in your Naval Air Station and its mission in National Defense of keeping, the Naval Air Reserve ready.
It might interest you to know that the final tabulation of the viewing audience is set at 120,000 persons, and of that number, over 70,000 came on board the Naval Air Station and viewed the static displays. That, to me, indicates there are now more people in the Inland Empire who have a greater knowledge of the advance in aviation, both civilian and military, and a better understanding of their air defense forces, knowledge which you materially assisted in supplying.
Writing in behalf of the Navy Department and for the personnel of my command, I again thank you. If I, or the Naval Air Station, Spokane can be of assistance to you within our capacities, please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely yours,
(signed) H. F. Webster
Commander, USN
Commanding, USNAS Spokane”
Redfern subsequently flew the ship at gatherings at Colfax, Washington and at Lewiston, Idaho and the people love it. An article about this airplane appeared in the February, 1955 issue of Experimenter.
|