The Bethel Journals

Bethel Maine History

January 11, 2010

 

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Bethel’s Early Flyers—1925 to 1945

Aviation in Bethel

by Eva Bean

Around 1925 two men came to Bethel on “barnstorming” tours. One was William Turgeon, who kept his plane on a field near the Lincoln Cummings house on Vernon Street. Later there was a man by the name of Cleveland who flew from Wade Thurston’s field throughout one summer.  Their success was not great.

Carmeno Onofrio was the first person in Bethel to own an airplane. He built one in Ray Crockett’s garage in the winter of 1929, and took it to the field beside the Sunday River turn.  It flew the length of the field at 50 to 75 feet off the ground but was damaged in landing and was never repaired.

In the spring of 1930 Dean Cunningham came to Bethel with a Curtiss Standard biplane.  He flew out of  Thurston’s field, then from Peterkin’s and eventually moved to Bennett’s field in West Bethel. He had five students: Elmer Bennett, Ray Crockett, Harold Lurvey, Leslie Davis and Onofrio. A hangar was built and the place was called the Bethel airport until after the end of World War II.   Carmeno Onofrio bought a Curtiss Robin monoplane and later owned a Stinson Detroiter. He is today (1958) manager of the Berlin (N.H.) Municipal Airport.

From 1937 to 1939 Sidney Dyke had an American Eagle biplane stationed at the West Bethel field.  He left Bethel to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.  For about a year after the war he kept a Taylorcraft monoplane at the Bethel Airport and commuted from Westover Field while he was stationed there.

Edwin Brown had a plane at the West Bethel field 1939-1941.

In the fall of 1945 there was a surge of local interest in developing good flying facilities in the town.  A group of Bethel people met and organized the Bethel Airport Corporation.  A 2,000 foot landing strip was built on land donated by Henry Boyker and Fred Edwards next to the old  Bethel Fair grounds. Stock was sold to finance the venture and some hangars erected.  Nothing much happened in the way of improving the property.  No meetings were held—and Leslie Davis paid the taxes.

Richard Davis bought a three-passenger land plane in 1945.  (It was a red and black Piper craft).  After a short time he traded it for a jeep.

Leslie Davis bought a two-passenger land plane in 1946 and in 1948 added his first seaplane.  Later he traded both for a four-passenger seaplane which is based on the river near his home.

Edwin  Brown’s land plane was brought down to the new airport, and Guy Swan, Jr., also kept a small plane there. (Edwin had an Aeronca and Guy Swan a yellow Piper.)

Around 1947 Addison Saunders and Harold Nutting owned a plane together, which they eventually sold.  In 1956, Harold Nutting bought an Aeronca Chief which he keeps at the field.

From 1951 to 1953 there were no planes based at the Bethel Airport.

Franklin Brown Chapman had a Taylorcraft in 1953 which he kept at the field for two years.

In 1955 Edwin Brown purchased a J3 Cub and housed it at the airport. At the present time (1958) there are but three planes in town; the Davis seaplane on the river and the Brown and Nutting land planes at the airport.

There has been a revival of flying interest in 1957 and 1958. Some members of the NTL would like to come to the Bethel summer conference in their own private planes.  There was a motion proposed to present the landing field to the Town of Bethel for a municipal airport. In town meeting in March 1958 that plan was accepted by voters and $250 was appropriated for upkeep of the property.  As of August 1958 the landing strip is being smoothed out and gravel fill applied to the soggy area.

 

 

1931—Student Aviators—Bethel, Maine

Special Edition of the Oxford County Citizen 1931

 

Bethel’s student flyers are young men of courage and determination. In the face of indifference and often discouragement they have persisted in their desire to master the art of flying and are now well along toward success.  They can all fly and fly well.

Only during their spare time have they been able to study and practice and until last fall they were handicapped by lack of a suitable flying field. Through the courtesy of Mr. Clarence Bennett they now have a fine location at West Bethel and they have a J -1 Standard, Curtis motor, and an American Eagle on the field and each student is familiar with both planes. They are all working for the same objective, to secure a transport license which privileges them to fly any kind of airplane anywhere in the United States.

Can any other town the size of Bethel boast four student flyers? Let us remember that aviation will have an important place in the future of the country and help these young men by the encouragement of appreciation.

The construction of a hangar is well under way.

 

Roll of Flyers

 

Dean Cunningham was born in Farmington, Maine in 1902. He was educated in the town and high schools and worked in Mexico and Rumford for a few years.

He was employed in Kiawansee, Illinois, as chauffeur and private secretary and it was while here that he became interested in flying.

From Illinois Mr. Cunningham went to California and devoted his entire time to aviation, and in an amazingly short while had mastered the art of flying.

For four years he engaged in a flying circus in California and did barnstorming all over the state. He has been in Maine three years in the interests of aviation and has students in Bethel and Farmington.

Elmer Bennett was born in Errol, N.H., September 6, 1901, the son of Edward E. and Minnie (Olson) Bennett. He was educated in the common schools of New Hampshire, graduated from Gould Academy and attended the University of Maine.

He has been employed on the Canadian National Railway for nine years.

For two years Mr. Bennett has been studying aviation and holds a diploma from the Air Navigation School of Buffalo, N.Y. He is eligible for a private license and is working hard to secure a transport license.

Ray E. Crockett was born in Bryant’s Pond November 14, 1888, the son of Harry and Mary (Curtis) Crockett. He was educated in the schools of Bryant’s Pond and married Ethel Maude Billings in 1917. They have two sons, Richard and Clayton.

When 18 years old Mr. Crockett began work in Herrick’s machine shop and in 1919 opened a garage on Church Street where he still does business. This is a general garage and service station and Mr. Crockett has no peer as a machinist. He was a pioneer in selling and repairing radios and deals in Radiolas. He is a wizard at “tinkering” of any kind.

Mr. Crockett began flying two years ago and made his first solo flight last season. His aim is to get enough hours to his credit so that he is qualified to apply for a pilot’s transport license, as he is prepared on the other qualifications.

Carmeno Onofrio was born in Canton, Maine March 8,  1907, the son of Michael and Christina (Anthony) Onofrio.

He was educated in the Canton schools, worked as a mechanic, at an early age  went to Massachusetts, where he worked as a mechanic and developed an early interest in aviation. For four years he has had actual contact with air ships and for the past two years has been in Bethel as a student flyer with Mr. Cunningham.

He has flown to several places in Oxford County, makes frequent solo flights and is nearly prepared to take his examinations for a commercial pilot’s license.

Harold A. Lurvey was born in Poland, Maine  in 1895, the son of Fred T. and Jennie (Dunham) Lurvey. He was educated in Bryant’s Pond and married Miss Olive Ramsdell of Farmington in 1920.

Mr. Lurvey first came to Bethel four years ago as manager of Sam’s Fruit Store and is now employed at Skillingston.  He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the American Legion. He has an enviable war record. He served in Co. B, 103rd Infantry, 26th Division and was at Camp Mills, Westfield, Mass. In France he was promoted to the 1st Machine Gun Battalion and saw strenuous service throughout the war.

Mr. Lurvey has been flying for two years under the tutelage of Mr. Cunningham, has made many solo flights and about 100 “take offs” and landings. One hundred hours in the air is required before a transport license can be obtained and Mr. Lurvey will soon be qualified to make application for one.

1931 student flyers:  L to R Dean Cunningham, Elmer Bennett, Ray Crockett, Carmeno Onofrio and Harold Lurvey