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The Home of Benny Howard's

"Mike" and "Ike"

   Howard DGA-4 "Ike" NR56Y (NR56YV)                          Howard DGA-4 "Mike" NR55Y (NR55YV) 

June 2008 Update

Ohio Museum to Arrange Reunion of World War II Airplane and Original Pilot 

Wadsworth, Ohio

June 6, 2008 

The Northern Ohio Museum of Aviation, a non profit historical aviation group in North Central Ohio, is in the early stages of arranging a reunion of pilot and airplane after 63 years of separation.  The pilot, 89 year old Ernest Kowalik, was a decorated Liaison Pilot in Italy during World War Two.  He logged roughly 700 hours of combat flight time while serving with the 88^th Infantry Division in Europe.  Mr. Kowalk's charge was a venerable Piper L-4 Grasshopper, one of roughly 5000 olive drab Piper Cubs that were sent overseas as observation aircraft and artillery spotters between 1942 and 1945.  

Ernest Kowalik last flew “his” L-4 in April 1945 while stationed in Italy.  Shortly there after, he was shipped stateside and reassigned to Ft. Sill where in instructed pilots preparing for the planned invasion of the Japanese homeland.  The aircraft returned state side in September of 1945 and eventually found its way into civilian life.  NOMA President Karl Engelskirger acquired the aircraft in 2001 and returned it to air worthy status.  In an amazing twist of fate, Mr. Engelskirger, while researching paint schemes, chose the unit markings of the 88^th Inf. Division and applied them to the airplane.  Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, these were the exact markings that Kowalik had flown with 60 plus years ago! 

This historically significant reunion is scheduled for late September of 2008. The Museum is accepting tax deductible donations to help defray the cost of this mission which will require 40 hours of flying time and approximately two week to complete.  This may be on of the last opportunities to reunite a World War II combat aircraft with its original crew.  Follow the museums progress by visiting their website at www.flynoma.org.

The museum is currently accepting donations via pay pal or via the us mail. Thank you in advance for helping NOMA complete this historic mission!

 For www.paypal.com  , the email address is wacodrvr@aol.com or though the US Mail to:  Karl Engelskirger c/o NOMA 2675 Stony Hill Rd. Hinckley, OH 44233

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NOMA News and Highlights

• NOMA will officially kick of its Campaign for the Northern Ohio Museum of Aviation early next month.  This on going fund raising drive will help the museum obtain funds for several upcoming programs such as the High School Flight Scholarship and the restoration of Benny Howard's Mike racer.  The campaign will help generate upwards of 4.5 million dollars in pledges over the next few years.
• Through a generous donation from our Board of Directors, NOMA will soon be the proud owner of Benny Howard's original Mike racer!  The official transfer of ownership will take place in early August of this year and the museum will commence restoration late this fall.  The museum is actively seeking donations to help underwrite this significant restoration.  An August 2010 completion date has been set to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Cleveland National Air Races at Cleveland in 1935.
• The NOMA staff is currently in the process of redesigning the website. Look for our fresh new face on the web in the next few weeks!

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The Merchandise Store Is Open

Visit the Merchandise page and purchase a copy of "Cleveland's National Air Races"  by Thomas Matowitz.  Tom is N.O.M.A.'s Vice President and co-owner of the "Mike" and "Ike."   We also have our "Mike" and "Ike" T-Shirts available in several sizes.

                 Tell the World....      FLYNOMA.ORG

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     The Northern Ohio Museum of Aviation 320 Deepwood Dr. Wadsworth, OH 44281   
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