http:www.naval-aviator.net
#LT Fred Blechman, USNR (1948-1952 ) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Blechman |
Nickname: Crash Branch: USNR Commission: Navcad 1950 Pre-Flight: Navcad 41-48 Wings Year: 1950 Active Years: 1948-1952 Reserves: Mil Retirement: Last Location: CA |
Assignments: VF-14 50-52 |
Highlights: Entered Navy V-5 July 5, 1945. Bethany and Swarthmore Colleges. Selective Flight Training as AvCad in Dallas. Soloed Stearman on Sept. 16, 1946. Sent to Ottumwa for pre-flight, but left when Holloway Plan offered GI-Bill. Re-entered Navy as NavCad in November 1948. Wings August 1950. Flew F4U-5 Corsairs with VF-14 'Tophatters' starting September 1950. Left VF-14 and Navy November 1952. Have since written 1,100 magazine articles and eight books about electronics, early microcomputers, and flying. |
| — Crash Blechman August 7, 2007 | |||
Members May Contact Other Members by Clicking Here
LT Fred Blechman USNR 1948-1952
Fred Blechman, originally from Far Rockaway, NY, joined the Navy V-5 program in July, 1945. As an Apprentice Seaman he attended Bethany College in WV, Swarthmore College in PA, and Columbia University in New York before reporting to Dallas, TX, as an Aviation Cadet (AvCad) for Selective Flight Training in the N2S Stearman.
He soloed in an N2S on 16 September 1946, and was sent to Ottumwa, IA for Pre-Flight. However, the Holloway Plan intervened, and Fred left the Navy to study Aeronautical Engineering at Cal-Aero Technical Institute in Glendale, CA.
He re-entered flight training as a Naval Aviation Cadet (NavCad) in November, 1948. After Pre-Flight, Basic Flight Training, and Carrier Qualification (CQ) in SNJs at Pensacola, he went to Corpus Christi, Texas, for Advanced Flight Training in F4U-4 Corsairs. He earned his Naval Aviator 'Wings of Gold' on August 23, 1950.
Fred flew F4U-5 Corsairs with the VF-14 'Tophatters,' home based in Jacksonville, FL, and made two Mediterranean cruises with the squadron before leaving active duty in November 1952. After a short time in the Navy Reserve, he left as a LT.
He completed his Aeronautical Engineering studies and worked in the aerospace industry for 15 years until he started his own business. Since 1961 he has written more than 1,100 magazine articles and eight books about electronics, early microcomputers, and flying.
His two flying books (both available at amazon.com) are 'Bent Wings - F4U Corsair Action & Accidents: True Tales of Trial & Terror!' and 'Flying with the Fred Baron.'
He is now retired in California.