Aero Tidbits

Hap Arnold

Hap is an interesting man. Some twenty years ago I read a book about General Hap Arnold. The book was called Hap more recently I read one called Hap Arnold and the evolution of Airpower.The book I read twenty years ago had some legends in it which I will talk about later. The author is somebody who went to the Air force Academy. This Author is one of a hand full of Air Force Fighter Pilots with a Ph.D in history. When he went to the Academy General Billy Mitchell was considered the father of the Air Force this was in the year 1981. Billy was considered a hero for standing up to the Army brass. In my opinion Billy Mitchell Was a prima donna in 1921 he had Army planes bomb some old ships most of which were captured German ships from the first World War some were ours He wanted to prove airplanes could sink ships as a colonel, Hap Arnold was Part of the Court-martial trial of General Mitchell. It seems to me General Mitchell was after publicity and sensationalism instead of real reform. General Arnold did more to prepare for an independent Air Force than Billy Mitchell ever did.

General Hap Arnold was born in Philadelphia his father was a doctor after the civil war. He was among the first to have antiseptic during surgery. His father wanted one of his sons to go to west point two of them did. Hap did starting in 1903 he was a poor student. Hap wanted to join the horse Cavalry,but his poor grades got him assigned to the infantry instead because of poor grades. Starting in 1907 he took flight training at college park Maryland and the Wright factory. A fellow named Mills and Hap Arnold were among the first pilot trainees. was always writing to the Wright Factory to ask them technical questions about the aircraft. Hap didn't get into combat in World war one. His technical expertise was in demand he was kept out of combat doing staff work. He got to Europe after the Armistice.

Hap Arnold was married to Bee Arnold her maiden name was Poole her real name was Eleanor I don't know where Beedle came from it was a nickname.

Between the wars Hap Arnold served at March Field. Hap comes from the nickname Happy he had several other nicknames which I don't recall any of the others I don't believe they mentioned them all even. He didn't use Hap until after his father's death.

The legend I was referring to earlier has to do with an airplane General Billy Mitchell wanted Known as the Barling bomber.This was a six engine monster which influenced the famous Bombers of World War II the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 etc. The legend has it that this aircraft was sitting in a hangar at March Field all in one piece. According to the legend he ordered the plane set a fire.The real story is the aircraft was sitting in a hangar in pieces he wanted it put on the burn pile. He came home at noon one day his wife Bee and son wondered why he was home at that time Hap said he had been on the phone trying to get rid of the Barling bomber.

The Army had quite a few aircraft left over from World War One. Hap thought the army air arm wouldn't have the incentive to try new technology if they kept these World War One vintage aircraft around. He always Wanted the latest technology this is still the policy the air Force pursues today. I often wonder What General Hap Arnold would think of today's Air Force? Would he Think its too high Tech with Stealth fighters,or bombers these strange looking aircraft flying wing airplanes that are so Unstable they need computerized fly-by-Wire flight control to stabilize the aircraft.

In my opinion this is silly Pilots learn to fly to pilot aircraft not operate an airborne videogame. Back to Hap Arnold he was appointed Air Corps Chief in 1938. In 1941 Jackie Cochran proposed setting up the Wasps Women's Airforce service pilots to use women's flying skills to aid the war effort. Hap was skeptical that women could fly large aircraft such as B-17's or B-24's. This Program involved flying across the country ferrying fighter and bomber, transports etc.They towed targets for gunnery training and practice too.The wasps were deactivated in 1944 there were still planes to be ferried the women were quite upset. It was getting toward the end of the war not as many men were needed for combat duty they thought.

Home | Bio | Loggings | Hap Arnold