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1941 - 1945 304th AAFFTD (Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment) 2550th Army Air Force Base Unit (INTRODUCTION AND PICTURE OF FIELD TO BE ADDED) Information
about each class is based primarily on the Class Book of each class.
I am still missing a few of these classbooks at this time. Please contact
me if you have any class books, information about any classes or individuals
that were in these classes. I am not sure how many classes there
were ... there is some conflicting data. I am
adding information to each class from their classbooks, as time permits.
Ralph
Terry, November 2008
"Coleman Field, at Coleman, was activated as a contract primary flying school in December 1940. It was operated by the Austin Flying Service. Flight training began in June 1941. The field was deactivated on November 15, 1944." (From the Handbook of Texas Online. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Coleman County Historical Commission, History of Coleman County and Its People (2 vols., San Angelo: Anchor, 1985). Robert E. Hays, Jr., Military Aviation Activities in Texas, World Wars I and II (M.A. thesis, University of Texas, 1963 - written by Art Leatherwood.) (I don't know where Texas Handbook got these dates, but it is probable..) Dates from the "Flight Line" show ... In early 1940, Harry
A. Hammill of Austin first conceived the idea of establishing a Civil
Contract Primary School in Coleman. He contacted local attorney
Rob O'Hair, who called a joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and
the City Commission, who approved the idea. In March 1941, the
voters of Colema approved a $60,000 bond issue for purchase of
property. ... Construction began July 1, 1941 and (many of
the buildings) were completed by September 15, 1941. On October
7, 1941 instuction began. ("History of Coleman
County and Its People, 1985.") |
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Those Living |
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Class of 42-D first class began
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Class of 42-E second class began
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 Class of 42-F third class began |
 Class of 42-G 42-G began |
 Class of 42-H February 1942 |
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Class of 42-I |
 Class of 42-J May 1942 to July 1942 |
in memoriam
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Class of 43-A |
in memoriam
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 Class of 43-C |
classbook printed
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 Class of 43-E |
cartoon dated
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 Class of 43-G |
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completed
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completed
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completed
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completed
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completed
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44-I
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completed
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school was deactivated November 15, 1944 |
The Flight Line
Compiled about the same time as the Class of 44-I
The background for the Coleman Flying School pages is taken from a matchbook cover of the school. Below is the back side:
"You buy 'em - we'll fly 'em!"
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| Coleman County History Index |
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The Coleman County Historian |
| This page last updated December 7, 2008 |
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