Howie Wing A Saga Of Aviation 1938.xx.xx Episode 77

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Howie Wing – A Saga of Aviation

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 77 ("Howie Wing A Saga Of Aviation 1938.xx.xx – Episode 77")
Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Various (scripted radio play; no modern host presence)

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Main Theme

This episode of Howie Wing transports listeners back to the high-stakes, golden-age world of 1930s aviation. The drama centers on young cadet Howie Wing and his moral and physical courage as he risks a dangerous night flight through inclement weather to deliver life-saving serum to a hospital, with the added tension of disobeying orders and relying on limited flying experience. This installment crackles with urgency, miscommunication, and the perils faced by pioneering aviators.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Stakes: Life and Death in the Air

• Howie and his companion Duke Dinsmore are ordered to return to Randolph Field unless bad weather prevents it.
• Howie is driven by the need to deliver serum to a hospital in San Antonio, hoping to save a child’s life.
• Donna Cavendish, impassioned and concerned, pleads for Howie not to attempt the flight due to his inexperience and the severe weather.

2. Risk vs. Duty: Pilot Responsibility

• Howie persuades himself and Donna that flying is faster and thus vital to saving a life:

  “That hour we saved by flying may mean the difference between life and death.” – Howie (03:11)

• Donna remains unconvinced, recognizing the peril:

  “Howie, you can’t fly in this weather… you’re just learning to fly. You’ve had no experience flying at night. And especially flying at night in this kind of weather.” – Donna (03:29)

• Howie’s logic teeters between boldness and recklessness, insisting on his limited training while downplaying the risk.

3. Questionable Ethics: Fudging Orders

• Howie contemplates skirting regulations by leaving before official weather orders arrive, planning plausible deniability.

  “If I do that, it won’t be disobeying orders when I land at Randolph. I can just say that I shoved off before the orders arrived.” – Howie (04:51)

• Donna challenges this as a rationalization, concerned about procedural safety.

4. Companionship and Collaboration

• Faced with the prospect that without her presence, the serum would not be trusted by the patient’s family, Donna demands to accompany Howie:

  “If I’m not at the hospital, there’s no use taking the serum.” – Donna (06:25)

• Howie and Duke arrange for Donna to fly along, securing a parachute for her, despite the apparent danger.

5. Sabotage and Rivalry

• Duke Dinsmore, feeling slighted, covertly places a phone call to Randolph Field to potentially implicate Howie and Donna for breaking protocol:

  “You may think that you’re doing a good turn tonight, but I am too. You can’t hang one on me and get away with it.” – Duke (08:15)

• The rivalry underlines tension not just in the air, but also on the ground among fellow cadets.

6. The Flight: Technical Challenges and Tension

• In the cockpit, Howie attempts to fly by instruments in virtually zero visibility, calibrating his navigation using radio range beams.
  • Howie exudes outward confidence:

    “Flying on instruments isn’t hard at all. Before you know it, we’ll let down through the clouds.” – Howie (10:22)

  • Donna expresses mounting anxiety and fear:

    “Oh, Howie, we never should have come.” – Donna (10:12)

• As the signal fades, panic mounts. Howie tries to reassure Donna but soon admits things are going wrong:

  “I don’t get the range. It’s faded out... I’ve got to have that range.” – Howie (11:48)

7. Cliffhanger: Facing the Unknown

• The episode ends with the aircraft lost in worsening weather, instruments and radio failing, and Howie's confidence faltering.
• The closing narration sets suspense for the next installment:

  “We very much fear that the young pilot is not as sure of himself as he would have Donna believe. Be with us as Howie continues his thrilling night flight.” – Narrator (12:12)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the urgency of flying vs. driving:

  “It’ll take you two hours in a car on slippery roads. You might smash up trying to drive fast on a night like this.” — Howie, pleading with Donna (04:04)

• On bending the rules:

  “I haven’t had any orders to remain here at Austin.” — Howie, rationalizing his decision (04:47)

• On camaraderie and risk:

  “That guy Wing has more nerve than brains. That goes for Donna, too... Weather must be pretty thick.” — Duke (07:48)

• On the tension of instrument flight:

  “Boy, this is sport. Flying on instruments isn’t hard at all.” — Howie (10:22) “Oh, Howie, we never should have come.” — Donna (10:12)

• On betrayal among cadets:

  “You may think you’re doing a good turn tonight, but I am too. You can’t hang one on me and get away with it.” — Duke, before making his secret call (08:15)

• Final ominous narration:

  “Flying blindly through the fog and clouds, his radio not working… Can Howe pull out of it all right? We very much fear that the young pilot is not as sure of himself as he would have Donna believe...” — Narrator (12:12)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:44 – Howie and Donna argue over the risks of the flight
• 04:04 – Howie insists on the urgency of flying vs. driving
• 06:08 – Donna insists on flying along with Howie
• 07:48 – Duke, alone, calls to tip off authorities at Randolph
• 10:07 – In-flight, Donna expresses fear; Howie goes on instruments
• 11:47–12:01 – Equipment begins to fail, setting up a cliffhanger
• 12:12 – Narrator’s suspenseful close

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Overall Tone and Language

The dialogue stays true to 1930s pulp-adventure style: earnest, clipped, and dramatic. The language is direct, spartan, and charged with urgency—the style that defined early serialized radio drama. The episode’s tension is amplified by overlapping dialogue, clear stakes, and terse narration, immersing listeners in both the technical marvel and the raw danger of early aviation.

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Summary for Non-Listeners

If you missed this thrilling episode of Howie Wing, you’ll find yourself smack in the middle of a daring, rule-bending wartime air rescue. Howie Wing risks his career and safety—defying orders and navigating a lethal storm at night—to rush much-needed medicine, with loyal Donna at his side and rival Duke scheming behind the scenes. Laden with period-accurate suspense and clipped, emotional exchanges, this installment ends on a white-knuckle cliffhanger, promising more aerial drama in the next episode.

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Transcript

[A]

Stand by for Howie Wing. A saga of aviation.

[B]

Sam, it's.

[A]

And now to our story of Howie Wing. Howie and Duke Dinsmore made a cross country flight at night to Austin, Texas. Their orders read that they shall return to Randolph the same night unless bad weather prevents. Donna met Howie on the Austin airport. Duke Dinsmore stood in the airport office as a message came in from Randolph Field addressed to the two flying cadets. Both Howie and Duke are certain that the message will order them to remain at Austin until the weather clears. Duke, however, refused to read the message when it was handed to him by the operator, and Howie has not seen it. Now let us go to the airport at Austin. Howie Wing is standing beside his airplane, talking earnestly to Donna Cavendish. Low hanging clouds have accentuated the blackness of the night, and a light rain is falling.

[C]

I tell you, Donna, I can make it. I can land at Randolph Field with the serum and then send it into the hospital at San Antonio by a special messenger.

[D]

But this weather, Howie.

[C]

Oh, hang the weather. Maybe the weather at Randolph is better than it is at Stinson Airport. Our field is almost 20 miles north of Stinson, and the storm's moving in from the south. I can shove off right away and be at Randolph in less than a half hour, flying wide open. Why, in less than an hour, Dr. Graham can have this serum. And it'll take you two hours to drive from here to San Antonio.

[D]

But how?

[C]

Yeah, that hour we saved by flying may mean the difference between life and death. That's what Dr. Graham told you.

[D]

Oh, I know. Time means everything, but, Howie, you can't fly in this weather. If Cal Duncan, the transport pilot, canceled.

[C]

Out, there's a big difference. Donna Duncan is flying a heavy transport loaded with passengers.

[D]

You can't go, Howie. It's too dangerous. Why, Howie, you're just learning to fly. You've had no experience flying at night. And especially flying at night in this kind of weather.

[C]

Dickens, I haven't. I've had over two hours on blind flying. I had an hour yesterday under the hood with Captain Barnes.

[D]

But, Howie, instrument flying is not easy for veteran pilots. Men like Cal Duncan, who've been doing it for years.

[C]

I won't have to go on instruments.

[D]

I think it's wonderful of you to offer, but you can't do it. Holly, Carol Duncan will drive me. And you'll just pray that I get to the hospital in time.

[C]

It'll take you two hours in a car on slippery roads. You might smash up trying to drive fast on a night like this. Give Me that serum, Don and I'll shove off.

[D]

It's utterly ridiculous, Howie. I won't let you go.

[C]

It'll save Rosita's life. Come on. Where's the serum?

[D]

Know how he is? If anything happened, I could never forgive myself.

[C]

Nothing's going to happen. I'll be sitting on a parachute. If it does get tough, I'll bail out. It's worth a chance, Donna.

[D]

If you bailed out, you might come down miles from the highway. And it'd take hours for the serum to reach the hospital.

[C]

But I won't have to bail out. Listen, we're wasting valuable time. Give me the serum and I'll crank up old Betsy and shove off.

[D]

For the last time. No, Howie. Besides, you can't take off. You'd be disobeying orders.

[C]

That's where you're mistaken. I haven't had any orders to remain here at Austin.

[D]

But the bad weather.

[C]

I can leave before the weather report from Randolph gets here. If I do that, it won't be disobeying orders when I land at Randolph. I can just say that I shoved off before the orders arrived.

[D]

But I thought you told me that the orders were coming in on the Teletype machine when you went into the office.

[C]

Well, I thought they were the orders, but I didn't see them myself.

[D]

That's no excuse, Howie, and you know it. Aren't you supposed to get a weather report before you take off?

[C]

Well, yes, but. But this is an exceptional case. I can get away with it.

[D]

Once Duke Dinsmore got a reprimand. Who's confined to the poster ignoring a weather report.

[C]

I'll take a chance on that. Come on. Come on, Donna. Every second is precious. We're just wasting time standing here. Think of the kid. Don't you see, Donna? There's no other way around this.

[D]

It's too much of a risk.

[E]

Hey, Howie, what's the dope on getting back to Randolph?

[C]

I'm going right away, Duke.

[D]

Hello, Duke.

[E]

Hi, Donna. Too bad that your flight was canceled. Did you say you were shoving off, Howie?

[C]

Right away?

[D]

What about your orders from Randolph Field, Duke?

[E]

Well, what about him?

[D]

Haven't you been ordered to remit you?

[C]

Stick here, Duke. I'm shoving back.

[D]

Tell me about those orders, Duke.

[C]

I'm gonna crank up.

[E]

Hey, wait a minute. I haven't seen any orders from Randolph Field.

[C]

Oh, well, haven't you?

[E]

Absolutely not.

[C]

Well, fair enough. Well, I'll see you tomorrow. You better stay here, Duke. I'm gonna tell the stage commander that I got off Before I saw the orders.

[D]

Are you sure you can make it?

[C]

Holly, there's no doubt about it.

[D]

All right, I'm coming along with you. What?

[C]

Not a chance.

[D]

Yes, I am. There's no point in carrying the serum without me. Jose Marino would never let Dr. Graham use it unless I was there. I told you how suspicious the poor man is of doctors and hospitals.

[C]

You really mean that?

[D]

With all my heart. Really, Howie. If I'm not at the hospital, there's no use taking the serum.

[C]

These clouds seem to have dropped down a little.

[D]

If you can fly to Randolph, there's no reason why I can't sit in the back seat. You can let me out before you taxi up to the hangar. No one will ever be the wiser. And Duke wouldn't tell anyone.

[E]

Not me, Donna. I'll protect you.

[C]

All right. I'll take you along, provided you wear a parachute. Let her take yours, Duke. I'll fly back with it when the weather clears up. Sure.

[E]

Okay. I'll get out of my ship.

[C]

I'll get the engine started and. We've wasted too much time as it is.

[D]

Holly, I think this is a wonderful thing you're doing.

[C]

Say, this is going to be fun. I need experience in this kind of weather. Stand clear. Wind her up.

[E]

No one's near the ship. Here's the shoot, Donna.

[D]

Thanks so much, Duke.

[E]

Turn around. Put your arms through these straps here.

[D]

This way.

[E]

Yeah, that's the stuff. Now snap this in front here.

[D]

Here.

[E]

Isn't gonna fit very well.

[D]

That's all right. I won't use it anyway. I'll fasten the other straps and I get in the ship.

[E]

Okay, in you go.

[C]

Take my hand.

[D]

I feel like a deep sea diver with this parachute on.

[E]

Come on, now.

[C]

Watch your step.

[E]

Put your foot on the seat.

[D]

All right, There you go.

[C]

Fasten her belt, Duke.

[E]

I'll catch it.

[D]

Thanks, Duke.

[E]

Okay, Donna. Hope you have a good ride.

[C]

You have the serum?

[D]

Yes, it's in my purse.

[C]

Okay, here we go. See you tomorrow, Duke.

[E]

Happy landings. That guy Wing has more nerve than brains. That goes for Donna, too. Holy smokes. I can't even see his lights any longer. Weather must be pretty thick. Well, Howie Wing, this is just about going to even our score. You may think that you're doing a good turn tonight, but I am, too. You can't hang one on me and get away with it. I shall hope there's no one in this airport office. Good. Now for the business. Hello? Hello, operator? I want to place a long distance call from the airport. Yeah, my name Dinsmore. Duke Dinsmore. Okay. I want to talk to Flying Cadet Rondell and be barracks at Randolph Field. He's probably in bed, but there'll be someone in the orderly office who'll call him. Say, operator, don't tell him who put in this call. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, that's right. Hello? Yeah, let me talk to Mr. Roundel. I think the number of his room is 12. Yeah, yeah, I know it's late, but this is very important. Boy, is Rondell gonna be surprised. He shouldn't be kicked out of Randolph just for a little cheating. That guy Tilford's a smack anyway. Hello? Hello, Rondell? Say, listen, in about half an hour, a BT9 is gonna land on Randolph. Yeah. Gonna land on the basic stage, go out and take a look at it. We'll see who gets out of the ship. Yeah. Yeah, this is Duke, but don't tell anybody. Rom Dell. Sure you can work that? All right. Okay. I'll see you tomorrow and tell you all about it. Yeah. So long, Rondel.

[D]

You know where we are, Howie? I can't see a thing.

[C]

Those clouds are too low to fly. Contact. We're on instruments, and I think we're right on the course.

[D]

Oh, Howie, we never should have come.

[C]

Don't worry. We'll make it. I'm gonna tune in on the radio and get on the beam. If I can get the encore signal, I know I can find Randolph.

[D]

But what if you can't?

[C]

We'll worry about that later. Boy, this is sport. Flying on instruments isn't hard at all. Before you know it, we'll let down through the clouds. Hey, listen. There's the range beam now. That's the San Antonio range beam, Donna.

[D]

But how's that going to help us?

[C]

It'll bring us in right over Randolph Field. If I can get the encore signal. Now, listen a moment.

[D]

I am.

[C]

We're in the A quadrant. Hear that? A signal.

[D]

All I hear is a lot of buzzing.

[C]

Where'll I get my map? Here it is. Now, let's see. I'm flying a course of 205 degrees, and I'm in the A quadrant.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

That means I'm east of the on course range.

[D]

You had the slightest idea what you're doing?

[C]

You bet your life. This is going to be a cinch. Donna, I'm easing the ship a little to the west now, and any second we ought to hit the encore signal. Now, this stuff is thicker than a Doro's head.

[E]

Uh.

[C]

Oh, wait. Swell. Hear that? We're getting a steady signal now. Which means we're directly on the course. Listen to it.

[D]

Yes, I do notice the difference.

[C]

And that code we pick up. CN Identifies the San Antonio range station. Say, this is the real stuff. Now, let's see. Well, we've been out from Austin about five minutes, and in another 10 minutes we'll be passing over San Marcos or just west of it. When we're about 30 minutes out, I'll let down through the fog and. Huh? Hey, that's funny.

[D]

What's the matter, Howie?

[C]

I don't get the range. It's faded out.

[D]

What made it do that?

[C]

I don't know. Gosh, I've got to have that range.

[D]

Will we do? If you can't use the radio, we'll.

[C]

Make it some way or other.

[D]

Ho. Ho. What's happening now?

[C]

Something's gone haywire.

[D]

What do we do?

[B]

Ho.

[C]

Don't get excited. I'll pull out of it. All right.

[A]

Flying blindly through the fog and clouds, his radio not working, and the ship careening at a wild angle. Can Howe pull out of it all right? We very much fear that the young pilot is not as sure of himself as he would have donna believe be with us as Howie continues his thrilling night flight. In the next episode of Howie Wing, A Saga of Aviation.

[B]

It Sam it Sam. It.