Uncle_Neds_SquadronStory of Ensign Bill Denley, Navy Pilot.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Uncle Ned's Squadron: Story of Ensign Bill Denley, Navy Pilot
Date: February 21, 2026
Host: Uncle Ned (Harold’s Old Time Radio)
Episode Focus: A lively, participatory show for young model airplane enthusiasts featuring aviation trivia, model plane giveaways, and a dramatic story about a Navy pilot, Ensign Bill Denley.

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the golden age of radio, set up as a "squadron" club for young aviation fans. Hosted by the exuberant Uncle Ned (with regular support from Co-pilot Ferguson), the show blends enthusiastic group activities, listener call-ins, aviation history, fun contests, and a thrilling dramatized wartime aviation adventure: the story of Navy Ensign Bill Denley. The program maintains a warm, inclusive, and energetic tone, fostering camaraderie among “cadets,” encouraging personal development, and celebrating a love of flight and model building.

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Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Squadron Roll Call & Introductions

[01:07–02:20]

• Uncle Ned welcomes listeners and thanks them for correspondence.
• The show’s official slogan, shouted by participants:

  "Look, sir, listen."
  (01:31)

• Promotion for Comet model planes, a mainstay sponsor, with an emphasis on quality, variety, and affordability.

  "Model building builds model boys."
  (02:38)

2. Executive Officer of the Day & Mission Assignment

[02:50–05:04]

• Barry Glaser is introduced as Executive Officer, reads the orders of the day, and receives model plane prizes.
• This week's mission for “cadets”: Plan.

  "You'll do a better job of everything if you plan first. Great things are never accomplished without a plan... A good pilot plans every flight. A good builder plans every building. Plan your future."
  (03:55–04:37, Uncle Ned)

3. Joining the Squadron

[05:04–05:50]

• Instructions on becoming an official member, getting a membership card, and entering the weekly phone draw.

4. Aviation History Jackpot

[05:50–07:12]

• Cadets Leslie Horak and Mike Kendall face a history question to win model planes.
• Trivia:

  "He made world history in a plane named the Spirit of St. Louis. Who is this general?"
  (06:20, Uncle Ned)

• Quick, correct answer:

  "Charles Lindbergh."
  (07:05, Mike Kendall)

5. Hangar Flying: Vertical Takeoff (VTO) Planes

[07:12–10:18]

• Educational segment on new VTO (vertical takeoff) designs, Navy collaboration, and international developments (Germany, Canada, England).
• Ingenious safety solution:

  "A parachute has been designed that fits snug in the nose of the VTOs. If the engine should fail, the pilot presses a button and the chute pops out."
  (08:32, Uncle Ned)

• Live Q&A with young cadets on VTO facts.

6. Ready Room Announcements & Prize Questions

[11:18–13:16]

• Recognition of visiting Cub Scouts and school groups.
• Trivia topics: number of VTO planes built, branches of military involved, countries working on VTOs.
• Prize model planes awarded for correct answers; participants often state their names and locations, adding to the community feel.

7. Double Cadet Challenge: Wingman & Flight Leader

[13:25–15:22]

• Tom Burnett and Keith Stanton team up on a three-question challenge about VTO history and manufacturing companies (Lockheed, Consolidated).
• Friendly urgings:

  "Come on. What's the other company?"
  (15:00, Uncle Ned)

8. Show Announcements—Upcoming Hiatus

[15:45–16:21]

• Co-pilot Ferguson and Uncle Ned announce that next week will be the last “Ready Room” meeting before a long break, inviting listeners to the studio for the final session.

9. Main Story: The Adventure of Ensign Bill Denley, Navy Pilot

[16:21–23:02]
Dramatic, cinematic storytelling interspersed with first-person asides and sound effects, highlighting the dangers and heroism of naval aviation.

Story Highlights:

• Ensign Bill Denley is sent on a solo dusk patrol from an aircraft carrier with only minutes to spare before dark.
• He encounters an enemy plane, engages in a tense dogfight, and must abandon combat to return to the carrier before nightfall.
• Sustains hits to his fuel tanks, forcing a risky descent and water ditching near the carrier.
• In the darkness, he's rescued by fellow pilot Scotty Nelson, who arrives by helicopter.
• The segment inspires courage, fast thinking, discipline, and teamwork.

Memorable Quotes (Story Section):

• "You'll have to hit it right on the button, Bill, or it'll get dark on you. And it'll get dark fast tonight. No moon, no stars. She'll be a black one."
  (16:31, Lt. Scotty Nelson)

• "I've got to fight him. Orange dots blink from the enemy's wings...I can't hit him...I've got to get back to the ship. It's getting dark."
  (19:26, Bill Denley)

• "I'm going to have to put you on the water, baby...I wish they could see me from the ship...If they could see me, they could help me."
  (20:31–21:19, Bill Denley)

• "Scotty's willybird hovered over Bill like an angel.... Grab the harness, boy, and come aboard.... I've got you, boy. You're all right. You made it."
  (22:36–22:49, Scotty Nelson & Bill Denley)

10. Post-Story Q&A and Plane Prizes

[23:02–27:36]

• Cadets are quizzed on key story elements (time of return, how Bill evaded the enemy, etc.).
• Notable exchange:

  "Why did he have to get back just at that time?"
  "Because it was gonna get dark."
  (23:57–23:59, Steve Myers & Uncle Ned)

• Cross-country flight trivia with John Bowen, simulating solo “flights” using story details as navigation clues.

11. Squadron Membership & Qualifications Review

[27:36–28:36]

• Tom Donovan recites the five squadron qualifications from memory, winning a prize.

  "Obeys established authority. Observes the rules of health. Promotes safety in the air and on the ground. Keeps self clean and alert. Accomplishes every mission."
  (27:59, Tom Donovan)

12. Final Announcements and Farewell

[28:36–30:14]

• More praise for Comet paints and products, urging cadets to visit local hobby shops.
• Credits for the show’s production team.
• Uncle Ned’s sign-off:

  "So until next Saturday then, so long, pilots."
  (30:03)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Model building builds model boys." (02:38, Uncle Ned)
• "Pilots, what's the mission for the week? ... Plan." (04:23, Uncle Ned)
• "Charles Lindbergh is right. Mike Kendall, you win the jackpot." (07:05)
• "A parachute has been designed that fits snug in the nose of the VTOs... lowers the plane slowly and safely to the ground or ship." (08:32, Uncle Ned)
• "Scotty's willybird hovered over Bill like an angel. I see you, Bill. I see you." (22:36, Rescue Scene)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Squadron Roll Call & Slogan: 01:11–01:37
• Mission of the Week (Planning): 03:55–04:37
• Aviation History Jackpot (Lindbergh): 05:50–07:12
• Hangar Flying – VTO Planes: 07:12–10:18
• Cadet Challenges and Prizes: 11:18–13:16, 13:25–15:22
• Main Story of Ensign Bill Denley: 16:21–23:02
• Story Q&A & Cross-Country Simulated Flight: 23:08–27:36
• Squadron Qualifications & Recap: 27:36–28:36
• Sign-off: 28:36–30:14

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a friendly, energetic, and encouraging tone. Uncle Ned is supportive, affable, and a little fatherly, always making sure cadets feel recognized and appreciated. The language is simple, earnest, and imbued with mid-century values: planning, teamwork, personal integrity, and the thrill of aviation.

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For New Listeners

This episode provides a vivid taste of mid-century radio, community-building for young listeners, aviation excitement, and an uplifting story of heroic flying. It’s both interactive and instructional, evoking the era’s optimism and fascination with flight, while rewarding knowledge, attention, and participation with tangible model airplane prizes and on-air recognition.

Transcript

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[Co-pilot Ferguson]

Attention pilots for Uncle Ned Sweat run. Stand by for fun and phone calls for model planes and an exciting story. The ready room is full and we're set to go with another meeting of Uncle Ned's squadron.

[Uncle Ned]

And here he is.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

Here's the man to get things started,

[Cadet or Caller]

your commanding officer, Uncle Ned. Hi pilots.

[Cadet Participant]

I am Uncle Ned.

[Uncle Ned]

Thank you, thank you and welcome to another meeting. Thanks for your cards and letters this past week. It's been good to hear from you. And now let's get underway. Let's all yell out our official slogan. And you cadets at home be sure to yell too. We need your help. Here we go. All together now.

[Cadet Participant]

Look, sir, listen.

[Cadet or Caller]

Revision fine.

[Uncle Ned]

You sounded like the dawn patrol. Now here's a message from Comet cadets. You and I know there's one name in the model airplane field that means most to every model builder. And that name is Comet. You see, Comet is the world's largest manufacturer of model airplanes. With a reputation for quality and value that's been built up over a quarter of a century. The Comet line is amazingly complete. There's a Comet kit for you in every price range from 10 cents and up, including authentic true to scale models of the latest jets and fighters in the air force. No matter what type of model you care to build, whether it's a Comet solid scale model or or one of Comet's famous structo speed easy to build models. Or the sensational Comet Lockheed Starfire powered by a Jetex engine. If it's a Comet, you'll know you're getting the best and most for your money. And when you're building that airplane, don't forget to use Comet cement for a cleaner, stronger job. And Comet dope for that final touch of beauty. They're both priced at only 10 cents. Yes, cadets, it's a lot of fun to build model airplanes when you build Comet models. And remember the Comet slogan, Model building builds model boys. And now it's time to hear from our executive officer, co pilot Ferguson, will you introduce him?

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

It's a Pleasure, Uncle Ned. Our executive officer today is Barry Glaser, and he lives in Chicago. He's been waiting for months. The big day has arrived, so let's pay attention as he reads the orders of the day for the squadron.

[Cadet Participant]

Accomplish the mission for the week. All the missions are important. Pay attention to the hangar flying in the story too, so you can solo and win planes. Gee whiz, I sure wish you were all here with us so you could see these planes. They're king. That is all.

[Uncle Ned]

Executive officer Barry Glaser. You did that job like an old timer. And here's a fine gift for you. Here's a comet little schmo. A plane that's easy to build because all the parts are prefabricated. The little schmo won't fly without an engine, though. So here's the engine. A powerful Herkimer. Ok, Cub Engineering. That'll make the little schmo perform like a record breaker.

[Cadet or Caller]

Have fun.

[Uncle Ned]

Barry Glazer.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

This is F74 to UNS control tower. F74 to UNS control tower, over.

[Uncle Ned]

This is Uncle Ned in UNS control tower. Go ahead, F74.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

F74 to Uncle Ned. F74 to Uncle Ned. What's the mission for the week?

[Uncle Ned]

What's the mission for the week? All pilots stand. Stand by. The mission for the week is plan. Plan your thinking and your actions. You'll do a better job of everything if you plan first. Great things are never accomplished without a plan. And a good life can't be realized either without a plan. Think ahead, plan wisely. Then follow your plan. A good pilot plans every flight. A good builder plans every building. Plan your future. This mission is important to your success, pilots. And it's one you must accomplish. It's plan. Pilots, what's the mission for the week? Accomplish the mission and remember it. Each week, John Cowan, our chief navigator, calls two members of the squadron on the phone. And he asks them what the mission is. If they can tell him we mail them fine model planes just like the cadets win here in the ready room. During the past week, he talked to Ronald Peterson of 5268 Windsor and and Benjamin Coleman of 9356 Stewart Avenue. Both here in Chicago. They knew the mission and they won planes. He might call you next week, so remember the mission. Copilot Ferguson, tell the boys and girls how to join the squadron, will you?

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

Well, Uncle Ned, we only have two more weeks before your vacation, but that still gives us time to send out membership cards to the boys and girls who write for them and boys and girls, here's how to get that membership card. Get a postcard and write your name, age, address and phone number on it. Mail the card to Uncle Ned, WMAQ, Chicago, 54, Illinois. That's all it takes. Just as soon as we hear from you, we'll send you the official membership card and we'll put your name on our phone list. That's the list we use when we make our five phone calls each week. There isn't much time left before Uncle Ned's vacation, so hurry and get your postcard in. Send it to Uncle Ned, WMAQ, Chicago, 54, Illinois, and you'll be an official member.

[Uncle Ned]

There it is. That's the signal for our aviation history jackpot question. I'll take the phone and find out who our operator called. Hello?

[Cadet or Caller]

Hello, this is Uncle Ned.

[Uncle Ned]

Tell us what your name is and

[Cadet or Caller]

where you live, please.

[Uncle Ned]

We want to get acquainted with you. Yes, Leslie Horak here in Chicago. Well, Leslie, here's a cadet to say hello to you.

[Cadet or Caller]

He's Mike Kendall from the ready room,

[Uncle Ned]

and he's going to try to answer the question, too. Mike, say hello to Leslie, will you? Hi, Leslie. All right, now, fellas, the jackpot question works like this. The one who answers the question wins all the planes. In case neither of you can answer it, we'll put another plane in the hangar, and they'll keep piling up in there until someone wins them all. There are two planes in the hangar today. A little girl won the jackpot of seven planes last week. You have just five seconds to answer the question for all the planes. Here is the jackpot question. A very famous pilot was recently made a general in the Air Force Reserve. His appointment was in recognition of many of his famous flights and of his great contributions to aviation. He made world history in a plane named the spirit of St. Louis. Who is this? General Mike Kendall. Hold it. Hold it. Mike Kendall. Let's give the boy on the phone a chance first. Leslie Horak. Who is it? Mike Kendall. Do you know Charles Lindbergh?

[Cadet or Caller]

Charles Lindbergh is right. Mike Kendall, you win the jackpot. Good for you. Leslie Horak.

[Uncle Ned]

We're going to send you a model plane for trying. Thank you. Thank you very much for trying. Mike Kendall, you win two planes. Next week, the jackpot starts all over again with two more planes. Leslie, I'm glad we got to visit with each other, and I hope I can meet you in person someday. Keep listening, Les, because we're going to do some hangar flying right now. Goodbye, Leslie. Goodbye, let's do some hangar flying about. A new and different kind of plane, the VTO plane. VTO means vertical takeoff. The VTO plane can take off and climb right straight up. In fact, it stands on its tail for the takeoff, and it lands right straight down, too. It comes straight down, tail first and lands on its tail. Two vtos have been built so far, one by the Lockheed Aircraft Company and the other by Consolidated. The vtos have been built with the help and cooperation of the Navy. But we weren't the first to experiment with this type of plane. And we're not the only country doing anything about it either. Germany experimented with a vertical takeoff plane several years ago, and Canada and England are working on them for their countries right now. The vtos were designed and built for several reasons, and here's one of to save space, a VTO can take off straight up. So it doesn't need any Runway, not even a flight deck. The Navy figures that if the planes work out, one or two of them can be on every ship we have and they won't take up enough space to worry about. Lots of people thought the landing in the VTO would be kind of dangerous. No one ever heard of backing a plane down to the ground to land it. And what if the engine should fail? They thought the plane would drop like a rock, but that's been taken care of. A parachute has been designed that fits snug in the nose of the vtos. If the engine should fail, the pilot presses a button and the chute pops out and lowers the plane slowly and safely to the ground or ship. The two vtos that we have now have been with us for longer than we know. In fact, the designing and work started four years ago and the planes were just recently completed. Well, there you have it, the very latest in the air. Now, co pilot Ferguson, let's solo our cadets and see if they can fly the vtos. Here's the takeoff question. What does VTO mean? What does VTO mean? Remember I told you right at the very start. Can you tell me? Vto, what does it mean? I beg your pardon? No, say it loud.

[Cadet Participant]

A quarry.

[Uncle Ned]

No, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. A gym walker. Ceiling walker for you for trying. Thank you very much. Say, here comes a husky fellow. He looks like a football player. What does VTO mean?

[Cadet Participant]

Vertical takeoff.

[Cadet or Caller]

Vertical takeoff is absolutely right.

[Uncle Ned]

What's your name now?

[Cadet or Caller]

Elwitt.

[Cadet Participant]

I live at104.41.

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[Uncle Ned]

It's real good to see you in the ready room. And I want you to join with me in a great big welcome to four boys from the Bell school. They're with us in the ready room this morning. And Cub Scouts Pack 41 Den 4.

[Cadet or Caller]

Crown Point, Indiana.

[Uncle Ned]

They're here and we're glad to see them. And pack 56 den. Eight of the cub Scouts from Glenview, Illinois are here. Welcome to the ready room. Now here's your prize. We're starting out with a good plane for a prize. A Comet Structo Speed SkyKnight. It's just one of 122 different Comet planes and one you'll like. I need another cadet now because I've got a good question for him. How many vtos do we have?

[Cadet or Caller]

Two is absolutely right.

[Uncle Ned]

Your name, please?

[Cadet Participant]

Howard Sonnenborn.

[Uncle Ned]

Howard, how old are you?

[Cadet or Caller]

13.

[Uncle Ned]

How long have you been a member of the squadron?

[Cadet Participant]

I just joined us.

[Uncle Ned]

Just joined. It's good to have you. Here's a personal type plane, a Comet air Coupe. It's a structural speed model with plastic parts. And here's Another fine plane. Now for the answer to this question. What branch of our military service worked in the designing of the vtos? Kind of a small cadet, wasn't that. It wasn't the Marines, was it? The. What branch of the service? You know, anchors. All right.

[Cadet or Caller]

A Jim.

[Uncle Ned]

What was that?

[Cadet or Caller]

Hey. What?

[Uncle Ned]

No.

[Cadet or Caller]

Well, thank you very much for trying. Give him two Gym Walker. Stealing markers for that.

[Uncle Ned]

He finished the song. What branch of our military service worked in the designing of the vtos?

[Cadet Participant]

Navy.

[Cadet or Caller]

The Navy is absolutely, absolutely right. Your name, please?

[Cadet Participant]

Paul Sawicki. I live at 5908 Wesleyan, Chicago, Illinois.

[Uncle Ned]

Paul, it's good to see you in the ready room. And you're right. And here's another Navy plane. The Cougar by Comet. Comet. Cougars are sold all over the world. Enjoy it. Name two countries who are working on VTO planes now.

[Cadet Participant]

England and Canada.

[Uncle Ned]

England and Canada is right. George, you're going to have to fly a B29. You're a big cadet. What's your name?

[Cadet Participant]

Joseph Maleschkin. I live in 1925 West 17.

[Uncle Ned]

Joe, it's good to see you. And you'll see these planes flying in Canada and England. A Comet Balenca Cruise Air. Every part is completely prefabricated and finished for you.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

Say, that's the wingman on the phone, Uncle Ned. I've got his flight leader right here. And I hope they both win a stack of planes. The flight leader is Thomas Burnot of Maryville, Indiana.

[Uncle Ned]

I'll take the phone and find out who our wingman is and where he lives.

[Cadet or Caller]

Hello, this is Uncle Ned.

[Uncle Ned]

It's good to talk to you. Now tell us what your name is and where you live, please. Keith Stanton.

[Cadet or Caller]

What town, Keith?

[Uncle Ned]

Well, Keith, in just a second you'll have a chance to win six planes. And here's how to do it. I'll ask you three questions and you and Tom Burnett can work together on the answers. Whoever thinks of the answer first should sing it right out. You'll win one plane apiece for the first answer. Two apiece for the second answer. And if together, you can answer the last question, you'll win three more planes. For a grand total of six planes each. Remember, either one or both of you can answer the questions. Get set. Here is the first question. Are you all set? Keith Stanton. The work of designing VTOs vertical takeoff planes was started how many years ago? What do you say, Tom Burnett?

[Cadet or Caller]

Four. Four years is absolutely right. A strong, better, solid model for each

[Uncle Ned]

of you for that answer. Now for two planes of peace. Answer this one. A country in Europe experimented with a VTO several years ago. What country was it? A country in Europe.

[Cadet or Caller]

Germany is absolutely right. Jeep sat in the Buckley, Illinois, A

[Uncle Ned]

fine plastic dart by Hawk in a top flight jig time plane. This is the big one, fellas. For three planes apiece, Consolidated has made a vto. And name the other company. Name the other company.

[Cadet or Caller]

Consolidated.

[Uncle Ned]

And they make the Constellation. Oh, come on. What's the other company? Can you tell me, Tom? Can you tell me? Can you tell me, Keith?

[Cadet or Caller]

I'm going to tell you.

[Uncle Ned]

It's Lockheed. Consolidated and Lockheed.

[Cadet or Caller]

But you each won three planes.

[Uncle Ned]

And wingman Keith Stanton of Buckley, Illinois and flight leader Tom Burnett. You both won three planes and I hope you enjoy them.

[Cadet or Caller]

Yours will reach you by mail.

[Uncle Ned]

Wingman Keith Stanton and flight leader Tom Burnett. You have yours in your arms right now. I had fun working with you fellas. Thanks for being good cadets. Keith, you keep listening because the story is coming up in just a minute. Goodbye, Keith. Goodbye, co pilot Ferguson. After next week the Ready Room will be closed for a long time. So invite the boys and girls and their parents too to come down next week, will you?

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

I sure will, Uncle Ned. Yes, boys and girls, after next week the Ready room will be closed for a long time. So if you can come down next Saturday, the Ready room opens at 8:30 and the fun starts right away. We've got an F74 jet glider down here for you. And you can't tell you might win an even bigger plane if you're here now. You'll find us on the 19th floor of the Merchandise mark in the NBC studios in Chicago. Come down for fun and prizes. You're always welcome and we'll look forward to meeting you. See you next Saturday. And now, Uncle Ned, it's story time.

[Uncle Ned]

This is a story about Ensign Bill Benley, Navy pilot. A huge aircraft carrier cut through the choppy sea. The flight deck was deserted except for a lone Corsair and her pilot and crew. The pilot, Ensign Bill Denley, looked at his watch. Four o' clock in five minutes he'd fly off the deck and make a one man patrol. He'd stay aloft for two hours and return to the ship with the last second of daylight. Lieutenant Scotty Nelson, the ship's helicopter pilot, walked across the deck toward Bill. A dozen crewmen gathered close as the two pilots talked. You'll have to hit it right on the button, Bill, or it'll get dark on you. And it'll get dark fast tonight. No moon, no stars. She'll be a black one. Bill glanced at his watch again, then pulled himself up the side of the black Corsair. Scotty waved and walked away. The crewman jumped to work. The plane was checked and on signal, Bill hit the starter button. The prop bit into the wind. The engine barked and caught. Bill snugged his shoulder harness up tight. As the plane warmed up in the rolling deck, his flight plan raced through his mind. Take off, climb to 8,000ft above the overcast, fly for one hour ahead of the ship, turn north, then cut back again and land on the deck. At five minutes after six. Just as darkness settled, Bill pushed the throttle forward. The engine roared. He held the brakes, then let go and the Corsair shot down the deck. Bill climbed into the face of the buffeting wind, and at 3,000ft the cloud swallowed him up. Strong, perky winds were hiding in the clouds and they kicked and pushed the Corsair. A frosty mist covered the windshield, then sunlight. The plane dug itself out of the clouds and climbed in the smooth air. The altimeter needle crept around the dial and Bill stopped it. When he was at 8,000ft above the clouds, he leveled out and cruised straight ahead. He turned his head from side to side. The sky was empty. Not a cloud, not a bird, not a plane. The minutes ticked away slowly. This is it. Now I've got to turn north. The black Corsair banked like a seagull. The compass swung. Bill leveled out. I hope the sky stays empty. I hope I get real lonesome up here. So far, so good. He swung back in the direction of the ship. The old sun is getting ready to go to bed. Something told Bill to look around. He didn't know what it was, but something told him to turn around. He did. A plane. An enemy plane was bearing down on him from behind. Bill banked steeply to meet him. I can't waste time fighting this fellow, this. If I do, I won't make it back to the ship before dark. But I can't outrun him. He's faster than I am. The enemy plane got bigger. I've got to fight him. Orange dots blink from the enemy's wings.

[Cadet or Caller]

He's asking for it.

[Uncle Ned]

Bill's thumb pressed the trigger button. His cannon smoked. The enemy plane rolled in the sky. It looked like a bat spitting fire as it roared past Bill. Bill put his Corsair on its T.

[Cadet or Caller]

That was close. Too close.

[Uncle Ned]

I've got him now. Bill held the nose of his plane on the wing of the enemy.

[Cadet or Caller]

This should do it. He's too fast for me.

[Uncle Ned]

I can't hit him. The enemy lined up on Bill. Bullets whiz past his head. He hasn't hit me yet, but I haven't hit him either. I've got to get back to the ship. It's getting dark.

[Cadet or Caller]

Here he comes again.

[Uncle Ned]

Enemy bullets plowed into the side of Bill's Corsair. I got about 20 bullets that time. No damage, though. Bill twisted and turned. Maybe I can duck into the clouds and hide from him. He must have hit me at least 20 times altogether. He won't follow me in here, though. It'll be rough in here. I'm going pretty fast. The Corsair shot into the clouds and they treated the fling like it was a punching bag. I don't want to get below him. He might decide to come down for a look. I'll stay in here as long as I can. He swung the nose to a compass heading for the ship, glanced at his watch. I can still make it if I'm lucky. Then shot a quick look at the gas gauges.

[Cadet or Caller]

No, it can't be. I'm short of fuel.

[Uncle Ned]

He must have hit my tanks.

[Cadet or Caller]

I'll never make it.

[Uncle Ned]

The hands on the gauges moved toward the empty marks. It must be pouring out. I'm glad there's no fire. Better get out of these clouds. Got to take the chance. He pushed the stick forward and dropped out of the overcast just 3,000ft above the cold, murky sea. I'm 25 minutes from the carrier. And I'm 25 minutes from total darkness. The hands on the gas gauges slowly move down. I wish I could call the carrier. Can't break radio silence, though. The gauges crept toward empty. I'm not high enough for a long glide either. It's getting darker by the second. That water looks cold and rough. I'm going to have to put you on the water, baby. I'm going to have to land you right between the waves. The gas gauges jerk toward the 0 marks. I wish I could see the ship. I wish I could see it. It's dark. It's almost black. That shadow on the water. Is it. It is.

[Cadet or Caller]

It's the ship. No, don't quit. Last a little longer. I'm so close. Just another minute.

[Uncle Ned]

The engine didn't hear him. It coughed and quit. Dead. Bill slid the hatchback. It's going to be cold and the water is hard. I wish they could see me from the ship. If they could see me, they could help me. A thousand feet. I've Never landed in the water like this. 500ft. I've got to do it just like I do on the deck. Drag the tail 300ft. The ship is less than a mile away. I almost made it. 200ft. 100ft. 50ft. Round out. Hold it off. Those waves are high. And they're black. The sky is black, too.

[Cadet or Caller]

Here it comes.

[Uncle Ned]

The Corsair dug into the water. He scrambled to the wing. His life raft inflated and popped out. The plane rode the waves like a cork. She'll stay afloat for a few minutes, but that isn't long enough. I wish they could see me. I wish. What's that?

[Cadet or Caller]

Scotty.

[Uncle Ned]

Scotty. Nelson chopped his way to Bill.

[Cadet or Caller]

Here I am, Scotty. Here I am. Down here, Scotty. Hurry up. Hurry, Scotty.

[Uncle Ned]

The Corsair lurched and settled.

[Cadet or Caller]

Come on, Scotty. Come on.

[Uncle Ned]

Water crept up to Bill's knees. He hung on tightly to keep from sliding off the wing.

[Cadet or Caller]

Scotty.

[Uncle Ned]

Over here.

[Cadet or Caller]

Over here. Lower the harness.

[Uncle Ned]

Scotty. He can't see me. It's too dark.

[Cadet or Caller]

Scotty.

[Uncle Ned]

Scotty's willybird hovered over Bill like an angel.

[Cadet or Caller]

I see you, Bill. I see you.

[Uncle Ned]

Grab the harness, boy, and come aboard. Bill reached into the night. He caught the harness and slid it over his shoulders. His Corsair trembled and sunk and Scotty

[Cadet or Caller]

poured on the power. I've got you, boy. You're all right. You made it. Ensign Bill Denley, Navy pilot

[Uncle Ned]

Boy.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

Uncle Ned, the Navy has some good men. And we have good cadets, too. And some of them want to solo right now.

[Uncle Ned]

Let's go. I'll start the solo flights. If you'll stand by the phone for our cross country pilot. Here's the takeoff question. At what time was Bill supposed to get back to the carrier?

[Cadet or Caller]

Eight o'.

[Cadet Participant]

Clock.

[Uncle Ned]

No, no, I'm sorry. A Jim Walker. Ceiling Walker for you. You're kind of close, though.

[Cadet or Caller]

Here comes a cadet.

[Uncle Ned]

I think he has the answer. He's an old time cadet. At what time was Bill supposed to get back to the carrier?

[Cadet or Caller]

Five after six is absolutely right. Good for you.

[Uncle Ned]

I know you, but some of our cadets don't. So tell us your name.

[Cadet Participant]

Arthur Cohen. I live at 2859 Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Illinois.

[Uncle Ned]

It's good to see you. And you've got a good memory. And here's a good plane. A monogram. Speedy built F. Panther jet. Monogram planes have pacemaking designs. They're easy to assemble because the parts are all finished. Question number two. Why did he have to get back just at that time?

[Cadet Participant]

Because it Was gonna get dark.

[Uncle Ned]

That's right, because it would be dark and the carrier would be too hard to hit in the dark. Your name?

[Cadet Participant]

Steve Myers.

[Uncle Ned]

How old are you, Steve?

[Cadet Participant]

12.

[Uncle Ned]

And where do you live?

[Cadet Participant]

96. 47, South Korea.

[Uncle Ned]

Is this your first time in the radio? Well, it's good to see. I wish we'd have met about a year ago. Here's a solid model, a Strombecher, solid Mod. The popular DC6. You can build it without having extra tools. It's cut to scale. And cadet number three for his prize. How did Bill escape the enemy plane?

[Cadet Participant]

He jumped into the clouds.

[Uncle Ned]

He what?

[Cadet Participant]

He dived in the clouds.

[Uncle Ned]

That's right.

[Cadet or Caller]

He dived into the clouds.

[Uncle Ned]

That was done an awful lot.

[Cadet or Caller]

Oh, come back up here. We've got to meet you.

[Uncle Ned]

Absolutely. He took his plane and ran back to the sea. What's your name?

[Cadet Participant]

Jeff Light.

[Uncle Ned]

Jeff, how old are you? Thirteen. You live here in Chicago?

[Cadet Participant]

Yes.

[Cadet or Caller]

Well, it's good to see you.

[Uncle Ned]

You have your plane, but I want to tell the cadets what you want. That was a good answer. So take this plane that's guaranteed to fly. It's a top flight, jig time plane and all. Top flight, jig time planes are guaranteed to fly.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

Hey, here he is, Uncle Ned. All set to win planes. The cross country pilot.

[Uncle Ned]

Hand me the phone, please, and we'll find out who he is and where he lives. Hello? Hello. We want to know you better. So tell us your name and the name of your town, please. John. John Bowen. Mount Carroll. 605 S. Jackson St. Mount Carroll, Illinois.

[Cadet or Caller]

John, is your birthday today? Oh, I see. Well, good for you.

[Uncle Ned]

How old are you? 11 years old. Mount Carroll is over near the Mississippi river, isn't it? Right across from Dubuque. Or from Clinton, I mean.

[Cadet or Caller]

Sure it is.

[Uncle Ned]

Well, John, I'm glad we can talk to each other. And I hope you win some planes. We have a make believe cross country flight lined up for you. You'll pretend to fly from your airport at Mount Carroll to Rockford, Illinois and then to Lansing, Michigan and then back home again to Mount Carroll. I'll ask you three questions and you'll win a plane every time you answer one. Plus a Wen Mac Aeromite is a bonus if you answer all three. I hope you win them all.

[Cadet or Caller]

And here we go to Rockford.

[Uncle Ned]

And this question, it's easy. What color was Bill's Corsair?

[Cadet Participant]

Black.

[Uncle Ned]

Fine.

[Cadet or Caller]

Good for you.

[Uncle Ned]

It's really a very dark blue, but we call them black. You win a big strombecher solid plane. Now for the next question, John Bowen, before we go on to the next question, tell me, do you build model planes? Well, how many all together have you built?

[Cadet or Caller]

About one. Well, wonderful. You're sure going to get a chance now.

[Uncle Ned]

I hope you already have won one. Now. I hope you keep on winning. This one is a little harder. Tell me the direction Bill was to turn after he'd flown ahead of the ship for an hour. North. Fine.

[Cadet or Caller]

Good for you. A hard question, but a good prize.

[Uncle Ned]

A hawk. Plastic dart. It's all white. It's a little beauty. Here's the one for the bonus. Are you set? All right. I'll bet everyone in Mount Carroll is listening. Here it is. How high were the clouds? Come on, how much?

[Cadet or Caller]

3,000ft is right. Boy, that was a tough one. And you answered it.

[Uncle Ned]

You have a wenmac Aeromite, a solid plastic plane. It's made of molded plastic. It's rugged. Believe you me, it's already built for you. There's a powerful engine there. The control handle, the control cables, everything you need for fun is right there in the wenmac Aeromite box. It's all there except the fuel. John Bowen, you're a good pilot. You want some swell planes. And they'll be mailed to you. Four of them all together. I hope you enjoy them. Keep listening, John, because we've got a Jim Walker firebaby to give away right now.

[Cadet or Caller]

Goodbye, John Bowen of Mount Carroll, Illinois.

[Uncle Ned]

Goodbye. Boy, is he a happy boy. Co pilot, Ferguson. Here's a fire baby for a cadet who can tell me the five qualifications for membership in the squadron.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

And here's the cadet for the job. His name is Tom Donovan and he lives in Chicago.

[Uncle Ned]

All right. Take a deep breath, Tom, and tell me those qualifications and I'll send you home with a fire baby. Are you all set? Go.

[Cadet Participant]

Obeys established authority. Observes the rules of health. Promotes safety in the air and on the ground. Keeps self clean and alert. Accomplishes every mission.

[Cadet or Caller]

Tom, you run it fair and square.

[Uncle Ned]

You won it fair and square. How long did it take you to memorize those qualifications? I beg your pardon? Say it loud.

[Cadet Participant]

First day I got the card, you knew it.

[Uncle Ned]

How long have you had the card?

[Cadet Participant]

About three years.

[Cadet or Caller]

Three years? Well, good for you.

[Uncle Ned]

I'm glad you finally had your chance. Here it is, a Jim Walker Firebaby, complete with a powerful supercharged Royal Spitfire engine. The Firebaby is almost all built for you and it's painted a bright red. It's a complete plane. The control handle and cables are right there in the box.

[Cadet or Caller]

There's even an extra wing. Have fun with your fire, baby.

[Uncle Ned]

Tom, we're awfully glad you won it. Now, cadets, listen to this message from Comet. If you build plastic models, planes, boats or racing cars, you can give them that handsome finished look if you paint them with Comet's high gloss paints. Poor plastics. Comet paints for plastics give new beauty to everything made of plastic. They dry to the touch in just five minutes and are thoroughly dry in 20 minutes. Comet's paints for plastics come in 14 brilliant, vivid colors and only one coat covers. They're guaranteed to be the finest on the market, yet sensationally low priced. They're handy around the house too, in so many ways. Perfect for painting anything made of plastic. Ideal for touching up refrigerators, autos, bikes, even furniture. You can buy Comet's paints for plastics by the individual 10 cent jar. Or you can get Comet's special set of seven seven generous jars in a handy useful container for only 69 cents. Complete. The chart on the back of the container tells you how to mix these basic colors to get many additional shades and tones. See your hobby shop for your set of seven. And don't leave until you've looked over the newer models in Comet's famous line of model airplanes and cadets. I want you all to have fun this coming week. Be on hand next week for our meeting. It's the last one before vacation.

[Cadet or Caller]

Our engineer is Dick Rydell and our

[Uncle Ned]

sound effects man is Curt Mitchell. Franklin Ferguson is our announcer and John Cowan is our director and chief navigator.

[Cadet or Caller]

So until next Saturday then.

[Uncle Ned]

This is Uncle Ned speaking for the

[Cadet or Caller]

entire crew and saying, so long, pilots.

[Cadet Participant]

So long.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

We'll be expecting you next Saturday. For more phone calls, model planes and another exciting story, they're yours for fun

[Cadet or Caller]

and adventure every week on Uncle Hill. Sam.

[Co-pilot Ferguson]

This is the NBC Radio Network.

[Uncle Ned]

Your attention please. Your attention please. All cadets remain seated.

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