CAF SoCal Presentation Series: Harnessing the Sky: Fredrick “Trap” Trapnell The U.S. Navy’s Aviation Pioneer
From bi-planes to jets!
On Saturday, June 10th, local author Dana Trapnell Tibbitts, will share the nearly lost history of the man called the “godfather of modern naval aviation.”
Based on the award winning biography, Harnessing The Sky: Frederick “Trap” Trapnell, the U.S. Navy’s Aviation Pioneer, recently published by the Naval Institute Press, this Living History presentation is open to the public.
Weather and maintenance permitting, the museum will fly it’s Zero killer, the F6F Hellcat, an airplane whose expedited development under Trapnell was critical to U.S. victory in World War II.
Tibbitts, who is Vice Admiral Trapnell’s granddaughter, will share the little known story of early flight test and the development of another formidable Navy fighter, the F4U Corsair. Trap became the first Navy pilot to fly a jet, and then guided Navy flight test through the monumental and treacherous transition to jets.
Other iconic, flyable aircraft will also be on display, like a real Japanese Zero. For the adventurous, rides for hire will be available in several different vintage military aircraft. A food vendor will also be on hand for those wishing a meal.
Mark your calendars to learn about the Navy’s test pilot legend, Frederick “Trap” Trapnell. Saturday June 10th, 11am at the Commemorative Air Force museum at the Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California. Experience living history.
