Uncle Charlie flew a P-40, but never flew a Corsair

 “Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience:
    this is the ideal life.” Mark Twain

 “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
   J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter

My wife’s Uncle Charlie Miles, who served with the US Air Force in China during World War II, was once asked by a curious relative what airplanes he flew in the war. 

He replied, “Everything we made.”

Uncle Charlie’s claim was not a boast. In Chungking, China where he was stationed, Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Forces fought a desperate struggle for survival against Japanese forces advancing from the east and the south. Meanwhile, Mao Tse-tung’s Communist forces controlled the northern mountains.

US airmen in support of the Nationalist Army had to fly whatever plane was needed for the mission. This included the reliable C-47 cargo plane that flew “The Hump” bringing precious gasoline and ammunition over the Himalayan Mountains. It also included the fearsome P-40 fighter that kept the Japanese at bay while Chinese forces regrouped.

After going down the list of planes he flew, Uncle Charlie was asked if he flew the vaunted Corsair, the first fighter in the Pacific whose speed exceeded 400 mph.

Not one to miss a beat Charlie said, “Damn it, that’s a Navy plane.”

Vought F4U Corsair

In The Vought F4U Corsair was developed early in 1938 for the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers, which needed to combine a small compact body with the most powerful engine and a low stall speed. When it appeared in the Pacific in late 1942, the Corsair was the fastest plane in the skies. Its distinctive W-shaped wings were immediately recognizable to friend and foe. The Japanese Zero pilots nicknamed the plane “Whistling Death” because of the sound it made when diving for the attack.

Initially, the plane was flown by Marine pilots and appeared in action over the skies of the Solomon Islands. Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and his squadron flew Corsairs. With this success, Navy pilots soon adopted the Corsair as their own. 

In the course of its more than 64,000 missions, the Navy Corsair downed 2,140 enemy planes while losing only 189 Corsairs to the enemy, an 11:1 ratio unmatched in air combat history.

Traditions - friends, new and old

 “Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus

A couple in the Paris rain

Friends - the old ones are like a familiar chair, comfortable to the touch. And new ones bring joy to life, a bit of inspiration, a moment of laughter in a world that needs it and a hope for something better.



Each year Traditions celebrates its annual Holiday Open House. We decorate the store bringing in new seasonal gifts and serve food and even wine on occasion. The hope, as always, is to enjoy the friends we have and make a few new ones.

Life is meant to be enjoyed.

Terror attacks planned in Paris and London

The New York Daily News reports that the US foiled planned terror attacks in Paris and London.
NY Daily News ,2010-09-29.

France 24, the news is not a top story. France 24 reports of information received from a foreign intelligence agency (US) of an imminent threat. A hoax bomb threat to the Eiffel Tower is received.

The Sunday London Times reports:

Scotland Yard has warned businesses in London
to expect a Mumbai-style attack on the capital.

In a briefing in the City of London 12 days ago, a senior detective from SO15,
the Metropolitan police counter-terrorism command, said: “Mumbai is coming to London.”

Al Jazeera likewise reports of a foiled attack.

Western spy agencies have foiled an advanced plan linked to al-Qaeda to attack Britain, France and Germany, according to British and US media.
Citing intelligence sources, Britain's Sky News said on Tuesday that Pakistan-based fighters were plotting simultaneous operations in London and major French and German cities, but the attacks were not imminent.
The broadcaster said that spy agencies had been tracking the suspected plotters who were planning attacks similar to commando-style raids seen during the co-ordinated atttacks of November 2008 in India's financial capital, Mumbai.

Canada's The Globe and Mail reports the news with calm and dispassion.

Intelligence officials have intercepted a credible terror plot against Britain and France, raising security fears at the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday, but failing to raise the overall threat level in either country.

Stickley Traditional Collection

Stickley the Traditional Collection - classic grace and stately elegance. Future family heirlooms that reflect your tastes and your style. In rich mahogany and beautiful cherry, the Stickley Traditional Collection creates an inviting, comfortable setting for the style of your life.

This is the final week of our 40% off custom orders of Stickley Furniture. Come in today and save.

Come in to Traditions Home this Thursday for refreshments, prizes, and great savings - only in Wichita.

new york day 2

The Gift Show at the Javitts Center and Piers was, on the whole, a disappointment. There is very little furniture and the gifts and accessories were for the most part geared to smaller stores than ours or to large chains selling smaller items.

The highlights of the day were visits to Stickley Furniture, ABC Furniture, MacKenzie Childs, and Henri Bendel. Pictures to follow.

hotel elysee - manhattan, new york

Hotel Elysee

Built in the 1920's, the Hotel Elysée in New York City is named for one of the finest French Restaurants of that era. Today Hotel Elysée has been home to movie stars, artists, writers and intellectuals. George Clooney stayed here recently and shot scenes of the movie Michael Clayton across the street. The ground floor of the hotel is home to the equally well-known restaurat, The Monkey Bar where celebrity spotting is always in vogue. Hotel Elysée is located on East 54th Street between Park and Madison Avenues and is an oasis of luxury, elegance and calm in bustling Midtown Manhattan; the vibrant heart of New York City.

Visit the Hotel Elysee and learn more.