S U P E R S E B R I N G 2 0 1 9
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The thought of
Flying Fortresses
flying over this section thrilled
the populace in this “the hills and
lakes section’’ of Florida. The very
thought also
filled the
people with
awe. But now those
heavy bombers, flying singly, or
in formations, are commonplace.
But they command attention.
Even though they have become
common place those huge planes
of graceful lines, things of beauty,
yet probably the most destructive
aircraft that has been visited
upon our enemies.
At 2355 (11:55 p.m.) on January
29. 1942, the first B-17 arrived at
Hendricks Field. At that time the
total working force of Hendricks
Field consisted of one qualified
B-17 pilot, one B-17 airplane, and
one qualified B-17 mechanic. This
team trained additional pilots, and
these additional pilots brought in
other B-17’s until our Instructor
School operating throughout
February, was able to make full
use of tan B-17 airplanes when
assigned.
March 1942 saw the beginning
of the program that
would train and coordinate
combat crews:
Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator,
Bombardier, Aerial
Engineer, Radio Operator,
and Gunners. With the
arrival of additional B-17’s
came a staff of student
instructors, both ground
and flying. In short order the
program was in full swing. There
was real activity at Hendricks Field.
The field was named in January
in memory of First
Lieutenant
Laird Woodruff
Hendricks, a native of
Ocala, Florida, a resident of
Jacksonville, Florida, a graduate
Of West Point, Class of ‘39.
Lieutenant Hendricks died in
London. England, in July, 1941,
while on temporary duty with the
Air Corps.
Since training of the Combat
Crews began hundreds of pilots,
co-pilots, navigators, and bombardiers,
and other members of
the crew have been graduated
from Hendricks Field. Included
in the list of those trained here
are a Brigadier General, Colonels,
Lieutenant Colonels, and Majors.
As the first year of the forced
entry of our country into World
War II nears its end, the training
program at Hendricks Field
is being stepped up to turn out
more and more men to man the
Flying Fortresses. The construction
appears to be of a permanent
nature. The runways have
been widened and lengthened to
accommodate the biggest and
heaviest aircraft so far designed.
Probably to take care of the
future when we shall have won
the peace – with Hendricks Field
contributing its modest share to
that peace.
Editor’s Note:
Following the war, Hendricks
Field was deactivated on January
1, 1946, and turned over to the
city of Sebring. Today, one of the
few remaining physical reminders
of the military air base is the
flagpole located behind Turn 3,
and the front straight of the track
which is original Hendricks Field
concrete.