Kingman Army Air Field

Surviving Artifacts

from

Kingman Army Air Field:

& Sales-Storage Depot No. 41

Planes:

-THE SUPPLY HANGAR-

(currently under construction)

Circa 1985:

George Steinke, KAAF paintings & me in front

of the Base's relocated Link Trainer Building

'feathers' that were

fastened to a

Link Trainer in the building above during WWII.

The ART

On occasion, military training could be very exciting, but for the most part routine tedium

was the order of the day, so artists were encouraged to use their talent in a effort to lift spirits with sometimes colorful, often humorous depictions of cartoon characters.

The 3 very rare pieces above, painted directly onto wallboard during the War, show several subjects popular during the 40's; Miss LACE &

The WOLF, SAD SACK (in the mirror) and

SNUFFY SMITH having another of his

outlandish dreams.

These are only a few of the precious

KAAF paintings in the

Depot 41 Museum Collection

The MAN

With his magical junkyard (where warbird aluminum & I made initial contact), firsthand knowledge of what transpired at Kingman during the 40's, unrivaled character and wonderful

sense of humor, George I. Steinke was not only the single most influentual person with regard to nearly every aspect of my Kingman involvement, he is also considered one of my dearest friends.

An Arizona Aviation Hall of Famer with a host of unique accompishments to his credit, during the late 40's George was instrumental in convincing Mohave County to move their commercial air operations from the antiquated

Port Kingman with its

dirt runways

just a few miles further north to take advantage

of the modern and recently-vacated

Army Air Field.

George passed away after attending a dance

in 2002, nearly reaching his 98th birthday.

He may be gone, but his indomitable spirit

is with me daily and there will definitely be