Pioneers in the field of aviation



F-11A Tiger Jet Restored
Lawson Creek Park



F-11A Jet Before - MLK Blvd



On April 10^th, I presented a program to the Grumman Retiree Club, Eastern Carolina Chapter (GRCECC) on Swiss Bear and the recent F-11A Tiger restoration and relocation project we coordinated and raised funds for, now visibly displayed in Lawson Creek Park. It was a meeting that provided a learning curve for the members on our projects and enlightenment for me on the role the Grumman Corporation played in the history of aviation including the design and development of the F-11 Tiger and the fact that so many retired to Eastern NC after long and successful careers with the Grumman Corporation on Long Island, New York.

The F-11 project took five years to complete. It was initiated when Rudy Ramcke, also a Grumman retiree, contacted Swiss Bear in 2005 suggesting the 300^th Anniversary could serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the deteriorated  jet, an  important aircraft in the history of aviation as a supersonic superstar, also flown as a Blue Angel in 1967-68 season.

We thought so too! With the Board of Aldermen’s approval, we organized a committee and began a fundraising campaign. Rudy served as Chairman until his health required his resignation as Chair. Mary Paulik, another member of the Club, whose husband had worked for Grumman, was the first to contribute to the project and served on the committee. The Grumman Retiree Club also contributed to the project. In the end, over $200,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from a multitude of individuals, organizations and businesses made the restoration and relocation possible and this historic aircraft is now a major attraction.

It was interesting to meet so many people who contributed to the project that were pioneers in the field of aviation and  development of the F-11.  Even though the first flight by the Wright Brothers took place in the early 1900’s, I for one, had forgotten how young  the history of aviation is, that major technological advancements didn’t really take place until the 1930’s. These and other Grumman employees built the FF-1 in the 1930’s, the fastest fighter plane in the world. In WWII they contributed immeasurably to the Allied cause with the creation of the famed Wildcat and Hellcat, carrier based fighters that helped to defeat the Japanese Zero. They initially designed and produced the retractable landing gear that made the modern carrier practical. Probably Grumman’s most extraordinary feat of engineering was when they conceived and created the historic Apollo Lunar Module that successfully landed the first men on the moon. Grumman’s technological

pre-eminence in aviation for forty-years ended in 1994 when Northrop bought Grumman to form Northrop Grumman and closed almost all the facilities on Long Island.

This group, like so many others who as retirees moved to New Bern or Eastern NC, had successful careers and brought their skills and talents with them when they moved here. They made major contributions where they lived and continue to make contributions in their retirement. We appreciate the support they extend to our community…and we are all the better for it.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director