July 19, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad

I certainly hope that you will be able to come east in August. Both Daniels and Williams said that you had mentioned the possibility. I would be overjoyed to see you.

I was delighted with the pictures you sent. They are wonderful. Linda especially seems to have grown. And Daddy's garden furniture.

July 22

A day of KP yesterday seventeen hours.

Thanks ever so much again for those snaps I've been showing then all around.

Here in Aircraft Radio Equipment now the last phase. It includes all the radios commonly used in the air corps. The last three days we spend on SCR 269, the radio compass. The next three are on 299, a big mobile unit of three transmitters and two receivers.

I don't have an Islandia at present. I've lost one and given two away so far. But I'll get another one sometime, probably when I get to a field where I can save some money.

Free time is becoming scarce now. Besides the unfortunate schedule we have an hour of aircraft identification each morning. Every air cargo man in the U.S. has to take ACI after that Sicilian fiasco. And glee club takes up another hour.

July 25

ACI is pretty interesting we learned today about P63, a bigger P39. The interesting part is the Allisin engine, still 1050HP as usual , but the lateral allisnis have air emergency booster which can be used no longer than fifteen seconds before burning out the engine, and which adds 500 HP. to the plane. Very handy in tight moments. By the way, a P39 with the red Russian star can in to the field yesterday.

Hey Mom how's the melon situation? Some green melons would probably get her in fine shape and would they be good! But probably the season is over.

My love to you.

Linus