Pelican Parts Forums - random pics that YOU have taken.......

Instead of a random pic that I have taken, how about a random video that I have taken?

Filmed with my GoPro Hero 3, edited with VSDC editor.

Construction on the airplane in the video was started in 1979 by Tom Renfro and Kemmel Owen. I have no information on Renfro, but I met Kemmel in 2011. He was very sick, limited on his mobility and on O2 continuously. He was selling the unfinished project, and I was buying.

After 36 years, Sept 4 2015 marked the first flight of the mostly completed* airplane, which I videoed and have shared here:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HS4QjGF0vuM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Unfortunately Kemmel passed away in 2013 and never saw completion of the airplane.

Quote:

Obituary
Kemmel Hayden Owen, 73, of Hilliard, FL passed away peacefully, Saturday April 20th at his residence, after an extended illness. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that he had touched in some way throughout his life. Born November 8, 1939 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Fl., he was the son of the late Winston F. and Clera Powers Owen. “Kem” grew up in the Jacksonville / Arlington area and graduated from Landon HS in 1957 where he was drum major in the band. He also attended Jacksonville University 57-59 where he rowed crew, and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 74-75, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Studies.

He caught the flying bug early along with along with his brother Bryan from his uncle, John Owen, who would take them up in and later let them fly his Stearman biplane. He served in the Army National Guard from 1956-60, where he was an E-5 and learned aircraft maintenance. He was in the United States Air Force from 1960-76 and rose to the rank of Major. He started his Air Force career serving as a Navigator and Electronics Warfare Officer in B-57’s. He went on to become a pilot and graduated first in his pilot training class. As a pilot he flew F-102’s with the 82nd FIS based at Naha AFB, Okinawa and Suwon, Korea. From there he spent time as an instructor at Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA.

After his time as an instructor, he once again was able to fly his beloved F-102 with the 57th FIS based in Keflavik, Iceland which flew intercept missions to ensure that Soviet TU-95 Bear electronic eavesdropping aircraft would not stray into NATO airspace. While in Iceland his squadron transitioned to flying the F-4 Phantom. He flew 20+ years as a test pilot and ops chief in the USAF contract drone programs with Sperry Flight Systems, RCA Aero Systems, GE Flight Test, and TRACOR Flight Systems and converted F-100, F-102, F-106 and F-4 fighters to unmanned drones through 1997. He said that he was most proud of his time converting the aging fighters that otherwise would have been scrapped into realistic target drones for the development of missiles used to defend our military and country. Kemmel was “The Last Deuce Pilot”, the last person to ever fly an F-102. He had over 7000 hours flight time and in addition to his time in USAF jets got to fly a P-51 Mustang, a B-17 (right seat), biplanes from Wacos to Pitts Specials, and even a Russian SU-29 aerobatic competition plane. After he moved back to Florida, Kemmel loved to spend time at the Hilliard Airpark with his brothers, Bryan and Al, and created memories for many people by giving them their very first airplane ride in the Pietenpol built by his father, Winston Owen. In 1998, he started a local business, Owen Equipment, Inc. in Yulee, which he owned and operated until his illness forced him to retire.

As the second son of 4 siblings, he was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Winston Bryan Owen (2012). He leaves to cherish his memory, his first wife of 27 years, Vicki Owen Friend, his son and daughter in law, Scott Allen and Kathleen Owen, their children, Emelia Lili and Jace Hayden of San Diego, CA and his daughter Jennifer Lynn Owen Haskell and her children Augustus Garret and Avery Ryan of Dell Rapids, SD; his high school sweetheart and current wife of 16 years, Sherron Rouse Owen; one sister Harriett (Lamar) Morris of North Carolina, and one brother Al (Sarah) Owen of Hilliard; many nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and friends.

There is no memorial service planned, however condolences may be expressed by signing the guest book at www.meaningfulfunerals.net. The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of Northeast, FL and In lieu of flowers have requested that donations be sent to Community Hospice Foundation for Caring 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, In memory of Kemmel H. Owen, or through their website: https://support.communityhospice.com/donate
After his love of family and country, Kemmel’s passion was flying. For those that understand, throw a nickel on the grass.

* I say "mostly finished" because it is now in the test flight stage and there will inevitably be little bugs and squawks to fix.