The Hat in the Ring Youth Aviation Program

Invitation to Modelers
Hat in the Ring's Program
Statement of Purpose
Code of Ethics
The 94^th Fighter Squadron.
Contacts to become involved
Hat in the Ring Photo Gallery.
Instructions and Plans for the WRAMPAGER ( 12 Possible Versions )

The Hat in the Ring program, introduced by the WRAM club in 1996, is based on a unique concept using an historic aviation symbol. Our goal was to encourage and help kids become involved in the hobby of model aviatiion. Thinking about historic or thematic tie-ins, we sought permission to use the famous "Hat in the Ring Squadron" symbol. This air-wing squadron, one of the first in the U. S. was formed during World War I, and made famous by such flyers as Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, the leading U. S. ace.

The idea was to get adults to help kids learn about aviation by throwing their "hats in the ring," just as the daring WW I flyers did in helping the allies win the war in France. After some effort, we obtained official U. S. Air Force permission to use the symbol. It's interesting to note that the historic squadron is still active as the 94^th Fighter Squadron. Instead of SPAD and Nieuport biplanes, it now flies F-15 Eagle jets.

A brief history of the famous squadron follows later in this page.
 
 

To Our Fellow Modelers: An Invitation to Throw Your Hat In The Ring and Get Youngsters Into Our Hobby!

We'd like your support for our Youth Aviation Program, symbolized by the famous "Hat in the Ring" squadron logo and officially authorized for use by the WRAMs by its present active-duty U. S. Air Force squadron. Contribute time and effort if you believe, as we do:

• that more must be done to bring youngsters into the great hobby of modeling.
• that kids today need more than TV and other passive diversions to help them develop into career-oriented winners.
• that an early exposure to modeling can bring a lifetime of interest, knowledge, and satisfaction.
• that kids need some help to get started, as you had help from a friend or neighbor.

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Hat in the Ring Program

The Westchester Radio Aero Modelers Hat in the Ring program assists teachers, scout leaders, parents and civic groups to help kids develop airplane modeling skills by:

• Classroom and group presentations and demonstrations;
• Training sessions on and off WRAM's airfield;
• Subsidized teaching aids including model materials and flight training videos;
• Internet instructions and email inquiry and response.

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Statement Of Purpose: Hat In The Ring Youth Aviation Program

• Increase awareness of aviation modeling;
• Encourage adults to facilitate young people's involvement with model building by fostering their interest and providing appropriate moral and financial support for their involvement;
• Apprise adults of the wide range of model building interests and the related potential for youngsters to find career choices in technology and related fields;
• Work with teachers and other education experts to gain their active support in encouraging youth involvement;
• Work with the communications media to foster supportive dissemination of information and so to encourage more youth involvement.

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Code Of Ethics

• The program will be conducted entirely for the encouragement and promotion of aircraft modeling, related activities, and subsequent career-oriented pursuits among young people.
• All youth program funds and efforts will benefit only the above goals. No salaries or other monetary benefits will be paid to program participants for their time and efforts.
• Involvement with young people will be on a supervised basis. For example, demonstration programs of model types and construction would be conducted in the presence of parents or accredited schoolteachers.
• Similarly, any demonstration flying will involve the adult community with the view to encouraging adults, including parents and teachers to understand the benefits of modeling for young people and for themselves encourage youngsters to participate.
• Use of the Hat in the Ring insignia, the symbol of the 94^th Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, has been officially granted to the Westchester Radio Aero Modelers, Inc., by the USAF and its use is specifically designated "to reflect favorably upon the Air Force." Accordingly, use of the insignia must not be made other than in accordance with the grant directive. Furthermore, any use of the insignia must be reviewed by the program director and committee.
• No person may speak for the program or conduct orientation or instructional sessions without the specific approval of the committee. There will be no delegation of such authority to others not under the control of the WRAMs.
• Safety is a paramount consideration of this program and all efforts will follow the accepted high standards of such recognized groups as the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the International Miniature Aircraft Association, and others.

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Brief History
94^th Fighter Squadron
"The Hat in the Ring"

The 94^th Fighter Squadron, one of America's first air squadrons, was activated at Kelly Field, Texas, on Aug. 20, 1917, as the 94^th Aero Squadron.

Since its beginning, the 94^th established a prestigious record, making its first name for itself in WWI. The several aces in the unit included Edward Rickenbacker, Raoul Lufbery, and Douglas Campbell -- the first ace of the American Expeditionary Force. The squadron logged a total of 70 victories during the war -- 60 from Sept. 12 through Nov. 11, 1918 -- and was awarded France's great honor, the Croix de Guerre with palm. During WWI the famous "Hat in the Ring" insignia first appeared, designed by Captain Paul Walters and drawn by Lt. John Wentworth.

In November 1942, the squadron again went to war. It was credited with 124 official victories and won two Presidential unit citations for action in North Africa. The 94^th produced six Aces in WWII, including Donald Kienholz and Jack Ilfrey. As a further distinction, the 94^th was assigned to escort President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill from England to Yalta for the history-making conference. After the war, the 94^th was deactivated until July, 1946, when it entered the Jet Age in the P-80 Shooting Star at March AFB, California. At this time the squadron was reassigned from the Tactical Air Command to the Strategic Air Command as the 94^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, a part of Continental Air Command.

Since 1950, the squadron has been involved in worldwide commitments. It was the first unit sent to Florida in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In June, 1969, with growing tension due to the Pueblo Incident and North Korea's downing of an EC-121, the squadron deployed to South Korea. In July 1971, the squadron was reassigned to Tactical Air Command at MacDill AFB, Florida, as the 94^th Tactical Fighter Squadron under the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing. There it served in the F4 as a Replacement Training Unit.

In August 1976, the "Hat in the Ring" group moved to its present location, Langley AFB, Virginia, to fly the F-15 Eagle. It became the first operational F-15 squadron in 1977, and later the first F-15 unit to respond to a national contingency in 1983 when it deployed to Khartoum, Sudan, in support of U. S. involvement in the Libyan-Chad crisis. In 1990, the squadron provided 125 maintenance personnel and eight pilots to support Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. On Aug. 27, 1992, the 94^th spearheaded U. N. Operation Southern Watch by leading the 4404th Composite Wing/Provisional into Iraq, establishing air superiority south of 32 degrees North Latitude.

During this period, the 94^th became the first U. S. fighter squadron to deploy to Russia in conjunction with the first ever USAF/Russia Fighter Exchange. In October, 1993, the squadron again deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch, flying another 660 combat sorties over Iraq. In April, 1994, the squadron deployed for a two-week exercise in Jordan, strengthening relations with an old U.S. ally.

Despite technological advances since WWI, the principles of air combat remain essentially unchanged: teamwork, readiness, combat-oriented training, and a burning desire to be the best. The 94^th Fighter Squadron continues to live by these principles and will always be ready, should the need arise, to once more throw its "Hat in the Ring."
 
 

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