WINGS - "Tom Nevers Field"
Bruce G. Bostwick
the net until now: Does anyone happen to know where the airport in
the network show "Wings" really is? The location shots always show a
sign that says "Tom Nevers Field" and I assume it's somewhere between
Nantucket and Boston on the Atlantic coast ...
it would make a fun XC trip, that's for sure ..
--
<BGB>
li...@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu / Sometimes a cigar
(really Bruce Bostwick) / is just a cigar.
from the great state of TEXAS / -- Sigmund Freud
fmil...@brynmawr.edu
>I've been curious about this for a while and haven't thought to ask
>the net until now: Does anyone happen to know where the airport in
>the network show "Wings" really is? The location shots always show a
>sign that says "Tom Nevers Field" and I assume it's somewhere between
>Nantucket and Boston on the Atlantic coast ...
>
>it would make a fun XC trip, that's for sure ..
>
>--
I've never been there, I assumed that the location shots (like the
intro that they USED to show) were actually Nantucket (why did they
change that intro? I used to love it, although it seemed like the pilot
never flared).
An another Wings-related note, my wife looked at me like I was crazy
during one episode when Joe asked Chatham Tower for clearance to land
and I kept saying "Wrong!!!"
Frank
H. Christian Floyd
(Bruce G. Bostwick) writes:
>I've been curious about this for a while and haven't thought to ask
>the net until now: Does anyone happen to know where the airport in
>the network show "Wings" really is? The location shots always show a
>sign that says "Tom Nevers Field" and I assume it's somewhere between
>Nantucket and Boston on the Atlantic coast ...
>it would make a fun XC trip, that's for sure ..
Well, I happen to know something about this. Tom Nevers Head is a location
at the southeast corner of Nantucket Island, near the "town" of Siasconset
(that's pronounced and sometimes written "'Sconset" not to confuse off-
islanders). Just to the west of the head proper is the site of an old Navy
facility. There are still quonset huts standing there. But I just
consulted a friend who is a good authority on Nantucket and he believes
there was never any kind of aviation facility there. He was unable to tell
me anything about the person Tom Nevers. The area I refer to is just a mile
or two east of the current Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK). My authority
is pretty sure there was never any connection between the airport and the
name Tom Nevers.
Here's my speculation on the situation: the creator/writer for the show is
one of the rich folk who inhabit 'Sconset in the summer, and he/she found
Tom Nevers Head a cute name. I'll be really surprised if you ever get any
better information on this. But good luck!
Chris Floyd
-cadena j.
Bruce G. Bostwick <li...@grumpy.cc.utexas.edu> wrote:
>I've been curious about this for a while and haven't thought to ask
>the net until now: Does anyone happen to know where the airport in
>the network show "Wings" really is? The location shots always show a
>sign that says "Tom Nevers Field" and I assume it's somewhere between
>Nantucket and Boston on the Atlantic coast ...
>
>it would make a fun XC trip, that's for sure ..
>
external shots are from this field, the cozy 'Wings' lunch counter is
a figment of the imagination.... The REAL airport is larger and more
bussiness like than the one portrayed in the series.
There are autographed pictures of all the Wings 'crew', and this is
as close as you will ever get to them (in Nantucket).
The Island is another story, fly in early and plan to spend the whole
day, I paid $6 for parking, the gas is somewhat more expensive. The Taxi
ride to town was $10, and from there you can walk everywhere, rent a bike
or moped (the island is only 10 miles long) Feast on some of the best
restaurants around, and shop at leisure in a small town environment.
There was some interesting (trivia) discussion about the Cessna flown
by Sandpiper (1PP), the thread was fun to read and had details on the
make, model and home of the aircraft.
PS. Not too many 'Helen's" in the Island, In the mist of the Flower Show
I coundn't find one southern accent in the mist of all tourists.
Jaime N. Cadena
j...@mvuts.att.com
PP-ASEL
Bob Koehler
>I'm pretty sure that Tom Nevers is just a fictional name. Although
>I've never been there, I assumed that the location shots (like the
>intro that they USED to show) were actually Nantucket (why did they
>change that intro? I used to love it, although it seemed like the pilot
>never flared).
>
It never fails to amuse me that that twin flies all over the place with its
flaps down. Must have been shooting from a slow helicopter.
Anyone who recognizes the aircraft type know if the flat (3 point on tricylce
gear) landing is normal for it?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Koehler |
rkoe...@author.gsfc.nasa.gov | koe...@plane.gsfc.nasa.gov (Mon - Fri only)
Scott VanArtsdalen
>In article <2tiir0$a...@saturn.haverford.edu>, fmil...@brynmawr.edu writes...
[ some deleted ]
>>change that intro? I used to love it, although it seemed like the pilot
>>never flared).
>>
[ some deleted ]
>Anyone who recognizes the aircraft type know if the flat (3 point on tricylce
>gear) landing is normal for it?
>Bob Koehler |
Sure! That's the type of landing you do when the director of the shot says,
"Now listen...I want you to land RIGHT HERE! GOT IT?!?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
\ /\ Aeronca 7AC Champion
\ /__\ =(*)= N3115E =(*)=
Scott \/an \rtsdalen "Cristy's Complaint"
PP-ASEL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albert Dobyns
FM> Subject: Re: WINGS - "Tom Nevers Field"
FM> Date: 13 Jun 1994 21:24:48 GMT
FM> Organization: bmc
FM> In article <2ti6o5$6...@grumpy.cc.utexas.edu> li...@grumpy.cc.utexas.edu (Br
FM> . Bostwick) writes:
FM> >I've been curious about this for a while and haven't thought to ask
FM> >the net until now: Does anyone happen to know where the airport in
FM> >the network show "Wings" really is? The location shots always show a
FM> >sign that says "Tom Nevers Field" and I assume it's somewhere between
FM> >Nantucket and Boston on the Atlantic coast ...
FM> >
FM> >it would make a fun XC trip, that's for sure ..
FM> >
FM> >--
FM> I'm pretty sure that Tom Nevers is just a fictional name. Although
FM> I've never been there, I assumed that the location shots (like the
FM> intro that they USED to show) were actually Nantucket (why did they
FM> change that intro? I used to love it, although it seemed like the pilot
FM> never flared).
Would the name show up in the Airport/Facilities Directory for that
region? I don't happen to have one so I can't check it out myself.
I have asked a few m-e pilots I know and they all agree that making
such a flat landing is not the best way to do it.
FM> An another Wings-related note, my wife looked at me like I was crazy
FM> during one episode when Joe asked Chatham Tower for clearance to land
FM> and I kept saying "Wrong!!!"
And in some episodes they refer to themselves as
"Nevada-one-two-one-papa-papa". "Nevada"?? I would have thought
"Nantucket" would be a more appropriate response (although still
incorrect). Regardless of all the errors scattered through out the
show, I watch it ever chance I get!
---
. SLMR 2.1a . "Sorry, we just ran out of gold-plated canopies!"
----
MidWest BBS - 708-513-1034 -ILINK Charter Member, UsMail Regional Hub, Usenet
William LeFebvre
Albert Dobyns <albert...@mwbbs.com> wrote:
>Would the name show up in the Airport/Facilities Directory for that
>region? I don't happen to have one so I can't check it out myself.
>I have asked a few m-e pilots I know and they all agree that making
>such a flat landing is not the best way to do it.
I looked in the AOPA Aviation USA guide under Massachusetts. The airport
doesn't exist by that name in Nantucket or anywhere else in the state.
Unless it is a private (non-public-use) field.
>And in some episodes they refer to themselves as
>"Nevada-one-two-one-papa-papa". "Nevada"?? I would have thought
>"Nantucket" would be a more appropriate response (although still
>incorrect). Regardless of all the errors scattered through out the
>show, I watch it ever chance I get!
Yes, "November" would be the only correct thing to say. Either that
or "Cessna".
I also watch the show when I can. Not because it is an accurate
representation of piloting/flying (it isn't) but because it is, for
the most part, something I find quite funny. The occasional pilot
humor is pretty good, too (like 6 days of ground school on nothing but
lift).
William LeFebvre
Computing Facilities Manager and Analyst
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Northwestern University
<ph...@eecs.nwu.edu>
Albert Dobyns
WL> Albert Dobyns <albert...@mwbbs.com> wrote:
WL> >Would the name show up in the Airport/Facilities Directory for that
WL> >region? I don't happen to have one so I can't check it out myself.
WL> >I have asked a few m-e pilots I know and they all agree that making
WL> >such a flat landing is not the best way to do it.
WL> I looked in the AOPA Aviation USA guide under Massachusetts. The airport
WL> doesn't exist by that name in Nantucket or anywhere else in the state.
WL> Unless it is a private (non-public-use) field.
WL> >And in some episodes they refer to themselves as
WL> >"Nevada-one-two-one-papa-papa". "Nevada"?? I would have thought
WL> >"Nantucket" would be a more appropriate response (although still
WL> >incorrect). Regardless of all the errors scattered through out the
WL> >show, I watch it ever chance I get!
WL> Yes, "November" would be the only correct thing to say. Either that
WL> or "Cessna".
WL> I also watch the show when I can. Not because it is an accurate
WL> representation of piloting/flying (it isn't) but because it is, for
WL> the most part, something I find quite funny. The occasional pilot
WL> humor is pretty good, too (like 6 days of ground school on nothing but
WL> lift).
WL> William LeFebvre
WL> Computing Facilities Manager and Analyst
WL> Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
WL> Northwestern University
WL> <ph...@eecs.nwu.edu>
I too watch it primarily for the humor involving each member of the
cast. I got a big kick out of Roy Biggens fainting while singing the
National Anthem. And the usual romance duels and changes of partners
are pretty good. The episode where Lowell tries to get their Cessna
running again after it was pulled out of the ocean was a riot! "I've
never seen it do that before!"
Maybe the name "Tom Nevers" is some kind of inside joke that we viewers
are unaware of?! I watched a few of first episodes but didn't find it
catching my interest that much. Now that it is rerun on USA channel, I
can watch it much more often. How about the episode where Roy tries to
get to see the First Lady after Fay is invited aboard?
---
. SLMR 2.1a . "Groom Lake?" "Doesn't exist! Never heard of it!" :)
Pace Bonner
> are unaware of?!
I went to school with the guy who plays Lowel. His real name is Tom
Quesada not Thomas Hayden Church. The name of the field could possibly by
Tom Nevers because Tom never passes a mirror without checking his hair ;)
It is really wild to see someone you know in a TV show. Kinda hard to tell
when I am laughing at the lines and when I am laughing at seeing Tom
(Lowel) on TV.
I agree that the flying stuff should be taken lightly. I don't feel the
producers have any intention of portraying realistic flight procedures.
--
Pace Bonner
PB Computing
pbo...@zilker.net
Bruce Walker
Maybe the name "Tom Nevers" is some kind of inside joke that we viewers
are unaware of?!
As was pointed out by someone before, "Tom Nevers" is the name of a
geographical region of Nantucket island (in the southeast, south of
'Sconset). I don't believe that Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK--the only
airfield on the island and the one shown in the external location shots)
was ever called by that name, but it might have been...it's close to Tom
Nevers. I don't know enough Nantucket history to know where the name comes
from ("Who is Tom Nevers?").
The neat thing is that there really are several little air carriers
operating among the Cape and islands (Island Air, Cape Air, Nantucket Air)
all competing for fares, which keeps the prices very reasonable ($26 each
way in a Cessna 402 from HYA to ACK at last check). There are also some
complicated incestuous relationships among the companies; I don't remember
enough details, but someone left one of the carriers and turned around and
leased planes from that same company to start another company.
The terminal building at ACK used to look much more like the set, but in
the last 10 years they have expanded and modernized it.
--bruce
--
--Bruce Walker
Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA
br...@think.com; +1 617 234 4810; PP-ASEL; WT1M
H. Christian Floyd
br...@zarathustra.think.com (Bruce Walker) writes:
>In article <7056.20...@mwbbs.com> albert...@mwbbs.com (Albert Dobyns)
>writes:
> Maybe the name "Tom Nevers" is some kind of inside joke that we viewers
> are unaware of?!
>As was pointed out by someone before, "Tom Nevers" is the name of a
>geographical region of Nantucket island (in the southeast, south of
>'Sconset). I don't believe that Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK--the only
>airfield on the island and the one shown in the external location shots)
>was ever called by that name, but it might have been...it's close to Tom
>Nevers. I don't know enough Nantucket history to know where the name comes
>from ("Who is Tom Nevers?").
That someone was me, and as I guessed at the time, the original poster has
not gotten any better real information on this than what I gave. To be
precise, it's Tom Nevers Head. Those of us who have explored the island a
lot (birders) would habitually shorten this to just "Tom Nevers." It is
a nice open area of dunes. It was the location of the first sighting of
a Jackdaw (a small Eurasian crow) in the United States about ten years ago.
The last time I was there it was to watch a falconer fly his prize bird.
The question about the person Tom Nevers continues to pique my curiosity.
He must be somewhat obscure because the first friend I checked with
(incidentally, the one who found the Jackdaw) grew up on Nantucket and is
very knowledgeable about the island. I know some real long-time islanders
who should be able to provide the true history, if anyone can. I will check
with them and post what I find.
Chris Floyd
Mr. Mudd
Tom Nevers field today is a park with baseball field on it. It originally was the site where a Native American called Tom Never’s sold oil for lamps and such. He was able to sell at reduced prices as his Indian status was not taxed. This started in 1670. Today site is called Tom Never’s or Never’s Field.
The United States Navy set up United States Navy Auxiliary Airfield during WWII. This eventually became the airport that is there today. During the war the US Navy and the Army experimented with shipboard rockets from the Tom Never’s site into ranges in the water. Another site was also used closer to the field. Navy airfield was a sub command of Quonset Point Rhodesia Island.
In 1945 the sites were turned over to the island. All Government equipment was removed by the Navy. All surplus equipment left not being repurposed was sold or scrapped.