The Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, hosts a ‘Plane Talk’ series featuring speakers related to the heritage of Hill AFB, the U.S. Air Force, other military branches, and many other subjects related aerospace and the defense industry. Plane Talk takes place on Saturdays at 1 p.m. in the newly renovated museum auditorium. Everyone is invited and admission is FREE!
January 6, 1 p.m.
Landon Wilkey, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF)
Landon Wilkey is a graduate student in history at Utah State University. His emphasis is public history with a desire to go into museum work. Wilkey directs all of his educational exploits towards aviation history. His master’s project is exploring the development of aviation in Utah post-WWI. In addition to aviation, Landon is interested in the history of the fire service. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) is a special interest of his as it combines his two favorite areas of study. Much of his spare time over the past five years has been spent volunteering and interning at the Hill Aerospace Museum. Wilkey will be speaking about the history of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) 1940 to present day.
January 13, 1 p.m.
Gerald Grove, WWII & Korea U.S. Navy Aviator
Gerald R. Grove was born and raised in Dodge City, Kansas. He attended Weber College, Utah State University, and received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah. Grove retired from Weber State University in 1992 after 32 years as a Professor of English. He currently lives in Hooper, Utah.
Currently 94 years old, Grove served in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator during both World War II and the Korean War. Commander Grove flew the F4 U Corsair off the USS Antietam (USS Antietam (CV/CVA/CVS-36) was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy) and the USS Kearsarge (USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is the third Wasp-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy).
Dr. Grove will speak about his experiences as a Naval Aviator during World War II.
January 27, 1 p.m.
Lloyd Hicken, WWII B-24 Pilot
Ninety-nine-year-old Lloyd Hicken was born near Cardston, Alberta, Canada, in 1918, three months premature. He was raised on a farm and educated in Canada prior to attending the University of Utah. Hicken then served an LDS mission to Brazil. Upon returning he joined the United States Army Air Corps. After his flight training, he was sent to the Pacific Theater as a B-24 captain and pilot. Lloyd served his country during 1944 and 1945.
Hicken returned from the war and immediately enrolled at the University of Utah. He was a member of the first post-World War II College of Medicine graduating class. He practiced family medicine in Bountiful, Utah, until his retirement at 75 years of age. His wife of 69 years, Alice Richards Hicken, passed away in 2015. They are the parents of five children, two of whom are still living. Hicken has been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a Mission President in Brazil, a Stake Patriarch and as a Sealer in the Salt Lake and Bountiful LDS Temples.
Lloyd Hicken will talk about his experiences as a WW II B-24 pilot.
