Author Topic: Spit vs P51 (Read 497 times)

mongo36 · « **on:** June 10, 2007, 12:03:56 AM »

I’ve met 3 WWII fighter pilots in my travels, Greg “Pappy” Boynton, R, A, “Bob” Hoover and James Haun. Col. Haun was the only one I got to know. I used to work upstairs from Col. Haun. The first time we talked I already knew he had been a fighter pilot in the war, so I asked if he flew Mustangs. He said “yes”, I waited for more and he said nothing. So, I said that must have been incredible to fly the P51. He seemed to think a few seconds and said, “No, flying a P51 is a lot like kissing your sister, the Spitfire that was incredible.”

(Information from the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame)
In late 1942, Haun went to RAF Membury, UK and was assigned to 12th Fighter Squadron where he flew Spitfires. Later he became C.O. of 100th Fighter Wing, flew Republic P-47s and was promoted to Lt. Colonel. In 1944, Haun's unit moved to France, where he flew P-51s.

(I’m not sure about the spelling of Pappy’s last name, I’ve seen two spellings, but believe this is correct)

Viking · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2007, 03:58:25 PM »

evenhaim · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2007, 03:59:55 PM »

umm no plain and simple

evenhaim · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:01:45 PM »

u do know pappy died in 88 right ?

DamnedRen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:22:44 PM »

Pappy worked for us for a while.....

mongo36 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:35:41 PM »

-u do know pappy died in 88 right ?

No, I did not know when he died. I met him at a book signing in the 70's at an airshow. Yep, that makes me old. : ) Can't remember what year but I think the TV show was still on. I guess that would be late 70's, but as I said I'm old and memory is the second thing to go.

mongo36 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:39:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by evenhaim
umm no plain and simple

I knew someone on here would know more than someone who flew both aircraft in combat.

Captain Virgil Hilts · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:47:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mongo36
I knew someone on here would know more than someone who flew both aircraft in combat.

I think his reply is directed towards your question about your spelling of Boyington's name.

Blooz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2007, 05:18:15 PM »

Moving from Spits to P47's must have been even more of a shock.

I saw the Corsair 'Pappy' signed at the Smithsonian. It obviously wasn't his own plane but they had him sign it anyway and point it out on the tour.

I also saluted 'Pappy' once.

In Arlington.

mongo36 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2007, 05:18:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DamnedRen
Pappy worked for us for a while.....

Really, that is cool, what did he do? My memory of meeting Pappy is a hand shake and an autograph. He was shorter than I thought he would be, and by then an old man. What was he like?

mongo36 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2007, 05:20:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
I think his reply is directed towards your question about your spelling of Boyington's name.

Ya think??

I'm just up the road from you. Col. Haun used to instruct at Smyrna Airport. He passed away a few years ago, 2001 I think

mongo36 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2007, 06:02:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Blooz
Moving from Spits to P47's must have been even more of a shock.

I saw the Corsair 'Pappy' signed at the Smithsonian. It obviously wasn't his own plane but they had him sign it anyway and point it out on the tour.

I also saluted 'Pappy' once.

In Arlington.

No doubt! Col. Haun never talked about the war much, he did love flying tho. Most of what he told me about the war was in short bits, during coffee breaks. Well, it was my coffee break anyway.