Saga of the Sunsetters

[Bullethead]

Those of you all who are interested in doing cool B25 strafer skins are probably very familiar with the falcon and bat paintjobs of the 345th BG.  However, there was another B-25 strafer unit in 5AF, which did it first and often apparently better, and also had very cool paintjobs.  This was the 38th BG, the "Sun Setters".  Problem is, it's hard to find much good data on them to work with.

If this sounds familiar, then you might be interested in knowing that HOPEFULLY there will soon be a good unit history on the 38th available, called Saga of the Sun Setters.  This will be by Lawrence Hickey, who's written several similar books, including the excellent unit history of the 345th BG, Warparth Across the Pacific.  From what I understand, the new book will be in similar format, with beaucoup photos and a large color section.  However, this new book will also be about 670 pages instead of 450.

I say this book will HOPEFULLY soon be available because it's been in work for like 14 years with many delays and disappointments.  I got the whole sad story from Orland Page, a tailgunner who runs the 38th's website these days.  Apparently, the book is now closer to being done that it ever has been and expected to hit the presses towards the end of the year, with availability sometime fairly soon next year.   Hopefully, some of the vets will still be alive to see it.

You might want to check out the 38th's website, too, at http://www.sunsetters38bg.com/.  The hit counter's VERY low, which is a real shame, so maybe we can fix that.  OTOH, the lack of business gives ol' Orland plenty of time to discuss things with you, if you hit the "contact us" link.  I told him about AH and skins, so hopefully he'll be expecting you .

[Guppy35]

I hope Hickey finishes it.  His 345th book is one of the best.

Ugh,  the comment about it being in the works for 14 years rang a bell.  Same story from Hickey on "Ken's Men" about the 43rd BG.  It's been 'in the works' forever too.

[Bullethead]

Guppy35 said:

Ugh,  the comment about it being in the works for 14 years rang a bell.  Same story from Hickey on "Ken's Men" about the 43rd BG.  It's been 'in the works' forever too.

Orland sounded as optimistic as he could after all this time and so many false alarms.

I asked him why they didn't ditch Hickey after the first 5 years or so and get another author.  Like I said, it's a long, sad story but the bottom line is that, due to the money they'd already sunk into him, they were kinda stuck.  Also, I think maybe part of it was wanting the same author to write their book and show up their rivals in the 345th .

But if the book does fall through AGAIN, I hope I can at least pick the brains of some of the vets and get something to work from.  I'd really like to do some of their planes.  They really had some good ones, and accomplished some amazing things with them.

[Guppy35]

I remember with the 43rd that there was so much disappointment as so many vets had contributed and nothing came of it and as time went on so many of them had passed away having seen no result from their effort and contributions.

Strange that Hickey would commit to so much and not follow through, in particular after money became involved.

[Fencer51]

Geez that reminds me of Bob Shaw.  He told me in 1994 that he was working on a second book on the history of air combat.  He was up to the Spanish civil war at that time.  Have never see nor heard another thing about it.

It has to be one heck of a commitment, but to take someone's money and not produce for over 14 years is pretty sad.

[lyric1]

Looks like this book will never see public distribution

http://www.sunsetters38bg.com/index.php/View-document/353-2012-01-Newsletter.html