Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Toad on May 24, 2005, 09:30:13 PM
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62 years ago today, my Dad won his wings at Brooks AAF, San Antonio.
He survived 2 crashes in training. The first was a BT-9; he was flying under the hood in the back with another student up front as "safety pilot". The motor packed in on a low-level nav leg, the guy up front yelled "I got it" and immediately stalled/spun the aircraft in from about 1200 feet. Fortunately it was a flat spin and it pancaked in a plowed field. Parts went flying. My Dad jumps out, pulls the unconscious front seater away from the plane and then collapses himself with a serious back injury. He didn't quite break his back but he compressed some disks and had hairline fractures. He lay flat on a board for 4 weeks, washed back two classes and went on to win his wings.
In multi-engine training, he was out paired with another student pilot and three (IIRC) student Navs in the Cessna "Bamboo Bomber" (Remember Sky King's Songbird?) The gear is operated with motors, sprockets and bicycle chains. The chain came off a sprocket and it's not accessible in flight. This was not exactly a rare thing. Unfortunately, belly landings usually resulted in the airplane bursting into flame with attendant total loss of the crew. Ulp. They foam the runway, Dad lands... plane doesn't catch fire, they walk away. The week before, same scenario foam and all... entire crew dies in the fire.
One combat related........... B-25 strafing run on a Jap DD tied up at a pier against a hillside, in a three ship, flying standard 345th "tight" formation. Lead gets flak in the cockpit, rolls left into Dad's right wing. Right wing bent down something like six inches, Dad clips trees getting over hill, clips trees sliding down hill, airplane trying to roll inverted all the way. Full opposite aileron, opposite rudder and one engine at idle the other a firewall, both pilots exerting max pressure to hold the controls. They fly nearly 5 hours to get home like this. Less than a mile out on final, they drop the gear and the full throttle engine chooses that moment to quit. Into the drink, only one minor injury. Superb piece of airmanship.
After the war, day of squadron party, he's out instructing instruments in a B-25. Hydraulic failure, gear won't come down. Fly around for hours, trying everything, even pissing in the resevoir for more fluid. Dad belly lands that one... no injuries whatsoever. Well, except my Mom. Rumor is she drank a bit too much at the squadron party and didn't feel well for days.
So here's to Dad.... I couldn't be prouder of this man.
Some of you have "met" him here as "Panther". He'll be 85 on Dec 30... he still does lovely lazy eights in a PT-26 too.
He sent me a note mentioning this song today.
He Wears A Pair Of Silver Wings
-Artist: Kay Kyser as sung on "The Best Years Of Our Lives"
-Adam VIII, Ltd. A-8042
-peak Billboard position # 1 for 4 weeks in 1942
-competing version by Dinah Shore charted at # 16
-Words by Eric Maschwitz and Music by Michael Carr
Although some people say he's just a crazy guy
To me he means a million other things
For he's the one who taught this happy heart of mine to fly
He wears a pair of silver wings
And though it's pretty tough, the job he does above
I wouldn't have him change it for a king
An ordinary fellow in a uniform I love
He wears a pair of silver wings
Why, I'm so full of pride when we go walking
Every time he's home on leave
He with those wings on his tunic
And me with my heart on my sleeve
But when I'm left alone and we are far apart
I sometimes wonder what tomorrow brings
For I adore that crazy guy who taught my happy heart
To wear a pair of silver wings
For I adore that crazy guy who taught my happy heart
To wear a pair of silver wings
Transcribed by Robin Hood
These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording mentioned above
and do not necessarily correspond with lyrics from other recordings, sheet
music, songbooks or lyrics printed on album jackets.
Now Pyro... when you going to get his B-25 in the game? ;)
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As much as I love the 25, you'll never see it in the game. HiTech told me about 4 years ago in the MA that he hates the plane and will never make it. Plus I think he does it to spite me.
Anyway nice read Toad! :)
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to your Dad, Toad!
I have the book "Warpath Across The Pacific", which I am sure you know is about the 345th. What is your dad's name, if I may ask?
That group of went through living hell as they went across the Pacific, supporting the ground troops. Much of the book reads like a tragedy, with a LOT of stories of lost lives and planes.
But they kept on fighting, despite the losses, despite the hardships.
Don't remember ever meeting up with him in AH, but if and when I do, I will be sure and offer him a heartfelt for his service for his country.
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Very interesting Toad and a big salute to your dad.
I can't imagine flying that B-25 like that for 5 hours. That must have been grueling to say the least.
I'm always amazed at the great people who have served our country, and they all deserve the highest respect from us all.
Didn't you say that he still flys? That's pretty neat.
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One combat related........... Superb piece of airmanship.
Fantastic.
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wow.. I'd love to sit down and talk with him..
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My father's name is in there. Rather than post it here, look for what happened to "Quitch". The story of the crash of Nerdlinger (flight lead) and the resultant damage to Quitch is all laid out, after a fashion, along with his name.
I contacted Hickey about the version in the book. The source for the story in the book is apparently my father's copilot. My Dad read it and snorted "hah". That was his only comment with respect to the book. Let's just say his version is a bit different than the one in the book, particularly the aftermath. It is true that my father was extremely shook up after the mission. Nerdlinger was a buddy of his and to this day I think my father feels he holds some responsibility. He keeps wondering if he jinked into Nerdlinger.
I have corresponded with others of his crew and/or surviving wives. The story there is that the top turret gunner saw Nerdlinger's airplane get hit in the cockpit and immediately roll hard into Quitch. The crew story is that my father saved their lives. Period.
I passed all this to Hickey and he said if the book ever went into reprint, he'd edit the account. However, he could no forsee another print run. Says it won't happen.
I still think that he should have gotten a DFC for that. He asked me not to do it when I mentioned contacting the AF. He said just let it lie, the past is past.
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Originally posted by Hawklore
wow.. I'd love to sit down and talk with him..
I could probably arrange E-mail if you like.
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Amazing... and 'routine'; if your father was to describe it. "Just a job that had to be done. So we did it".
My father-in law is getting on a bit now, but I still take a few hours a week to go sit with him. He's 81 now, AA gun talker on one of the little tin cans that charged the entire japanese navy at San Bernardino Straights. Went on to Okinawa.. his version is diffeernt than the Navy's.. "they kicked our asses. 60 ships sunk. scared the hell outta all of us. Skipper was a tiger tho, we'd a' steamed right into Tokyo bay with him if he wanted'.
Heluva guy. A hero in my eyes.. 'just 'doin the job we had to do' is his story. I'm proud of him. His kids don't get it.. pretty soon nobody will 'get it' but the folks that lived it with 'em. Damn few of 'em left.
to yer dad, Toad. He's a hero. The nation should know, and say thanks. While they still can.
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Men of quality have fathers who are also men of quality.
to you and your Dad, Toad. Great read.
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You should bring him to an AH con. I tried to get the father of an older lady I worked with a few years ago to come be a guest speaker at the AH con the last time it was at the Embassy Suites. I couldnt convince him to come though. He kept telling me that nobody wanted to sit around and listen to him talk and tell stories of what he did.
Its hard to explain to a man who didnt think he was a hero in any way that some of us do indeed look up them as heros for what they did back in the day.
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To Toad's father: <
>
Thanks Toad, and thank you father for his service to our country for me.
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<
> Great definition of "that pilot s**t". Sounds like he truly had the right stuff back in the day.
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Wow! Almost missed this. A big salute to your Dad Toad. Easy to see why we refer to them as the 'Greatest Generation".
Gonna have to go dig for more 345th stuff I see :)
Dan/CorkyJr
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that is soem sweet history..salute and thank your pops for me
My grandfather flew as a test pilot during ww2...his favorite of course was the p51...He flew a few combat sorties in North Korea in the sabre
There are alot of stories from him....
When he was stationed down south..He was a Dealer AT Las Vegas when he was flying....One day..all the dealers were razzing him..They said a big high roller was there an dthey all walked with 1k of tips....He laffed...and said ..Hell I broke the sound barrier today
Ray Lester died in an F100 accident while stationed in France.. Hydralic failure on takeoff...instead of eject..(it would of went into city) he tried to ride it down
what was even harder for my grnadmother was her first husband died in a b-25 accident...Her husband was stopping at his hoemtown on his way to Europe....Landed ina field...was taking off..waving at his folks ..his copilot had controls.. they clipped a tree at end of field...flew for a bit more..crashed all died
Ill try to post some other stories from Ray Lester,s test fligth career
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Thanks for sharing Toad! A big
to your father.
Daniel
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cool
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Great story of an obviously great man Toad. I wish him many more years of lazy 8's . Stories from my own family have taught me to have the graetest respect for those who have been through something I cannot even comprehend. These men and women deserve all the peace, happiness and prosperity we can give them - they earned it for all of us.
Sparks
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Great story Toad.
your grand father BGBMAW.
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Cool Toad! Thanks for sharing!
A big and thanks to your Dad!!!
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TOAD, I remember you posted a photo of you and your dad in a thread not too long ago. Thanks for sharing that bio, and kudos to your dad.:D
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Quite the aviation family! :cool:
Does your bro still fly A330?
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<
> to your Dad Toad, sounds like he is great man.
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your dad and all the quiet heroes.
Charon
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My Dad was a B25 radio op. I built him a crappy model of a B25 when I was a kid. When I went back to Missouri for his funeral in March the B25 model was hanging right over his desk.
to your Dad Toad and all the men of the Greatest generation.
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to a great airman and a hero. Thanks for sharing your dad's story.
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Originally posted by midnight Target
My Dad was a B25 radio op. I built him a crappy model of a B25 when I was a kid. When I went back to Missouri for his funeral in March the B25 model was hanging right over his desk.
to your Dad Toad and all the men of the Greatest generation.
wow..
Man thats cool..
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Hey Toad,
What squadron was Dad in? Been looking at 1/48 diecast
B-25s and all of em seem to be 345 birds. If I can find one from
his unit, think he'd like one?
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to a fine gentleman!
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Rino, he was 345th/501st Black Panthers. I would be interested.
Here's Tin Liz in 501st colors. He flew Quitch mainly.
(http://screeningroom.com/painting130074.gif)
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Originally posted by Toad
Rino, he was 345th/501st Black Panthers. I would be interested.
Here's Tin Liz in 501st colors. He flew Quitch mainly.
Any images of Quitch out there Toad? I feel a profile coming on :)
Dan/CorkyJr
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That profile is out of Hickey's book. Quitch looked about the same with respect to color and squadron markings. Really only the nose art was different.
Quitch is in there too, but I'll have to find a place to scan it.
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and I love the nose art (is that a banana?) anyway Here a little story of mine. My granfather is still alive hes 85 and he loves to tell stories. He was in an infantry squad( dont remember the names and such) any way the were in the north africa campiagn. They fought at el alamain. They said we were so scared when we saw the panzers but luckily most of my squad made it.
It just goes to show, only a few are left.
toad long live the heroes of WW2 and your father.
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Blech, so far have found 2 from the 500th BS, the paint job
very very similar. Here is a link to Rough Raiders and the one just
below is Tondelayo also from the 500th.
Rough Raiders (http://www.diecastairplane.com/product_info.php/cpath/42_25/products_id/1383)
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Originally posted by Toad
That profile is out of Hickey's book. Quitch looked about the same with respect to color and squadron markings. Really only the nose art was different.
Quitch is in there too, but I'll have to find a place to scan it.
Serial number for Quitch? It was a C or D model I take it?
Any details most welcome. I don't have the 345th History on the shelf yet, but clearly I need to.
Dan/CorkyJr
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I'll have to go check the book. It was a B-25C, but I don't remember the serial number. I have an actual photo of him in flight over the jungle somewhere. I should scan that too. Pic is a bit beat up now.
Tondaleyo was a famous bird; quite a story behind her.
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Found it. I had tried to touch it up a bit. It's maybe a bit better than the actual.
That's him flying it on the way home from a mission.
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/116_1117080887_quitch.jpg)
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This kinda spooks me.. looking back 60+ years at a young man that became my father flying his aircraft home from a mission.
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/116_1117081249_quitch.jpg)
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Way cool to see that. I can imagine it being a bit spooky thinking of the young man he was then and what he was doing at the time.
Anyway to scan it and blow it up better? Can't make out any nose art.
If not, no prob. This stuff just sucks me in bigtime :)
Dan/CorkyJr
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The nose art is a reclining witch. It had to be repainted once as the brass thought it was too "revealing". That was before my Dad became AC; he'd never have had it too "revealing". The first skipper, Sy Symington I think, named her and had the nose art done.
I'll dig out my book and scan the plate. It shows both of the different nose art styles.
I think this shot is from one of those old Kodak Brownie-type box cameras. The print itself is small. I'm sort of amazed it shows the detail it does, gien the camera.
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Didn't realize that Kermit Weeks B25J was painted as a 501st BS, 345th BG bird.
(http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Oshkosh2002/Samplers/Ww2/ApachePrincess10oClock.jpg)
It's a beauty :)
Dan/CorkyJr
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That's a late '44 paint job then.
The 501st had horizontal white tail bands early on.
The squadrons all had distinctive white markings to tell them apart during a mission. For example, if you got out of formation and had to rejoin your squadron.
From late '43
498th: Falcon Heads in yellow-dark green.
499th: All white vertical tail: Pale blue/white bat faces
500th:Lower vertical tails white; White band mid-fuselage
White mustang head on tails
501st: White cowl rings on some craft, Horizontal white tail bands
Some with Black panther faces
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Originally posted by Beefcake
As much as I love the 25, you'll never see it in the game. HiTech told me about 4 years ago in the MA that he hates the plane and will never make it. Plus I think he does it to spite me.
Anyway nice read Toad! :)
I just wanted to point and laugh at you Beefcake. You probably don't even play this game anymore but... HAA HAA!
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Panther!
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Cool!
Thanks for sharing Toad, and thanks for reviving this thread scottydawg; good timing!
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I was a little surprised at how many PNG'ed people there are.
Wait, no I'm not. :)
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Thanks Toad.
<<>> to your Father.
:aok
Mac
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:)