Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Angus on September 08, 2009, 07:35:01 AM

Title: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Angus on September 08, 2009, 07:35:01 AM
It is true. I am in Germany now and will be meeting him on Sunday in his home town.
In the days before he is expecting some 20 Finns (!, does anyone here know anything about that?), and then it is my turn.
So, my dear forum, I will be having a friendly chat with the old guy for some time, then presumably head on to Munchen for overnighting.
So, if any of you would feed me with some questions to ask (nothing silly please or over the top) I will put them on my list. When I come home again (10 days) I shall post results etc.
I will need them ASAP so I have time to merge them with mine.  I will be trying to keep them in the time order.
The Finns had him for a visit and there is a good stack there, I will try to reach a tad further.
My main theme will be his personal experience with the combats and machinery involved.
Whoo-hoo!
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Bodhi on September 08, 2009, 08:45:38 AM
That is really awesome Angus.  Seriously.

I'd ask him what speeds they mostly fought at, especially late in the war.  What was his over all impression of the abilities of aircraft like the Mustang, Lightning, Spitfire (late war) and Thunderbolt.  How did he feel attacking a heavy bomber?  Was it a difficult prospect or did it not bother him?
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: bozon on September 08, 2009, 09:28:26 AM
ask him if allied B-17 pilots ever dive-bombed and bailed
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: manurin on September 08, 2009, 09:30:47 AM
Was he really feeling confident while flying the 262? or it was a tough one to master?
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Chalenge on September 08, 2009, 10:35:37 AM
Rall already answered these questions. He said basically that they (the Germans) had 'X' minutes to fight in their planes and it was the same for the Mustang... but the Mustang did it over Berlin. Later the Mustangs learned just to wait and then when the Germans would 'RTB' the Mustangs had an easy time of it.

Thats one big difference between AH and WWII.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: moot on September 08, 2009, 11:00:51 AM
A general question.. How did he and other pilots cope with steep elevation changes?  WRT their eardrums I mean.  Not an exciting question, but it'd be hard to find a better person to ask.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Swager on September 08, 2009, 12:34:23 PM
How did he calm down or relax between sorties?  I can guess it would be quite tough to relax, but if you did not, it would drive you crazy.

I wish I was there to ask him in person. 

Thanks
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: morfiend on September 08, 2009, 12:49:57 PM
 I'd ask him how he dealt with the fear and if there was lasting affects.Then I'd ask what was his favorite ride and what did he call her!
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Panzzer on September 08, 2009, 12:54:38 PM
It is true. I am in Germany now and will be meeting him on Sunday in his home town.
In the days before he is expecting some 20 Finns (!, does anyone here know anything about that?), and then it is my turn.
No idea who those might be, none of the forums I did a quick browse of had any mention of it so I don't think it's anyone from the online games. Maybe from the aviation museums here...

I've met mr. Rall myself some years ago when he was visiting Finland, and can't think of any good questions for him this quick. But knowing you Angus, you will get good stories from him anyway. :)
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Angus on September 08, 2009, 04:15:44 PM
Hehe, thanks for that ;)
Anyway, his squadron got spanked badly in the BoB and was pulled out of action within a week. I will ask if he has a clue who they were.
I will ask what he thought of the 110 and 210/410, - the 109 pilots opinion.
When he fought over Crete, I will ask if he had a drop tank and how they were (from the pilots point of view) as well as how they affected the flying characteristics.
I will also ask when they were properly available.
I will ask him what 109 was his fav, and what he named her. Markings as well.
And then the slats question just for the record  :devil
I will ask him which opponent gave him the worst fear.
And when it dawned on him that this war would not be won.
And what was in his opinion his closest call.
There will be some questions of tactics, such as which was the best 109 evasive maneuver etc etc.
I will ask him about his time in instructing, where he flew a captured Spit, P38 and P51.
I will ask about his testing flights as well. In a conversaton we had a long while ago, he mentioned flying a jet in a prone position.
I will ask about the other aces as well as the allied.
And there will be more.
Knowing that he gets very eager and tells his well formulated story, I will either try to slip the questions in, or cross them out if they get covered. If slipping in is not worth it, I´ll wait untill he finishes.
Any points acceped. I will try to build my list tomorrow night and finish it on Thusday, since I leave for Bayern on Friday.
Cheers   :aok
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Becinhu on September 08, 2009, 04:34:15 PM
Ask him if actual pilots who did the stick-stir-land-trout move in the 190s splattered their brains from the Gs, snapped of wings,  or instantly gained control and shot down the plane chasing them.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: morfiend on September 08, 2009, 04:40:59 PM
Angus,

 I'll expect a full written report on your meeting!    :x

 That's a great list of question,be sure to write them down so you don't forget. :aok


 I'm sure I'd be so excited I'd forget every question and embarrass myself.

 
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: moot on September 08, 2009, 04:44:47 PM
Angus did someone already answer the diving/zooming pressure question?  Do the ear drums just acclimatize after a while?
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Anaxogoras on September 08, 2009, 04:53:42 PM
Just for Stiglr, ask him if War Emergenc Power risked blowing the engine. :lol
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Delirium on September 09, 2009, 12:22:40 AM
I'd like to ask him how the post WWII years were, particularly between 1946-53 and how he coped both financially and psychologically.

After, I'd ask him how different the beginnings of the GAF in the 1950s was compared to the pre-WWII years. Not in regards to structuring of the airforce but attitudes and morale...
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Brooke on September 09, 2009, 01:24:04 AM
Wow!  I'm anxiously awaiting the writeup of this one.

How about a picture or two as well?
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Stampf on September 09, 2009, 07:02:13 AM
I'd like to know why he switched from the Wehrmacht to the Luftwaffe.  Was there any one person responsible for aiding in this decision.

Thanks Angus.  Enjoy it.

Also, maybe if you get the chance, I would love to know if he knew Otto Kittel well, and what his thoughts of the man were.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Schlitz on September 09, 2009, 08:22:10 AM
Ask him what his stick settings and convergence were,who did his skin and if Zemke was a squeaker.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: PJ_Godzilla on September 09, 2009, 09:05:53 AM
Ask him about the HO - settle it for once and all (and I already know the general answer but would like to hear his).

Also, I'd like to find out how many times he was shot down. Galland once got shot down three times in one day - and suffered some relatively minor burns from the last of the three.  I recall his account of seeing fuel sloshing around below him in his 109 - not a pleasant thought.

I'd also like to find out how many top pilots he knew that got shot down.

Ask him about preferred 109 tactics and whether or not they practiced any of these low-speed stall/torque enabled maneuvers in combat.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: BlauK on September 09, 2009, 09:42:12 AM
Angus,
those Finns must be of the Aviation Museum Society. They are making a 40th anniversary trip to München this weekend. I don't know if any AH-pilots are participating, but I know of at least one Finnish virtual pilot who is there. I also have joined that society recently, but I am not going on the trip.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: 68Hawk on September 09, 2009, 01:04:06 PM
Can't think of any questions that haven't already been brought up here, but grab a beer at Hofbraeu house for me!
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: gyrene81 on September 09, 2009, 01:33:36 PM
Angus, that is one meeting I wish I could attend...I've spoken with some U.S. PTO pilots and grunts when I was much younger, didn't value the information as much then as I do now.



I'd like to know why he switched from the Wehrmacht to the Luftwaffe.  Was there any one person responsible for aiding in this decision.
Question answered, from Wikipedia:

Quote

He was born in Gaggenau, a small town in the Schwarzwald region in Germany, as a son of a merchant. He joined the Army and became a Fähnrich in 1936. He entered the War College in Dresden, where he was influenced by one of his best friend to join the Luftwaffe. He qualified as a pilot in 1938 and was posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52), with the rank of Leutnant.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Stampf on September 09, 2009, 02:25:02 PM
Angus, that is one meeting I wish I could attend...I've spoken with some U.S. PTO pilots and grunts when I was much younger, didn't value the information as much then as I do now.


Question answered, from Wikipedia:


Thank you, never saw that "influenced by his best friend" in the official stories.  :lol 

Now if you can answer my other inquiry, then you damn good!  :aok
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Angus on September 10, 2009, 03:47:27 PM
Thank you all.
I am now about to print out the responses from this thread to be compiled while I am en route. I will have a last minute skim over the thread about breakfast time which would be about 9 am in Germany. Sort of disappointed having nothing from HTC, Widewing, or Guppy ....
(smell the bait?)

Anyway, the last minute posts will be filtered and written down. (If any). And I will give you a full account when I get home  :)

One final question to the old one is if he recalls a moment of either a humouristic incident or an embarrassing one, or both coupled together. I feel that one as lacking in his autobiographies. I will try to slip that one in late, - as a final one. Apart from that my mind is dry...for now...
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: RRAM on October 06, 2009, 09:35:26 PM
I'd really want to read about your interview with him, Angus...you're a lucky man, one of the last to have the honor and pleasure to meet Mr. Rall.

Sad to see those men leaving us, but time is like that  :(
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: CAP1 on October 06, 2009, 11:14:32 PM
a bit late on this one, but........rather than ask him a bunch of questions, that you know he;s heard time and time again, i think i'd just shake his hand, and congratulate him on surviving the war.........he served his country honorably. :aok
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: BlauK on October 07, 2009, 01:51:39 AM
AFAIK, the group of Finns mentioned earlier did not meet Mr. Rall, because he was not feeling well. I hope Angus had better luck and I hope Mr Rall is ok again.
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: csThor on October 07, 2009, 02:27:33 AM
As 12oclockhigh.net reports Günther Rall died on October 4 2009 after suffering a heart attack on September 2. :cry
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: BlauK on October 07, 2009, 05:10:12 AM
Sad news :(

:salute
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Die Hard on October 07, 2009, 05:34:45 AM
<S> Gunther Rall
Title: Re: Meeting Gunther Rall
Post by: Anaxogoras on October 07, 2009, 06:23:13 AM
 :salute