Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Devil 505 on July 09, 2012, 12:00:35 AM
-
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff252/DropkickYankees/Aces%20High/Stigler3.png)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff252/DropkickYankees/Aces%20High/Stigler5.png)
Unlike many Luftwaffe aces, Franz Stigler is not famous for the many aircraft he destroyed. Instead, what separates Herr Stigler from the other aces is the story of one B-17 he did not shoot down.
On Dec. 20, 1943, Stigler encountered a severely damaged B-17, "Ye Olde Pub", limping back to England. Piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles Brown, the "Ye Olde Pub", had taken heavy damage from flack and German fighters on a bombing run over Northern Germany. The #2 engine had been knocked out, #4 was damaged, the plexiglass nose had been blown off, large holes had perforated the fuselage from the main wings to the tail, and the left horizontal stabilizer was ripped away from the aircraft.
Stigler, while his Bf109G-6 "Eva", was being rearmed after his group had attacked the bomber stream, had seen the stricken bomber slowly attempting to escape without further damage. He soon took off in persuit, hoping to claim his 3rd bomber on the day. Stigler started his attack run from what he calls the "classic position" - high 6 o'clock. A he closed to about 500 ft, he saw the tail guns were not aimed at his 109 but instead pointed down. Holding his fire, Stigler came in closer and noticed the tail gunner "slumped over his gun, his blood streaming down its barrel." Franz pulled along side and began to examine what remained of the bomber and her crew. “The B-17 was like a sieve. There was blood everywhere. I could see the crew trying to help their wounded. Through the gaping hole in the fuselage, I could see crewmen working frantically to save a comrade whose leg was blown off. I thought to myself, ‘How can I shoot something like that?’ It would be like shooting a man in a parachute. When I was flying in North Africa, my Commander (Gustav Roedel, who had 98 victories) said, ‘You are a fighter pilot. If I ever hear of you shooting someone in a parachute, I’ll shoot you myself.’” Franz concluded that the Pub was, “. . . the most badly damaged plane I ever saw, still flying.”
Charles Brown soon discovered his most unusual wingman. “There, flying very close formation with his wingtip only about three feet from our wingtip was an Me-109! For a moment I thought that I had lost my mind and if I briefly closed my eyes it would disappear. I tried—he was still there! Upon his return to the cockpit, I pointed out our visitor to Pinky (copilot Pinky Luke). The German pilot nodded, but Pinky and I were in a state of shock and did not return the greeting.”
Using his hands, Stigler tried to relay instructions to land in Germany - they were ignored. He then motioned that Brown should bring his Boeing to neutral Sweden - this was also met with no response. Lt. Brown had only one destination in mind: England - 2 hours away. “I know he (Charlie) closed his eyes, he opened them again, and I was still there. They knew they were helpless.”
For several minutes Franz stayed on their wing. "If I would have passed up the escort, then they would have to watch out. But if you're hanging there with this plane, even if another fighter would have come along, they wouldn't have shot; they wouldn't have interfered with you."
Lt. Brown was not worried about other fighters, but the 109 off his left wing was of much concern. “Although the German pilot appeared relaxed, I was most uncomfortable and felt that at any time he would unleash some type of new German weapon to destroy us . . . I finally surmised that he was out of ammunition, but I was amazed at his curiosity and daring in flying that close to even a badly crippled enemy bomber.” Charlie called his flight engineer, “Frenchy” Coulombe, into the cockpit to, “ . . . join Pinky and me in observing the audacious German pilot. Now, we had three wide-eyed American airmen in the cockpit . . . after a few more seconds, my nerves could stand it no longer and I asked Frenchy to get back in his turret and point his guns at the German pilot. When the fighter pilot saw the engineer’s head appear in the top turret, he saluted, rolled over, and was gone.”
With two .50 cal machine guns now pointed at this 109, Franz determined that his presence was no longer welcome. “Well, I hope you make it. So, I waved off, saluted him, and flew back to the airport.”
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff252/DropkickYankees/stiglerhigher_call.jpg)
"A Higher Call" by John D. Shaw http://www.valorstudios.com/Franz-Stigler-Charlie-Brown.htm
-
Wow, excellent job on that Devil, the plane looks good! :aok and the ive heard this story before, its jawdropping everytime :salute
-
I can not wait to use this skin in game! :salute
-
Great skin and a great story Devil, thanks for sharing it.
-
:aok
-
This skin should of been in the game already, thank you very much for putting the time into it.
I read this story over and over, gives a small glimpse of hell for what those b-17 crews went through, to see a 109 wing up with you must of been complete terror for the surviving members.
I did read the b17 pilot and german pilot did meet after the war, I can't imagine the emotions that would run through each with that kind of meeting.
-
Great skin and great story tp go along with it, Devil505.
-
Great skin. :aok
Here is a interview with Franz Stigler if you have some time to read. It is very interesting
http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/articles/pilots/stigler/stigler.htm
-
Great skin. :aok
Here is a interview with Franz Stigler if you have some time to read. It is very interesting
http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/articles/pilots/stigler/stigler.htm
:aok Awesome, thanks for the link.
-
I know the skin is your interpretation, and it's very well done, but shouldn't the Balkenkreuz on the top of the wing be 'hollow'?
(http://www.48specialmodels.com/48pics/M4-18/bk1.jpg)
-
Thanks for the kind words guys. :salute
Once I heard this story I knew this plane needed to be skinned.
Krup, the painting I posted was my primary reference for this skin. I know this is usually frowned upon, but the artist had access to Franz's personal photo collection which haven't been published as far as I know. If you look at the left wing cross, you can see that the cross is filled in.
-
oh excellent!!
-
:aok :aok
Only thing i noticed, are you sure that the upper sides of the wings were as clean (compared to the other parts)? I mean, the noise layer is a bit weak, looks a bit strange. Or maybe thats just my monitor, idk.
Otherwise, the fuselage is awesome, luvly stuff.
-
another part of this story if im not mistaken,was that some years after the war,they had a reunion where franz and some of the b17 crew met in person and talked about that day. :salute
-
btw, if they pointed the guns at me after I signaled, i would have saddled and shot them to bits.
-
awesome! you're the man Devil!
now about that Emil...
:noid
-
Thanks Raphael.
What Emil? Or was that a hint to make some?
-
Just joking around
or maybe not
:noid
-
Nice skin. :aok
I met and shook hands with both Charles Brown and Franz Stiegler at the WarBirds Con2000 in Raleigh NC.
-
Stories like those send shivers down my spine and give me goosebumps, suprising of how there is some honor left in the worlds
cant wait to fly that skin <S>
-
Nice skin, Devil :aok