Author Topic: Book Suggestion: "Big Friend, Little Friend" - Lt. Col. Richard Turner  (Read 362 times)

Offline Vraciu

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Richard Turner was a Mustang ace in Europe during World War Two and later went on to fly F-86s in Korea.   He wrote an autobiography titled "Big Friend, Little Friend" about his experiences.   It can be a bit tough to find, and though I wish it were longer, it is a great read.   Truly underappreciated.

I picked it up after seeing it mentioned in James Howard's autobiography "Roar of the Tiger" and I was not disappointed. 

”KILLER V”
Charter Member of the P-51 Mustang Skin Mafia
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Offline oboe

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Re: Book Suggestion: "Big Friend, Little Friend" - Lt. Col. Richard Turner
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2021, 12:43:34 PM »
Thanks, Vraciu.

I'm working on Turner's P-51D skin "Short Fuse Sallee".   Here's an interesting read I came across while doing research for the skin:

https://www.flightjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aviinside_DDay.pdf

Offline Vraciu

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Re: Book Suggestion: "Big Friend, Little Friend" - Lt. Col. Richard Turner
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2021, 01:07:30 PM »
Thanks, Oboe.  I'll check that out.

He also had a D called SHORT FUSE.  Not exactly sure why he dropped the rest of the name.
”KILLER V”
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Offline Vraciu

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Re: Book Suggestion: "Big Friend, Little Friend" - Lt. Col. Richard Turner
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2021, 01:09:46 PM »
That is from the book, Oboe.  Good stuff.   The rest of it is also very good.
”KILLER V”
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Offline svaalbar

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Re: Book Suggestion: "Big Friend, Little Friend" - Lt. Col. Richard Turner
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2021, 01:48:56 PM »
This one? https://www.amazon.com/World-Carle-Friend-Little-Sound/dp/1450862055

Just kidding.

https://www.amazon.com/Big-friend-little-Memoirs-fighter/dp/B0006CPCEG/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=big+friend+little+friend&qid=1612208804&s=books&sr=1-4

No kidding - I might gamble on one of the used hardcover options to buy. Need to finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FQM306/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 first... after I read this other book (about halfway through).

Trying to do my one book a month thing I did in 2019. In 2020, I read maybe 3 books total. I like to read while doing bomber sorties in AH, but been in more of a fighter/low alt bomber (looking for contact) missions :)
"All fighter pilots were a little crazy, but mostly the nicest guys you'd ever meet." The Biography of a Rabbit, by Roy Benson Jr - https://gutenberg.org/files/7190/7190-h/7190-h.htm

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaKxx5UhMZ0REI8E2FGfGag

Offline Vraciu

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Re: Book Suggestion: "Big Friend, Little Friend" - Lt. Col. Richard Turner
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2021, 02:26:44 PM »
This one? https://www.amazon.com/World-Carle-Friend-Little-Sound/dp/1450862055

Just kidding.

https://www.amazon.com/Big-friend-little-Memoirs-fighter/dp/B0006CPCEG/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=big+friend+little+friend&qid=1612208804&s=books&sr=1-4

No kidding - I might gamble on one of the used hardcover options to buy. Need to finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FQM306/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 first... after I read this other book (about halfway through).

Trying to do my one book a month thing I did in 2019. In 2020, I read maybe 3 books total. I like to read while doing bomber sorties in AH, but been in more of a fighter/low alt bomber (looking for contact) missions :)

Lol. 

It's worth it.  You can get a used one for under twenty bucks shipped if you hunt around.   It's a great read.  Not a thick book so you'll finish it pretty fast.
”KILLER V”
Charter Member of the P-51 Mustang Skin Mafia
King of the Hill Champ, Tour 219
The Damned
King of the Hill Win Percentage - 100 (1 Win, 0 Losses)