Bout time I come across someone with “Nanette” at the top of their list. That one is at the top of mine as well.

“Serenade to the Big Bird” by Bert Stiles

“Wing Leader” Johnnie Johnson

“The Big Show” Pierre Closterman

“Look of Eagles” Johnny Godfrey

There are so many it’s hard to pick the best, although if I was stuck with one book the rest of my days that dealt with WW2 aviation, it would be “Nanette” Something about that average Joe, scared out of his wits half the time, P39 pilot, doing the job anyway story really grabbed me.

Dan

Spit I, 5, 8, 12 and 14

Dan

The bottom bird in Mark’s photos

Dan

Using Swamp Ghost as an example. How many folks actually see it in New Guiniea, vs how many will see it if it’s returned and restored in the US?

If the driving force is local economy of a few people, with the plane being seen by very few, it seems a short sighted approach to preserving the history.

But it’s always about the money isn’t it?

Having it turn to rust and dust and disappearing does little to preserve the history. That to me seems to be the overriding concern. Preserve the history.

It’s a bit like that B29 on the bottom of Lake Mead being “preserved” on the bottom. Preserved for who? The very few divers who can actually visit it?

Why not preserve it for many more to see by raising it before it’s too late?

Wish I had the cash.

Dan

I heard this story about my group that occurred after I was rotated. A Roumanian officer got to Italy and gave info re: a POW camp. A pilot in my group flew to this Roumanian camp, escorted by P51s and picked up many US airman and brought them back to Italy. This was before the war was over.

That was Rumanian Fighter ace Capt. Constantin Cantacuzino who flew an Me 109 with a crude American flag painted on the side to the airbase where 15th AF HQ was located. Inside the fuselage he had Lt. Col. James Gunn formerly of the 454th BG who’d been a POW. 38 Flying Fortresses were sent to an airfield near Bucherest and brought home 1100 + POWs. This was in August or September 44 if memory serves.

Dan

Looking good Wade. Still like the look of early small intake 38s better though. Guess I’ll hold out for the 80th Headhunters instead 🙂

That book ever show up btw?

Dan

Go here:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=20000

Long discussion on the Spitfire wing and it’s designations. Was good fun a while back

Dan