Flying Heritage Collection

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:04 pm

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

Did you say they had a P-47? If so, you must show that! My favorite airplane of the era. I just hope they have it painted well.

well ok then!
[:D]

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:05 pm

PRINT

Place in history: In 1940, the United States Army Air Corps decided that larger fighters would be needed in the coming European war. Alexander Kartveli, Republic Aviation's chief designer, prepared a rough sketch of a new fighter with the most powerful Pratt & Whitney engine ever developed, along with eight .50-caliber machine guns and heavy armor. World War II pilots considered it to be "unbreakable;" its legendary toughness gave them confidence that they had a good chance of returning home safely even if their plane sustained damage in combat.

This aircraft: Manufactured by Republic Aviation in Evansville, Indiana, and delivered to the USAAF on June 27, 1945. It was placed in storage until March, 1948, when it was assigned to an Air National Guard squadron. FHC's Thunderbolt is painted in the colors of the "Tallahassee Lassie" and was flown by Seattle-born Colonel Ralph C. Jenkins. He led the 510th Fighter Squadron, initially in England and later all the way through Europe to Germany at the end of WWII. Colonel Jenkins may be the pilot who attacked the staff car of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, wounding the German commander.

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:08 pm

GF: We tended to make really big aircraft, didn't we?

Nik: Yes....yes we did.....carried on in cars of the 1950's.....

What was it the German pilot once remarked?......something about being so big, the American pilot could simply run around inside the plane to avoid the bullets?

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:09 pm

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Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:10 pm

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Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:11 pm

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Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:12 pm

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Terminus · Post by **Terminus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:13 pm

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

GF: We tended to make really big aircraft, didn't we?

Nik: Yes....yes we did.....carried on in cars of the 1950's.....

What was it the German pilot once remarked?......something about being so big, the American pilot could simply run around inside the plane to avoid the bullets?

I heard that quote attributed to an RAF pilot flying Thunderbolts in the CBI: "Evasive action in the Thunderbolt consisted of loosening the shoulder straps and running around inside the cockpit"...

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:14 pm

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Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:14 pm

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Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:14 pm

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Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:15 pm

shot of the bridge..er, cockpit of this ship, i mean, plane oh never mind!

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:17 pm

Big.....with a MPG rating that makes your average SUV look downright earth friendly. [:D]

Nikademus · Post by **Nikademus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:17 pm

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Terminus · Post by **Terminus** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:19 pm

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

PRINT

Place in history: In 1940, the United States Army Air Corps decided that larger fighters would be needed in the coming European war. Alexander Kartveli, Republic Aviation's chief designer, prepared a rough sketch of a new fighter with the most powerful Pratt & Whitney engine ever developed, along with eight .50-caliber machine guns and heavy armor. World War II pilots considered it to be "unbreakable;" its legendary toughness gave them confidence that they had a good chance of returning home safely even if their plane sustained damage in combat.

This aircraft: Manufactured by Republic Aviation in Evansville, Indiana, and delivered to the USAAF on June 27, 1945. It was placed in storage until March, 1948, when it was assigned to an Air National Guard squadron. FHC's Thunderbolt is painted in the colors of the "Tallahassee Lassie" and was flown by Seattle-born Colonel Ralph C. Jenkins. He led the 510th Fighter Squadron, initially in England and later all the way through Europe to Germany at the end of WWII. Colonel Jenkins may be the pilot who attacked the staff car of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, wounding the German commander.

May be, but wasn't...

Subchaser · Post by **Subchaser** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:20 pm

ORIGINAL: Terminus

I heard that quote attributed to an RAF pilot flying Thunderbolts in the CBI: "Evasive action in the Thunderbolt consisted of loosening the shoulder straps and running around inside the cockpit"...

348th FG arrived in Australia on june 30th 1943 with their Jugs. Thunderbolt made an immediate impression upon the RAAF personnel. Reportedly, as a P-47 pilot climbed down from the cockpit, one Aussie ground crewman inquired- "Where is the rest of the crew?"

Fallschirmjager · Post by **Fallschirmjager** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:21 pm

Very nice looking! Too bad the machine guns were not put back into the wings though.

Hard Sarge · Post by **Hard Sarge** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:34 pm

Thanks for Sharing Nik

(what no shots of the GF mounted on the engine of one of the planes ?)

Mynok · Post by **Mynok** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:35 pm

Nice! Wish there were more WWI types. Love those old biplanes.

Subchaser · Post by **Subchaser** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:53 pm

Ok I’ve got permission from Nikademus to add a couple more shots to his beautiful set. This is A6M5 Zero from Yushukan, military museum located within Yasukuni shrine. Museum's exhibitions are all exceptional, but unfortunately they still hold their no-photo policies there (unlike Judy, Oscar, Okha etc. Zero is in the camera-allowed hall).

Flying Heritage Collection

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A6M5 Zero