The Nimitz and I started our career at the same time; Those guys in 1975 would have looked at me like I was crazy if I told them a HSL guy will be Her Air Boss someday.
C-47 is one of my fav's - we had the last flying C-2 when I was in the Army..crashed and burned in '62.....A little history on "That's All, Brother"
Mission: Normandy
Over 75 years ago, on June 6, 1944, That's All, Brother led the main airborne invasion of Normandy. Piloted by Lt. Col John Donalson, the plane led over 800 C-47s that dropped over 13,000 paratroopers into a battle that changed the course of mankind. 75 years later, we were able to bring this great airplane back to the skies over Normandy for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Nearly Lost Forever
After serving on D-Day, and in Operations Dragoon, Market Garden, Repulse, and Varsity, the airplane returned to the United States and was sold to the civilian market in 1945. During the course of many owners over the next several decades, the historical significance of the airplane was lost and it was eventually sold to be scrapped. Fortunately, two historians from the United States Air Force discovered that this historic airplane was lying in a boneyard in Wisconsin. The Commemorative Air Force was able to acquire the airplane, and through a large group of donors and volunteers, restore the airplane to flying status.
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Keep up with the latest "That's All, Brother" news by following us on Facebook. Mission: NormandyOver 75 years ago, on June 6, 1944, That's All, Brother led the main airborne invasion of Normandy. Piloted by Lt. Col John Donalson, the plane led over 800 C-47s that dropped over 13,000thatsallbrother.org
Interesting... I knew Gen Sweeny (Bock's Car) thru my crewing on FIFI. He also lived 'next door' in NH.
We were hauling the Adjutant General of Maryland around on a tour in a Huey. We were talking about the different aircraft the Army and the Air Force had flown just in Maryland. He said the F-86 was a flying sports car.
Ahh! a kindred spirit. And another fan of the P-40. One of the most under appreciated aircraft of WWII. While folks were trying to figure out the P-38, P-51, P-47 and others the P-40 was rolling off the assembly line and into the air forces of every member of the Allied nations.
I read a number of accounts that said below 15k feet she could hold her own against most of the fighters of the day. I just thought she was the coolest looking, especially with the shark teeth.
Yep My neighbor's dad flew P-51s at the tail end of WWII and F-86s in Korea. He said after flying the 86 you will throw rocks at a 51. The 86 is a Fighters fighter. Not another true fighter came along until the F-15. Not a pound for ground in the beginning. Both incredible Fighters.
A friend of mine had a P-40. One time he was talking to one of his friends who had a P-51 and they decided to dogfight. They were below 15,000 feet and the P-40 bested the P-51 completely. He later was talking to a WW2 vet about it and that vet said (IIRC) "Of course! You were fighting the P-40's fight!". Interesting stuff.
I beleive germans called it ,"the forked tail devil" A lot of firepower in that nose!
