Warbird Information Exchange

I'm hoping we have more than one WIXer in attendance...(!)

If you are a history buff, a vintage aircraft enthusiast, love the military, or just want to spend an afternoon learning something about history, join us on June 22nd at Dallas Executive Airport,
home of the Commemorative Air Force's “Redbird Squadron,” for a family-friendly educational time as we make a presentation on the history of liaison aircraft in the Normandy Campaign
during the Second World War. We will also share specifics about our Taylorcraft L-2A “Grasshopper” and how it relates to the historical events that took place 75 years ago over
France. Lunch will be served for a donation and costumed reenactors will be present to help interpret the displays. This is a “hands-on” event. The presentation will be geared towards
middle-school youth and up.

DATE: June 22, 2019
TIME: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Commemorative Air Force HQ
Dallas Executive Airport
5661 Mariner Dr.
Dallas, TX 75237

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redbird-sq ... 1675758855

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

I just got verbal confirmation that one of the very last surviving Liaison pilots that I've been able to track down is supposed to be coming to our event at CAF HQ this weekend. He fought in Europe and had a role in the Battle of the Bulge...
This should be good!

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Well, the event turned out fine from my perspective. We had a fairly small crowd, but I got a pretty cool chance to interview Major Paul Harrington who flew Piper L-4 Grasshoppers during the Battle of the Bulge.

Here's a teaser: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzCFJLjBqWS/

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Glad the event went well.
A general WWII L-bird question...
Let me see if I have this correct...
USAAF liaison pilots were NCOs, but Army artillery spotter pilots were Officers.

Correct?

My aunt had a photo of my uncle, a glider pilot, in an L-5.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

I think that's generally right, but I don't think it was universally that way.

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Here's a snippet of the interview I did with Maj. Harrington. I got a full video, but it will need some editing as it regrettably wasn't in quite as good of an angle as this.

https://twitter.com/HDWebbIII/status/11 ... 4332930049

It's on Twitter, but I think anyone should be able to view it.

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Many kudos to Ryan and associated crew for putting this on. I went out there with little StangStung and we had a great time. The L-4 coloring sheets were a nice (and welcome) touch for the little folks and a very interesting presentation for the grown ups as well. Having Major Harrington there was a the icing on the cake. Well done all around!