Warbird Information Exchange

I don't know if this is of interest to anyone but I compiled my Dad's WWII flight training and war experience into this book. It was derived from an amazing collection of letters my Grandmother collected from Dad.

Here's a few examples. Let me know what you think.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I'll be glad to tell you what I think...I think I would love to read it.

Mudge the intrigued

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Land of the free because of the brave

You can't beat a first hand glimpse into the 60 year old past ! Keep them coming, please .

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Scott,

I am glad you kept with the project. Are you ready to sell copies of the book yet?

As you know, I will certainly want to buy one from you. I still wonder if that one PT-19A that I used to have was ever flown by your Dad when they were both based down at Cuero, TX.

Maybe someday that mystery will be solved as well.

Take care my friend,

Steve

Awesome....it'd be a book worth reading,several times.

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

I think it is awesome.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Wow! Thanks for the feedback!

Steven, I'd love to know that too. I really hope one day to find out but have been unsuccesful to track down Pop's flight logs. Big fire, I'm told...

Here's a couple more. Note the dates as the letters just kept coming.

I have not found someone to put it in print but do have it as a PDF on a disc for those that would like to read it on the computer. All scans of his original letters, some difficult to read as the paper back then was pretty thin. I mixed his letters with some of his memoirs written 30 plus years later, but again in his own words, not mine.

Also, the forward is written by his classmate, John Dinnou, author of "Fading Wings, Faded Glory". I got to know John before he passed but afte Dad flew on. Pretty cool first hand stuff.

I didn't want a "son, this is how I won the war single-handedly", but a reflection of what many thousands of guys went through who's families may never have known.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Scott,
How old was your father when these letters were written?

Just 19.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Any chance I could get some high-res scans of the front page of those stationary pages? That's pretty nice stuff, and from right here in San Antonio!

Ryan

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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.

Excellent stuff, Scott! I would love to see a copy of this book.

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P-51, The Cadillac of the Sky!

Absolutely loved it. Amazing how similar the experiences are from 60 years ago to even now with people entering the Armed Forces.

Scott,

Great stuff...reminds me of letters I wrote home to mom and dad from officer training school. Funny how the fundamentals of cadet/flight training process haven't changed and I can relate to his observations and feelings. You're really on to something with your dad's story and I hope you can see through to being published. Wow, 19...just a kid! Amazing to think what he experienced by the time he was in his early 20s!!

Man this is a great project. Now that I have the ability to post pictures, documents, etc... I will share some of my fathers wartime things. I too would love to see the finished product of your project. Great idea. Thanks for sharing with us.
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

Steve,

Thanks for the post. I do not have it in color printed hard format yet. I have offered Scott that for anyone who would like a copy as a PDF to read on their computer, for $20 (an offer submitted by a WIXer) I'd send them a CD and send Scott $10 to support the site. To keep things on the up and up, they could send the $20 to Scott and he could give me the members address to forward the CD. "mox nix" to me.

We need to hook up this summer. Thanks for the friendship.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."