"All-American" CO (365th FG, WWII)

[Chicoartist]

Whew - glad WIX is back! Back to business ...


Col. Ray J. Stecker, Commanding Officer of the 9th AF's 365th Fighter Group H-e-l-l Hawks (tryin' to fool the swear filter!), 26 June 44 (at the time the 365th moved from England to the continent to support the allied armies) to 26 April 45. Presided over the groups two DUC awards (among others) for combat actions in Germany on 21 Oct 44 and 20 April 45. 1932 All-American at West Point. My refs don't show Col. Stecker with any aerial victories, but I'll bet he tore up more than his share of ground targets!




Modelers note the interesting prop blade "warning tip":



Read more about it:
Air Power in the Battle of the Bulge

Wade

[mlenoch]

Anyone know what model helmet he is wearing?
Thx,
VL

[Chicoartist]

I'm no helmet expert, but it looks like one I have in my small collection - the ANH-15 summer-weight. Strange for the temps he was operating in, but I guess he just turned up the cockpit heat ... or just simply preferred that model:

http://news.webshots.com/photo/10509627 ... 8106qPfWyQ

Wade

[Jack Cook]

My friend Tom Manjak-RIP flew Stecker's wing on a few missions and said that he lead from the front and was a balls-out high speed individual. He flew low, fast and bored in with the bombs. If Stecker returned with 1 round of ammo and was running on more than fumes he was having a off day. General Stecker passed away in MA in 1967.

Col Stecker wearing his cold weather helmet

Stecker probably wants to know if SSgt Greenwood will have it ready for the next mission

Stecker's flight warming up

Stecker strapping SSgt Ingram in for a ride.

[Chicoartist]

Thx, Jack - sounds like a great bunch of guys led by a 'Blakeslee' type ... after I read the book (didn't know they borrowed 78th FG kites for their missions ... ), I hope to feature the H e l l Hawks in my very first snow scene.

Wade

[Jack Cook]

If you want to do Tom Manjak I've got good shots of his P-47D "Short Arm"
Tom had I beleive 3 kills and flew around 135 missions and was downed twice. He also flew in F-51s in Korea with the 39th FIS and had a YAK-3 probable kill. He was shot down and very badly wounded around March 1951 about 50 miles on the wrong side of the lines. The helo crew chickened out and only went in and got him when the 39th CO Tom Robertson threatened to shot them down and made his point by firing a burst in their direction. They were so scared they put Tom on the radio after they got him to call off Robertson

[slinky]

Has anyone read this book yet? Is this the one you were talking about Wade?
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/24332129.html
Bob Door had sent me a notice about it but I haven't ordered it yet....

[Jack Cook]

Tom Manjak standing at left ME-110 Night Fighter.

1Lt Manjak's P-47D s/n 44-19734 D5+N "Short Arm"

Ditto

[Django]

Great photos!

[Swiss Mustangs]

I hope to feature the H e l l Hawks in my very first snow scene.

Wade

is this the shot that got you inspired ? February 1945

44-20571 D5-C 386th FS



or this ?

42-28932 C5-T 388th FS



Martin

[Swiss Mustangs]

and an earlier OD kite during maintenance in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge



Martin

[Swiss Mustangs]

no caption needed.....



Martin

[Chicoartist]

. . . is this the shot that got you inspired?

. . . or this?

no caption needed.....

Yes!

Thx, Martin!

Wade

[Chicoartist]

Has anyone read this book yet? Is this the one you were talking about Wade?
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/24332129.html

That's the one! The dust jacket designer needs to be fired, though!

Wade

[Chicoartist]

Martin,

Just noticed your signature ...

Flying is easy: just learn how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.

That's not flying, that's earth orbit!

Wade the Space Geek