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Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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Chicoartist
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:25 pm 
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Whew - glad WIX is back! 8) 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!

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Modelers note the interesting prop blade "warning tip":
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Read more about it:
Air Power in the Battle of the Bulge

Wade

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mlenoch
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 3:53 pm 
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Anyone know what model helmet he is wearing?
Thx,
VL
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Chicoartist
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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

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Jack Cook
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:31 pm 
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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.
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Col Stecker wearing his cold weather helmet :shock:
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Stecker probably wants to know if SSgt Greenwood will have it ready for the next mission :shock:
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Stecker's flight warming up
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Stecker strapping SSgt Ingram in for a ride.

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Chicoartist
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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 ... :lol: :lol: ), I hope to feature the H e l l Hawks in my very first snow scene.

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Jack Cook
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If you want to do Tom Manjak I've got good shots of his P-47D "Short Arm" :shock: :P
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 8)

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slinky
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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....

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Jack Cook
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Tom Manjak standing at left ME-110 Night Fighter.
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1Lt Manjak's P-47D s/n 44-19734 D5+N "Short Arm"
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Ditto

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Django
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Great photos! 8)
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Swiss Mustangs
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Chicoartist wrote:
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

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or this ?

42-28932 C5-T 388th FS

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

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Martin

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Swiss Mustangs
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no caption needed.....

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Chicoartist
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Swiss Mustangs wrote:
. . . is this the shot that got you inspired?


Swiss Mustangs wrote:
. . . or this?


Swiss Mustangs wrote:
no caption needed.....


Yes!

Thx, Martin! 8)

Wade

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Chicoartist
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slinky wrote:
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

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Chicoartist
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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! :lol:

Wade the Space Geek

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