Warbird Information Exchange

The veterans of the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, known as the "Thirsty 13th", held their annual reunion at the Vintage Flying Museum this weekend. In the VFM hangar, the Greatest Generation Aircraft crew are restoring two combat veteran C-47s for owner Seth Washburne. Seth's father was a navigator with the "Thirsty 13th", and he actually crewed one of these two C-47s, s/n 41-18590, known as "Billie", in combat in the South Pacific (talk about your family heirloom!). The other C-47 served in the ETO. The 13th vets and their guests were treated to rides in C-47s "Sky King" (another well-documented ETO combat veteran) and GGA's own "Southern Cross". As you might expect, the vets were thrilled to go aloft in their old mount once again! In case anyone ever wonders why those of us in the warbird hobby do what we do, there's their answer. I worked as the "rampie" on Saturday, and I just happened to have my camera with me. Here are some pics for your enjoyment:









Check out the 13th's official web site:

http://thirsty13th.com/

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Way cool!

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

As a part of the "Thirsty 13th" Reunion, both the "Southern Cross" and "Sky King", along with the B-25 "Pacific Prowler", flew up to the WWII Frederick Army Air Field in Frederick, OK to meet with another of their members who couldn't make the trip to Fort Worth, Karl Peters. The WWII Airborne Demonstration Team hosted a lunch for the 13th veterans at our hangar at the Frederick airport, where we base our C-47 "Boogie Baby". We had a great time visiting with the veterans over lunch and showing them around. Here are a few pictures:


Local veteran Karl Peters at the hangar with family members.


13th veterans with two of the reunion organizers.


The C-47's and the B-25 on the ramp at Frederick.


View of the C-47's on the ramp just outside the WWII ADT HQ Hangar.


Cake featuring the 13th TCS patch that was served at the lunch.

Article from the local newspaper about the visit:

http://daily.lawton-constitution.com/Ol ... w=ZW50aXR5

Regards,

Andy

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WWII Airborne Demonstration Team
www.WWIIADT.org

Those pics of the veterans with the restored aircraft and talking to that young child, that is what it is all about.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager