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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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PostPosted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:09 pm 
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Just saw on the news that Bill Anders went down just before noon in his T-34.
I had 2 encounters with Bill, first we were in a flight together of 5 P-51s and a Spitfire, Bill had just got his formation patch so he could fly at Oshkosh. I was in the back seat of Bill Greenwood's Spitfire, we were in the slot of a V of 51s, Bill was off our Rt wing, the next time was at Nellis AFB for the AF 50th. the WWII planes were not flying until the afternoon and all my birds were ready (5 AT-6 Texans), we were parked in front of the WWII fighters. I saw Bill sitting under the wing of Val Halla, his P-51. I grabbed my backpack and started walking his directions and he saw me and pointed at the ground next to him. We sat the and just shot the sugar for 30 minutes or more. I remembered I had my logbook with me and took it out and Bill saw it, I said Bill, I feel like a idiot asking, but will you sign my logbook? he snatched it out of my hand, found a clear spot and signed it. I later found out that he rarely signed any autographs.
Blue Skies Bill.

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:28 pm 
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That's a terrifically sad notification for me to find when logging in, but I want to say thank you for writing such a nice one. He was one of my favorite Apollo-era astronauts (although I think most of them were!).

Ad Astra Bill Anders

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:56 pm 
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Wow, still flying at 90..

Blue skies,
Phil

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:13 pm 
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Blue Skies sir...


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:20 pm 
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Shocking news.

I can't add anything to the plaudits and tributes he will receive from around the world, but allow me to point out his lesser known warbird activities.

He founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington north of Seattle.
The collection includes a neat postwar arctic-marked Mustang, "Tora" Zero, Skyraider and a host of trainers and liaison and utility types.

One thing that impressed me was he rescued a F-89 when it was released from a Montana trade school. His group travelled several hundred miles to disassemble and return the ship. The work was mentioned here.

I was told by his son Greg that he wanted to preserve the now (fairly) rare aircraft because he flew them early in his Air Force career. Clearly he appreciated aviation history to take the time (and bear the expense) of saving a relatively obscure type.

Condolences to Greg, his family and friends.

RIP, Sir.

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 6:11 am 
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Another legend passes.
Sincerest condolences to family and friends.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 7:57 am 
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I've known the Anders for years and, Greg and Allen sorry for your loss, your father was a hero.

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 9:35 am 
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RIP :'(

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