Paul Tibbets has passed

[Second Air Force]

Sasnak,

I'm glad to hear that Lieutenant Jeppsen is still doing well-I had neglected to consider the weapons specialists when I made my last post.

Scott

[Tigercat]

I am saddened by the passing of Mr. Tibbets. To me he is a hero as are all those who have fought for our country in the armed services. I am a big supporter of the Enola Gay and her mission both then and now.

I was at the National Aviation Hall of Fame awards banquet at the Air Force Museum in Dayton a few years ago and Mr. Tibbets was there. After the dinner he was standing by Bocks Car with his manager who held a microphone so Mr. Tibbets could hear the questions being asked as he was hard of hearing.

I listened to him talking to a gentleman and he mentioned that he had flown the B-25 quite a lot. Since I was flying the B-25 Old Glory at the time, and I knew the owner would certainly like the idea, I thought why not offer him a chance to fly this great Warbird or at least to fly in it.

I introduced myself to him and said that we have a beautiful B-25 and if he would like to go flying with us we would be honored to have him sit in the left seat or anywhere else that he might like.

Mr. Tibbets response was “THAT GOD DAMNED B-25 IS WHAT ROBBED ME OF MY HEARING! I NEVER WANT TO FLY IN ONE OF THOSE AGAIN!”

Even though my own hearing has also been greatly reduced because of my B-25 and Twin Beech time I certainly heard him loud and clear. I apologized and tried to retreat as best I could with my tail stuck so far…well you know where…

And that is my brush with greatness with Mr. Tibbets

May you rest in peace Mr Tibbets. Thank you for what you did for our country!

Hey Taigh,

That is interesting to hear that story about Gen. Tibbets and the B-25.

I was at the Aurora, OR airport last June when the Collings Foundation birds were there. At one point I was standing next to Witchcraft taking some photos of the nose. I happened to have on my A-2 jacket with a 44th Bomb Group patch on it (Flying Eightballs).

A older gentleman came up and introduced himself as George Insley, a former B-24 aircraft commander with the 44th BG who served with two squadrons in the 44th.......the 66th BS and the 506th BS.

I noticed he had hearing aids and was struggling to hear questions that some people were asking. As I remember, he mentioned racking up a number of hours in the left seat of a B-25 as well as the B-24.

Those darn Mitchells seem to have a history of trashing people's hearing......at least in the days before David Clark headsets.


Ted

[mustangdriver]

He also led the first B-17 bombing raid in Europe.

[Airlift48]

Jase,

This is the best I can do, of the pictures that I have.

You, me, Tim and General Tibbets.



Thanks for the contact info...

Kevin

[strafer]

BTW, on August 17, 1942, i.e. three years before dropping the atomic bomb, Paul Tibbets (then Major) was the pilot of the leading B-17 bomber on the very first raid of the 8th Air Force in ETO.
Regards, Filip

[APG85]

I took this picture in October 1983. I'm glad the General got to see his plane fully restored...

[Tim Landers]

I had the pleasure of hosting Paul Tibbets at an autograph event a couple of years ago, and he was very gracious. Here is a pic of our guests after dinner. It is sad we are losing our vets.
L-R Tex Hill, Paul Tibbets, myself, Pete Konduros, Dick Cole


Tim