Ferrari Mailing List: old times flying in their warbirds

[Doug & Terri (dnt]

Rick notes “Still owned and flown by old timers . . . . Almost Clyde's age!!

 

Geezers flying in to display warbirds and even give rides to the public - -

Even older than cLYdE?

Nawww

Ah ah ah

 

BUT – that said – even tho the geezers donate time and money to refurbish those oh so rare now warbirds here’s what I’d like to see . . .

 

Go to a group of young guys (or girls and I’ll tell you why in a moment) 17 to 21 years old.  Dress them up in WWII AAF flying togs.  School them quickly about THAT airplane and give the public a realistic view of WHO and HOW YOUNG those kid fliers were that saved our bacon.

 

Oh yeah, what about the girls?  They weren’t all Rosie the Riveter.  About 1,000 or more girls, cause that’s what they were – WASP youngsters – ferried our bombers and fighters to the various fronts.  I believe the Enola Gay was ferried to Tinian by a female crew. WASP?  Women Airforce Service Program.

 

The public should know how young these kids were and the casualty rate – horrific.

 

“. . . . a total of 75,446 airmen (60 percent of operational airmen) were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.”

 

Thass all . . . that’s a lot.

 

Onward

Doug