Bob Gruenhagen passed away at 8pm January 15th

[drgondog]

Colonel Robert W. Gruenhagen - USAF Ret'd lost his fight with cancer. One of the last acts of this long time friend was to proof read my new book. He was surrounded by three generations of family.

We have lost a massive aviation encyclopedia (not just the Mustang) of knowledge and experience.

I will miss him and his counsel very much.

 

[tomo pauk]

Sad news. Rest in peace.

 

[SaparotRob]

Colonel Robert W. Gruenhagen - USAF Ret'd lost his fight with cancer. One of the last acts of this long time friend was to proof read my new book. He was surrounded by three generations of family.

We have lost a massive aviation encyclopedia (not just the Mustang) of knowledge and experience.

I will miss him and his counsel very much.

 

[Snautzer01]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

My condolences, brotha,

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

My condolences Bill.

RIP Colonel.

 

[Wurger]

RIP.

 

[Gnomey]

 

[Mustangtmg]

Colonel Robert W. Gruenhagen - USAF Ret'd lost his fight with cancer. One of the last acts of this long time friend was to proof read my new book. He was surrounded by three generations of family.

We have lost a massive aviation encyclopedia (not just the Mustang) of knowledge and experience.

I will miss him and his counsel very much.

I never met Col. Gruenhagen, Bill, but ONLY ONE of the things that "stands out" in his famous book is that, the first edition came out at a time when most - in fact, nearly ALL - books on the Mustang were waaay less than, maybe, 80% correct, in almost EVERY "area" of the "Mustang story." Gruenhagen's book, which came out about 50 yrs ago (my copy is from 1986, I believe) Is OVER 95% (I've read that figure, and I believe it) correct.

I won't name all the Mustang books that I have on my over-capacity set of library shelves, but the vast majority of the ones published before your "P-51B Bastard book" came out, all "sprout" the corners of sticky notes sticking out on pages with absolutely wrong info, and also, pages with lesser errors occasionally have the same kind of "tabs" from sticky notes. Your "P-51B ... Bastard" book, is ALSO full of same kind of "tabs," but those tabs mark parts of the book that I refer to often when I'm refuting "fake news" on FB posts, etc.

But, I digress. I know that Bob Gruenhagen cannot be "replaced" by anyone, but we're know that you're doing a good job of "filling his shoes."

We also know, that if you want any kind of "help" (as if you really need it!), there are a number of us who are waiting to hear from you.

Keep the faith, my friend.

Tom

 

[fubar57]

Sorry to hear of your loss Bill.

 

[Airframes]

 

[GrumpyOldCrewChief]

 

[Viking1066]

My condolences

 

[cvairwerks]

Hadn't seen anything about the Col. in years. He used to pop into our hangar at Fox51 every so often and talk and play Mustangs with the boss. So many of the greats that I got to meet and spend time with there are gone now.
Blue skies and CAVU Col.

 

[jetcal1]

 

[MIflyer]

His book on the P-51 was the best one around for literally decades. I think I got my copy around 1976. And it was just about the only book that covered many details until fairly recently. It also really showed the way for all really detailed books on aircraft.

Here is one of my favorite pictures from his book. Good job, sir!