Hello All...I have been a WWII aviation buff since childhood and still have a strong interest in it. I hope to contribute positively to this forum. One of the biggest thrills of my life was flying a North American T-6 years ago out of the Blairstown, NJ airport with North American Top Gun, a company apparently out of business. I took the controls for about ten minutes, and it was an amazing experience. I was also close friends with a gentleman named Bill Hendrian, who flew Thunderbolts and then Mustangs with the 352nd Fighter Group, the Bluenose Bastards of Bodney. Bill told me some stories about his days in WWII, but like most combat vets, he would only say so much and then change the subject. Bill was officially credited with 4.5 kills, but his real score was 7. He unselfishly gave a couple away to a wingman. He sadly passed away a few years ago. I also have some of his gun camera footage and his log book, which chronicles his first flight in a biplane trainer to his last mission in Europe. Bill survived two midair collisions and over 80 sorties and came through without a physical scratch. He suffered from PTSD at various points in his life. I am planning on writing a book about Bill and his life with the cooperation of his children.
Last edited: