I picked up alot of facts about the C-46 from being around one at the museum. We have had hump pilots visit and spend some misty-eyed tours in "China Doll". It's very moving to see these guys get choked up at the site of something they flew over 50 years ago.
Evenglider, thanks for the help. I would love to read your presentation when you get it done. I cannot get to see it, but unless it is webcast maybe
As for wistyeyed, I do when I see these old birds or even the families of pilots or crews. To think how meny young men never sew there children. That is why I am glad we are saving some of these planes to keep flying.
Evenglider thanks. The TBM, it did a little bit of everything yes? Am I right to say it was one of the first COD. planes? Also did some have extra seats put in the bomb bay?
Well, I will have more info as I write the article. I don't know alot about the Avenger, but have alot of good resource material and personally know a vet that flew one. Frm what I can tell, they were rugged birds.
Evenglider, I like the Memorial Sig, and have seen the film on Bush being fished out. I also read a good book about Chich Jima, not a lot of pilots and crew who were shot down over that rock and were taken prisoner made it back.
Bush Senior spent some time in the water, more then once I think?
John Bradley's son wrote a book about those guys, including the elder Bush called "Flyboys". Its a great book and a sad story about the guys that were shot down and captured.
Thanks on the siggy all. I took the images and put them together in photoshop to make the siggy. I still need to fix it though, as NS has pointed out that the Canadian flag I used is a post 1965 flag. I need to use the one from the time.
I Have a question for you all? What are you thoughts on the war if the Russians cut a peace deal with Hitler before the invasion of Normandy? I was watching a program this morning o the Normandy landings that said Stalin was pritty tiered of the US and England dragging their feet for the second frot
Do you honestly think that Germany would have said "Oh, alright then Stalin peace it is" No, Germany wanted the war with the West to end so they could continue against the Soviet Union.
I believe that when the Germans were nearing Moscow the Russians sent out peace feelers to Hitler who turned them down. If this is true, then as serious mistakes go, that was as big as they get.
There was an interview on our TV about 8-9 months ago and one of the people they interviewed was Stalins translator. He didn't talk to the Germans it was one of his trusted aides, who was shot for treason shortly after. Th implication was that dead men don't tell tales.
I personally agree with Plan_D and dont think Hitler would have accepted it. However had he accepted it and moved his forces to the west to counter the invasion in Normandy. It may have made D-Day look a little different then it did. In the end though I think that Staliln woudl have invaded from the east while Hitler had all his forces in west and chaos would have rained down on Germany from the Russia. For this same reason though I dont think Hitler would have pulled most of his forces from the new borders in the east which in turned would not have changed the outcome of D-Day anyhow.
An interesting book I have is called Fox on the Rhine. It is an alternate history book. In the book the assination attempt on Hitler is successfull. In the ensuing power struggle SS Fuerher Himmler siezes power and quickly sues for peace with the Russians. The Soviets oblige and Himmler places Rommel in command of all Ground Forces of Germany. He pulls the vast majority of his forces back to the west and beats the allies back at Aachen. Himmler also orders mass production of the Me-262's to counter the allied bombers. It is a very interesting book with Rommel surrendering in the end to the allies.