Some of the 4th FG and a lot of A-2s

[Smithy]

Dude of the Day...

Capt Herbert Blanchfield of 334 Sqn pictured with the Don Allen painted nose art on his P-47C (41-6187, QP-E)

 

[Greg Gale]

More from the 352nd:

Is it the famous internal pocket stitching that's visible on this one?

Captain John F. Thornell of the 328th Fighter Squadron

 

[Brettafett]

I'd say so Greg...

 

[Smithy]

Greg, none of those Blue Nosed Bastards round here

Dude of the Day...

Digger Williams and Duke of 334 Sqn

 

[Cocker]

Smithy, do you remember who was Duke's owner before Kidd Hofer?

 

[Smithy]

I'll have to have a dig in my books as I'm not sure. Technically Duke was the mascot of 334, Deacon had him after Kidd was KIA but for some reason I have a feeling Deacon might have been the one who looked after Duke the most before Kidd as well.

 

[johnwayne]

Liking Digger's boots, don't look 'general issue' almost looking black but then the trousers look pretty dark too! Handsome German Shepherd you wouldn't want to get chased by either!!

 

[Smithy]

Handsome German Shepherd you wouldn't want to get chased by either!!

Duke was pretty rough and tumble by all accounts and also difficult to control although everybody loved him - probably much like his caretaker Kidd Hofer!

 

[Smithy]

Smithy, do you remember who was Duke's owner before Kidd Hofer?

Just had a look and according to Goody, Digger was Duke's "owner" before the Kidd.

 

[Smithy]

Just had to put this in here too, great pic of the Kidd and Duke...

 

[Cocker]

Duke was pretty rough and tumble by all accounts and also difficult to control although everybody loved him - probably much like his caretaker Kidd Hofer!

Loved the story in Goodson's book where he tells about Duke and the Kidd rolling over and rumbling together on the ground. This is, for me, amongst the prime examples showing how these fighter pilots were still kids, for most part of them.

 

[Smithy]

Too true Cèdric, the Kidd really was only a kid, sadly just 23 when he was shot down.

I want to pick up a copy of Troy White's book on him (Troy wrote "Adventures of the 4th") but boy when copies pop up they're bloody pricey!

 

[Cocker]

Too true Cèdric, the Kidd really was only a kid, sadly just 23 when he was shot down.

I want to pick up a copy of Troy White's book on him (Troy wrote "Adventures of the 4th") but boy when copies pop up they're bloody pricey!

Seems available here for 65USD! http://www.starduststudios.com/kidd-hofer---last-of-the-screwball-aces.html

 

[Smithy]

Mate I owe you a beer, I thought it was entirely out of print. Just sent Troy an email about price of postage to the frozen north.

 

[Cocker]

Mate I owe you a beer, I thought it was entirely out of print. Just sent Troy an email about price of postage to the frozen north.

This, I won't forget! :-D

It may be the next one on my list, still a bit steep for me at 65UD, but I'd really like to know more about this character!

 

[Smithy]

Cèdric, I'm planning on going to Flying Legends next year so how about coming along (and I can shout you that beer ! ). I think Greg and Brett are planning on going, and obviously Andrew and Steve will be there as well as others. Might have to make it a bit of a VLJ shindig!

 

[Cocker]

Sounds like a good idea! I'm planning to go to Duxford next year too, been too long since last time I went there. Will have to check with work schedule/holiday of the little one, and so on...

 

[Brettafett]

Duke was a good P-51 pilot also. Apparently he would take Kidd Hofer up sometimes and do some aerobatics...

 

[Greg Gale]

Some very old and poor quality films about life at Debden:

 

[Brettafett]

Cool, will watch later! Thanks.