ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
The calling is still there. Lots of 'crazy times' still going on. A-10s, A-29s and MQ-9s are carving it up!!
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Some of the 4th FG and a lot of A-2s
- Thread starter Smithy
- Start date
The calling is still there. Lots of 'crazy times' still going on. A-10s, A-29s and MQ-9s are carving it up!!
Smithy
Well-Known Member
I actually posted this photo earlier in this thread Brett but no problem it's one of my favourite images of one of my favourite members of the 4th ;-)
This photo is taken just after Don has returned to Debden after getting seriously clobbered by 190s over France on the 7th January 1994, Goody had to actually save him. His Jug was spewing oil - you can see it over his Mae West and A-2, and when it arrived back it had 71 bullet and cannon holes in it!
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Well spotted Greg! The usual description for this photo in several books is the 7th January but because of your eagle eyes it can't be. And the Mustang behind Blakeslee is 43-6437, his usual mount in early 1944. He's obviously still using the same oil soaked Mae West - must've stank but Don obviously didn't care.
There's the possibility that the photo is from the series which were taken on the auspicious occasion of the 4th's first mission to Berlin. This was obviously a big day and there were a bunch of photos taken of Blakeslee landing and talking with his crew chief and ground crew so there's the possibility it's part of this collection. He looks pretty bushed in the photo which he was after the first Berlin do.
Brettafett
Well-Known Member
Wow, some good info there guys!
ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
Shhh. We get the info here without having to pay for it!
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Dude of the Day...
I think we've had this guy before but not this image, and although there's no A-2, I wanted to post it because i find it very haunting.
This is Capt Don Emerson of 336 Sqn. Don was a Minnesota native with a very big heart and consequently an extremely popular member of the 4th. On his last mission he single-handedly engaged six Me109s, downing two of them but being damaged in the process. Trying to run for home at zero feet he was hit by ground fire and his P-51 crashed killing him.
The photo below was taken immediately after he had landed from a mission. The strain of combat clearly evident on his face.
I think we've had this guy before but not this image, and although there's no A-2, I wanted to post it because i find it very haunting.
This is Capt Don Emerson of 336 Sqn. Don was a Minnesota native with a very big heart and consequently an extremely popular member of the 4th. On his last mission he single-handedly engaged six Me109s, downing two of them but being damaged in the process. Trying to run for home at zero feet he was hit by ground fire and his P-51 crashed killing him.
The photo below was taken immediately after he had landed from a mission. The strain of combat clearly evident on his face.
ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
Vivid pic.... The last thing he would have wanted was someone in his face straight away.
The Afghan Air Force crews often walked in with expressions on their faces. We tallied up the totals over our rotation. Million plus pounds of cargo, 18K pax, 610 WIA and 449 KIA through our tail numbers between Jan1 and Jul 13.
These guys are flying pretty much daily... 12 hours +. In 110 degrees. Ramadan would have been rough.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
I agree Couchy. the poor bugger has literally just landed and somebody has snapped him. Saying that for a photographic depiction of post combat affects it's a damn good snap.
By this stage when this was taken the 4th were flying bomber escort deep into Germany (so a long time flying), then had to tussle with the intercepting fighter defences, and then on the way home were usually expected to attack aerodromes and significant ground targets of opportunity. He's earned his slug of whiskey and a day's combat pay after that one.
Cocker
Well-Known Member
@ausreenactor , welcome home mate, and thanks for your service!! Glad you made it without a scratch!
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Dudes of the Day..
As anyone who has followed this thread will know, one of my favourite 4th FG pilots is Don Blakeslee. In the photo below that's him on the right, and in terms of other A-2s that's Capt Halsey on the left. The lovely lady in the middle is the Duchess of Kent.
As anyone who has followed this thread will know, one of my favourite 4th FG pilots is Don Blakeslee. In the photo below that's him on the right, and in terms of other A-2s that's Capt Halsey on the left. The lovely lady in the middle is the Duchess of Kent.
Bombing IP
Well-Known Member
Duchess looks ready for a funeral service / or into Goth .
BIP
BIP
Smithy
Well-Known Member
That's because her husband was killed a year before serving in the RAF.
Brettafett
Well-Known Member
Amazing pics Tim! Keep em coming...
