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

[Lorenzo_l]

Were Blakeslee and Gentile not on good terms prior to this incident ? Or was Gentile show boating when he crashed the plane ? I’m just trying to figure out why Blakeslee wanted him out of the 4th when he was such a high scoring ACE . Was it just that they were so competitive that Blaskeslee wanted to eliminate his competition in the group .

Gentile was indeed showboating when he crashed his P-51. Reporters were awaiting his return from a mission and he buzzed the field, albeit a bit too low, and crashed his P-51. Blakeslee was not exactly thrilled with the show...

 

[Smithy]

As we've been talking about Gentile, here's a nice snap...

Don with one of his earlier mounts, the Jug "Donnie Boy". I've got the Tamiya 1/48 razorback Jug which I'm doing as this, although I haven't done any modelling for the best part of a year now. Really should pull my finger out as it's a lovely kit.

 

[Smithy]

...just realised the damn photo has cocked out. Here we go this should work...

 

[B-Man2]

...just realised the damn photo has cocked out. Here we go this should work...

Tim
I always thought that was a great fighter group patch. A great symbolic design from the guys that were ex eagle squadron members wasn’t it ?

 

[Smithy]

Tim
I always thought that was a great fighter group patch. A great symbolic design from the guys that were ex eagle squadron members wasn’t it ?

Spot on Burt. Obviously the 4th were established with the transfer of the three RAF Eagle Sqns to US service in 1942. Hence the association of the 4th with the eagle - although eventually post war the boxing eagle became specifically associated with 334 Sqn. During the war though it was the unofficial "mascot" of the entire 4th.

 

[B-Man2]

Spot on Burt. Obviously the 4th were established with the transfer of the three RAF Eagle Sqns to US service in 1942. Hence the association of the 4th with the eagle - although eventually post war the boxing eagle became specifically associated with 334 Sqn. During the war though it was the unofficial "mascot" of the entire 4th.

You’ve just made up my mind for me . I need to get one of those patches in painted leather and aged a bit .

 

[Smithy]

You’ve just made up my mind for me . I need to get one of those patches in painted leather and aged a bit .

I've actually made the stencils so I can stencil it on one of my B-10s and my AN-6505-1 bag.

If you want the files to have a crack at stencilling it just say the word old boy.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

...just realised the damn photo has cocked out. Here we go this should work...

A classic and great photo. And it also provides a good reference of how humongous the PW R-2800 radial engine on the P-47 is.

 

[Smithy]

A classic and great photo. And it also provides a good reference of how humongous the PW R-2800 radial engine on the P-47 is.

The old hands of the 4th who had transferred from the Eagles were absolutely appalled to be going from the Spit to the Jug. Whilst it's probably a stretch to say that they ended up loving it more than the Spit, most of them grew to have a great respect for it. Blakeslee though was never really a fan, that's why he nagged the top brass to get P-51Bs, and which he called his "long range Spitfire"

I've got a soft spot for the Jug. It's a pugnacious looking thing.

 

[B-Man2]

I've actually made the stencils so I can stencil it on one of my B-10s and my AN-6505-1 bag.

If you want the files to have a crack at stencilling it just say the word old boy.

Hey buddy
I deeply appreciate your offer, but when my mom was giving me my final check out ride during the last month of her pregnancy, just before I bailed out into this strange new world, I opted for a sense of humor over any kind of artistic talent.
Unfortunately ........ I got neither !

 

[Smithy]

Hey buddy
I deeply appreciate your offer, but when my mom was giving me my final check out ride during the last month of her pregnancy, just before I bailed out into this new strange world, I opted for a sense of humor over any kind of artistic talent.
Unfortunately ........ I got neither !

I understand although stencilling isn't terribly difficult. I picked up some natural leather which I'm going to stencil for the B-10 patch. If you want I can stencil one for you at the same time I'm doing mine. Doing two is the same as doing one.

Seriously no drama and happy to do it if you want one too.

 

[B-Man2]

I understand although stencilling isn't terribly difficult. I picked up some natural leather which I'm going to stencil for the B-10 patch. If you want I can stencil one for you at the same time I'm doing mine. Doing two is the same as doing one.

Seriously no drama and happy to do it if you want one too.

I’d be crazy not to accept that generous offer Tim . Please let me know if I can contribute to the costs of the materials .

 

[Smithy]

I’d be crazy not to accept that generous offer Tim . Please let me know if I can contribute to the costs of the materials .

Don't worry Burt, nothing needed this end, I've got the paint, leather and the stencil artwork made.

I'll send you a PM and see if you're happy with the artwork (I'm using a design from about 43) and the size.

 

[B-Man2]

Don't worry Burt, nothing needed this end, I've got the paint, leather and the stencil artwork made.

I'll send you a PM and see if you're happy with the artwork (I'm using a design from about 43) and the size.

Sounds good ... we haven’t chatted a a long time . Talk to you soon .
Cheers Mate!

 

[Lorenzo_l]

The old hands of the 4th who had transferred from the Eagles were absolutely appalled to be going from the Spit to the Jug. Whilst it's probably a stretch to say that they ended up loving it more than the Spit, most of them grew to have a great respect for it. Blakeslee though was never really a fan, that's why he nagged the top brass to get P-51Bs, and which he called his "long range Spitfire"

I've got a soft spot for the Jug. It's a pugnacious looking thing.

The Jug's ability to absorb punishment in combat and still bring its pilots back home is legendary. 56th FG's Robert Johnson had a nearly fatal encounter with german fighters on June 26, 1943 - Johnson's Jug was already damaged from a previous dogfight on that mission and johnson himself was wounded when he was bounced by a german fighter who spent all of his remaining ammo on his plane yet was not able to shoot him down. Johnson's Jug delivered him back to England, wounded, but in one piece.

 

[Smithy]

The Jug's ability to absorb punishment in combat and still bring its pilots back home is legendary. 56th FG's Robert Johnson had a nearly fatal encounter with german fighters on June 26, 1943 - Johnson's Jug was already damaged from a previous dogfight on that mission and johnson himself was wounded when he was bounced by a german fighter who spent all of his remaining ammo on his plane yet was not able to shoot him down. Johnson's Jug delivered him back to England, wounded, but on one piece.

Yup that chapter in "Thunderbolt" is pretty impressive!

 

[Smithy]

Catching some shut eye...

 

[Smithy]

Dude of the Day...

Thomas McDill, an Ohio native, flew with 336. He was shot down and made POW over France on the 25 May 1944 when 336 was part of a target withdrawal show and got into a very large scrap with a horde of 109s and 190s.

 

[Smithy]

Dude of the Day for this fine spring morning...

1lt George Ceglarski of Library, Pa who flew with 335. 2 victories with the 4th and made ace after transferring to the 355th FG.

 

[Smithy]

And here's another one of Ceglarski that I just scanned now from Fry and Ethel's book on the 4th.

Here he is with the first Sweet Stuff. Ceglarski on the left, George Cooley centre and John Kolbe on the right. Both the others are also from 335.

I've left the scan big so click on the image below for larger...