I had the honor to take Archie Maltbie, a 365th FG P-47 pilot in WW2 up in a T-6 this past weekend (On D-day!). He hadn't been in a T-6 since 1943, but he still flew it like a champ! It got even better when we had a short P-51 escort during our flight.

Archie was part of the "HellHawks" squadron, had 2 confirmed aerial kills, earned a distinguished flying cross, was shot down and evaded capture during his 100+ missions.

At 86, he's a heck of a guy and a true legend. These guys are getting even fewer and far between these days, and I feel privileged I could make his day.

Chris

Good on you Chris for taking a vet up for one last time. I bet that put a smile on his face that you couldn't wipe off for a large sum of money, and he appreciates it more than words can express.

Man I hope I look that good at 86.
Good on ya

Great job Chris, I bet he was still able to teach you a few things!

There is a book out called " Hell Hawks!' by Dorr and Jones. I haven't had a chance to read it yet and Mr.Maltbie is referenced several times in the index. Might be a good read now that you have actually met one of them!

Cheers

Mongo wrote:Man I hope I look that good at 86.
Good on ya

Yeah, I've noticed most of those WWII era aviators look and act better then their contempories, not wearing glasses etc. Most are pretty hard of hearing though, wonder why??! These guys were and are a cut above.... and I am now wondering why I have not offered to take friend Jim up for a flight....(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai7X3ILh-Os) maybe I'm afraid I'll blow the landing or it'll remind him of what he's missing or something, mostly the later I think.

New mission, take Jim up ASAP, (he's 89 I think), out of Lava Hot Springs, a nearby grass strip no less. I won't subject him to landing in his driveway I'll report back.

Good job sticknrudder!

I'd second the "Good on you" stickandrudder. I recently have had the priviledge of meeting a fellow near here who was a TBM pilot in WW II, and after being credited with sinking a Japanese cruiser, was awarded the Navy Cross, this nation's second highest medal of valor.

He hasn't flown much since the war, but he's 89 and spry as can be, and sharp as a tack. I'm going to try to get him in an airplane shortly if at all possible. He's quite a guy. And, I can only dream of being that healthy at his age.

MTV

Excellent, thanks for sharing!

gb

Awesome!! Your right they are getting few and far in between. It kills me to think that my 8 mos old little girl probably won't ever get to meet a WWII vet. While I repect all the vets the same if it was not for those guys we'd all likely not be speaking English right now. I was at an Airshow yesterday and there was a T-6 flying around all day... there's just nothing like the sound of a big radial.

bocephus wrote:There is a book out called " Hell Hawks!' by Dorr and Jones. I haven't had a chance to read it yet and Mr.Maltbie is referenced several times in the index. Might be a good read now that you have actually met one of them!

Cheers

I actually read it before taking him up, and made sure I brought it for him to sign! The stories in the book are great, and hearing it from him first hand is even better.

Thanks everyone.

Chris