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[mockingbird812]

Boy, this thread took a neat turn. Just happened to look in again. CE "Bud" Anderson is the father of a friend of mine whom I have had the fortune, on more than one occasion, to hear recount his tales of glory from WWII. Bud Anderson piloted "Old Crow" and is a triple ace (16 and 1/4 kills) and Chuck Yeager was his wingman in Europe. Bud is truly a great American. He has a terrific web site:

Col. C.E."Bud" Anderson



To hear him relive his engagements is truly a thrill. He says he can close his eyes and still see each and every detail of each of his kills.



Also, if you are into this sort of thing, pick up his book. A great read:

[mockingbird812]

This is one of my favorite stories of his:



"Can't Talk, Gotta Shoot" by Dan Zoernig

July 7, 1944. Capt. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson slides in behind a trio of ME 109s flying in perfect formation, seemingly oblivious to the huge armada of bombers and fighters in the vicinity. 357TH Fighter Group leader Tommy Hayes, spoiling for action, calls out on the radio, "Andy! Where are you?" Focused on the business at hand, Anderson replies, "Can't talk now...Gotta shoot." As he triggers his guns, the mike is still keyed, and everyone hears the rattle of his quad .50s. Above, Old Crow gets good strikes all over the target, bringing Anderson's total claims to 12 1/4 in the air.


Talk about cool professionalism!

[SS427]

I was sitting at the dinner table one day when I heard a roar outside. Upon looking out my patio door, this was the image I saw coming at me (before the land was developed). It was owned by a Dentist out of Wisconsin and was buzzing the house.
Rick

[mockingbird812]

A thunderous cacophony of sweet music!

[PeteLeathersac]

Wow....all of it! . Great stories also love those D-day paint stripes! . One of the stories I always liked best is of the boys coming up beside the German flying bombs and getting a wing under them to knock the gyro off and crash them....pretty delicate work!
Where's some Bomber pics....I'm not computer savy enough to drag any here?
Salute to all the Vets! ~ Pete

[427TJ]

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Note the whitewall tires! Anderson's WWII airplane had them too. Talk about attention to detail. Those Warbird restorers are as bad as some of the musclecar restorers here!

[427TJ]

Sam, I got to see Bud and Chuck Yeager fly at the Nellis AFB 50th anniversary of the US Air Force airshow in 1997. I was still in the Air Force and flew a Beechjet T-1A trainer in for the show. Bud Anderson and Chuck Yeager flew borrowed P-51D Mustangs painted in their own WWII markings and it was really something to see and even more to comprehend.

I've also seen a recent photo of Bud Anderson flying a P-51 over his old base in England. I'll have to try and find that and post it. Think of it: flying your old fighter over your old base 60 years later. It boggles the mind.

Here's a couple photos of my buddy flying an F8F Bearcat near Chino, CA a couple of years ago. My buddy flies the Bearcat, that Mustang and a P-40 Warhawk for the owner, who is seen here flying the '51. The owner has a Spitfire XVI (high back) being restored in New Zealand and last I'd heard the Spit is still about a year away from its first flight. I've sat in the Bearcat, '51 and P-40 and it sends chills through you. One of these days I'll go for a ride but my kids are still under 10 and I don't want to risk my life just yet. The airplanes are very well-maintained but they're still 60 years old. I'll go up one of these days.

[427TJ]

Speaking of Chuck Yeager, here he is getting out of his A-bone coupe at Edwards AFB back in the sound-barrier heyday. Looks like a Deuce roadster or cabriolet in the background.

[PeteLeathersac]

Bill, awesome pics and stories! . That pic of Yeager is priceless....just arriving for another boring day at the office, not! . Looks like someone's just told him his mission for the day and he's thinking of getting back into the car....you're gonna' drop me in the X1 from another bird and whaaat?? . As a single parent w/ youngsters I understand your concerns w/ the kids....but I'd sure love to get up in a few of these if I get the chance and while it's all still possible to do so? . Been thinking maybe I can break the lads away from the hockey/lacrosse action some weekend and take them on a sortie in that Lancaster bomber that's still flying up here in Canada....gotta' plant a few seeds while the ground is fertile? ~ Pete

[hvychev]

Hey great thread guys! Every time I see pics like this it reminds me of my grand father Emil Strnad from Cicero, IL. He was a Beach Head on D-Day and I am sure that he saw these babies fly over his head that day!