About me
Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:00 pm
Wow! I've been interested in military aircraft since I was born. My older brothers were kids during WWII and I inherited the stuff they collected. We all still have an interest in WWII aircarft and always end up talking about them when we get together. Still have the same interest afeter all these years (I'm now 63!) One of my nephews loves P-47s, so must run in our gene pool.
I work for the State of California as a Training Officer. I retired from the U.S. Army in 1999 at the rank of Lt. Colonel. I am currently in the California State Military Reserve as a Colonel and I am commander of the California Center for Military History. We are responsible for the military history program for the state.
My favorite warbird is the P-38 Lightning and I am a member of the P-38 Assocaition.
Not a pilot (though I took lessons many years ago). I have flown in many military aircraft over the years and have taken rides in AT-6s (one flight over Oahu and Pearl Harbor about 5 years ago) and in May I rode in the Colling's B-24 "Witchcraft" while it here at McClellan Field.
I have attached a picture of me after my B-24 flight. I wore a repro "50 Mission" cap and A-2 jacket for the ride.
Glad to be a member and love reading the posts.
Ken Nielsen
I work for the State of California as a Training Officer. I retired from the U.S. Army in 1999 at the rank of Lt. Colonel. I am currently in the California State Military Reserve as a Colonel and I am commander of the California Center for Military History. We are responsible for the military history program for the state.
My favorite warbird is the P-38 Lightning and I am a member of the P-38 Assocaition.
Not a pilot (though I took lessons many years ago). I have flown in many military aircraft over the years and have taken rides in AT-6s (one flight over Oahu and Pearl Harbor about 5 years ago) and in May I rode in the Colling's B-24 "Witchcraft" while it here at McClellan Field.
I have attached a picture of me after my B-24 flight. I wore a repro "50 Mission" cap and A-2 jacket for the ride.
Glad to be a member and love reading the posts.
Ken Nielsen
Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:13 pm
Welcome to WIX!
I'm sure they said it when you took your ride in the B-24, but thank you again for your financial support to that organization and to others like it out here across the country. Your enthusiasm for the these wonderful airplanes and your dollars spent on the field at at the gate means an awful lot for those of us who want to keep 'em flying for many years to come.
Hopefully this'll be just one of many warbird adventures in months to come to share with us here on this site.
I'm sure they said it when you took your ride in the B-24, but thank you again for your financial support to that organization and to others like it out here across the country. Your enthusiasm for the these wonderful airplanes and your dollars spent on the field at at the gate means an awful lot for those of us who want to keep 'em flying for many years to come.
Hopefully this'll be just one of many warbird adventures in months to come to share with us here on this site.
Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:14 pm
Welcome to WIX Ken.
Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:34 pm
Welcome aboard - you'll become a WIX addict in no time!
Zack
Zack
Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:52 pm
Welcome aboard Ken. We got some P-38 lovers around here. I am sure you fit right in.
Regards
Robbie
Regards
Robbie
Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:14 pm
Welcome Aboard Colonel!
Hope to chat with you often.
Hope to chat with you often.
Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:17 pm
Welcome! I'm also a member of the P-38 National Association.
Enjoy the pic.
Mike
Enjoy the pic.
Mike
Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:17 pm
Mike,
Nice War Maneuvers P-38 shot. Do you have any more like it? Know any background on the circumstances, surroundings, etc...?
Ryan
Nice War Maneuvers P-38 shot. Do you have any more like it? Know any background on the circumstances, surroundings, etc...?
Ryan
sounds like you have all the proper credentials...
Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:36 pm
welcome to the lunatic fringe of general aviation!
????
Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:58 pm
No one likes P-38s. They're just screwing with ya 
Capt Bobbie Corbett 44th FS geared up and ready to go from Ftr 2 to Rabaul.
2Lt Don Schwertly 44th FS and "Tojo's Baby" Philippines 1945
P-38F 94th FS hit in a German air raid Tunisia 1-43
P-38H 20th FG 1943
Capt Bobbie Corbett 44th FS geared up and ready to go from Ftr 2 to Rabaul.
2Lt Don Schwertly 44th FS and "Tojo's Baby" Philippines 1945
P-38F 94th FS hit in a German air raid Tunisia 1-43
P-38H 20th FG 1943
Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:00 pm
RyanShort1 wrote:Mike,
Nice War Maneuvers P-38 shot. Do you have any more like it? Know any background on the circumstances, surroundings, etc...?
Ryan
No info came with the photo's but what I have figured out so far is it's the 27th PS, 1st PG during the Carolina Maneuvers. Likely Columbia,SC. The 27th was the only squadron equipped with P-38's at that time according to Mullins book An Escort of P-38's, 1st FG in WWII.
Mike
Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:02 pm
Some of the guys who would fly the Tokyo Raid were heavily involved in that area...
Ryan
Ryan
Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:09 pm
Welcome to WIX! Thanks for the P-38 photos, fellas! The best looker, indeed. 
Last edited by MattP38 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:13 pm
Welcome to the WIX!
Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:18 pm
MattP38 wrote:Welcome to WIX! Thanks for the P-38 photos, fellas! The best looker, indeed.
Well, to each his own. I like P-38s. too, but...
Ryan