Iwo Jima and aircraft

[RyanShort1]

Does anyone know of a good book that covers aviation on, at, and associated with Iwo Jima?
I would especially like to find more information on the 10-20 something L-5s based there during the battle, as well as more information and pictures of the P-51s.
Another unusual topic that I would like to find out more about is 2 TBMs and 2 C-47s that were used for spraying operations during the battle. I don't believe that they were actually based on the island, but were involved in spraying DDT during the operations.
Some folks I work with are doing a film on two Iwo Jima vets and while doing research to help them and also getting ready for the big commemoration in Fredericksburg, TX this weekend I've run across some interesting tidbits that leave me wondering what else of this story is out there waiting to be told.

Ryan

[Pat Carry]

Ryan, If you are going to the Iwo Jima event at the Natl Museum of the Pacific War could you give us a report about the festivities?

[RyanShort1]

Will try to do so but it may take me a week or so to recover! It looks to be HUGE!

Ryan

[Dan Johnson II]

Does anyone know of a good book that covers aviation on, at, and associated with Iwo Jima?
I would especially like to find more information on the 10-20 something L-5s based there during the battle, as well as more information and pictures of the P-51s.
Another unusual topic that I would like to find out more about is 2 TBMs and 2 C-47s that were used for spraying operations during the battle. I don't believe that they were actually based on the island, but were involved in spraying DDT during the operations.
Some folks I work with are doing a film on two Iwo Jima vets and while doing research to help them and also getting ready for the big commemoration in Fredericksburg, TX this weekend I've run across some interesting tidbits that leave me wondering what else of this story is out there waiting to be told.

Ryan

John Lambart's "The Long Campaign" about the 15th Fighter Group has a lot on their Iwo time and a lot of images of their 51s.

78th FS, 15th FG pilot Jerry Yellin wrote a book about his fighter pilot experience and postwar experience called "Of war and weddings". He spends a fair amount of time on his Iwo experience too.

Having spent time learning more about those guys and the 506th FG P51s, I'm fairly convinced that the escort job those 51 drivers did on those VLR missions was probably the toughest escort mission flown by a 51.

Dan

[Swiss Mustangs]

Ryan

please drop me a line (email martin[at]swissmustangs.ch - replace [at] with @

I have many original photos and much more stoff on the Iwo Jima P-51's
Could send you a CD crammed with material.

Cordially
Martin / Swiss Mustangs
http://www.swissmustangs.ch

[RyanShort1]

Related to this topic, does anyone on the message board know someone in warbirds by the name of Cliff Heathcoat?

Ryan

[RyanShort1]

Nevermind. I found him... also found out that at least one of the Stinson OY-1s that spotted over Iwo Jima is still in existance and flying!

Ryan