Chuck Yeager

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:55 pm

>
Thanks for the info. I have Aldrich's painting of when Pappy shot down a Hamp over Kahilli airfield. I bought that print from Pappy at Oshkosh back in the 80's, I believe. I liked Aldrich's work, and thought he was a very good painter. What can you tell me about him? Do you know how many paintings he did, when did he pass away? Is he the intel officer you were referring to? Any website's on the internet about Aldrich or his body of work?<

Yes, he is the intel officer. Robert used to work the PX, while setting under the wing of the B-17. I bought several of his postcards, but I was 14 at the time and could not afford a painting. I built a model of a Zero one time and took it out there, He told me what version it was, and how to ID it, and how they did it out in the pacific. On every painting he did, he researched the planes, pilots, markings, time of day, down to the smallest detail.
Robert passed away in the late 80s, and I have tried to research his painting but have not had any luck. He was a heII of a nice guy and I was glad to have met him.

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Jack Frost wrote:

<What's the story about Kawato? I remember reading that he was basically ostracized from the Zero Fighter Pilot's association because he was perceived to be less than honorable due to his tall tales.>

I thought all fighter pilots told tall tales or they wouldn't be real fighter pilots!

Yes, this is true, but when fighter pilots say that another fighter pilot is stretching the truth, then they must be REALLY stretching the truth by a HUGE margin!

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Matt Gunsch wrote:

>
Thanks for the info. I have Aldrich's painting of when Pappy shot down a Hamp over Kahilli airfield. I bought that print from Pappy at Oshkosh back in the 80's, I believe. I liked Aldrich's work, and thought he was a very good painter. What can you tell me about him? Do you know how many paintings he did, when did he pass away? Is he the intel officer you were referring to? Any website's on the internet about Aldrich or his body of work?<

Yes, he is the intel officer. Robert used to work the PX, while setting under the wing of the B-17. I bought several of his postcards, but I was 14 at the time and could not afford a painting. I built a model of a Zero one time and took it out there, He told me what version it was, and how to ID it, and how they did it out in the pacific. On every painting he did, he researched the planes, pilots, markings, time of day, down to the smallest detail.
Robert passed away in the late 80s, and I have tried to research his painting but have not had any luck. He was a heII of a nice guy and I was glad to have met him.

Wow, you're lucky to have met him. Other than the one Pappy print of his that I have, I honestly haven't seen much else. Sounds like he was a neat guy to know.

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