Harrison “Bud” Tordoff heading west tribute on 8/23/08

[262crew]

UPDATED Fly Day P-51 & Bf 109 with a special tribute to the late Harrison “Bud” Tordoff
Come watch our North American P-51D Mustang and Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Emil take to the sky. During the event, FHC will also pay tribute to the late Harrison “Bud” Tordoff, who served as the original pilot of the museum's “Mustang” during World War II. A formation of three P-51s will fly in a “missing man” formation in his honor on Saturday. Captain Tordoff, who passed away last month, was a good friend to FHC, and is featured prominently on our Web site and on in our oral history archives. Fly Days will begin approximately 12- noon. Timing may be modified slightly due to technical issues and/or other air traffic at Paine Field.

[Jack Cook]

Wish I could be there!

1Lt Bud Tordoff RIP

[262crew]

Great picture Jack, wonder if FHC has a copy?

[Jack Cook]

Don't know.
I sent them a email once and offered photos and information and they never replied.

[Chicoartist]

I've got that same pic of Bud in my files. Always wondered if that was 'Upupa' behind him. I've got a few 353rd books (including the excellent Jonah's Feet are Dry), and I haven't yet seen a pic of Upupa Epops in her combat days. Jack?

Wade

[Jack Cook]

This is the only one I have and I'm thinking it's a earlier a/c.
Peter Randall I think has a few.

[262crew]

Don't know.
I sent them a email once and offered photos and information and they never replied.

I can ask while I'm there if they would be interested, but remember its a major bureaucracy!

[Chicoartist]

I sent them a email once and offered photos and information and they never replied.

Same here. A long time ago I asked someone there to shoot 'walk-around' pics of the ship for my use one day in a painting ... no reply.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago. I visited the museum and shot my own dampics!

Wade

[spookythecat]

I guess i've been busy lately as I completely missed hearing of Bud's passing. I've been planning on checking out tomorrows fly day and it sounds like the weather will be very cooperative. Are there still alot of people showing up for them or has it dwindled some since the opening?

[262crew]

I guess i've been busy lately as I completely missed hearing of Bud's passing. I've been planning on checking out tomorrows fly day and it sounds like the weather will be very cooperative. Are there still alot of people showing up for them or has it dwindled some since the opening?

It seems like there is more people every event weekend, however I avoid the crowds by using our ramp.

[richkolasa]

Godspeed and thank you, Mr. Tordoff.

Rich

[Hal B]

Sorry to hear of his passing. I just met him at the pre-grand opening in June.

[Taigh Ramey]

I talked to Mr. Tordoff several times on the phone while doing research for FHC. I never had the honor of meeting him in person and I am saddened to learn of his passing.

I found a few things on Bud at National Archives.





I even came across some of his gun camera footage which was copied and should be in with all of the other material I delivered to FHC years ago. I sure hope it is not lost.

Westpac Restorations did a wonderful job restoring Bud's Mustang. I am glad that he was able to see it and sit in her once again.

Thank you Mr. Tordoff for what you did for our country and the rest of the free world. We certainly owe you and your Brothers and sisters a great debt of gratitude.

You truly were a part of the Greatest Generation.

[Jack Cook]

From Jim Sterling's great site!!! No, you don't have to join
[url]web-birds.com[/url]

[Chicoartist]

Thx for finding that, Jack - one of the main reasons I was interested in seeing a WWII-era shot was to hopefully settle (in my own mind) the red vs. yellow "UPUPA EPOPS" lettering question. The restoration first had yellow name lettering as you recall. I guess either Bud/Bud's pics or pics like this got them to change to red. Tonally, appears to not be yellow in this shot.

Wade