The Eagles Of Debden

[Jack Cook]

335th Fighter Squadron Pilots.........

1Lt Zach Sensibach

1Lt Leon Daily

1Lt Nick Vozzy

1Lt Hugh Lindsay

1Lt George Green rescuer of Pierce McKennon

1Lt Chuck Brock

1Lt Bob Cooper

Capt Don Perkins

Capt Bob Mabie

[daveymac82c]

Hey Jack,

Great pictures! I really like the hero shots, and seeing them in colour is awesome. Seeing their faces really makes me wonder what they were like and what they felt each time they climbed into their planes.

Not to be morbid, but how did those young men fair in the war?

-David

[Chicoartist]

Gr8 stuff, Jack! I have a couple of those, along with some other color 335th FS, but compared to 334 and 336, my 335 collection is rather lacking. I did get some ultra-rare shots from a client who's father was a crew chief (and a shutterbug) with 335. Don't see a lot of good unposed 'mech-centered' shots relatively speaking unless the mechanics themselves had cameras, so those are real gems.

Glesner Weckbacker, a chief with 336, had a *TON* of pure gold shots, all with detailed notes, mainly from the ~year the 4th flew P-47s. A friend knew Weck really well when both resided in Ohio, and said Weck tried to donate his collection to the AF Museum back when, and got turned down (obviously before Dave Menard was there!) ... my friend lost touch with Weck years ago and sadly I believe his priceless archives of negatives is lost. I have prints of many of those, and they show just how 'decorated' the 4th's Jugs really were, especially 336th, which surprises a lot of folks who believe Don Allen to be the only prolific nose artist in the 4th.

Wade

[Jack Cook]

I believe I have one of him and Oscar Coen. Will have to look.

[Hal B]

Great pics, thanks Jack!

Interesting to note the fine job of masking done when the red nose was painted on the a/c. I'd like to see that on a present day restoration

[Malo83]

Great pics, thanks Jack!

Interesting to note the fine job of masking done when the red nose was painted on the a/c. I'd like to see that on a present day restoration

The D-day Invasion stripes put on with brushes would be awesome

[Ian Quinn]

Seeing their faces really makes me wonder what they were like and what they felt each time they climbed into their planes.

...that, and I hope the ones that did make it through had good lives post war...

Wonderful photos.

[Django]

Obviously the plane is different in the George Green shot (prop position) but if you look at all the rest, it is the same plane in all the shots.

[Holedigger]

But the trailer out behind on the left is there as in several other shots, thoiugh it has a different coloration and a slightly different angle as well...courious

[Chicoartist]

But the trailer out behind on the left is there as in several other shots, thoiugh it has a different coloration and a slightly different angle as well...courious

Is that yellow prop warning tip on the BACK of the blade in the Green shot?! Dang, once again I'm proved right! Guess I won't have to burn my 8th AF P-51 paintings after all ...

I think Green simply wanted a slightly different 'pose' with his hand on the prop, so he moved it a little ... the plane and trailer are the same as in the rest of the shots.

I'm still waiting for somebody to commission me to depict the 1945 Green/McKennon rescue. Green was a 'problem child', but Mac took his side time after time. Green later said, about his decision to risk the landing/rescue, "I figured I owed the guy!" I have all the details, so I'm "ready" 'cept I got a bunch of commissions to get done, first! I've already done sketches, so it'll happen one day ...

Wade