Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:32 am
We need to interview those guys!!!
It doesn't matter if the interview is not published right away, but guys, this little war took place 36 years ago, and no one is getting any younger.
We need to gather these guys' memories of the events, their involvement, even if it was periferal because in 5, 10 or 15 years or even today, it could prove to be too late.
We can still cross-reference and document what they tell us, and save it for the time when they allow us to publish their information.
Saludos!
Tulio
It doesn't matter if the interview is not published right away, but guys, this little war took place 36 years ago, and no one is getting any younger.
We need to gather these guys' memories of the events, their involvement, even if it was periferal because in 5, 10 or 15 years or even today, it could prove to be too late.
We can still cross-reference and document what they tell us, and save it for the time when they allow us to publish their information.
Saludos!
Tulio
Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:34 pm
Hmm..I was never interested about what these intel guys said about the salvadoran aircraft,but I know one of them that was involved in the subject.The problem,though,is that I have no plans to travel in the near future,so the only thing is to hope that this guy is alive the next time I see him 'cause as far as I know,most of the other involved are deceased.
FAS Pilots
Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:03 pm
1969 Expeditionary FAS Pilots:
Was the guy in the midwest go by the initials T.R by anychance? I'm sure R. Mears can give us at least a hint?
Also, the Oct-1973 isssue of Air Classics or Air Progress Mags contains an article about the adventures of an ukn American c. 1969 ferrying FAS P-51s and flying a couple of sorties over the border against FAH F4Us. The name of the article "Air War Over Honduras" author Ukn.
Lots of us would like to know/ get in touch with this person if he is still alive. I hope he is...!
Was the guy in the midwest go by the initials T.R by anychance? I'm sure R. Mears can give us at least a hint?
Also, the Oct-1973 isssue of Air Classics or Air Progress Mags contains an article about the adventures of an ukn American c. 1969 ferrying FAS P-51s and flying a couple of sorties over the border against FAH F4Us. The name of the article "Air War Over Honduras" author Ukn.
Lots of us would like to know/ get in touch with this person if he is still alive. I hope he is...!
Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:02 pm
T J Johansen wrote:
Have you ever tried to get hold these guys, to see if they're willing to talk about their past?
I would be very much interested in interviewing anyone who may have participated in the ferry, training FAS P-51 pilots, or having flown patrol sorties shortly after the cease-fire. Some sources assert that a number of combat sorties were flown by the hired pilots, but this may not be true after all.
I have the names of three confirmed pilots which flew sorties for the FAS. One of them, an ex-USAF P-51 driver, passed away a number of years ago, and the whereabouts of the remaining two (possibly ex-RAF) are unknown. During visits to the U.K. in 1984 and 86, I contacted several RAF aviation associations and societies, inquiring about the two gentlemen, but unfortunately they had no information on them. Some suggested they may have been ex-RCAF pilots.
A questionable source even suggests an ex-RNZAF pilot, although I wouldn't bet too much on it.
Any information on this subject would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Amado
Have you ever tried to get hold these guys, to see if they're willing to talk about their past?
I would be very much interested in interviewing anyone who may have participated in the ferry, training FAS P-51 pilots, or having flown patrol sorties shortly after the cease-fire. Some sources assert that a number of combat sorties were flown by the hired pilots, but this may not be true after all.
I have the names of three confirmed pilots which flew sorties for the FAS. One of them, an ex-USAF P-51 driver, passed away a number of years ago, and the whereabouts of the remaining two (possibly ex-RAF) are unknown. During visits to the U.K. in 1984 and 86, I contacted several RAF aviation associations and societies, inquiring about the two gentlemen, but unfortunately they had no information on them. Some suggested they may have been ex-RCAF pilots.
A questionable source even suggests an ex-RNZAF pilot, although I wouldn't bet too much on it.
Any information on this subject would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Amado
Re: FAS Pilots
Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:31 pm
FAH 619 wrote:1969 Expeditionary FAS Pilots:
Was the guy in the midwest go by the initials T.R by anychance? I'm sure R. Mears can give us at least a hint?
If you have read the Dienst/Hagedorn book on Latin American Mustangs, the midwest guy is the trucking firm owner from Hobart, OK. That would give his initials as P.F. The flying school operator from Brownwood, TX owned a very famous warbird until very recently.... As for the airline pilot from Houston, I still haven't confirmed that one yet!
FAH 619 wrote:Also, the Oct-1973 isssue of Air Classics or Air Progress Mags contains an article about the adventures of an ukn American c. 1969 ferrying FAS P-51s and flying a couple of sorties over the border against FAH F4Us. The name of the article "Air War Over Honduras" author Ukn.
Lots of us would like to know/ get in touch with this person if he is still alive. I hope he is...!
I have a beat up xeroxed copy of this article. It has been argued from several sources recently that the story in the article is pretty much bogus. There are some indications the author did have something to do with the situation, but other parts have been disproved!
T J
FAS 1969 Pilots
Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:58 pm
T.J Johansen:
Rg! with the comments on the '69 article.
A local historian (MAL) feels the same way. A group of 7-10 P-51s could not have flown out of S. Texas bound to El Salvador via Mexico (Merida), without some sort of border detection. The author mentions that one P-51 got confiscated by the Feds near the border with Mexico and the FAS pilot was seen running towards the border. I believe N6165U was one of the P-51s involved. Photo D. Phillips prior to 1969.
Are the P-51 pictures & S/ns also mentioned valid?
Rg! with the comments on the '69 article.
A local historian (MAL) feels the same way. A group of 7-10 P-51s could not have flown out of S. Texas bound to El Salvador via Mexico (Merida), without some sort of border detection. The author mentions that one P-51 got confiscated by the Feds near the border with Mexico and the FAS pilot was seen running towards the border. I believe N6165U was one of the P-51s involved. Photo D. Phillips prior to 1969.
Are the P-51 pictures & S/ns also mentioned valid?