Old Guys and Their Airplanes

19/07/2024

My new "Substack" is making a greater impact than expected; the post on Morrie Magnusson's stunning moment at my son's Boy Scout troop has been especially noted.

Coincidentally, while working on another project, I came across a particular clip that seemed to be important enough to share.

Old Guys and Their Airplanes pillar Dalton Coffey did some minor! editing of the fifteen-year old clip (that I recorded more for transcription than video quality). Other than that, it's as Morrie answered the question,

"Do you remember anything particularly unpleasant about your war?"

btw - Morrie was a farm kid who, after WWII, came back home to begin a life-long career in public education.

Substack:
https://johnmollison.substack.com/p/hitlers-graphic-design

Distinguished Flying Cross Group, WW2 Remember The Heroes ✅



https://youtu.be/lf8yoOnvwr0?si=JjOG3IaXRjn0PAaF

It's all about cutting through the clutter, right?

06/07/2024

So. You think war hasn't improved? (Yeah, yeah, irony intended).

According to my math, Martin Lenzini and his Douglas A-4 Skyhawk "Heinemann’s Hot Rod" was over FOUR TIMES more efficient than the I get to play with in a few days.

And when I get back, I'll be able to bring even more pithy insight into the A-4 vs Camel discussion (which is rather fascinating).

https://ww2fighters.blogspot.com/2023/07/50-years-is-long-time-is-it-just-blink.html

04/06/2024

BATTLE OF MIDWAY VIDEO GAME! Yay! (Link below)

Firstly, I'm a member of "The Waldron Cult" — the group of who remember LtCDR John Waldron and (VT-8)'s tragic demise at , 4 June, 1942.

Long story short, Waldron committed an audacious act while participating in a greater carrier group effort to find the Japanese fleet on the opening moments of The Battle of Midway.

Waldron broke his squadron free from the 's Air Group to freelance his way (supposedly on 'instinct') to pursue where he believed the Japanese fleet to be located. The act was a defiance of orders and protocol...
.. but Waldron was correct. The result being total annihilation by the IJN's protective air cap. However — and here is where the legend of VT-8 really takes hold — in drawing the IJN CAP down to the wave-top height, the Japanese carriers were temporarily left unprotecting, affording American SBD Dauntless dive bombers to...

Utterly crush the IJN's Fleet and permanently set the path for American victory.

Now, about that video game!

A few years ago, I had the idea to bring the moment into the classroom. Working with a brilliant programmer-buddy, we set up the following as a proof-of-concept.

I ran out of Resources to bring to full fruition but the test-game remains and you're invited to goof around to your hearts content.

In the meantime, 82 years ago today, HUGE history was made in the Pacific Ocean, changing the course of the 20th Century's most terrific war.

Face West, say a prayer and remember.

http://games.sdgamingbootcamp.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/will/battle/

29/05/2024

Post-Memorial Day moment... drawing semi-naked women, and reuniting a son with his dad's story...
..just got to add a name to the crew photo on a blog post I wrote in 2015. It may not be so important to the world, but it is to one family. 😀

Aircraft artwork based on the personal interviews of aviation artist, writer and filmmaker, John Mollison

22/05/2024

18/05/2024

Flown West - one of the GREATS of The Greatest Generation.

Short MP3 in the post...

Sad day.

https://ww2fighters.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-great-human-has-left-earth-clarence.html

18/05/2024

Included, a short Mp3 of Bud expressing himself as only one of the GREATEST of The Greatest Generation can...

Aircraft artwork based on the personal interviews of aviation artist, writer and filmmaker, John Mollison

05/05/2024

Flown West - Dick Rutan.

#3 in our Old Guys and Their Airplanes series... warrior, inventor, philosopher, explorer, apologist; Dick was also the rare breed that didn't suffer fools and at the same time, wouldn't think twice about going back to rescue one.

The video below is nearly 26 minutes - rather long for today's zeitgeist. But all things considered, should probably be about a hundred times longer.

Dick Rutan is a true Renaissance Man. Engineer, Test Pilot, Combat Veteran, Explorer, Philosopher—talking with Dick is like sitting down to examine a turbillon…

19/04/2024

Flown West - the first "Old Guy" of Old Guys and Their Airplanes.

Rich Hall - 1941-2024.

Historian and artist John Mollison presents an interview with Vietnam War Skyraider pilot, Rich Hall.http://www.johnmollison.com

18/04/2024

"I'm proud to be an American..." (song)

Very few days in history evoke (to me) what it means to be an American like 18 April, 1942.

Hear the story in the man's words... copyright is mine. Feel free to distribute.

https://vimeo.com/699865237

29/03/2024

It's National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Right now, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is live-streaming...

But today is especially poignant because of the number of Vietnam War veterans I've been honored to get-to-know and the number that are, "Flying West."

This past January, Col "Marty" Mahrt did just that, leaving behind a powerful legacy of humility, courage and community.

A few years ago, working with the Distinguished Flying Cross Group, (DFC Society), I helped produce a short film, educator's kit and live-stream interview with the man.

Marty shared his story of being shot down and rescue in what is likely the furthest-north of the war.

The educator's kit is a quick download:
https://www.dfcsociety.org/pages/ogta-educators-kit-colonel-marty-mahrt-never-alone

The video + livestream interview will take about an hour - the film is 17 minutes, the interview a half hour or so after that.
https://vimeo.com/732519390

Regardless whether you download or watch, I hope you take some time today and think about the Vietnam War experience, what it meant to the world and most importantly, call-up/connect/make plans, to honor the thousands of Vietnam War veterans in the world... and remember the ones that are no longer.

GBU

20/03/2024

"Hitler's death camps..."

Funny how things work - the past few weeks have conspired to bring RAF fighter pilot ( ) John Wilkinson's story to mind.

Do you believe that "The Holocaust" was a myth? Do wonder how you would have done in ?

Got 16 minutes? If so, give the old man a chance....

Dalton Coffey - gobsmacked... (and major thanks to the Imperial War Museum London)

John Wilkinson was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot with the legendary 41 Sqn. during WWII. He flew the famous Spitfire and, by all account, achieved the mythic…

27/01/2024

So. What do you think of Apple TV's Masters of the Air?

For me, it has sparked the GOBSMACKING memories of spending time with the real people who made it really happen.

One of my buddies, John Slemp, wrote an awesome book on the leather bomber jackets worn by the bomber crew and included some of my art...

The photos in this post are a data-dump of sorts — no particular 'story' other than realizing that I can watch a TV show and think, "I knew a few of those guys!"

And then think...

"And they're all gone."

The only thing wrong with aging is that, given enough time, all that's left is what someone else has remembered.

What do I think about Masters of the Air? In context to this post, it makes me sad.

Very. Sad.

https://youtu.be/HHwBtnki7Qo?si=70cP_IUerCsJpI7X

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force 390th Memorial Museum Foundation EAA - The Spirit of Aviation March Field Air Museum wings_museum EAA - Warbirds of America Warbird Lovers 306 HQ 100th Bomb Group Restaurant & Special Events388th Bomb Group Association American Wings Air Museum Southern Museum of Flight Indiana Military Museum Inc

31/12/2023

To (our) impending greatness of 2024!

A short post and a New Year wish for y'all. :)

Aircraft artwork based on the personal interviews of aviation artist, writer and filmmaker, John Mollison

27/12/2023

Planning on making a change in 2024?

"Do something violent."

It's not what you think... BLUE SKIES JIM KUNKLE!!!



Dalton Coffey Clyde Teel Charlie Plumb

How long would it take you to deliberate whether you should turn and face your enemy? What if there over 20 of them? And what if you were all alone? It didn't…

25/12/2023

Much Gratitude to a plastic modeler named Brett Green and Arma Hobby Model Kits for providing me reference for my P-39Q.

The plastic modeling community does a wonderful job of keeping the details of stuff alive and honest.

My little studio is FULL of plastic model kits - unbuilt - that I've compared/contrasted with old blue prints, photos... the Arma Hobby 1/72nd scale P-39Q is jaw-droopingly brilliant, especially considering the thing is smaller than your hand!

25/12/2023

PROGRESS.

And, don't be afraid to click - it's a short post (with an explanation why the nose numbers aren't so precise...)

Special thank you to Sue Mollison for giving me the extra time to hole up in my studio to draw...

Aircraft artwork based on the personal interviews of aviation artist, writer and filmmaker, John Mollison

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas, Americans!

And may greatness inspire you in the New Year(s) to come. 😃

This is not a 'political' thing. And though I mention 'greatness' in context of America, it's a story of greatness for anyone, anywhere. 🙏

But I write on behalf of everywhere, "this" is the stuff that fuels our passion... as it fuels whatever greatness humanity has ever achieved.

btw - 'greatness' for me is to get this done in the next FOUR DAYS.

Aircraft artwork based on the personal interviews of aviation artist, writer and filmmaker, John Mollison

18/12/2023

Your last day at the office before Christmas and Boom. You're in prison.

And fortunate to be alive.

Today, snap a salute to San Antonio for Robert Certain and Robbie Wade Certain - husband, wife, parents, citizens and makers.

Story brought to us by Distinguished Flying Cross Group, Bruce Huffman Woody Gilliland Warren Eastman and fellow vet, Ron Bartlett + Rick Lingberg, Dalton Coffey Steve Zwemke and Blue Skies of Texas

Robert Certain took part in the massive aerial battle that effectively ended the Vietnam War. But it left a mark — the death of half his bomber crew, enemy…

02/01/2023

TRAILER for the next OGTA/DFCs "Debrief" (film + educator's kit + live Q&A).

https://vimeo.com/785809072

Rick Lingberg, Boys Town John Mollison Distinguished Flying Cross Group

Teaser for the upcoming DFCS/OGTA film + educator's kit + live Q&A!

28/12/2022

LIVESTREAM with Vietnam War POW
19 Jan 7pm, South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, Inc.and featuring B-52 Navigator, POW and PTSD expert, Col Robert Certain (ret)

17/10/2022

Vietnam War-ending Linebacker II Podcast up at DFC Society - https://mailchi.mp/101d29108228/linebacker2-8680269

01/08/2022

Do you remember Linebacker II? - https://mailchi.mp/18fc3424f5bc/linebacker2

20/11/2021

Live or Livestream - meet a Gemini and Apollo Astronaut! - https://mailchi.mp/ce6aaad7c7ed/mcdivitt-event

10/09/2021

Vietnam War POW Debrief + free download now online - https://mailchi.mp/ba95dae7e2c5/robertcertain

26/08/2021

Saturday's Vietnam War POW live interview - 4 things to know - https://mailchi.mp/c4feca7c78ae/martymahrt-4934154

14/08/2021

Vietnam War former POW to give live Q&A - https://mailchi.mp/e7f68acae3c7/martymahrt-4919262

02/08/2021

"We don't teach the Vietnam War very well!"

Well, this is a start to improvement... and it's free.

https://www.dfcsociety.org/pages/certain

Thank you to South Dakota Public Broadcasting, South Dakota Air & Space Museum, Blue Skies of Texas, Distinguished Flying Cross Group and Military Tales for making this kind of thing happen!!

And if you host a Watch Party (like the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, South Dakota Air & Space Museum and South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, Inc. are doing, you'll have COOL STUFF for the show!

25/07/2021

SAVE THE DATE:
28 August, 1100 Central
https://www.dfcsociety.org/pages/certain

More announcements to be added, soon (and they're awesome!)

The Distinguished Flying Cross Society (DFCS) ia a 501(c) (19) nonprofit war veterans organization and is made up of those men and women who were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

15/07/2021

SAVE THE DATE - 28 August "The Unchained Eagle"

OGTA/DFCS "Debrief" #6 with former POW Col Robert Certain, USAF (Ret) will be conducted Saturday, 28 August at 1100 CT!

A "Debrief" is a LIVE Q&A with a combat veteran that includes a short film + Educator's Kit resources.

On 18 December, 1972, Robert was the Navigator on "Charcoal 01" - a B-52 STRATOFORTRESS flying on the opening-night of the game-changing Linebacker II missions over Hanoi, North Vietnam.

Though Linebacker II would ultimately succeed in bringing the war to an end for America, the night marked Robert's time as a Prisoner of War in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison system — two S-75 Dvina Missiles (SAM) brought his bomber down resulting in three dead, three POWs.

Robert endured captivity and was one of the 591 POWs released in "Operation Homecoming" during February, March and April of 1973. He remained in the Air Force, fulfilled his long-time calling to serve in full-time ministry and found success as the author of his inspirational memoir, "Unchained Eagle."

Today, Robert remains active in ministry, leveraging his leadership gifts as well as extraordinary expertise in addressing PTSD issues among fellow veterans as well as general public.

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to hear first-hand a story of trial, struggle and success - no cost to you other than your time.

Old Guys and Their Airplanes and the Distinguished Flying Cross Group will live-stream the Debrief with Col Certain from Blue Skies of Texas. Audiences world-wide are welcome to partake in the event through South Dakota Public Broadcasting streaming, Military Tales YouTube channel and Watch Parties around the country including South Dakota Air & Space Museum, Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum and others (tba).



Press release is at:https://www.oldguysandtheirairplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DFCS-OGTA-Debrief-WATCH-RELEASE-CERTAIN.pdf

More news to come as "Watch Parties" are added, pre-show interviews are conducted and John Mollison's artwork is completed.