I collect autographs and being in the DC area has given me access to some of the military greats who give talks at the Air & Space Museum.
Met Robbie Risner and got him to sign a similar long poster of his flying the “Red River Run” in North Vietnam.
Then I got a chance to buy an autographed photo of one of the pilots who shot down Yamamoto featuring a map of the Admiral’s plane’s flight plan over the Pacific Islands.
The Bong painting you showed here reminds me of a similar film of a P47 strafing and blowing up a German supply train. The pilot flew right through the flames which took of his under-paint. Believe his name was George Drew. He also destroyed the largest German plane in existence, a Spruce Goose seaplane on steroids, as well as being the only US pilot to down two ME262’s (one in the air and one just taking off).
There is so much history in these men and sites like this are great for passing it on, as well as the stories of their relatives.
Thanks for the picture.