Doolittle raiders make final toast

General General Discussion
1

http://news.yahoo.com/wwii-doolittle-raiders-making-final-toast-081057065.html

Godspeed to these guys! They are the vestiges of an ambitious mission during the dark early days of WWII. My FIL is a WWII vet (Europe, infantry) and is turning 88 on Veteran’s Day. My grandfather was a USMC vet and has been gone 20 years next month. Sad to see time march on and these great guys pass away.

As an aside, can you believe they drink 117 year old cognac?!?! Where the hell do you even get something like that? Is it safe to drink?

2

Here are some links to some more info related to the above. http://www.urbanaohio.com/grimes-field/upcoming-events.html

                                                                                  http://www.champaignaviationmuseum.org/
3

Balls of forged steel, the size of boulders.

Godspeed, Raiders. You are the definition of courage.

4

These were guys that removed the 50-cal’s from their B-25’s, and replaced them with broomsticks painted black. They needed to save the weight due to an earlier than planned launch.

So Pork Chop’s description of their wedding tackle is quite accurate. Godspeed, Raiders.

Regarding the safety of drinking 117-year-old cognac, I am not sure. But if you send me a bottle, I promise to drink it and post a full report here.

5

You have any idea what that would cost? :eek: Methinks it would break the bank!

I had forgotten about the gun removal. Kinda like the Enola Gay removing armaments and armor to make it lighter. A bit on the risky/ballsy side for sure!

6

If you want quality research done right the first time, certain costs are unavoidable.

7

I have a print of their Aircraft Signed by all of the ones still alive about 10 years ago along with the signature of one of the Japanese pilots who flew to try to intercept them. Also have a number of letters from them.

It is one of my most prized possessions.

8

did not see this first time around :slight_smile:

very cool to see some of this getting a little bit of press last of the best generation !