In August I hope to attend a reunion of the 325th Fighter group in California. I know at some point I stand a chance of speaking at reasonable length to some of them and I have already asked a lot of questions to them by email (and interviewed on camera).

However my questions may not necessarily be the one's that a community of aviation fans would be interested in so if I get a chance to ask questions (and no promises here!) is there anything you can think of that you would like to know about their service and the aircraft they flew?

Those currently expected to attend are:
P-51 Pilot's will include Barrie S. Davis (P-47 (No victories) and P-51 Ace), Art Fiedler (P-51 Ace), Jerry Edwards (P-51, P-47 and P-40 Pilot 4-Victories), Jack Sherbourne (P-51 Pilot), Tom Batey (P-51 and F-86 Sabre), Ron Dove (P-40 and P-47), Clarance Coonce (Armourer) and Ed Doss (Crew Chief).

Once again I cannot promise to ask all the questions but if there is anything that is of interest to you and I have a chance to ask the question, please post it here and I will post a link to their replies as-soon as I can after the event.

Cheers, MP

Just say thanks from your aussie friends

You going to be at Camarillo again MP?


Wheels

60/40 in favour at the moment. Finance is the issue, but I do expect to be there and it will be where I show the second (and final) part of my Checkertails Documentary, for the very first time. The video will be online about 2-3 weeks later for everyone to watch as I hope to add some footage from Camarillo

I will

Maybe ask about the adjustments they did in flying, trim use and engine management, how much was with and without much thought ... perhaps from school to rookie to veteran pilots as much as from plane to plane?

We read accounts that sometimes mention some aspects but they're not exactly flying courses.

Also gunnery questions!

Talking to Art over TS while we flew IL-2 around when we were making Checkertails part 1 was pretty cool, would love to shoot the breeze with those guys.

Did any of them like the movie "Red Tails"?

OK, OK. That may not be the best question to ask!

What were their biggest operational challenges? Maintenance, (lack of) supplies, muddy airfields, German and Italian fighter opposition, Flak, long range navigation and flying?

Be sure to also give them a "Well done" and thanks from all of us!

1) What was the training experience like?
2) What was it like to fly their particular warbird for the first time?
3) What was the first time in combat like? First kill?
4) Ever shot at? Ever shot down? Ever bail out? What were those experiences like?

Yeah that would be interesting .. From what I have learned from the WWII pilots I spoke to a lot of that is done by the seat of the pants.. and that is how it becomes instinctual.. We have no way of relating to any of that. Imagine being in a situation where you can actually become one with the plane.. because you feel every single change... from your gut to your eyes and your ears and all points in between, all working together simultaneously to give you feedback... We have none of that modelled in the sim and that's why a lot of FM talk becomes kind of moot... How much of performance tests are directly related to the strength of the tester where a stronger man might have been able to get more out of the plane.. etc etc etc

It shopuld be good though.. It'll be nice to read the feedback..