Hangar Flying - HL 276 (3)

From: dshutack@gmail.com
To: shuattack00@gmail.com
Sent: 7/28/2017 10:13:07 AM Central Standard Time
Subject: Fwd: Fw: US Fighter pilot who flew through the Eiffel Tower in 1944 has died

The fighter pilot who flew through the Eiffel Tower in 1944 has died

He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1921 and after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Air Corps as a fighter pilot. 

By February 1942, he was a private and sent to California for flight  training; there, his instructors prepared him for the unexpected  mid-flight by cutting the engine as he landed.
 

In the spring of 1944 Bill and his P-51C, the 'Berlin Express' were near Paris when the scene that is immortalized in the artwork by Len Krenzler of Action Art below this article took place. 

Bill had followed a German Bf109 from the bombers he was escorting when most of the German fighters left.  The two planes had been in a running dogfight.  The German pilot flew over Paris hoping that the heavy German  anti-aircraft artillery would solve his problem and eliminate Overstreet and the "Berlin Express".

Bill managed to get some hits in at about 1500 feet.  The German’s engine  was hit, and Bill stayed on his tail, braving the intense enemy flak.  His desperation undoubtedly growing, the German pilot aimed his plane at the Eiffel Tower and in a surprising maneuver, flew beneath it. 

Undeterred, Bill followed right behind him, scoring several more hits in the process.  The German plane crashed and Bill escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and full throttle over the river until he had cleared the city's heavy anti-aircraft batteries. 

WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower to take down a German plane dies in Virginia aged 92.  A former Captain in the U.S. Air Corps, he passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia.

He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground.

Hero: World War II Aviator Bill Overstreet Jr., best known for flying beneath the Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a German plane, is pictured in his military days.

In 2009, he was presented France's Legion of Honor.  

Before the ceremony, Overstreet had previously said that, if he lived long enough to receive the Legion of Honor, he would be accepting it in memory of his fallen brothers.  In particular, he wanted to pay tribute to a friend, Eddy Simpson, who died fighting the Nazis on the ground so his comrades, including Overstreet, could escape. 

After the award was pinned to his lapel, Overstreet said:

"If I said, thank you, it wouldn't be enough," before adding: "What more than thank you, do you need?"

Remembered: Overstreet was presented with France's Legion of Honour in 2009. 
 

Aircraft: Overstreet is pictured by his P-51 "Berlin Express", the plane he flew under the Eiffel Tower.

Proud: Overstreet is pictured in 1943 with his cherished 1938 Buick in California, where he was trained.

 

Close call: The wreckage of his Bell P-39 Airacobra which spun out of control mid-air as he completed combat training in 1943.  He managed to force his  way out of the craft and walked away unhurt.

Loss: Bill Overstreet is pictured at "Warbirds Over the Beach", in 2013. 

He was always humble.  Whenever the press interviewed him, he said, "I didn't do anything. We were a team."

RIP Bill Overstreet!

wt

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From: Julian Black

Date: 7/21/2017 4:18:14 PM

To: Julian Black

Subject: FW: MIG Pilots

I am just passing information to my friends that may have been involved or have friends that may have been involved.

From: Super Sabre Society [mailto:SuperSabreSociety@wildapricot.org]
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 3:33 PM
Subject: MIG Pilots

On  April of 2016 eleven U.S. pilots were hosted by a group of former North Vietnamese MIG pilots.  The purpose of the meeting was to have pilots from both sides meet the pilots from the opposing side of over over 44 years ago.  Three of the U.S. pilots were able to meet NVA pilots from their air to air engagements plus one spent time with the family of the deceased pilot of their engagement.   This September (21st-23rd, 2017) ten Vietnamese pilots (attachment 1) are traveling to San Diego to meet again with U.S. pilots.  We are trying to locate more of the U.S. pilots they engaged (attachment 2) to invite them to the events in San Diego.  You can see that the Vietnamese have done a lot of detailed research, and know the history of their air war in detail.. We are also seeking other U.S. pilots who had aerial engagements with North Vietnamese pilots - other than the ten attending the meeting in San Diego. If you had an aerial engagement or know someone who did please have them contact me or Charlie Tutt at  huntutt1@outlook.com or 404-405-0084 for details on the events. Also, if you did not have an aerial engagement but would like attend a reception/dinner and a panel discussion between some of the NVA and U.S. pilots aboard the USS Midway Museum on September 21st you are welcome.  Please contact Charlie Tutt for details. >MiGs engagers 2017-07d compact.xlsxMiG pilots SAN.doc

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Joel Payne

Email            flyplayne@bellsouth.net

Issue Area    General

Comments   Something to keep one entertained during a cold winter night- 

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/ywge7v/nasa-armstrong-archival-footage  

Joel Payne B767A [ret.]

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