[skydriver]

This weekend, I got the chance to meet and talk with Bob "Punchy" Powell, who flew P-51's with The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney ( 352nd Fighter Group). What an amazing lesson in history I received. I also got a personalized copy of his book "Bluenoser Tales".

Bob now lives less than 5 minutes from where I grew up in Atlanta. He was gracious enough to give me his home phone number and told me I could call him anytime and come by and see his collection of WW2 memorabilia. I will be calling him this week.

He even has the origional nose art taken from one of his P-51's after it crash landed. This is something I cannot wait to see. As others have posted on this site, he is an extremely nice man. I cannot wait to meet with him.

For more information about this great American, and the 352nd Fighter Group here is a link

352nd Gallery: Lt Punchy Powell

[STARMAN 352ND]

Now that is what i call "Once in a Lifetime" chance.
Happy for you.
JP

[derhamburgerjung]

Hello all,

at first, that is indeed a fortunate way of meeting a veteran.
I checked out the 352nd web page and now I have a question ( I hope you don´t mind, skydiver.I don´t want to hijack your thread )

Pilot Major George E Preddy, Jr. scored 26.83 victories (!?) I know about the score system of the German Luftwaffe, but not about the US version
Can one of you help?

[Captain Eddie]

The U.S.A gave shared victories in some instances, ie: two pilot's sharing in a victory would each be credited with 1/2 kill.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

The U.S.A gave shared victories in some instances, ie: two pilot's sharing in a victory would each be credited with 1/2 kill.

They must have broken it down every further to get that number, though?

[skydriver]

Originally Posted by derhamburgerjung

Hello all,

at first, that is indeed a fortunate way of meeting a veteran.
I checked out the 352nd web page and now I have a question ( I hope you don´t mind, skydiver.I don´t want to hijack your thread )

Pilot Major George E Preddy, Jr. scored 26.83 victories (!?) I know about the score system of the German Luftwaffe, but not about the US version
Can one of you help?

No problem derhamburgerjung.

One thing I did ask Punchy about was how did the Germans have so many kills in the 100+ and 200+ range. He told me it was because when a German pilot got shot down, they were shot down usually over Germany, thus they were able to get back to their squadron and in another plane the next day. Where as when an American was shot down, they had to evade capture and try to get out of German occupied terrtitories. Also, the Americans did not fly every day.

[derhamburgerjung]

He is right, but the majority of aerial victories was scored on the eastern front, just several German pilots ever managed to achive
such a high number on the western front ( not to count North Africa )

[STARMAN 352ND]

True the eastern front is where most had all their high number of kills from..
One also must remember these German aces have been in war long before our guys got into the war with them.
JP

[duxford]

SKYDRIVER, YOU LUCKY S.O.B.....

Sending--and receiving--email from him is almost a "holy" experience. When I met Bob Bruell here, I couldn't talk. AWE. And they are so smart. I am bowled over.

I recently watched a PBS Special about brain maturation--that we don't really "mature" until 20 or 21. Can you ever imagine all those "immature" piots and gunners and soldiers of WWII?

Punchy says: "Young, foolish, with more guts than good sense. That was us!"

We must keep their acts in perpetuity....

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by duxford

STARMAN, YOU LUCKY S.O.B.....

Well in this case it's Skydriver not me.....
But i do get emails from Punchy and he is really a nice fellow.
JP