Small Scale Military Headquarters

Caught this while reading US News today:

41's Plane, Minus His Parachute

If former President George H. W. Bush has his way, he'll be the new Tickle Me Elmo this Christmas. We hear that 21st Century Toys plans to sell a model of the World War II Avenger plane Bush parachuted from during a bombing attack on Japanese targets on Chichi Jima. Bush's office in Houston is helping. His only demand: that the project be historically accurate, though we don't think it will include a model of his parachute and life raft.

Good to hear that he's supportive of the toy...

Kind of makes it sound like he jumped out just for the heck of it.....

since history says he stayed with the Avenger till the last possible moments hoping to save his fellow airman.

as much as i hate repaints, i cant wait to see this

Now if only someone would make a model of W's toy S-3 Viking, we'd be set.

That will be a repaint I'll have to get (being a reluctant Republican and all). I won't put off my Flight 19 Avenger preorder, but the Bush Avenger will be a fun one to get when it eventually comes out.

You're right in that he did stay with the Avenger until the last moment and he was the only survivor. Luckily, he was rescued by a US submarine (there's actually film footage of this) as his raft was being pulled towards Chichi Jima by the wind and current. Several other pilots that were shot down in the area at the same time were captured, later executed, and partially eaten by the Japanese officers on the island. Read the excellent book Flyboys by James Bradley for further information on this story and the context of the Pacific theater in which it took place.

First we have the flight 19 avengers then Bush's avenger...is this going to be a common theme of getting avengers that crashed?

Here's a link to the US News site, but nooker21's post said it all:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/w ... lead_2.htm

aktiger wrote:First we have the flight 19 avengers then Bush's avenger...is this going to be a common theme of getting avengers that crashed?

Well, there's already the Atlantic and Bunker Hill schemes to cover the non-crashing aspect.

Ah, US News is a snot rag anyway. Does sound like they're poking fun though, but, I'm sure the author is a war veteran also...yeah right, the war to legalize crack! You couldn't get one of those draft dodging weenies on the boat let alone in a combat plane! Kudos to 21st on this project and I'll definitely get one.

Yes, I'm looking forward to the Bush TBM. It'll be a good historic aircraft, yet will be also a good generic Pacific tri-color paint scheme. Bush was in a TBM-1C, so the version is correct as well.

I also read "Flyboys" and also found it a great read. I'm currently reading "Shattered Sword" which is the Japanese side of the Battle of Midway and it, like "Flyboys", delves into the Japanese culture and military of that time. Fascinating! As I read, I find myself thinking of the Japanese photo album that had some pre-war images from the Soryu. (see thread in the Reference Room).

Anyway, back on the subject...bring on the Bush Avenger!

JimBob

I think I'll pass on this one, the only thing that it is notablefor is that a former president flew in it and he didn't have a notable record. I would take an A-4 in John McCains Vietnam scheme if it ever comes available.

This is a must (not only for us Republicans, I hope), and the S-3 Viking "Navy 1" with 43 ready for a trap (a 3-wire, of coarse!) would be icing on the cake. Great suggestion for the S-3, bhallg2k!!

dV
FLYNAVY(A-4)

der Vogelfänger wrote:Great suggestion for the S-3, bhallg2k!!

Oh, no, don't take me seriously.

Personally, I find no humor in that article from US News. It's rather insulting to see such flippant remarks made about someone who put his life on the line for his country and I'm not exactly a big Bush senior fan either, I just don't like to see anyones combat record be the brunt of bad journalism. And VMF 214, I totally agree you that US News is a snot rag, not worth the time to pick up and read. I hope 21st sells a ton of them.

Dan

The resident Silver back says, yes CharlieM, you go get 'em.

I agree and will open the moth home in my pocket for Big George Bush's TBM.

And BTW, being a vet, doesn't give you any special knowledge about the world or war, the average vet had too narrow a view of war experiences. My experiences in VN (occassional danger) is entirely different from a brother-in-law (zero danger, all party), VN also, and both of our experiences are 100% different from another brother-in-law (100% VN combat Marine). It's like all three of us were in different wars. Another brother-in-law went the Reserve route as did "W", and to this day, the three of us VN brothers feel our Reserve brother (and "W") did their share by serving, even if it was the Reserves.

Sorry guys for the "off thread" rant, the Silver Back gotta go take a nap.

TTT

You guy know if 21st keeps making personal rides of past presidents we might get PT-109! Of course that means we might get Grants horse too.

Mark

i agree with TTT
i have a PH & SS from VN war but we couldn't have done our jobs without the support,& NG guys behind us.
they talk about parties, but most busted there buts to keep our stuff working when it was needed.
getting your plane shot out from under you in a war is a hero in my opinion
i will buy the Bush Avenger,

There are plenty of Reservist fighting and dying in iraq, and I salute them as well.