The RAF in Suffolk

John Cooper · Administrator

RE: North American P-51

lauriebe · Member

Just found this after a quick 'google':

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/album/showphoto.php?photo=1278&size=big&cat=

tarkey · Senior Member

NOT UNKNOWN John

It belonged to my friend " Wild Bill Crump". The Coyote Man.

I spoke to him on the telephone to his home in Washington state.

see http://mhas.org.uk/memories/BillCrumpAndJeep.html

you may recall some of the pictures featured in the dinner time presentation during lunch at LH in including me standing over the grave of Jeep. the coyote, which flew in his Thunderbolt ****pit during missions including over Berlin.
Bill was a friend of Charles Lindbergh and flew with him and also pilot to Bob Hope. He sent me a photograph of a DC3 signed by Bob Hope with " TO COL BILL CRUMP--THANKS FOR THE MEMORY"This was given to Bill as a thank you for flying Bob into the 1948 Berlin Christmas concert during the airlift. Bill was stationed at Playford hall which he called Ipswich castle. it was talking to him when I discovered a War Hawk was the US name for a Kitty Hawk. I am in regular contact with his son.
Coincidentally I purchased a side arm holster for a Colt 45 in Australia only to find the name CRUMP 1943 embossed on the back. After send him a photgraph of it a disgruntled Bill asked me where I got it as he had presented it to the Seattle Museum. I wear it with pride with my USAAF Uniform including it last Sunday at MH Open day
Bill sadly passed away 2 years ago

Tarkey

-- Edited by tarkey on Friday 18th of September 2009 11:25:18 AM

tarkey · Senior Member

quote from "Little Friends"

Wonderfuly atmospheric view from the Martlesham Heath control tower. PI-V "Lorraine" is currently unidentified although this was the name applied to the right side of Capt. Jack Crump's 44- 15056 PI-W "Jackie" as it was his crew chief's girlfriend's name. PI-T behind is 44-14933 "Rugged Rebel". Name and number sound familiar? Not surprising as this a/c was previously Capt. Richard M Dillon's 5E-X "Rugged Rebel" with the 1st Scouting Force.

Photo: Ross Whitaker

tarkey · Senior Member

OLD CROW now that brings back memories

I was the guest of Don Strait Maj Gen and CO at MH at the legends Show in 2004 I think. I sat between Ellie and Bud Anderson in the VIP enclosure. Bud was the pilot of OLD Crow based at Leiston 360th sq " Yoxford Boys" including a young man called Chuck Yeager.
What a day Bud was an ACE and so was Don with 13 1/2 kills highest scoring Ace in the 356th Group. I met several aces that day including Gunther Ruhl from the other side.

-- Edited by tarkey on Friday 18th of September 2009 11:34:02 AM