Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks

[Midnight Mover]

Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks

March 7, 2015

10am–1 pm

Museum members free / general admission $ 11.00

Planes of Fame Air Museum
7000 Merrill Avenue, #17
Chino, CA  91710

www.planesoffame.org
www.facebook.com/events/1546601658933489

WHAT: Open to the public, Planes of Fame Air Museum (Chino, CA) presents its monthly Living History Event. The topic for the March 7 event is 'Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks', featuring the Republic P-47G Thunderbolt. Don Barnes and John Crump, authors of the book 'Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks', will present and sign their book. Also presenting are P-47 pilots Ralph Kling, Ed Lopez, and Archie 'Lin' Maltbie. This panel of distinguished aviation authors and veterans will speak, followed by a question & answer period. The P-47 will be on display and perform a flight demonstration when possible. At 12:00 noon, the Membership Sponsored raffle flight will occur. Become a member to enter the raffle. All members are eligible to enter the raffle, but you must be present to win.

WHO: Don Barnes is a professional graphic artist who lives in San Jose, California with his wife and three children. Since he was old enough to pick up a pencil or a book, Don has been reading about World War II history and drawing airplanes. Inspired by the book "Hell Hawks!" by Robert Dorr and Thomas Jones, Don was introduced to Archie 'Lin' Maltbie and immediately began producing the P-47 profiles of the 365th Fighter Group. He has to date profiled more than 100 of the Hell Hawks' aircraft. Don's illustrations are based on nearly two years of research, and the scanning of more than 800 photographs and official records. Away from work, Don is an aviator who has built his own plane from a kit, and is privileged to have flow with many of the original Hell Hawks.

John Crump a San Jose author who is committed to revealing the many facets and perspectives of historical events. John has also co-authored "Hiroshima-Bridge to Forgiveness", the story of Takashi Tanemori's journey as the son of a samurai from the ashes of postwar Japan to a new life in America. John is a former radio and television news reporter, and was creator and anchor of the Silicon Valley Report, a weekly TV news magazine devoted to covering high technology business. His exploration of the Second World War began during his childhood at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California. John has been involved for more than 20 years with the Golden Gate Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, and currently serves as a director of the Northern California Friends of the American Fighter Aces, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of the American combat fighter ace.


Ralph Kling flew with the 388th Fighter Squadron on 68 missions. Ralph brought his big frame and friendly laugh from Hilmar, California to the 365th FG in May 1944. His P-47 carried the name "Poppie", a nod to the Golden State's flower. He shot down a Bf 109 on July 2, after thinking he saw Spitfires on a strafing run, and discovered they were Me 109s. P-47 pilots were trained to bail out on the right side, to avoid the Thunderbolt's powerful prop wash slamming them into the tail. Ralph went over the right side Sept 21, 1944 while strafing in Luxemborg. He left the burning fighter at less than 1000 feet altitude after small arms fire cut his fuel line and started a cockpit fire, badly burning his head and legs. His parachute landing was but yards from Gerrnan soldiers, who captured him. Ralph was a prisoner of war until war's end.



Ed Lopez flew with the 387th Fighter Squadron, as a replacement pilot after D-Day. A Los Angeles native, Ed not only flew as a Hell Hawk, but -- during the 3rd Armored Division's advance on Duren and Cologne, Germany -- also spent two weeks riding in a Sherman tank, directing Thunderbolts by radio to hit enemy tanks and guns. The nose art on his P-47 read 'Polly' and 'Sweet and Lovely'. In late March 1945, Lopez flew with seven other P-47s to attack German troops at the Paderborn panzer school. Ed was hit by fire from a four-barreled 20mm anti-aircraft gun on a halftrack. After shattering his canopy and sending Plexiglas shards into his face, one round creased his scalp. Lopez wiped blood from his eyes to focus through his gun sight and made another pass to obliterate the gun and crew. On April 3, 1945, Lopez was one of eight Hell Hawk pilots who dropped 500lb bombs on about a dozen German tanks aiming to ambush a convoy near Bodefeld. The P-47s destroyed or disabled three of the tanks, breaking up the surprise attack.

Archie 'Lin' Maltbie flew 98 missions with the 388th Fighter Squadron. Born in Kansas, Archie spent his teenage years in Turlock, California. When he became a fighter pilot, he had a confidence and ease about him that earned the respect and trust of his fellow pilots. On August 19th, 1944, he was flying in a 12-plane formation searching the Seine River for pontoon bridges. He and his wingman were ordered down on the deck to check out military transports, and while rejoining, were bounced by Me 109s. Archie fired at one, and blew it up. Debris from the exploding plane struck his P-47, which caught on fire, forcing him to bail out seconds before the P-47 exploded. Then, he had a remarkable eight-day evasion of German troops. Returning to combat, Archie downed a Ju 88 in March 1945. He became a flight leader and later, assistant operations officer, and led many missions in the final months of the European war.


Kevin Thompson (POF Moderator and Aviation Historian) and Edward Maloney (Museum Founder & Curator, and Aviation Historian) moderate and join in the presentation.

WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 2015, 10am–12 noon: Speaker program & flight demonstration. Museum doors open at 9:00am.

WHERE: Planes of Fame Air Museum, 7000 Merrill Avenue #17, Chino, CA 91710

WHY: It is the Mission of Planes of Fame Air Museum to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. The Museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and airshows in fulfillment of this mission. Planes of Fame Air Museum, 'Where Warbirds Fly and Aviation History Lives'.