On Thu, 02 Mar 2006 16:37:29 GMT, "Dudley Henriques"
wrote:

Actually, Scotty wasn't a Flying Tiger at all, but worked very closely with
Chennault, who "loaned" him a P40 to escort supply planes over the hump

He did fly one mission with the American Volunteer Group. Scott was
one of a couple colonels from India who were auditioning for command
of the 23rd Fighter Group that would replace the AVG in July 1942.
Evidently the lads got to vote.

Anyhow, Scott flew on a mission to Lao Cai (I think it was) in
northern Vietnam--a lieutenant colonel flying as wingman to a
civilian! They were to strafe trains and railroad stations. One of the
AVGs was lost on the mission when his plane was hit by ground fire.

The other contender was Homer Sanders, commander of the 51st Fighter
Group in India. This is how the 16th Fighter Squadron under John
Allison got to China: Sanders seems to have "loaned" the squadron to
Chennault in order to get a shot at command of the 23rd FG. Alas, the
AVGs didn't care for his style, and they voted thumbs down on him, or
so the story is told.

(And Chennault kept the 16th FS!)



-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

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