Ltjg George W Bush
Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday, June 12, 1942, as a Seaman 2nd Class. He was commissioned an ensign and pilot and served aboard the USS San Jacinto flying Grumman Avener bombers with the 3rd and 5th Fleets.
On September 2, 1944, Bush was assigned to take out a radio station located in the Bonin Islands. In the course of the action, Bush's plane was hit with enemy fire. Though the plane was on fire, he completed his strafing run on the targeted Japanese installation before flying towards sea to bail out offshore from Chichi Jima, a Japanese-held island near the more well-known Iwo Jima. He was rescued by a Navy submarine, the USS Finback. A genuine hero, Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. He was discharged in September 1945 with the rank of lieutenant (j.g.)
Thanks for looking
Tom
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Don't think I realized before that he was only 20 when this happened.
I like it when some back ground information is provided with the model. It helps to bring them "alive" so to speak. Thanks for posting.
Looks good. I believe there's footage of Bush being rescued by the sub.
Thanks for sharing your Avenger build with us. Just curious as to what kit and what scale it is?
Jim It's by Lindberg and it's 1/48
Tom
Thanks Tom, that's a classic vintage kit. I remember building it many, many years ago. Same for the old Monogram Avenger kit too. I think the best Avenger kit out there now is the one by Accurate Miniatures.
I agree...AM made a lot of nice kits (too bad they are no longer).
Tom, do they still give you the parts to make the controls work? Believe it or not, they used to include an electric motor (which you had to assemble yourself)(suuure) so you could just go nuts! For years, this was THE kit. I suspect Monograms was somehow undersize. (look at the figures) Mine flew apart years ago. Once in a while, I run across a part!
Bernie sorry no motor
Tom
Tom, be glad! It looked like something only young Tom Edison could make work. I was never one for science projects. Too many chances for fire, explosions, and electrical mishaps.