On This Day...December 5th.
On 5th of December, 1945 'Flight 19' disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. This flight was the designation of a wing of five Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bombers that disappeared after losing contact during a United States Navy overwater navigation training exercise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
All 14 airmen on the flight were lost - as were a total of 13 crew members of a Martin PBM ‘Mariner’ flying boat that subsequently launched from Naval Air Station Banana River to search for the lost Avengers. The PBM Martin was notorious for accumulating flammable vapors in its bilges, and professional investigators have assumed that the Martin likely exploded in flight while searching for the lost pilots.
Navy investigators, forensic salvage hunters, aviation experts, and historians still cannot exclusively say they know what befell Flight 19. Most likey a perfectly rational, logical explanation...
Sgt. Hiram Prouty of the US 175th Infantry Regiment dressed up as Santa Claus during the Christmas season. Eschewing the traditional sleigh, he arriving on an M3 medium tank, to the delight of the locals in Perham Down, England, 5 Dec 1942.
A rare photo of the T-60 (3) prototype taken on Dec 5th, 1942. This was a T-60 based n experimental anti-aircraft tank armed with paired 12.7 mm DSHK machine guns. Due to problems with engine failure and an inability of the cramped new turret design to allow firing at ground targets, only this example was ever built.
US. Marines unloading a transport plane at Hagaru-ri, North Korea, during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, December 5, 1950.
The Vietnam war legacy continues and some people are still being heroes...
“Vietnam Veteran Albert Guillorn will speak about his Vietnam Experience as a Combat Medic , 9th. Infantry, US Army, conducting “Dust off” missions (moving forward to transport and give immediate aid for the wounded). Guillorn, who later served as a Social Work Tech and designed a drug rehab program at Fort Meade, Maryland, will also discuss the situation of Veterans returning home from the war and the effects of the war on Vietnam Veterans today. Albert Guillorn works extensively with veterans through the Military Support Program.
A certain Mr (soon to be Dr) Leigh-Smith taken on December 5th, 1992 on the occasion of his marriage, in Glen Esk, Scotland. Looking a little over-exposed (in more ways than one).
Hey David, I think that undercarriage in the last picture could do with some weathering... I love these posts, keep them coming.
David, looks like you were on a golf course standing in front of a couple of “Out of bounds” stake. Fore Right Laddie!
Marc, the whole model in that last pic is now subject to extensive weathering...
Que buena la última foto! Dr. Leigh-Smith...
26 years married and not out of bounds, yet. Cheers, Rick - time of the year to get Goofy back on the tree again?
Congratulations on the anniversary Mr and Mrs Leigh-Smith!
Thank you, David - out to Grim’s Dyke (you possibly know it) later for a bite to eat and a whisky or two. Possibly wearing the exact same kilt. Depending on how cold it gets. And how brave I’m feeling!
Hey if you can still fit it - more power to you - have a great evening.
Ah, Julio! Que buena, no...que frio, que nervioso, que loco...Si!
Gracias por su palabras muy sabias!
Congratulations on 26 years David.
Happy Anniversary! My wife said that I ought to get a kilt because of my Scottish heritage, I don't know, but it's fun threatening my niece that I'm going to where one at her up coming wedding.
Congratulations David! Kiss the misses for me. 😉
Thanks, Tom. Appreciate that.
Robert, I can highly recommend ‘taking the kilt’ - it’s a lot of fun. On my wedding day 26 years ago most of my friends were English and had never worn one before - and the fun and ‘attention’ (mainly from the local lassies) they had made them buy their hire kilts!
Just remember a true Scot never wears anything underneath.
Robbie McRoyes. Sounds great.
The Scottish connection is Watson, which I believe were connected to Forbes. I've got the research my Dad did awhile back, got to look it over again.
James, if I start kissing my wife she’s gonna get mighty suspicious...
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary David.
Really enjoying your On This Day post. Thank you .
Julian, thank you. As a valued friend and deeply respected iModeler I appreciate the post.
Happy anniversary, David. Nothing worn under the kilt, all
in good working order, apparently.
Four kids tells it’s own story. Although they all have a strange resemblance to the postman...
Happy anniversary and congrats!
Cheers, Morne!
OK, that kilt shot made my day in just too many ways...lovely stuff, my brother.
‘Brother’ David, thanks for the message. I love getting the kilt on and given your deeply felt passion for history I know you understand what it means to me. My Scots connections are with the clan Stewart, hence the tartan.
The Thomas tartan, although Welsh in origin, is very bonnie...
You've done it again !
and posted another wonderful "On this Day" set of photos. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series.
Congrats on the 26th Anniversary, and here's wishing you many more anniversaries to come.
Tradition has it that there is a corresponding gift for each year. Something like a wooden gift for 5 years, Silver for 10, and Gold for 25...something like that. I'm thinking that plastic is in order on the 26th anniversary. Something by Tamiya or Hasegawa ? Perhaps an Airfix or new tool Revell of Germany ? ICM or HK could be another possibility.
Four kids too. I think I would start shopping at the local hobby store and slow down on the "Mail Order" just a tad... 🙂 Just kidding, I read your response above. Too funny.
Take care my friend and may both you and the misses have a wonderful day. A whisky or two might be in order.
Congrats on 26 years and happy anniversary! Great post.
Thanks, Andrew. I absolutely loved your ‘Camel’ - if anyone hasn’t seen it please have a look -
David,
That last photo the one with the model that needs a lot of weathering ...youth is wasted on the young. I am sure, that model has improved with age and if you can keep the Mrs happy for 26 years that is an accomplishment. Just remember that a good marriage has a happy wife. There is no mention about the husband in the literature however.
Happy wife... Happy life !
It's true.
Thanks for the reminder of Flight 19- a tragic loss not only of the crews of the TBMs but the PBM crew as well.
I have one of my Avenger builds earmarked for Flight 19 markings.
I really enjoy these postings!
Merry Christmas from Bermuda.
David, I missed looking at this yesterday, but Happy Anniversary!
Twenty-six years and four kids, you're doing something right. Congrats.
@dirtylittlefokker
Thank you, Gary. Got lucky; found the right woman and the right genes, never take it for granted.
Well, David - hmmm. I'm late to this party, as usual, but I do wish to say Happy 27! (Since that is your NEXT anniversary, I thought instead of being late, I'd be the FIRST to wish happiness for your next special day!)
What does a proper Scotsman wear under his kilt?
Socks.
Congratulations, my Friend! And another great "This Day" post.
@dirtylittlefokker
Socks...brilliant.
Glad you like it!
By the way, Jocko, (lol) where's your Sgian-dubh? Is it hiding in your sock, where it should be? @dirtylittlefokker
I should point out to non-Scots that ‘Sgian-dubh’ is Gaelic for the traditional dagger that goes with highland dress. Despite the lack of underwear, my dagger was in fact the only thing “hiding in ‘your’ sock, where it should be”.
Just for clarification, @mikegolf