I have also exchanged emails with M.O. Chance (VMF-312) and G. H. Wallace (VBF-83).

I've been contacted by the RAAF - they asked me to remove all their copyrighted stuff from our website - AND change our name - terrific, don't you think?

Rgr,
We made contact and were given an OK.

Sorry to Hear the RAAF guys were not as fortunate.

quote:

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Originally posted by RAAF_Furball:
I've been contacted by the RAAF - they asked me to remove all their copyrighted stuff from our website - AND change our name - terrific, don't you think?

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I think their shortsightedness sucks.

we know the VF103 Jolly Rogers, just had one of their maintenence crewman join up with us.

Sadly, we haven't found a VF-2 association. The closest we could find was the USS Hornet in San Francisco (OK, Alameda). The current VF-2 (bounty hunters) doesn't really trace their squadron lineage from the Rippers.

If anyone knows of a VF-2 association, please respond.

As CO of the Virtual 78th i have decided to contact the real 78th org but after i grow. not much action happens when you have only the C.O and X.O flyin lol but i have a link from our site to theres.

www.78thfg.net

we are in touch with the historical squad members of I/JG53_Pikas too

I email back and forth with the Squadron public relations Officer VMFA-41, they are stationed a 2 hour drive from the house, trying to arrange a meeting with the squadron

Thanks for your thoughts, guys.
Yes, a real bummer !
We've made the changes - still finalizing our crest/logo.

We're no longer the RAAF - Royal Australian Air Force.
We're now the RAAF - Real Aussie Air Force.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RAAF_Furball,

~S~All
The reason that 363rd was chosen (for CFS) was because I had already met Yeager and Bud Anderson at the EAA Oshkosh Fly-In.
I try to get up there every year to say hello.

-T

As to the 78th Hikousentai....

Due to limited records as it stands, I believe all of the original and possibly even the rookies were K.I.A......The 78th only had a 2 year history from March 31,1942 to being disbanded July 25, 1944 (though 78th Ki-61s fought their last battle on the 27th). Those if any that did survive aerial combat as the U.S. invaded Hollandia slipped off into the jungle on foot forced to join ground forces to try and make their way to bases further west. Sadly, virtually no records, letters, or photographs from the Japanese remain other then some captured office type documentation.

Unfortunately as well due to both language barriers and to some degree holding back photos and documents that do exist like national treasures, it is difficult to get the experts in Japan to share what they have. So I'm hoping the collecting of all information I can find and putting it together in a 78th exclusive format might inspire them to share a little more. Lastly you have to remember. Just as they could not get supplies/mail in due to the blockades, they could also not get it out. So I'd suspect little exists on the home island anyway.

y,know this is pointless everybody knows pilots get 100 lifes and when they have used up all 100 lives then become ghosts

Hey Bearcat,

We have contacted the real 490thBG when Alien first set up the squad or fighter squad the 332nd has done the same. I agree it is important to honor thier names!

Cutt now runs the 325th in Aces High.
We keep in constant contact with members of the original 325, including Art Fiedler. One member of our Aces High Squad went to what was their last reunion this last year, came back with some great stories and camera footage.
It's an honor to honor them in any way possible

|450| have made contact with the 450 squadron association RAAF and have their blessings.

450 Squadron served in North Africa and Italy but were disbanded after the war. Their squadron association is still going strong though it is morphing into 'the children of 450' Association in a few short months.

The anniversary of 450 leaving Newcastle in Australia is coming up in April so if you are not to far away come to the commemorations.

Details of the online 450 are at http://450.dusta.net/ drop into the forums and say G'Day.

The 450 Association site is
http://www.450squadron.org.au/

quote:

Originally posted by Hangman_78thFG:
As CO of the Virtual 78th i have decided to contact the real 78th org but after i grow. not much action happens when you have only the C.O and X.O flyin lol but i have a link from our site to theres.

www.78thfg.net

Keep in mind that they may all be dead by then. Not trying to be funny. Fo @ 18 months the 99th was just 99th_RDIAMOND and Myself.. hen we got 99th_WindDancer... and we continued to grow to where we are now.... but it takes a while.... you might want to just let these guys know now while they can appreciate it.

I am actually a member of my local chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and I go to monthly meetings with several of the local remaining Airmen. Very informative...

quote:

Originally posted by Bearcat99:
I am actually a member of my local chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and I go to monthly meetings with several of the local remaining Airmen. Very informative...

Very cool to be able to do that Bearcat; also nice for them to know that people are still interested and still appreciate what they did.

The 354th was started years ago in janes ww2 fighters. the founding member mantains a historical site for the real 354th. i belive they do know about the virtual 354th since that member also attends all there reunions and has contact with most members eaither personaly or via email or phone we have a link to the historical site on the virtual site page http://354vfg.homestead.com/main.html

Be on the look out for the return of the 361st vFG. we still have the veterans blessings and I want to add space for them on our new site.