Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihnp3.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!houxm!ihnp4!ihnp3!cfiaime From: cfiaime@ihnp3.UUCP (Jeff Williams) Newsgroups: net.aviation Subject: Re: Answers to Aviation Trivia Mark II Message-ID: <136@ihnp3.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Aug-85 09:47:28 EDT Article-I.D.: ihnp3.136 Posted: Wed Aug 14 09:47:28 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 22:11:29 EDT References: <115@ssc-vax.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 35 > > > 11. Pactra special time again, folks: > > a. "Ding Hao!"- whose aircraft had this painted on it?ETO. Flew for a while in China, and had "Number One!" in chinese > painted on his P-51B.> (Sorry I didn't enter this one, but with the change of office, change of machine, and homework...) Anyway, Don Gentile was an Ohio boy who washed out of the USAAF flying school and joined the RAF. As a member of the 71 Eagle Squadron, he had a somewhat average career. But, when transferred to the USAAF (4th Fighter Group), and put in a P-51, he racked up quite a score. Don's airplane was named "Shangra-La." It's outstanding feature was a red and white checker board pattern under the left exhaust bank so that John Godfrey (his normal wingman) could easily pick him out in a fight. Godfrey's plane ("Reggie's Reply") also had the checkerboard pattern. Gentile was killed in 1945 or 1946 flying a P-80 Shooting Star. Godfrey died in the mid 1950s from cancer. They were one of the hottest teams in the 4th Fighter Group, both being aces 3 or 4 times over. "Ding Hao" was flown by Major Jim Howard when he flew with the 359th (I think) Fighter Group. This was the first group in Europe to equip with the P-51B. Jim Howard won the Medal of Honor in this aircraft by fighting up to 40 German aircraft alone to protect a formation of B-17s. When the B-17s landed, they inquired as to the identity of the pilot of the P-51. When Howard was located, he could not understand what the fuss was all about. It was his job to fly, fight, and escort the bombers. By the way, 3 of the 4 guns in his P-51 had jammed during the fight. Jeff Williams AT&T Bell Laboratories ihnp3!cfiaime