The Tuskegee Airmen
The 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the "Tuskegee Airmen," was a WW2 combat unit made up of U.S. African-American pilots. These brave airmen rose above discrimination and became respected by both friendly and enemy pilots. At war's end the group achieved 111 aerial victories, 150 strafing victories and even sunk a German warship. Above all, the Tuskegee never lost a bomber to enemy air attack, a feat unmatched by any other fighter group in WW2.
The Model
I built the Accurate Miniatures 1:48 P-51C in the markings for Lt. Lee Archer, Jr. Lt. Archer named his aircraft "Ina the Macon Belle" after his wife. Lt. Archer was the only 332nd pilot to officially achieve Ace status by shooting down five enemy aircraft.
I have displayed Lt. Archer's P-51C in two digital dioramas using Photoshop. The dioramas also feature a 1:72 B-24J Liberator and a 1:48 German BF-109E.
The Warbird
I visited the excellent Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas in December, 2009, when it hosted one of the few flyable P-51C Mustangs in the markings for a Tuskegee aircraft.
The HeroIn 2008, my son Kurt and I attended an airshow at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. We had an opportunity to meet a living legend, Tuskegee pilot, Lt. Calvin J. Spann. Thank you Lt. Spann for your courage and service to our country.
Tuskegee Airmen in 3D
