The 34th Fighter Squadron
Flying the
P-47 Thunderbolt
from Ie Shima Island North West of Okinawa
The 34th
Fighter Squadron Yearbook Page 14
Scanned by
C. Jeff Dyrek
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Dear Mr. Dyrek,
My grandma was a WAAC, and she was in the motorpool. She has
some great stories about driving Wendell Wilkie and meeting with
Curtis Lemay. The story about Droopy Drawers is really just a
family anecdote, but it’s a favorite. She was with my
grandfather while he was stationed on Okinawa and was walking
down the street one day and the elastic on her underwear gave
out while she was walking in front of a group of airmen. Well,
as you may imagine, there were many whistles and catcalls and
such, and she scurried home thinking it was one of the more
embarrassing moments of her life. She was even more embarrassed
when, a few weeks later, her husband took her to see the freshly
painted plane, “Droopy Drawers”. So we don’t actually have proof
that it’s based on that incident, but it would be a major
coincidence if not! Especially as I just learned from her today
the he was with the 34th as an armament chief –
Albert “Jack” Shields. I never knew that – I always just knew he
was with the “ Hollywood 8th” when it went to England
, but apparently that was his first tour with the service. When
he re-upped, he was with the 34th. They stayed on
Okinawa until they opened up the Philippines for families. Then
they spent some time there before coming back to the States. My grandfather passed on a few years ago, but I will scan and
send pictures of him as well. We’re off on a week-long trip in
San Diego tomorrow, but I will try to get to them after that. Hope all is well, and I’m glad I could make your day yesterday;
it certainly made mine as well!
Roni Leland
4 Aug 2007 |
A letter from
Larry Jennings 2-Feb-2004
Jeff, after
taking to you I went to your website and found my picture on page 13.
I am standing under Droopy Drawers (even scribbled my
initials LPJ below) next to my crew chief, Norm Peiper, my armorer - can't
remember his name at the moment - and Bill Colvin who alternated with me
flying Droopy on missions (we didn't fly two days in a row because we lost
so much weight every mission.). Cheers!
Click
Here to contact Larry |
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P-47 Pilots Association
0001834
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Aero Detail Vol. 14
A detailed photo essay on the P-47,
including both period photos and 220 color photos taken from four modern
restorations. Engineering drawings, cutaways, 3-view drawings - they're
all here. The ultimate technical reference. 81 pgs., 10"x 10", sfbd. |
In Detail & Scale Vol. 54
Kinzey.
A photo essay of the P-47 Thunderbolt
covering all production versions. No less than ten existing Thunderbolts
were photographed to show every detail from the propeller hub to
the position light on the rudder. Includes excerpts from the original operations
manual and period photos of the P-47 in action. 225 photos, 3-view drawings
and line art. 80 pgs. with 16 in color, 8½"x 11", sfbd. |
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