Classic British Flight Sim

Dick Cole is now the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders after the passing of David Thatcher on June 22nd
Dick was James Doolittle's co-pilot for the raid onto the Japanese main island after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Seen here in picture I took of him sitting in a B25 pilot seat before he flew the aircraft from Witham Field during the 2007 Stuart Airshow


I thought it was interesting the co-pilot of James Doolittle is the last man standing.


Salute!

Nice one Joe

ATB
DaveB

Well, you don't see one of those every day, do you?
Joe!

Nice joe. Sad to see the members of what is often called the 'Greatest Generation' slowly leaving us.

He looks like he could still start 'er up and fly that beast. Great picture of a true hero - a word that is far too often misapplied nowadays. Thanks for sharing.

Nice joe. Sad to see the members of what is often called the 'Greatest Generation' slowly leaving us.

Very saddening. We have maybe...what?...little more than another decade before the last of the WWII vets leave us? Terrifying.

Gents, Thanks for your words of respect to Dick Cole, And the Doolittle Raiders
I was allowed to hang out with Tom Reilly, the owner of the B25 "Killer Bee", and the Doolittle Raiders for two Days during the 2007 Stuart Airshow.
A Martin County Sheriff's Deputy, who also was a FAA official at the Stuart Airport, set the whole thing up for me. Granting me permission to walk onto the taxiway and take the pictures. ,, Dave you might remember the Start up the the B25 I had on you tube awhile ago.

Don't ask me to explain how I fell ass backwards into the gig, It just happened,
It All started very innocently I suppose. all I did was ask if I could get some pics of the Raiders that were at the Airshow and was told I'd have to talk with , well I don't remember now, anyway,but they said I needed to ask the Deputy (pointing) sitting in the FAA Vehicle, and one thing lead to another,.

mgchristy wrote:He looks like he could still start 'er up and fly that beast. g.

Dick did indeed fly the B25 at the age of 92.
After the photo op , Tom Reilly climbed up in the right seat and the cranked the engines, warmed it up and taxied out to the runway and off they went.
When they returned to the parking spot I asked Tom Reilly , " who retracted the flaps and stowed the gear,
Tom said "I did"
, I said , so Dick was pilot in command?
Tom said , "He flew the entire time, Including Take off and Landing"


The Photo pose of Dick was set up with a simple request,
I said ' " Dick!? Look right into the lens and give everyone a big wave.!

.....................................
Got a group shot too. from left to right
Tom Reilly, Tom Griffin, Dick Cole, Ed Horton, >>

Wow Joe, you certainly meet some very interesting people on your social calender events. Keep the photographs coming in.

Regards
Nigel.