"Tuskegee Airmen"
and the
Double Vee
This Gallery is a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen; true American heroes and some of the world's greatest aviators. Like the Buffalo Solders (click button below),
these African Americans served proudly. As airmen, they flew some of the most difficult combat missions of WWII. And despite a general lack of support from the top down, racism and little if any recognition (click button above), they logged some of the highest mission success rates on record.
Finally, the Tuskegee Airmen received a presidential Distinguished Service Award and 96 Flying Crosses for their courage and love of country. 66 airmen were lost in service.
TA squadrons flew a variety of aircraft and missions, using both male and female pilots, They are most famous for the "Red Tails" P-51 squadrons, which out-flew Germany's brand new "jets".
I would have never heard the Tuskegee story, if it had not been for Steve Cowell, a commercial airline and aerobatic pilot, turned Tuskegee advocate. Steve bought and restored a North American T-6 for his upcoming airshow act. As it turned out, that T-6 was the only original Tuskegee T-6 Texan in existence. Steve's respect for the Tuskegee legacy and his desire to become an aerobatic pilot were enjoined and he became the "accidental historian" (click button below). Steve styled his airshow act to honor the TA legacy. His narrated "Double Vee" act (click button below) performed before millions of airshow spectators each year, And Steve was always available to talk to fans, students, historians and the uninformed like me. His act garnered mass media interest, resulting in tons of articles and TV documentaries. A feature film "Red Tails" with an A-list cast was released a few years later. Please check it out.
But my highest honor came when Steve introduced my ASG Team to surviving Tuskegee Airmen at the NASFW airshow. These living legends radiated dignity, integrity, honor and humility. And then we were humbled when these 1st class American heroes asked us to join them for dinner. An evening I'll never forget. And I have stories that for once, overwhelm my pictures.
My thanks to Steve Cowell foe bringing the TA story to so many. And to my ASG photogs Joe Martin, Jack Hart and Ken Shanaberger (Ken's Aviation) for for their coverage. This TA photo opp blessed us all.
Please enjoy the pics and our experience with some of America's finest.
Finally, the Tuskegee Airmen received a presidential Distinguished Service Award and 96 Flying Crosses for their courage and love of country. 66 airmen were lost in service.
TA squadrons flew a variety of aircraft and missions, using both male and female pilots, They are most famous for the "Red Tails" P-51 squadrons, which out-flew Germany's brand new "jets".
I would have never heard the Tuskegee story, if it had not been for Steve Cowell, a commercial airline and aerobatic pilot, turned Tuskegee advocate. Steve bought and restored a North American T-6 for his upcoming airshow act. As it turned out, that T-6 was the only original Tuskegee T-6 Texan in existence. Steve's respect for the Tuskegee legacy and his desire to become an aerobatic pilot were enjoined and he became the "accidental historian" (click button below). Steve styled his airshow act to honor the TA legacy. His narrated "Double Vee" act (click button below) performed before millions of airshow spectators each year, And Steve was always available to talk to fans, students, historians and the uninformed like me. His act garnered mass media interest, resulting in tons of articles and TV documentaries. A feature film "Red Tails" with an A-list cast was released a few years later. Please check it out.
But my highest honor came when Steve introduced my ASG Team to surviving Tuskegee Airmen at the NASFW airshow. These living legends radiated dignity, integrity, honor and humility. And then we were humbled when these 1st class American heroes asked us to join them for dinner. An evening I'll never forget. And I have stories that for once, overwhelm my pictures.
My thanks to Steve Cowell foe bringing the TA story to so many. And to my ASG photogs Joe Martin, Jack Hart and Ken Shanaberger (Ken's Aviation) for for their coverage. This TA photo opp blessed us all.
Please enjoy the pics and our experience with some of America's finest.
Click buttons for more information.
