Douglas King´s personal mounts: from Chaco to VJ

[Col. Douglas King]

Hi all, Gents!

 

Actually I´m writing a book about a pilot depicting his life and adventures, but strictly respecting the historical side of the tale, situated in the first half of the 20 Century.

The title most likely will be `Wing of Fire´.

 

Who is Douglas King?

It is my virtual name, not the real name, and I use it for my virtual pilot life in the Net.

 

Who is the Douglas King of my book?

 

First of all, this is a fictional character. He never existed in real life. But here is a brief history about him, as depicted in the book I´m writing:

 

Born in 1906, his father flew in WW1 in the American Expeditionary Force, and the young Douglas started to be interested in planes and flyng early in his childhood time.

When he was 18 he enlisted in the U.S.A.A.C. (1924), but was honorably discharged following the military budget cuts caused by the 1929 crisis. He at first managed to gain his money as a stunt movie pilot, and then as mercenary, participating in the Chaco War (1932-1935), where he flew for the Bolivians, and later in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), for the Republicans. Next he flew for the Chinese Air Force (1939-May 1940), where he met Col. Claire Chennault. After a year he asked for discharge to participate in the Battle of Britain (summer 1940), this time as a real volunteer for the Royal Air Force.

In 1941 he returned to China (October 1941), again as a mercenary, with the A.V.G.

After the Flyng Tigers were disbanded (July 1942) and absorbed in the regular U.S.A.A.F., Douglas King was transferred to the 39th FS, 35th FG, an outfit that was flyng the P-38 Lightning in the Solomons, and then in New Guinea. Later he was transferred to the newly formed 475th FG (May 1943), and ended the war flyng in this elite unit.

 

Clear, there will be also a love story in the book, not only air duels and awesome drinkings, so I hope everybody will be satisfied.

(It is not meanless that after the A.V.G. period the "Grinning Death Skull" will leave its place for a more romantic smiling young Lady as a nose art for Douglas King´s planes) :) .

 

Here some screens depicting some of the aircraft flown during the career of this pilot, that I chose as my virtual ID in the Sim World. I hope you will enjoy the pics.

 

here a Vickers 142 of the Cuerpo Aereo Boliviano

 

Here a Curtiss Hawk II Cuerpo Aereo Boliviano

 

Dewoitine Dw. 372 of the Spanish Republican Air Force, Defence of Madrid 1936

 

I-15 Chato

 

One of the Moscas I-16 piloted during the Spanish Civil War

 

One of the I-16 type 10 flown by D.King while in Spain, in this pic is depicted the last one

 

The I-16 flown in China in 1939-40

 

Battle of Britain Spitfire Mk.Ib

Edited June 18, 2005 by Col. Douglas King

[Col. Douglas King]

A.V.G. Flyng Tigers Hawk 81A-2 (P-40B)

 

P-40E of the A.V.G. flown from April 1942 to end of June 1942

 

P-38F of 39th FS/ 35th FG, New Guinea 1942-1943

 

P-38H-1 of 433rd FS/ 475th FG, New Guinea 1942-43

 

P-38H-5 of 433rd FS/ 475th FG, New Guinea 1943

 

P-38J of 433rd FS/ 475th FG, New Guinea, 1944

 

P-38L of 433rd FS/ 475th FG, Based at Clark Field, Philippines, during the ending months of the War.

 

Please post your comments about the skins and if you have any suggestion for the book, I will higly appreciate...

Edited June 18, 2005 by Col. Douglas King