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As long as Dutch and the ToyBum can find a good restaurant within the cities & towns they meet up in, they're usually pretty happy & content. ~ The ToyBum is standing on the left with "Dutch" Van Kirk (navigator; ENOLA GAY Aug 6, 1945) standing on the right. "Tex" Hill, (18.25 victory Ace, Sqd. Ldr. 2nd sqd., American Volunteer Group {AVG} "Flying Tigers") is sitting in the front. The ToyBum sat down with Tex for a bit, to hear some of Tex's experiences during the war. Especially interesting was talking with Tex about the battle for Salween in 1942. One is in awe just to be in the same room with these heroes.


Jeppson, Tibbets & Van Kirk. Smithsonian Air & Space Museum - ENOLA GAY event, 10/23/04.
Gen. Paul Tibbets inside the ENOLA GAY cockpit at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum; ENOLA GAY event, 10/23/04.


Gen. Paul Tibbets in the ENOLA GAY cockpit at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum; ENOLA GAY event, 10/23/04.
Tibbets re-creates his pose in the ENOLA GAY at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum - 10/23/04.
Original Tibbets pose in the ENOLA GAY on Tinian, just before takeoff to Hiroshima, Japan; August 6, 1945

"Dutch" Van Kirk (navigator), Paul Tibbets (pilot) and Morris Jeppson (assistant weaponeer) sign books at the 10/23/04 signing of Paul Tibbets book "RETURN of the ENOLA GAY". This was held at the new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, located about 30 miles from Washington D.C., in Virginia. LOT'S of people showed up! All the books sold out in a very short time. Federal protection of the three crew members of the ENOLA GAY (because of physical protesting against the use of the atomic bomb to bring an end to WW2) made even the ToyBum's ingress/egress difficult at the signing. Even though Dutch is a friend of the ToyBum, the federal cops wouldn't let the ToyBum take a picture behind and in-between Paul and Dutch. A real bummer, to say the least!
Van Kirk(L), Jeppson(M) & Tibbets(R), in the ENOLA GAY's cockpit. Smithsonian Air & Space Museum - ENOLA GAY event, 10/23/04.


General Paul Tibbets, 10/23/04 at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Virginia. Through his perseverance and dedication, WW2 was finally brought to a close.

Looking up at the ENOLA GAY at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. On Saturday, 10/23/04, between 8:30a.m. and 9:20a.m., Pilot Paul Tibbets, navigator "Dutch" Van Kirk and assistant weaponeer Morris Jeppson of the August 6th, 1945 Atomic Bomb Mission to Hiroshima Japan, climbed into the ENOLA GAY for 50 minutes of memories. WOW, what a thrill!!!
The "business office" of the ENOLA GAY. You are viewing the actual seat and bombsight where the bombardier (Thomas Firebee) dropped the "Little Boy" atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan; August 6th, 1945.
"ENOLA GAY" - 10/23/04, Udvar-Hazy Center, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, VA.

The ENOLA GAY, as she rests in peace.
(right to left) - Dutch Van Kirk (navigator, B-29 "ENOLA GAY"; August 6th, 1945) & the ToyBum. Picture taken on October 1, 2004.
Dutch Van Kirk (navigator - farthest right), Paul Tibbets (pilot - to the left of Dutch in this picture), & the rest of the crew of the B-29 "ENOLA GAY" just moments after they all returned from dropping America's first Atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, August 6, 1945. "Dutch" was kind enough to sign this extremely rare photo for the ToyBum on October 1st, 2004.


The same picture, only now it's in a frame and hanging on the wall, behind the ToyBum's desk. Paul (General Tibbets) was kind enough to sign it for the ToyBum at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, 10/23/04. This of course compliments Dutch's signature.
This picture was a wonderful gift from Dutch to the ToyBum. Hand signed for the ToyBum by two of America's top heroes, Dutch Van Kirk and Paul Tibbets. Dutch was of course the navigator and Gen. Tibbets the pilot on the first atomic bomb mission to Hiroshima, Japan; Aug. 6th, 1945. The ToyBum Collection
The ENOLA GAY crewman and their positions: Colonel Paul Tibbet(Commander & Pilot), Captain Robert Lewis (Co-Pilot), Captain Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk(Navigator), Major Thomas Ferebee (Bombardier), Lieutenant Jacob Beser (Electronic Countermeasures), Sergeant Joseph Stiborik & Private Richard Nelson (Radar Operators), Staff Sergeant Wyatt Duzenbury (Flight Engineer), Staff Sergeant Robert Caron (Tail Gunner), Captain Deke Parson (Weaponeer) & 2nd Lieutenant Morris Jeppson(Ordinance Expert).

Morris Jeppson's description of the "LITTLE BOY" bomb plugs.
The original Hiroshima Atomic bomb plugs. These are the historic red and green arming and safety plugs from "LITTLE BOY". They are the only surviving artifacts from the first Atomic Bomb, removed in flight to Hiroshima on 8/6/45, by weapons test officer Morris R. Jeppson.
Ultra-rare older French diecast ENOLA GAY miniature, roughly 1:144 scale. What makes this miniature of the ENOLA GAY so unique, is that unlike any of the other produced miniatures of the ENOLA GAY (such as Model Power, Corgi, etc.), the tail carries the old code that General Tibbets changed; just before the Aug. 6, 1945 mission. The ToyBum Collection

You are viewing the Model Power 1:200 scale diecast of the Boeing B-29 bomber the "ENOLA GAY"; signed by Paul Tibbets (pilot) & Dutch Van Kirk (navigator) for the ToyBum. These two gents and the rest of their crew members were the men who directed and flew the B-29 "ENOLA GAY" on the first of the two Atomic bomb missions to Hiroshima, Japan, August 6th, 1945.


"Dutch" Van Kirk (navigator) and Gen. Paul Tibbets (pilot), sign a "Model Power" B-29 "Enola Gay" 1:200 scale diecast.
This print is titled: MAJOR PAUL TIBBETS "RED GREMILN". The RED GREMLIN was the B-17 flown by then Major Paul Tibbets, with navigator "Dutch" Van Kirk in the ETO in mid-1942 through early 1943. Major Tibbets then went on to command the 509th Composite Group, the first USAAF nuclear strike force. ~ This print hangs in the ToyBum's office, having been signed by General Tibbets (at top center) and artist Ernie Boyette; at bottom center.

The ToyBum and "FIFI"
ToyBum gets ready for the bomb run!
Norden bombsight on the last flying B-29, FIFI.

Nose shot: Hans-Joachim Marseille's 1940 Me/Bf-109E in hanger. - Russell Group Aviation. Fully flyable.
Ed Russell (owner: Russell Group Aviation) and the ToyBum discuss Hans-Joachim Marseille's 1940, "Battle of Britain" Me/Bf-109E. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, Marseille downed seven Allied aircraft. This aircraft is the actual, numbers matching, fully restored and flying Me/Bf-109E that Marseille flew in 1940. It is the only flying 109E in the world today. The ToyBum: "Listening to that DB-601 engine wind-up and scream is a REAL treat!"
Ed Russell (owner: Russell Group Aviation) and the ToyBum discuss Hans-Joachim Marseille's 1940, "Battle of Britain" Me/Bf-109E. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, Marseille downed seven Allied aircraft. This aircraft is the actual, numbers matching, fully restored and flying Me/Bf-109E that Marseille flew in 1940. It's the only flying 109E in the world today. The ToyBum: "Watching it fly and listening to it SCREAM by is INCREDIBLE!"

The ToyBum checks out H.J. Marseille's 1940 Me/Bf-109E.
The ToyBum thanks Ed Russell for the great tour! WOW! The 109E! The Spitfire Mk.IV! The Hurricane Mk.II! The Harvard Trainer! INCREDIBLE!!! ~ Now it's time for the ToyBum to get back to work, lending his expertise with the advertising/P.R. campaign for the "FRIENDLY FOES OVER THE FALLS AIRSHOW", June 9 (fly-in), 10th and 11th, 2006. See the ToyBum at the show! He'll have many rare aviation items, as well as MANY (signed and un-signed) rare aviation books, etc.! An absolutely wonderful and incredible aviation experience awaits all, in Niagara Falls, Canada, this June!
...as told by Francis S. Gabreski to C. Molesworth; written in 1991. On the back cover are comments by C. Yeager, James Doolittle and Robert L. Scott. This particular edition is from Gabbys personal collection. In the following pictures, you can see where he signed it and where it is stamped with his personal library stamp, "FSG". The ToyBum Collection

This book (see previous cover photo) is an edition from Gabby's personal library. This is one of only a few personal books he gave to friends and family. Here you see his signature on the first inside page. The ToyBum Collection
Gabby's personal library stamp "FSG", on the third inside page. The ToyBum Collection
Hand signed by Gabby before his death. ToyBum Collection.

This picture was signed in person for the ToyBum by "Flying Tiger" David Lee "Tex" Hill, just before the ToyBum took Tex back to the hotel in Louisville, Kentucky; 2/26/05. This picture is Tex in an early "greenhouse" P-51B Mustang, when he was CO of the 23rd Fighter Group in China; 1943 to 1944. The ToyBum Collection
Willow Run Airport, MI. August 9th, 2003. General "Chuck" Yeager signs for ToyBum's private collection. ~ Many items were signed (diecasts & special historical prints) for the ToyBum, by Günther Rall (Luftwaffe - 275 confirmed air to air victories & the 3rd highest ranking air combat ace in world history), Col. "Bud" Anderson (P-51 "OLD CROW", 16.5 victories) & "Chuck" Yeager (P-51 "GLAMOROUS GLENNIS"), the first man to travel faster than the speed of sound in level flight.
The Dragon model's 1:72 P-51D diecast of "Glamorous Glennis" (and this model's stand) that "Chuck" Yeager signed for the ToyBum on 8/9/03 at Willow Run airfield, MI. For provenance, see the other picture in "ToyBum's Gallery" of Gen. Yeager signing the stand, holding up the stand and the yellow paint pen used to sign it.

Yeager in Bell X-1.
Günther Rall (Luftwaffe - 275 confirmed WW2 air to air victories) & ToyBum share some food and WW2 air-warfare history. "Ace's Dinner" (Günther Rall/ Col. "Bud" Anderson/Gen. "Chuck" Yeager) Willow Run MI. August 9th, 2003.
Rall and Krupinski.

Günther Rall & "Bud" Anderson sign for the ToyBum. Actually, Günther Rall had already signed many items for the ToyBum. In this photo, Rall was helping Col. Anderson hold my Anderson/"Old Crow" print "Can't talk.....gotta shoot!", so that Col. Anderson could sign it. Rall was asking Col. Anderson questions about the action taking place in the print and Col. Anderson was answering Rall's questions while I stood there, listened and wished it all would never end. Picture taken 8/9/03.
Günther Rall signed this box for the ToyBum. It's the Matchbox 1:72 scale Bf-109G diecast of Eric Hartmann's "KARAYA 1"; authentically without the "Black Tulip" nose art. Hartmann did not always fly with the black tulip painted on his aircraft. That kept too many Russians away. However, he would sometimes let "rookie" pilots fly his black tulip nosed 109, as these inexperienced "Jagdfliegers" would stand a better chance of surviving their first mission(s). This item (and others) can be seen on the table in front of Günther Rall and "Bud" Anderson, signing many of the ToyBum's items.
Günther Rall signed this Wiking manufactured 1:200 scale German Luftwaffe training model stand base for the ToyBum on 8/9/03. The 1:200 Bf-109 on this stand is one of three types made by Wiking of Germany during WW2 for the Luftwaffe. The versions made were a 109E and two variations of the F, one of the F's looking conspicuously like a G model.

"Bud" Anderson signed the stand of this 1:72 scale Matchbox P-51D diecast of "OLD CROW" (Col. Anderson's painted second Mustang, a P-51D) on 8/9/03 for the ToyBum at Willow Run airfield, MI. His three aircraft used (from mid to late 1944, through early 1945) in the ETO with the 357th fighter group, were an olive drab P-51B and two "D"'s; this olive drab colored P-51D shown and an unpainted aluminum P-51D. This item (and others) can be seen on the table in front of Günther Rall and "Bud" Anderson, signing many of the ToyBum's items.
"Can't talk.......gotta shoot!" print. Action on 7/7/44 with then Captain "Bud" Anderson. This action led to one of the most intense dogfights Anderson was to experience (as described in his book) in his two tours of aerial combat over occupied Europe; 1944-1945.
Col. "Bud" Anderson (WW2 P-51 Mustang "OLD CROW" pilot/ace of the 357th Fighter Group, Leiston, England 1944-1945) & the ToyBum share a moment together just before sitting down to dinner. Picture taken 8/9/03.


Ace's Seminar dinner, Willow Run, 8/9/03 - Anderson/Rall/Yeager commissioned painting.
Rall and the boys: Gabreski & Rall print. Action on 5/12/44. Signed by both men, as well as the artist and R. Rankin!
The ToyBum was shown this area of the Alps and told that this is the location (the valley) where Günther Rall was shot-up by the 56th Fighter group on May 12th, 1944; losing his thumb in the process.

Allied flyers in the ETO flew over these Alps during WW2. This picture was taken in Bavaria.
Looking down on the Alps; another perspective.
Allied flyers in the ETO flew over these Alps during WW2. This picture was taken in Bavaria.

.....and another picture with the ToyBum in the Bavarian Alps. Being this high up and overlooking Austria and Italy (as well as Germany), gives one an idea of the beauty AND the danger facing our boys in the ETO who flew in the defense of the USA. God Bless ALL our wonderful veterans.
Yeager and Rousch: Ace's Seminar dinner, Willow Run, 8/9/03
Yankee Air Museum @ Willow Run airport, Michigan. Fire gutted the entire museum on 10/9/04.

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia celebrates its opening on 12/9/2003. Flanked by Joe Anderson, Associate Director for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and Don Lopez, Deputy Director, National Air and Space Museum, General Jack Dailey, Director of the National Air and Space Museum, cuts the ribbon. The Center is open to the public ever day of the year except Christmas.
Speakers at the dedication of the museum on 12/9/2003 included Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief Justice Rehnquist (Chancellor of the Smithsonian), and Larry Small, Secretary of the Smithsonian. The Vice President said, "The Center is a monument to the great achievements in flight and to the even greater possibilities that still lie ahead of us."
One of the distinguished veterans at the opening of the museum on 12/9/03 was Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, USAF (Ret), pilot of the B-29 Enola Gay; shown behind him on display in the Udvar-Hazy Center.

Many pioneers of aviation and space travel, as well as key supporters of the National Air and Space Museum, were honored at the Celebration Gala on 12/10/03. Distinguished guests included John Glenn, first American to orbit the Earth, who is chatting with Steven F. Udvar-Hazy for whom the new center is named.
The event at the museum on 12/9/03.
Actor John Travolta was also on hand for the event on 12/9/03 at the Smithsonian's Air & Space museum in Virgina. Travolta was Master of Ceremonies for the museums dedication and the pilot of his own Boeing 707.


Space shuttle liftoff; declassified. Pic.2
Space shuttle liftoff; declassified. Pic.1
Auto Union museum. Ingolstadt, Germany.

Original photography showing a line-up at one of Germany's Fw-190 factories in 1943. This original WW2 photograph is from an original 1943 copy of the German Luftwaffe magazine, "Der Adler". The ToyBum collection.
Original artwork showing what it looked like flying in the nose of an He-111 over London and the Thames river, during the Battle of Britain. This print is from an original WW2 copy of the German Luftwaffe magazine, "Der Adler" and resides in the ToyBum collection.
Original Bf/Me 109 ad from an original WW2 copy of the German Luftwaffe magazine, "Der Adler".

Original Junkers 87 (STUKA) ad from an original WW2 copy of the German Luftwaffe magazine, "Der Adler".
Various artwork, pre WW2 and WW2 model magazines. The ToyBum collection.
Original B-17G print "THUNDER GOD", circa. 1970 by Locher. The ToyBum collection.

Robert Taylor's "Knight's of the Eastern Front". Signed by Taylor (artist), Rall, Krupinski, Hartmann, Steinhoff, Hrabak and Ihlefeld. Certificate of Authenticity is hung next to print. The ToyBum Collection.
"Nightfighters", by Gil Cohen. The ToyBum Collection.
"The Warrior and the Wolfpack", by John D. Shaw. Günther Rall comes under the guns of the 56th fighter group on May 12, 1944. Signed by Rall, Gabreski and Rankin. The ToyBum collection.

Signed Certificate of Authenticity for "The Warrior and the Wolfpack". The ToyBum Collection.
"A Pack of Trouble", by Ross Buckland. In a different rendition of the same theme, Günther Rall comes under the guns of the 56th fighter group on May 12, 1944. Signed by Rall, "Hub" Zemke and Rankin. The ToyBum collection.
James Goodson signed photo. The ToyBum Collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.

A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.
A small part of the ToyBum's collection.










These pins are just a few of the many aviation related specialty pins collected by the ToyBum. The Bell Aviation "Airacuda" pin is from the 1930's; one of the rarest "sweetheart" pins to be found. The Clipper "sweetheart" pins (Martin M-130's - the 3 large and 1 small) were given out to special customers of Pan American Airways in the 1930's as gifts. The 4 German pins were from the German WHW during WW2. The "Memphis Belle" pin was given out at the premier of the movie "Memphis Belle", in 1990. The Concorde key chain was a giveaway to Air France Concorde passengers. The small Lockheed "Connie" was a table-top piece used on a strategic table-top map table, during the Berlin Airlift. The ToyBum Collection

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