Sharks

Left to right: Lt. George R. Bolling, Captain Erwin B. Lawrence,
and Captian Leon C Roberts woth a 99th P-40 at an airfield in Italy, 1943.
Roberts was the 99th's Operations Officer and Lawrence was Squadron C.O.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

'Buster'

Lt. Charles Blakesly 'Buster' Hall was the first member of the 99th to score
an aerial victory when he knocked down a 190 on July 2nd, 1943 while escorting
B-25s near Castelventrano, Sicily. The 99th was at the time attached to the 324th FG.


National Museum of the United States Air Force - Larger Image

Lt. Hall's ship was P-40L 42-10895.


National Museum of the United States Air Force - Larger Image

Manning's Hawk

Lt. Albert Henry Manning with his P-40 named 'ALMAX' / 'Bertha II'.


Chanute Air Museum - Larger Image

'SPANKY'

This still from a newsreel shows 99th groundcrew bombing-up a P-40F named 'Spanky',
possibly assigned to Major George S. 'Spanky' Roberts.


Afro-American Newspapers/Gado - Larger Image

'Sid-n-Joyce'

Lt. Sidney P. Brooks with his P-40, named 'EL CID *Loves* JOYCE'.
'EL CID' was likely Brooks' nickname, but I don't know that for sure.

Brooks was killed in a landing accident on September 17th, 1943. He'd taken off from
an airfield on Sicily when his engine went sour. Turning back to land at the field, he
decided to go in wheels-up because of poor visibility. (fog?) Unfortunately, Brooks forgot
to jettison the drop tank and a fire engulfed the ship when it hit the ground. He survived
the accident, but succumbed to shock and smoke inhalation later that same night.


CAF Rise Above - Larger Image

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