Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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berneysson
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Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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02/29/2008 02:04:53 PM
My dad was a pilot in the 319th BG / 438th Sq. His name was Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer. He flew in the B-26 (Serial # 134938) tail # 35 named th BIG ASS BIRD. He was stationed in Sardinia and flew 65 missions from Jan through Oct 1944. We are looking for anyone with info or pictures on my dad or his plane. any response would be very much appreciated. I have many photos from the time some with names on the back which i try to cross check with people lsited here. My dad unfortunately died in 1969. All the best, Carl Sturmer carlsturmer@verizon.net
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deefeater
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/01/2008 12:29:48 AM
Carl, have added a nice shot of Big Ass Bird here, have some more that I will send over later. This Marauder had 145 sorties on October 31st 1944, and was ranking as #2 in 319th BG regarding number of sorties, "Zero-4" had 146 sorties.
<message edited by deefeater on 03/01/2008 12:32:40 AM >
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buckeyeuk
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/01/2008 07:41:06 AM
Alf that's a good picture for anyone wanting an "operational" finish on their model.
What interested me was the replacement B-25 in the background ( I think a J as the H's insignia was further back ); from the same squadron and with the 319th's black ( or dark blue ? ) tail. Must have been Nov.-Dec. 1944. They were reported as having blue tails on their A-26s on Okinawa later.
Was it true that BAB was the fastest plane in the Group ? ? Nick
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deefeater
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/01/2008 08:15:05 AM
Nick, the color of the tail on B-25 was dark blue. I have not seen color on tails of their A-26 Invaders on Okinawa. I have no knowledge of BAB as being the fastest B-26 in 319th BG.
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shooshoobaby
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/02/2008 11:27:31 AM
Nick - From The Seventh AF Story by Kenn Rust:
319th BG A - 26s. " It was planned to paint the
Vertical Tails Cobalt Blue with A/C Number in White,
1 - 24 , 25 - 49 , 50 - 74 , 75 - 99 for 4 Squadrons.
However , only the Group Commanders A - 26 and
a few others were so painted by Wars End."
Mike
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deefeater
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/02/2008 02:02:41 PM
ORIGINAL: deefeater
Carl, have added a nice shot of Big Ass Bird here, have some more that I will send over later. This Marauder had 145 sorties on October 31st 1944, and was ranking as #2 in 319th BG regarding number of sorties, "Zero-4" had 146 sorties.
Carl, as you got a swift reply from Veteran 438th BS Bombardier-Navigator with photos I will only upload one here; it's a scan from a book showing "Big Ass Bird" airborne. The story Joe wrote and mentioned in his reply is available here: http://home.att.net/~ww2aviation/BobHope.html The story puts the name "Big Ass Bird" in it's right perspective....thank you Mike for settling the blue tail question regarding the A-26 Invaders at Okinawa.
<message edited by deefeater on 03/02/2008 02:04:12 PM >
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buckeyeuk
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/02/2008 02:35:21 PM
Thanks Mike I've got the Rust book but was never sure that the colour was confirmed; if their B-25s had blue tails no doubt it was continued on the A-26s. The photos only show nos. 01 and 13 ,no time to do many I suppose as they only arrived on Okinawa in July.
Alf, the caption to your photo (in the book I have ) is the one that mentions it being the "fastest in the Group" ---don't quite know how they worked that out. Cheers Nick
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deefeater
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RE: Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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03/02/2008 02:51:52 PM
First 319th BG A-26 mission from Okinawa was on July 16th 1945, last mission was on August 12th 1944, a total of 24 A-26 missions. They had no combat losses on Okinawa. They lost 13 B-26 Marauders during first 29 missions Nov 28th 1942 - Feb 13th 1943. Added shot from Okinawa 1945, also showing only serial on tail.
<message edited by deefeater on 03/02/2008 02:53:57 PM >
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okie4x4
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Re:Info on BIG ASS BIRD pilot Lt. Berney Paul Sturmer
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09/08/2008 02:44:02 PM
My Grandfather, Ramsey Hardy, flew the Big Ass Bird on her 100th mission. He flew 55 missions before he rotated home. The one story he told me growing up that I remember most was of flying this aircraft.
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