I just had to share this with you guys. Some of you may remember my Typhoon Mk1b from RCAF 440 sqdn (Pulverizer IV) pics I posted a earlier in June.
Well last night (Canada Day) I recieved a call from an elderly gentlemen asking if I was the Jay Boutin who builds models. I said yes. He then asked me if I would like to speak to a close friend of his, the pilot of the typhoon I built! [:0]Harry James Hardy (the pilot of Pulverzer IV) was visiting this guy and they were looking up Pulverizer on the Internet and found a link to the build pics I had posted. I spent about a half hour talking to these two gentlemen and it was so cool! I had known Harry was still surviving but never in my right mind would have thought he would try to contact me! The internet has really made this world so small. [:D]
Incidentaly a book was recently published titled ‘Aces, Warriors and Wingmen’, all about Canadian fighter pilots. I only bought that book two weeks ago and Harry offered to sign it for me! He lives in Burnaby BC and I’m in Calgary so we’ll see how to do it but that just blew me away!
I have never had anything like that happen to me before. I think I have been inspired for the rest of my life!
Here are some pics for those who didn’t catch the Typhoon last time.
Man that is so cool!!! I don’t think that anything like that would ever happen to me. [^][8D]
The Typhoon looks good. So keep up the good work and I hope that the meeting with Harry goes very well for you.[tup] Also to let you know “We are not worthy!”[bow][bow][bow][bow]
That “connection” really does a lot for the hobby. You are indeed lucky to have contact with the gentleman your model honored. Too many of them are no longer around for us to learn from. Great job!
Jay - way too cool!!! What are the odds of that happening??? Congrats and come back and tell us about the meeting!!! hmmm maybe a signed pic and put that plane on a base with the pic?? that would be cool! (or a copy of the pic)
Its always a thrill to meet or talk to one of your heroes. I got to meet three of the pilots I admired the most before they passed away (Boyington, Sakae and Galland) and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish. Thanks for sharing this. The Typhoon looks good.
Very cool Jay…it won’t be the last time! I have received e-mails from Pacific Ace Vodra’s family concerning his P-40 I built, e-mails from a good friend of Witold Lanowski’s concerning his P-47M build I did. It is very gratifying to hear that your build makes someones day and brings back so many memories. The internet lets us share this passion to so many more folks than could ever have been possible just a few years ago. Great work!
Congratulations on job well done. The quality of your work on the Typhoon justifies the attention from the pilot. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Congrats! Unfortunately for me the possibility of this happening to me (slim already) is almost impossible, as I rarely build a specific aircraft. It’s a nice bonus, though!
I agree- if possible, get a signed photograph to display with the model. Maybe you could whip up a pilot figure to go with it?
It always good to get recognition for your accomplishments other than just the various show trophies. Right on! [:D][tup]
Wow, that’s awesome Jay!!! Make sure you stop in Vernon on your way back to Calgary so that I can drool over that Picture/Autograph. Seriously, It’s those kinds of personal stories which really makes this hobby all the more enjoyable.
Guys I was so honoured, (we are SO not worthy). It has been all I’m thinking about since Friday. Well almost, as I am stupid busy with house/yard work. (and no time for my current model projects) [:(!]
D.Blackwell, you are so right about the fact that so many are no longer with us. In talking with Harry, he was sad to pass on the news that the pilot who took over ‘Pulverizer IV’ after he was finish his tour and actually flew the plane until the end of the war, passed away only a few weeks ago. [:(]
(Tom, you’ll be glad to know the pilot was a Texan!).[C):-)]
Unfortunately I may not be able to meet Harry anytime soon. Burnaby is about a 14hour drive from Calgary but we’ll see what happens.[sigh]
