Tuesday Afternoon

I came across this picture yesterday while searching through old family photos. I held this in my hand and had no history on it. All I saw was a young determined pilot who was asked to have his picture taken by the military. The seriousness in his face reminds me of my youngest son.
I showed this picture to my husband who remarked "This looks like he just completed his first solo flight and that is the plane behind him that he trained in" I think you are correct. Thank You.
If my father were living today, I know he would have enjoyed the song I posted below.

YouTube - Moody Blues - Tuesday Afternoon (1970)

Blog under construction as of 6/16/09.

A phone call

I was tooling around the house tonight. Picking up loose ends and getting ready for a hectic work week. Phone often rings here, generally a call for one of my sons which I rarely answer.
I listened to the voice leaving a message.
A gentleman was leaving a message asking if I was related to Logan Charles. I picked up the phone and informed him that I was his youngest daughter. He informed me that his name was Doug Rappley and he was the Engineering Officer for the fleet of P-61 Black Widows and served with my father. He informed me that he remembers when the 550th Night Fighter Squadron was developed in Fresno. He also informed me that he, and Vic Modena (another pilot of the 550th) were landing in Hollandia Air Field in New Guinea when they learned of my father's crash on Mt Cyclops. Officer Rappley informed me they barely landed when they had to take off again to search for my father and crew members.
I will have the opportunity to meet this man on June 12th 2009 to review pictures and exchange stories.
I want to thank my mother, who is no longer living. She carefully explained each picture I have and cherished her marriage to her husband. I want to thank you Dad.

Jill

Logan Charles

Logan Charles in Class A Uniform during flight training.

Humor

Honolulu, Hawaii at Schofield Barracks.
Logan Charles is third from right.
Picture taken just prior to the bombing of
Pearl Harbor.

Flying Formation

A fan of Logan Charles

Thanks to my father who shared many stories with me as a child. I am a huge fan of the aviation industry and one of my hobbies is airshows. Now if I can just overcome my fear of flying!

Chief Engineering Officer Doug Rappley

Under Construction

Cadets in Training/Florida

If you click on the picture, you will see Logan Charles on the right with an arrow pointing towards him. This group of pilots had no idea they would be in WW2. The war had not been declared yet.

The WWII Night Fighters were a different breed of men. The Pilots, Radar Observers and Tail Gunners were all volunteers. They had special technical training as did the ground personnel. Prior to the establishment of the Night Fightes, our combat troops and installations, in the combat zones, were nightly targets for strafing and bombing by the enemy. When the Night Fighters became operational, these problems basically stopped, thus saving the lives of untold numbers of our troops and much needed equipment and supplies.

Flight School in Florida

The WWII Night Fighters of the USAAF were "Pioneers" in the use of "Air Bourne Radar" to hunt flown enemy aircraft. This operation was most frequently done in the dark and stormy skies over enemy territory.

This picture was taken when my father was in flight school. Eighteen years of age.

Discharged

Logan Charles spent a significant amount of time in the hospital in New Guinea. He had a full body cast and caught Malaria. This is the last known picture of my father in uniform taken when he was back in the states. He received an honorable discharge.
My father was color blind. He studied during the night while in flight school to learn the different shades of colors. Of course he never told the Army Air Corp that! He was a determined young man who wanted to become one of the best pilots ever.

Injured

This is how the P-61 Black Widow looked when it was found on Mt. Cyclops in New Guinea.

Logan Charles suffered a broken back. Benny his radar observer had the top of his head scalped.

Props

New Guinea

This picture was taken at Hollandia Air Field in New Guinea. My father Logan Charles is seated on the left. I have the ID bracelet you see on his right wrist. Inscribed on the back of the ID bracelet is "Fritzie loves Red." That was my mothers nickname and my father had red hair.
On occasion, I still wear his ID bracelet to work. It's heavy and is sterling silver.

Standing to the left is Radar Observer Benny who flew with my father. They became close friends and he stood up in my parents wedding. He passed away not to long ago. Benny lived in Southern California after the war.

Logan Charles and Car

P-61 Black Widow

When the plane was located, it still had oil in the engine and the rubber was still on the tires.

P-61 Black Widow

After my father took off for a routine flight, he lost power and crashed. Luckily, all on board survived. The plane layed there for close to 40 years. He never knew the plane was going to be recovered and placed in a museum.

Hollandia Air Field New Guinea

The remains of the P-61 Black Widow laying on Mt Cyclops. Natives from the area took dials from the instrument panel.