Condolences for the loss of two great WW2 pilots in the last few weeks.
Firstly, Robert `Shorty' Rankin, 61st F.S. 56th F.G renowned for shooting down 5 emeny planes in one mission on 12th May 1944
Secondly, Urban `Ben' Drew, 375th F.S 361st F.G , whose record was first pilot to down two Me. 262's in one mission
RIP guys, clear skies, a strong tailwind and Angels on your 6, you are missed and always remembered

Krys

Sad news indeed.
Urban Drew below after the 2 kills., October 7th.
On 7 October 1944 Urban Drew spotted three Messerschmitt Me 262 of Kommando Novotny taking off from Achmer, flown by Ofah. Russell, Lt. Kobert and Oblt. Bley. Diving from 16.000 ft, Drew first damaged Russell's aircraft on the runway, then shot down Kobert and Bley at 1000 ft. Kobert was killed, Bley bailed out and survived.

Drew's camera gun had jammed and his wingman, Robert K. McCandliss, was shot down by flak and became POW (see MACR Number 42-106830), so the story was confirmed by Lufwtaffe archives only after 39 years.

On May 12th, 1983 Urban Drew was awarded with the Air Force Cross:

"The Air Force Cross is presented to Urban L. Drew, Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Leader of Blue Flight, 375th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group, 8th Air Force near Hamm, Germany, on 7 October 1944. On that date, Lieutenant Drew became the first Allied pilot to shoot down in combat two ME-262 aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and in the dedication of his service to his country, Lieutenant Drew reflected the highest credit on himself and
the United States Air Force."



And below Robert Rankin receiving the DSC.

And a nice link - http://www.eaa.org/news/2013/2013-03-21_robert-shorty-rankin-leaves-behind-historic-milestones.asp

Nice pics Duggy,
I met Ben Drew as a youngster when he lived in England with his South African wife. ben and my father used to attend reunion meets together. he was quite a character and was very young looking for his age (as I remember him as a wee lad!!)