RIP COLLINS
40TH FIGHTER SQUADRON
35TH FIGHTER GROUP
Subject: 40th. FIGHTER SQUADRON
"Red Devils"
Date: Thu, 1
Jul 1999 13:40:25 -0500
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
Thursday July 1, 1999 @ 13:30 CDT in Houston
Hello Peter Dunn in Brisbane (Down Under),
With a bit of search, I found you Website
I am Rip Collins in Houston. I was in the 40th Fighter Squadron in '44 and '45., and I am copying this to Carlos 'Dan" Dannacher, who was a Squadron Commander of the 40th. in the Pacific.
I would sincerely appreciate an email response from you. We have a new 35th Group Website, and I am starting a Website for the 40th. Squadron.
Would like your permission to link your site to our new Webpage, if you would approve.
Thanks. hope to hear from you soon.
Rip Collins
10039 Kemp Forest Drive
Houston TX 77080-2601
Subject: 40th. FIGHTER SQUADRON
"Red Devils"
Date: Fri, 2
Jul 1999 09:25:09 -0500
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
CC: cedanna@bellatlantic.net
Friday July 2nd. @ 9:25 CDT
And a Gidday to you, Peter-
Quick comments, then we will go into more details afterwards:
- I am again copying Carlos Dannacher, as Dan has the most knowledge of the earlier Red Devils since he was a Squadron commander and has accumulated a lot of history, much of which is on the HISTORY button on the 35th Group Website, even though this is primarily about the Group, not the 40th Squadron.
Dan lives in Virginia and was in Dayton Ohio in 1995 for the most recent 40th. Reunion.
- I also have some info on a man who has been to New Guinea several times locating downed aircraft. He recently located the P-47 that was the Jug that belonged to a dear lady named Patricia Gaffney-Ansel. He spoke to us in Dayton last month on a 41st. Squadron Reunion, and showed films of this finding. I will have Patricia contact you.
- Thanks for your permission to link your sites to our new Webpages. This will greatly extend your contacts around this little globe of ours.
- An last for today, I spent 30 days in Sydney on R&R with Ellis C. Baker, a buddy of mine from Oklahoma, in March of '45, so I am familiar with your delicious 4X 'bier' from Tasmania !! (It's actually from Brisbane - Peter)
God Bless you Peter for your work in research for those who gave their all, especially at this time of the year for us Sate Siders {4th. of July, that is}
Rip
Subject: Genealogy Stuff
Date:
Fri, 2 Jul 1999 09:48:38 -0500
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
Here she is Peter: Say hello to Marilyn 'Stonecipher' Collins, a genealogy ' fanatic' he he
Hi Peter,
Yes, I am a fanatic who would spend her life at the library and visiting courthouses and cemetaries, but it seems consulting, gardening, pets, husband, family seem to think they need time, too. What names are you researching in the US. My email address is marilync@hal-pc.org
Happy Hunting, Marilyn
Subject: Hi Peter
Date:
Sat, 30 Oct 1999 17:00:38 -0500
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
Sat. in Houston
Hi Peter,
Just looked at your Website. Wow - nice job !!
Rip Collins
Let's get this get together in Nashville next October working. OK ? Contact everyone you know and give 'em our Web address:
Subject: Re: Hi Peter
Date: Sun, 31
Oct 1999 15:03:00 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
Gidday Peter -
Took time to look at ALL of those fabulous warbirds and other aircraft. What a wonderful collection ! Only wish you had my favorite:
Great Webpage. Congratulations !
Rip
Subject: Hi Peter
Date:
Mon, 1 Nov 1999 11:35:29 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
CC: cedanna@bellatlantic.net
Gadday Peter It's Nov. 1st in Houston - -
Not many Jugs remaining, period. One P-47N [in flying condition] is in Dallas area at Addison Airport. It is named Cavanaugh Flight Museum. Go to:
Keep 'em Flying
Subject: G'Day mate !
Date: Sat, 25
Dec 1999 21:58:25 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
CC: mickd@alphalink.com.au
Saturday Dec 25th. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
I just Looked at your wedsite again tonight on the 49th. Group. Nice work.
What is P. stand for. { Peter ? }
Are you any kind to Michael Dunn, an email friend of mine downunder ? His address is: mickd@alphalink.com.au
Rip Collins in Houston
Subject: 40th Fighter
Squadron
Date:
Tue, 28 Dec 1999
08:27:14 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
To:
Peter Dunn
CC: cedanna@bellatlantic.net
Tuesday Dec. 26th. - 8:20 AM CST in Houston -
Thanks and Gidday to you Peter,
Our 35th. Fighter Pilot's are really looking forward to you Aussies meeting jointly with us in Nashville next October. Put it together !
Nashville is a great place to meet and have fun.
Yawl {that's Texan for 'All of you'} can have your meeting in the same Hotel as we will, and then we can all meet together and have some Aussie beer and tell tall tales. Keep us posted !!
BTW, do you still have the '4X' Aussie beer that
is made with water from Tasmania? We downed many many bottles of that delicious
beer in King's Cross and on Bondi Beach back in the 40's.
Rip
Subject: (Fwd) Re:
Fighter Pilots
Date:
Tue, 28 Dec 1999
11:57:43 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
To:
Pabi@worldnet.att.net
Patricia,
You need to join our 35th Group/Wing Association. You are egigible ! [ Only $25.00. ] Do it now.
Application is on our Website below.
Rip
<><><>
------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Subject: Fighter Pilots
From: Self <maroon@hal-pc.org>
To: Pabi@worldnet.att.net
Copies to: cedanna@bellatlantic.net
Date sent: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 11:49:47 -0600
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for your email.
BTW, I now have put your story on the Aussie connection. My Aussie buddy Peter Dunne has added our 35th Group website to his Aussie WWII Website. It has your Dad's story listed.
Go to the following website and read ALL the links, especially the 5th. Air Force link and then to the 35th Group link.
Then go to "emails fromRip Collins -"
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Rip Collins in Houston
Subject:
Fighter Pilots
Date sent: Tue, 28 Dec 1999
11:39:51 -0500
From:
Patricia
Gaffney-Ansel <Pabi@worldnet.att.net>
Send reply to: Pabi@worldnet.att.net
To:
tssmith@wcnet.net, RONNOXEL@aol.com,
cabernetkid@webtv.net, maroon@hal-pc.org
RMcma81916@aol.com, DoLaRe@aol.com
JAMESHILB@aol.com
Hello,
Happy New Year and Millennium to all. I look forward to seeing many of you in Charleston in June. The air date for 'Journey of the Heart' on the Lifetime Channel (cable) has been changed to Monday, January 17. It's on at 8pm here in CT but check local time. I received the following and thought you might find it interesting: The VIVA-ART film company in Germany is currently looking for American World War II Veterans who were fighter pilots in either the European or Pacific campaigns. VIVA- ART is preparing a documentary television series on the fighter pilots, planes and battles fought during WWII and is interested in speaking with Veterans about their experiences.
If you were a fighter pilot during WWII or if you know of any Veterans who were, please feel free to contact me as soon as possble with a brief description of your experiences as a pilot including approximate date(s) and location(s) if possible.
If you have plans to visit Wash. DC early next year or are interested in the subject of WWII history, the Smithsonian Institution will be conducting a forum "Historians and Soldiers Remember World War II" from 1/27/00 to 3/2/00 which will include a segment "Fighter Pilots in Europe". The registration code is: AXDS.
Thank you for your help.
Glynn Behmen
203 6th St SE
Wash., DC 20003-1135
VoiceMail: 202-547-5887
FAX: 202-547-5887
E-Mail: WW2pilot_45@yahoo.com
Love,
Patricia Gaffney-Ansel
Subject: 40th Fighter Squadron
Date:
Fri, 14 Jan 2000
14:24:26 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
To:
Peter
Dunn
CC: holet@multipro.com, cedanna@bellatlantic.net
Friday Jan. 14th in the US of A -- Time: 14:25 in Houston
Hi again Peter,
Lot's of interest being stirred up here that you Aussies are seriously considering joining us in Nashville in October.
Since we are serious also, can you advise us a guess as to how many might can be expected to show up and down a few bottles of Aussie bier with us ?
Details of Reunion are now posted on both 35th. and 40th/ URL's.
Take a look and email me back. OK ?
Rip Collins ( The King's Cross Kid )
Subject: Papua New Guinea P39 (P-400?)
Date:
Fri, 16 Jun 2000
18:58:30 -0500
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
To:
psharpe@datec.com.pg
CC: cedanna@bellatlantic.net,
Friday June 16th. in Houston @ 7 PM CDT
I looked at your [ datec.com.pg URL ] Very impressive.
Thanks for contacting me. I will forward this to Carlos Dannacher, who probably has the best contacts for locating helpfull information.
I was at Port Morseby for about a month, and flew P-47's out of Nadzab, prior to getting assigned to the 35th Fighter Group on Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, at that time in 1944. Mosy of the war had moved north when I was at Nadzab, but we shot up Wewak Wille a good bit from the Nadzab airstrip.
I also have some Aussie contacts that may can help. One of the best is Peter Dunn.
Where are you and what is your actual address ? [ snail mail address, that is ] Rip Collins in Houston FAX NUMBER: Area Code:713 Telephone Number:462-4248
------- Forwarded message follows -------
Subject: Papua New Guinea P39 (P-400?)
From: Self
<maroon@hal-pc.org>
To:
"Peter
Sharpe" <psharpe@datec.com.pg>
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 13:10:19 -0500
Thanks Peter,
I WILL get back to you on this. I was there.
Rip Collins in Houston
<><><>
Subject: Papua New Guinea P39 (P-400?)
From:
"Peter Sharpe" <psharpe@datec.com.pg>
To:
<maroon@hal-pc.org>
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 19:53:18 +1000
Hello there.
I am a retired airline pilot having flown in PNG for some 34 years and associated with the only Aero Club remaining, albeit with one Cessna 152.
Within the Club grounds is the remains of a P39(P-400) that I was hoping to gain some background information on. Maybe you can steer me in the right direction.
The air craft is pretty derelict and from inspection, it
appears that there may be a RAF(RAAF) Roundel under the USAAF Star on the
fuselage. From this, I assume that the aircraft may have been a 'lend-lease' type in use
with US forces.
The only identifying number that can be found is AP947 in about 8" writing on the rear fuselage under the tailplane.
The Aircraft in question suffered an engine failure somewhere towards NADZAB or LAE area and made a deadstick forced landing on a small airstrip called BULLDOG some 80 miles north of Port Moresby.
The wreck was airlifted by a Chopper to Port Moresby some years ago and the Club intend mounting it as a memorial to those who lost their lives during WWII conflict.
Kindest regards.
Peter Sharpe.
-----------------------------------------------------
Subject: Hi Again Peter
Date: Tue, 19
Dec 2000 16:57:58 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
To:
Peter Dunn
CC: MEPollin@aol.com
Tuesday Dec. 19th @ 5PM CDT in Texas - -
Hi Peter -
This is Rip Collins again. I have a new 'puter so I am making contact with you again. [ New hard drive; email; etc, ]
Just reviewed your URL. Great !! I need to purchase the book on the 5th Air Force. How do I do that ?
Also, I have received an email from a lady trying to find some info on her father. I will copy her email and see if you can help.. Her dad was in the Jungle Skippers in 1945. Thanks. Let me hear from you ! Merry Christmas !!
Rip
Subject: An order from Houston
Date:
Wed, 20 Dec 2000
11:50:51 -0600
From: maroon@hal-pc.org
To:
mjc@albury.net.au
Hi Michael,
This is Rip Collins in Houston. My Aussie friend Peter Dunn gave me your URL contact to place an order for your book - THE FORGOTTEN FIFTH for $ 34.05 (US$).
I was in the 5th Air Force; 35th Fighter Group; 40th. Fighter Squadron from Port Morseby to the end on Okinawa. I saw the Nagasaki bomb at the instant of detonation. [In a Mustang about 120 miles North an East covering B-24's on a mission]
By the way, I have a book printed in Sydney over 50 years ago, named:
PACIFIC SWEEP. It's also the history of the 5th. Fighter Command.
Merry Christmas
Can anyone help me with more information?
"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products
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This page first produced 28 December 1999
This page last updated 05 March 2020
