Member Meeting |
October 19, 2011 |
Rollie Barton WWII P-51 Pilot with the 31st Fighter Group - 309th Fighter Squadron
| Rollie Barton joins us at to talk about his experiences flying the P-51 from bases out of Italy in the latter days of WWII. The 309th Fighter Squadron scored 173 victories throughout WWII including 18 ME-109s on March 31, 1945. Lt. Barton shot down two of the 109s on that day including one that was at his 6 O’clock. |
Return with Honor Honor Plaque at the United States Air Force Academy |
 309th P-51s receiving maintenance at San Severo, Italy, June 1944 |
 309th Officers, San Severo, Italy 1944 |
 Capt. John Voll's P-51D: 308th FS, Summer 1944 Crew Chief S/Sgt Robert J.Hendery |
| Dimensions: | Span 37 ft. 5/16 in. length 32 ft. 3 in.; height 12 ft. 2 in.; wing area 240 sq. ft. |
| Weight: | Normal loaded 10,100 lb. |
| Performance: | 1450 hp Packard 1650-7 engine; Maximum speed 437 mph @ 25,000 ft, Rate of Climb 3,475 @ 5,000 ft, Service Ceiling 30,000 ft. |
| Service Ceiling: | 30,000 ft. |
| Armament: | 6 0.50 in. Browning machine guns |
| Flown by: | 307th FS June 44 to July 45 308th FS June 44 to July 45 309th FS June 44 to July 45 |
Location:
Mesa Beverage Company, Inc.3200 N. Laughlin Road. Santa Rosa, CA
Directions: From Santa Rosa, take Highway 101 North and exit at Airport Blvd. Turn left on Laughlin Road toward the museum. The Mesa building is located on the left side of the street just past the museum and Nob Hill south gate.
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| November 16 | Christina Olds, daughter and author of her father’s story “THE MEMOIRS OF LEGENDARY ACE ROBIN OLDS”. |
