The Misfits

[MiloMorai]

for the whole article, http://petapixel.com/2013/10/29/honored-photograph/

 

First, let’s get this out of the way. Jay Zeamer wasn’t a photographer by trade. He was mostly a wanna-be pilot. He looked good on paper, having graduated with a degree in civil engineering from MIT, joining the Army Air Corps, and receiving his wings in March, 1941. He was a B-26 bomber co-pilot when World War II started.

 

His classmates all rapidly became lead pilots and squadron leaders, but not Jay. He couldn’t pass the pilot check tests despite trying numerous times. He was a good pilot, but just couldn’t seem to land the B-26. Landing, from what I’ve read, was considered one of the more important qualifications for a pilot. Stuck as a co-pilot while his classmates and then those from the classes behind him were promoted, he got bored and lost all motivation.

 

Things came to a head when co-pilot Zeamer fell asleep while his plane was in flight. Not just in flight, but in flight through heavy anti-aircraft fire during a bombing run. He only woke when the pilot beat him on the chest because he needed help. His squadron commander had him transferred to a B-17 squadron in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea where he was allowed to fly as a fill-in navigator and occasionally as a co-pilot. He was well liked and popular — on the ground. But no one wanted to fly with him.

 

Zeamer finally managed to get into the pilot’s seat by volunteering for a photo reconnaissance mission when the scheduled pilot became ill. The mission, an extremely dangerous one over the Japanese stronghold at Rabual, won Zeamer a Silver Star – despite the fact that he still hadn’t qualified to pilot a B-17.

[Klaue]

S! Good read THX.

[Mewt]

I love little nuggets like this.

[BigC208]

The program Dogfights episode 9, in season one, has a segment on Jay Zeamer and his crew on this flight.

[NZTyphoon]

Thanks Milo - this was the first I've read about this: guts, determination and courage. Flying an old, beat up wreck of a B-17 that the crew rebuilt...

[MiloMorai]

Thanks Milo - this was the first I've read about this: guts, determination and courage. Flying an old, beat up wreck of a B-17 that the crew rebuilt...

 

Yup not even aviation mechanics. Flown by a pilot not qualified on the type. Even did un-authorized armament changes.

[DD_bongodriver]

Must be a bunch of stories like this throughout the war, much compromising had to be done in the most demanding of times.

[JtD]

Nice read, thanks for sharing.

[FlatSpinMan]

This is a great story sounds a bit like that classic IL2 campaign, "Castaways", by Dubbo.

That said, is there any confirmation of the Japanese losses claimed by the crew of Ole 666?

I hope they did attain the scores they claim, but with a crew virtually all in shock from gun-shot wounds, plus the confusion of posdt action bomber gun turret.

[Lord_Haw-Haw]

This very interesting story shows what a challenge a reconnaissance flight can be, and is far from boring as some might think.

Just need to think of various comments about the big planes "what do you want with that, it is just a bus to be moved from A to

B" and simular. I do hope those who find the big birds a waste of time, do take the time to read how interesting and challenging

these big beasts can be! Thank you for sharing.

[Gort]

Thanks for sharing. Love these sort of gems. Worth the price of admission.