Bio

I was born in 1946. I lived on a farm north of Mercedes, Texas, USA until leaving for college. During WWII my father (Leonard) was in the US Army Air Force training pipeline for the 8th Air Force. He received his commission as a flying officer at the Big Springs Bombardier School in Texas in mid-April, 1945. WWII ended before he was sent overseas. He met my mother (Frances) in Los Angeles, CA, USA during training. They married before the war ended. My mother's father was an Englishman, born and raised in India. He eventually ended up in Los Angeles, married, and lived there.The Confederate Air Force (now the Commemorative Air Force) started at an airfield near my hometown. Seeing their WWII planes on the ground and in the air is something I will never forget. My work in life had nothing to do with airplanes or flying. However I have had a life-long hobby involving model radio control airplanes, especially fighter plane models.Edit: Jan. 3, 2024. Through my father's family I am a 1st cousin 2x removed of 1st Lt. Virgil H. Smith. I added pictures and info about him recently.