A Tuskegee Airman Flies Again

A Hero’s Welcome Into the Aeromodeling Community

By Joe Hass

As seen in the April 2007 Model Aviation.

The history and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II serve as an inspiration and an example of what can be accomplished when confronted with adversity. These black pilots, also known as the “Red Tails,” overcame the prejudices of the era to earn the coveted reputation of never having lost a bomber when they flew fighter escort.

After more than 60 years, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson takes the controls of a “Red Tail” Mustang. Joe Hass co-pilots.

“Red Tail” Mustang

Alexander, with his Hangar 9 PTS P-51 retrimmed in Tuskegee squadron colors. The model was a gift of appreciation and was paid for by private donations.

The Detroit, Michigan, area is home to several of these veterans. Past AMA Vice President Pete Waters heard Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson speak at a meeting of the Midwest R/C Club and was so impressed that he called me to say, “You have to have this guy come to one of your meetings.”

So began an odyssey that took almost a year to coordinate. It has been one of the most rewarding encounters our organization has had.

Pete Waters did not have Alexander’s telephone number, but he put me in touch with someone who did. Alexander Jefferson is an extremely private individual. The person with the phone number had been instructed not to pass it out without his permission.

Since Alexander travels extensively, it took a long time before direct contact between us was made. With his travel schedule, it took even longer for a mutually acceptable date to be arranged for his first visit to the 160-member Skymasters R/C Club of Michigan (a Leader Club).

The Skymasters differs from many clubs in that there is a strong board to run the day-to-day operations. This leaves our “meetings” to be filled with programs, symposiums, and guest speakers.

Alexander kept everyone riveted during his hour-long presentation with great stories from World War II. He’s using a solid model of his Mustang to illustrate a story.

The meeting featuring Alexander Jefferson had above-average member attendance. Pilots from the Troy Oakland Pilots full-scale flying club and students from local middle schools were also present. Even Model Aviation Hall of Famer Art Adamisin drove an hour to spend the evening with us.

Alexander arrived a few minutes before the meeting time with a spry walk and armed with numerous memorabilia from his military career. Attired in a leather flight jacket, it was as if he was ready to report for duty.

I was privileged to make the introduction. Those present responded with a standing ovation. The author (Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free), public speaker, and teacher mesmerized the crowd with an entertaining and informative mix of humor and history. His presentation was peppered with the reality of the times.

Racial segregation and indignities were what Alexander knew as the norm. His father worked in the sweltering heat of a foundry. He knew that he wanted to better himself, so he pursued a college education but couldn’t find work in his chosen field. Those events paved the way to his military career in aviation.

Alexander lit up when the conversation turned to the aircraft he flew. His stories were phenomenal. The Tuskegee pilots were turned loose to fly P-51s with only 80 hours of flight training.

He lost a buddy who tried to do a roll on the deck before the 80-gallon tank behind the pilot was empty. His friend hadn’t read the flight manual; that tank had to be used before the maneuver.

The Tuskegee Airmen were itching to prove their combat expertise. However, their commander made it perfectly clear that they were not to leave the bombers they were escorting. That meant that even though they could see the enemy fighters in the distance, they stayed close to the B-17s and B-24s they were protecting, sometimes flying just above stall speed to stay with the lumbering aircraft.

Alexander related the story of the day he was shot down. He was on an assignment to take out a German radar station. An incendiary shell came up through the belly of his P-51 during his attack run. It passed through his legs and out the top of his canopy. The shell didn’t start a fire in the oil cooler.

He gained as much altitude as he could. With the fire burning under him, Alexander cranked in down-trim, jettisoned the canopy, and released his seat belt. As the aircraft dove away, he left it—with no ejection seat! At that point he became a POW.

What was most interesting was Alexander’s response when questioned about specific airplanes. He closed his eyes and reached out his hands as if to touch the various controls as he described the flight characteristics of the aircraft he flew. His favorite was the P-47 Thunderbolt.

Once, while based at Selfridge Air Force base in the Detroit area, his group was given a flight assignment to fly across the state of Michigan—at an altitude of only 50 feet, except to avoid farmhouses and trees. The return to Selfridge included flying under the Ambassador Bridge (the suspension bridge over the Detroit River that connects the US and Canada).

Alexander spoke for an uninterrupted hour. Not a soul moved; I don’t think there was even a cough.

We took a coffee break, and he was swarmed with even more one-on-one questions. Member Jim Held brought in his 1/5-scale P-51 and Alexander autographed it. He also autographed copies of his book. It was a memorable evening.

Chris Hass proudly presents the “Red Tail” PTS Mustang to Alexander at the conclusion of his speech during his second visit to the Skymasters.

Alexander took a moment to meet and talk with Alyssa Cardillo. He gladly posed for photos with all club members.

At a subsequent board meeting, it was unanimously decided that Alexander Jefferson should be an honorary lifetime member of the Skymasters. Membership Director Gary Weaks created a beautiful plaque and a one-of-a-kind Lifetime Membership Card.

In appreciation of his service to the US and his visits to the Skymasters, club president Joe Hass presents a lifetime membership to Alexander.

Other members had independently and privately purchased the Horizon Hobby Progressive Trainer System (PTS) P-51 because it has proven to be an excellent trainer for students. They wanted to see this veteran P-51 jockey fly again!

Skymasters member Jim Held was tapped to get the Mustang in Tuskegee Airmen colors. Even the special markings Alexander had painted on his aircraft were duplicated.

We asked Alexander to visit us again and share a few more stories. We could have listened to him the entire evening, but we took a break. Before the coffee was poured, Alexander was presented with his plaque. He was then introduced to chief flight instructor Ron Sokacz; since he had become a Skymasters member he was going to need flight instruction.

Alexander commented that all he needed at that point was a trainer. While he was facing the crowd, other Skymasters quietly brought up the PTS P-51 that was to be his new ride. He was asked to turn around to see his new airplane.

It was an emotional time as Alexander’s eyes widened and he said, “This is over the top.” Everyone present shared handshakes, hugs, and pictures. The new member promised to get out to the Skymasters field.

Wednesdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day are designated “Student Nights” at the Skymasters field. The emphasis is on getting newcomers as much stick time as possible. We have a potluck dinner and finish the evening at a local establishment sharing stories about how well we used to fly.

Alexander finally found a free evening to join us. Skymasters members swarmed around him and his young neighbor to assist in assembly of the P-51 and the maiden flight. Preflight pictures were taken.

Many of the Skymasters turned out for the first flight with the PTS Mustang. Chris Hass (brown shirt) performed the test-flight duties, and then handed the controls over to the Tuskegee airman.

With all systems go, the Evolution engine was fired up. Chris Hass did the check flight and made the necessary adjustments. With a full tank of fuel, it was time to get this Tuskegee Airman back into the air.

After a climb to a safe altitude, Alexander was positioned in the flight station for some old-fashioned bear-hug instruction. He quickly got the aileron timing and motion down. The elevator required a bit more attention and ground school. With a few more flights, he was flying again!

After his flights, we interrupted the evening’s activities for more pictures. Ever the gentleman, Alexander made sure that his young neighbor was included in the pictures and got some instruction as well.

It has been a privilege for our members to be associated with this fine gentleman and WW II veteran. Your organization should seek out these aging warriors to get a first-hand account of their exploits.