Description: WWII Fighter PilotAceRobert RaineSigned PhotoFlying Tigers AVG Robert J. “Catfish” Raine was born on February 22, 1918, in Palisades, Nevada. He grew up on his family's ranch in Pine Valley in northern Eureka County, Nevada. After attending San Francisco City College, he entered the United States Navy in July, 1940, earning his wings at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida. After receiving his wings of gold, he began his operational flight training in carrier type aircraft. He later flew carrier based torpedo bombers, and was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 3 (VT-3) aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3). After logging 90 hours flying Navy fighters, he heard of an opportunity to fly combat fighters in China with the American Volunteer Group, also known as “The Flying Tigers”. In mid-1941, he set sail on the ship “Klipfontein” with nine other pilots, arriving in Rangoon on October 29, 1941, and was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron, known as the “Hells’ Angels”. On Saturday, April 25, 1942, he shot down two Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-15 “Sonia” over Loilem. On July 3, 1942, the last service day for the Flying Tigers, he shot down a Japanese Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate” near Nanchang. As a Flight Leader in the 3rd Pursuit Squadron, he was credited with 3.20 air-to-air victories. On July 4, 1942, the American Volunteer Group passed into history, and Mr. Raine was one of the AVG pilots who volunteered to stay an extra two weeks to help train incoming American United States Army Air Force (USAAF) pilots for the newly formed 23rd Fighter Group, flying P-40s (specifications). After his brief tour with the 23rd FG, Mr. Raine, along with seventeen other Flying Tigers, joined the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC), flying supplies between India and China. He flew 443 hazardous missions over the Himalayas, also known as “The Hump”, until March of 1945. After the war, he returned to the United States and was one of ten original investors who organized the Flying Tiger Lines, which in time became the country’s largest air freight carrier. He stayed with the operational side of the airline, becoming a captain and one of the company’s most senior pilots. Mr. Raine logged more than 32,000 hours of flight time during his career, from propeller driven Navy trainers to jet powered transports. He retired from the airline in 1978, and once again called Nevada his home. He had raised champion Arabian racing horses since 1962. He was decorated with two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air medal, Chinese 3 Star Wings, and Chinese Cloud Banner. He passed away in Reno, NV on May 25, 2005. This signed photo is a copy of an actual period photo. The signature is real and was most likely signed in the 1990s-2000s. Condition: nice condition Size: 8 x 10 inches Look over pictures to see the exact item you will receive and to determine the overall condition of this item. Thanks for looking! Jeff
Price: 45 USD
Location: Liverpool, New York
End Time: 2024-11-08T03:00:18.000Z
Shipping Cost: 6 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Industry: Military
Signed: Yes
Autograph Authentication: Not Authenticated
