Jack Rude - Expert Model Maker
Texas Air & Space Museum is fortunate to be associated with a highly experienced aviator and model maker Jack Rude. Jack made his first model aircraft in 1932 and he delivered his latest model--a Fokker DR.1--to the museum in December of 2012.
Jack didn't spend his entire life building model airplanes. As an adult, Jack spent a few exciting years as a member of Helton's Hellcats, the 493rd Bomb Group operating out of Debach, Suffolk, England where he flew 32 missions as a B-17 tail gunner in World War II.
Trained in the B-24, he was on board a Liberator when the pilot was forced to make an off airport landing in California in 1942. The aircraft was abandoned, the crew survived. A few years later, in 1944, returning from Germany to England in a fuel starved B-17, his aircraft made an off airport landing in a farmer's field. The aircraft was recovered, the crew was home in time for a late dinner.
Jack didn't spend his entire life building model airplanes. As an adult, Jack spent a few exciting years as a member of Helton's Hellcats, the 493rd Bomb Group operating out of Debach, Suffolk, England where he flew 32 missions as a B-17 tail gunner in World War II.
Trained in the B-24, he was on board a Liberator when the pilot was forced to make an off airport landing in California in 1942. The aircraft was abandoned, the crew survived. A few years later, in 1944, returning from Germany to England in a fuel starved B-17, his aircraft made an off airport landing in a farmer's field. The aircraft was recovered, the crew was home in time for a late dinner.
If you would like to learn more about the 493rd Bomb Group, click here.
Jack Rude (right)--World War II B-17 tail gunner with 32 bombing missions to his credit--graces the Texas Air & Space Museum with his presence and with his model aircraft. Jack can be seen at the museum on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Jack Rude 1944
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Jack Rude 2012
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WWII Veteran One of Last Area Members of 8th Air Force video myhighplains.com February 5, 2013