Arthur Raymond Brooks

AchimEngels · 26 September 2006, 12:14 PM

Hello,

can anybody supply me with a good favourate photograph of

Arthur Raymond Brooks that was taken in 1919?

If so, please feel free to send it to my e-mail address at engels@fokker-team-schorndorf.de

Thank you!

Achim

Taz · 27 September 2006, 10:17 AM

Achim-

Ray Brooks was a friend of mine. Let me see what I can do. I have several notes from Ray written on personal notecards with a watercolor of Ray on the cover. Let me know if you are interested and I can scan the painting for you.

Ray's collection is held at the National Air and Space Museum and they can also provide photographs on request if I do not have anything.

http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch...arb_sec_1.html

Taz
Terry Phillips

Barrett · 27 September 2006, 12:43 PM

Ray was just a great guy. He attended a couple of aces meetings in the 80s and charmed all the wives, saying "I'm

Ray Brooks, or what's left of him."

Ken Porter and

Bob Todd were the only other GW pilots who were at all active by then. Bob was a sweet man; Ken was a crusty buzzard with a rugged exterior but he could get sentimental, too. I figgered he was the hands-down favorite to be our last GW ace but he checked out early.

AchimEngels · 28 September 2006, 06:45 PM

Hello Taz,

thanks for the kind offer, which I do of course appreciate.

I have received two other nice, but poor quality photographs from other members, but I would love to have a good quality portrait image of him.

Just to let you know for what I need it: I am currently working (hobbying) on a DVD documentary on the historical development and technical features of the Fokker D.VII (focusing on the technical aspects of the plane).

My script calls for a sequence that shows a copy of Mr. Brooks flight book entry of March 7th 1919. That day he tried the Fokker D.VII and was obviously most impressed with its quality. I have a copy of the flight book entry and want to give the man a face.

The sequence itself is rather short and lasts for only 20 seconds, but it is important to give a first hand impression of the D.VII seen from the side of the counterpart.

Thanks for any contribution. Just make sure to provide me with your full name so I can give you full credit at the end of the documentary and to provide you with the free DVD once the English version comes out (no schedule set - just a fun project so far).

Barret and Taz, must have been a very nice man as you describe him.

Cheers!

Achim

Taz · 28 September 2006, 10:42 PM

Achim- I will dig up the notes and scan one for you. You are right, Ray was avery nice guy. Like Barrett said, he had a way with the ladies. When I was his sponsor at the Gathering of Eagles at Maxwell AFB in 1987, he was constantly surrounded by young ladies. He told a marvelous war story too. Especially about the day they caught him in the Smithsonian restoration area sitting in Smith IV. They were ready to arrest him until someone recognized who he was and called off the dogs.

Taz
Terry Phillips

AchimEngels · 28 September 2006, 10:49 PM

Taz,

Thanks a lot!

Very nice stories about an obviously lovely man. Tell me more about him and I will see if I can put in some sentences that do his fine way full justice.

Hearing the stories about those young men back then makes one sad to see that they have been sent out to fight one another.

Cheers!

Achim

Taz · 29 September 2006, 07:08 AM

Achim- I believe I have an extra copy of Musciano's book, Capt. Arthur Ray Brooks: America's Quiet Ace of W.W.1. Can send it to you if you like. Has photos, stories, etc. I have a signed photo of Ray, from about 1922, I believe. Will scan that one for you, too.

Taz
Terry Phillips

AchimEngels · 29 September 2006, 10:43 PM

Hello Taz,

this is a very kind offer. If you find that extra copy book, I would love to get a closer insight into his live. Just let me know if you accept Paypal to compensate you for the expenses and the book.

The signed photograph would sure make nice in the documentary.

I´ll send a copy of the sequence via e-mail once done in English for your to enjyo up front then.

Cheers!

Achim

Taz · 29 September 2006, 11:26 PM

Achim- No charge. A gift. Will include a CD of the watercolor and photo as well. That way you get a tiff instead ofa jpeg.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Aerowallah · 3 October 2006, 06:16 PM

Hi, Taz!

Do you know where I can buy a copy of Musciano's book? I've got Swaab's collection and have some copies of the relevant bits of Brook's NASM file, but the book would fill a big hole in my understanding of the squadron and relationships between pilots.

Any steers on 22nd lore would be greatly appreciated.
Rgds
John