B-29 SUPERFORTRESS - "ENOLA GAY"
Signature Series
Hand Signed By: : Pilot Col. Paul W. Tibbets
Colonel Paul W. Tibbets was solely responsible for the organization, training, and command of the world's first nuclear strike force. On the morning of August 6, 1945 Colonel Tibbets flew the Enola Gay B-29 Superfortress into the future by dropping the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
This model is comes fully ready to display on the included display stand, hand signed by Colonel Paul Tibbets, with the signed certificate of Authenticity shown above! (the 4x6 photograph of Colonel Tibbets signing the model is also included!)
Scale: 1:72
W/S: 23 3/4 inches
Length: 15 7/8 inches
Item Number: TMC-AA955004W Price: $499.95
Historical Note: Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. was born to Enola Gay and Paul W. Tibbets Sr. on February 23. 1915 in Quincy, Illinois. At the age of twelve while living in Florida he developed a love for flying when he flew for the first time to assist in an advertising stunt to promote Baby Ruth candy bars by dropping them attached to paper parachutes out of the plane to people below. Paul attended Western Military Academy and then went on to attend the Universities of Florida and Cincinnati where he studied medicine. However, against his parents wishes, he made the choice to pursue his greatest interest - flying! On February 25, 1937 Paul enlisted as a flying cadet in the Army Air Corps. After a year of intense training he won his wings and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. In February of 1942 he was given command of the 340th Bomb Squadron of the 97th Bombardment Group. From England he flew 25 missions in B-17's, leading the first American Flying Fortress raid against occupied Europe. In November of the same year he was called upon to fly Generals Eisenhower and Clark to invasion of North Africa. They called him the best and most experienced four-engine pilot in the Air Corp. In North Africa, Tibbets lead the first bombing missions in support of the invasion. In March 1943 he was returned to the U.S. to test and work out the problems with the all-new B-29. Then in September 1944, Paul was assigned to the Manhattan Project, a code name given to a program to deliver the world's first atomic bomb. Within this program he was to organize and train a unit to deliver these weapons in combat, code named "Silverplate". He selected Wendover AAB, a former P-47 training base, to do his ultra secret training. On December 17, 1944 the 509th Composite Group was formed. In May 1945 the 509th was moved to the advanced pacific Island of Tinian to await orders to attack Japan. On August 5th those orders came by President Truman. The next day August 6th, Col. Tibbets flew a lone B-29, "Enola Gay" (named in honor of his mother), to Hiroshima, Japan where at 9:15 AM the world's first atomic bomb was dropped. For this mission and his work in this project he would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. This accomplishment would not only affect the outcome of the War but also alter the history of the world and new armament.
After the War, Paul participated in the Bikini Bomb Test. Later, he would perform the service test of the six-engine B-47. Further, he commanded two bomber organizations in SAC, did a tour with NATO in France, and was responsible for establishing the National Military Command Center in the Pentagon. Tibbets retired from the Air Force in August of 1966 after twenty-nine and one-half years at the rank of Brigadier General. He would go on to operate and fly Lear Jets and in 1970 join Executive Jet Aviation. By 1985 he was Chairman of the board. His awards and decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, European Campaign Medal, Joint Staff Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, W.W. II Victory Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and American Campaign Medal!