A wartime ad featuring crewmen arming a P-51 Mustang� � � � Max Pyles is gifted with a superhuman mechanical ability and insite.
This he demonstrated in WWII, Korean War, and Cold War in all types of
aircraft, P-26's to B-36's to Jet's to ICBM's. Many times, I've asked him how
on earth he came up with answers and perceptions to things that stooped
others cold. He just Grins and says it's like a flash bulb going off in his
head. Dead serious, he believes that the Lord tells him. I would not believe
any other man telling me that, but I sure won't argue with him.
� � � When I started flying with the 79thFS, Max and his crew had just started
crewing Maj. R. C.� Franklin's new airplane. Parked directly in front of the
SQ. Operations building he was handy and always willing to answer any and all
questions I might ask him. There I spent most of my time. I'm sure we were
observed by Franklin and he had asked Max if he should run me off. However,
when Franklin finished his combat tour, Max asked him to assign me as his
replacement since my old plane had just been destroyed.
� � � P-38's were having all kinds of mechanical problems that no one except Max
had an answer. Max had been saying that this situation was ridiculous and if
I would listen to him and do as he said we were going to get through this
without all those problems. I had listened to him for several months and was
convinced that Max Pyles knew what he was talking about. Besides being very
proud of the opportunity of this assignment, I was determined to do my part.
Strong willed as could be, Max had no trouble expressing or letting anyone
know how it should be. Max would be delighted to help anyone or answer there
questions, but Private or Field Grade better not come around with Mickey
Mouse or they had down-the-road directions. My contributions were to listen,
ask questions, and try to build on what I had learned in Aircraft Mechanics
School and in Flying School. What better world could you have with such as
Max Pyles, R.C.Franklin, Mark Hubbard, and Harold Rau as superb teachers?
Max Pyles shows off the nose art of "Lucky Lady" (note photo of Laraine Day). In Sept.,1944, as crew chief for Capt. Robert Pubentz, Pyles and his crew had the best record flight time for the month in the 20th.FG.� � � One day we were all at the A/C and Max sets us
down under the R/Wing and asks me what should be the new name. I asked if
anyone had a good name, but no one came up with one. I had been playing
around with an inspiration, "Lucky Lady" so we would not be held down to only
one girl friend and could be related to by all the crew and no tattoo to be
embarrassed by later. The crew were quick to approve so that was decided.
Laraine Day was very popular, at that time, with lonesome GI's, so Max asked
us what we would think if he should write her and ask for a photo. Miss Day
promptly answered with a nice letter and a beautiful negligee photo.
This photo was promptly attached to the L/gun door. Max and the crew wrote back and forth with Miss Day
and she seemed very proud and interested in all events her airplane was
involved in.
-- Capt. Arthur Heiden, May, 1999
Max Pyles' Autograph |