Robert T Sand

Military
A pipe-smoking member of ground crew of the 55th Fighter Group, wearing an apron for carrying hand tools. Handwritten on slide:"1-32"

Object Number - FRE 5503 - Sgt Bob Sand 38th FS 55th FG from Bellingham, WA , wearing an apron for carrying hand tools was an aircraft propeller specialist and took many photos...

Robert Sand was responsible for the maintenance and repair of fighter aircraft. As a specialist in propeller mechanics, Sand performed a crucial role in ensuring that the engine was running correctly. He felt personally accountable for the safe return of the aircraft he worked on, saying he 'could not rest easy until every ship was off safely, and had returned safely. And when any ship was lost unaccountably, there remained a little nagging question.'

Armed with his camera, Sand made a photographic record of the sights and antics on base. He was also a keen artist, and painted the nose art on several famous fighter aircraft. On his retirement in 1991, he painted one final piece of nose art- on his wife's wheelbarrow.

SSgt 38th FS 55th FG 1942-45.
From Bellingham, WA

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Aircraft

A P-38 Lightning (CG-J, serial number 42-67074) nicknamed "The Texas Ranger" of the 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '38th FS, 55th FG, 8th Air Force.'

42-67074

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Texas Ranger
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron

42-67825

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Texas Ranger IV
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group Headquarters Squadron (55th Fighter Group)
The 38th Fighter Squadron's propeller crew working on P-38J, Lightning aircraft (serial number 42-67904) of the 55th Fighter Group. Left to right:T/Sgt Harold Melby, Cpl Merle Stivason, Sgt Robert Sand and S/Sgt Kermit Riem. Handwritten on slide:"N6 1-60"

42-67904

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Sweet Ellouise
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron

Places

Wormingford

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Bures / RAF Wormingford / RFC Wormingford / USAAF Station 159 / Wormingford Landing Ground

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Portland, Oregon 9 November 1914

Died

5 February 2003

Revisions

Date27 Jan 2020 13:31:59
ContributorEmily
Sources

IWM, Somewhere in England, p 127

Date6 Nov 2017 23:07:21
Contributorfugari
Sources

JCook Photo Collection and Archives

Date1 May 2015 15:26:04
ContributorEmily
Sources

Unit Roster 55th.org

Date30 Mar 2015 09:57:28
Contributorrossingtonj
Sources

Media assoiations

Date27 Sep 2014 18:24:12
ContributorAAM
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self

Robert T Sand: Gallery (83 items)

Interior of The Fighting Cock pub in St Albans. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: '4-66, The Fighting Cock, St Albans.'

Object number: FRE 10502 - Interior of The Fighting Cock pub in St Albans...

Flatford Mill. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Flatford Mills, John Constable.'

Object number: FRE 10503 - The farm house at Flatford Mill. Image by Robert...

Flatford Mill. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Flatford Mills, John Constable.'

Object number: FRE 10504 - Farm house at Flatford Mill. Image by Robert Sand...

An airman with a frieght train at Colchester railway yard. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Herb Heichelbeck, Colchester Freight Yards.'

Object number: FRE 10508 - An airman with a frieght train at Colchester...

A windmill near Tiptree. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Near Tiptree. Plaque on mill had numbers 17?? with last two number undecipherable.' (Numbers are probably 1775, the year in which the windmill was built)

Object number: FRE 10580 - A photograph taken by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter...

A Tudor house. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group.

Object number: FRE 10581 - A Tudor house. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter...

Willie Lot's Cottage at Flatford Mills. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Willie Lot's Cottage Flatford Mills.'

Object number: FRE 10582 - Willie Lot's Cottage at Flatford Mills. Image by...

A Tudor House. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group.

Object number: FRE 10583 - A Tudor House. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter...

The White Hart pub at Neyland, May 1945. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'White Hart, Nayland? Have 1991 print, May 1945.'

Object number: FRE 10584 - The White Hart pub at Neyland, May 1945. Image by...

Colford windmill. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group.

Object number: FRE 10585 - Colford windmill. Image by Robert Sand, 55th...

The pub sign at the Half Butt Inn, Great Horkesley, near Wormingford, 8 July 1945. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Great Horkesley, 8/7/45, Within 2 or 3 miles of Wormingford?'

Object number: FRE 10586 - The pub sign at the Half Butt Inn, Great Horkesley...

Flering Nursery. Image by Robert Sand, 55th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: ;'Flering Nursery, from train, Colchester to London 8/7/45.'

Object number: FRE 10587 - A photograph taken by Robert Sand of the 55th...