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" media-388160.jpg 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 while based at Wormingford with the 55th Fighter Group. Handwritten on slide:"1-32"
Roger Freeman Collection

Cook Ided Bob Sand

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

 

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Event Location Date Description

Born

Portland, Oregon 9 November 1914

Died

5 February 2003

Revisions

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ContributorEmily
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IWM, Somewhere in England, p 127

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Contributorfugari
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JCook Photo Collection and Archives

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ContributorEmily
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Unit Roster 55th.org

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Contributorrossingtonj
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Media assoiations

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

Robert T Sand: Gallery (83 items)