Quentin C. Aanenson in William Farrell's painting, "Thunderbolt Patriot." The original hangs in the National Air & Space Museum's offices on the National Mall.
Mr. Aanenson, who died on December 28, 2008 in Bethesda, Maryland, is the subject of this painting by William Farrell. Here the 23-year-old native of Luverne, Minn. prepares to strap into his P-47 Thunderbolt for another strike against the German Wehrmacht.
The painting is a work of art. My Dad was also.
I fully agree. A great pilot and an outstanding personality
I just recently watched the Ken Burns series about WWII. I wish I had known your father, he reminds me of my own father: y
our dad a hero in the European Theater, mine in the Pacific. Your dad, my dad,and so many others of their generation, were heroic and fine men. I appreciate them all.
The PBS documentary A Fighter Pilot’s Story was one of the most profound commentaries of WWII I’ve ever seen. Almost 30 years after seeing it it still pop’s into my mind now and again. Today is one of those days.
I would like to know how to purchase a copy of the DVD. This precious piece of history should be made available on YouTube for everyone to experience.
George Gonzalez
Jacksonville, FL
See: https://quentinaanenson.com/
…and email Quentin’s daughter for the video availability at:
boldtiger@quentinaanenson.com
Thanks for your interest in P-47 combat, and read of some of Quentin’s first-hand experiences in my book, “Hell Hawks!”, the story of the 365th Fighter Group.
Best wishes,
Tom Jones
Co-author, “Hell Hawks!”
Good evening Mr. Jones. I had come across your website as I following the story of Quentin Aanenson, and realized I had bought your book several years ago. You were at the USAF Museum and spoke there as I recall, and signed the copy of your book along with Bob Hagan. Interestingly, one of the pilots mentioned in the book was Lavern Alcorn from Iowa. I had gone to the U. of Iowa and his step-son lived on my dorm floor. Several years after graduating from the U. of Iowa, I drove to meet Mr. Alcorn. As a private pilot myself, I enjoyed talking aviation with Mr. Alcorn and he shared his experiences of flying P-47’s and him being shot down. He also showed me the book about his unit, written by Charles Johnson. The reason for my email to you is to ask if you know where one could get the print of “Thunderbolt Patriot” . I looked on the web and could not locate it, and thought you might know where you could get a print. Many thanks and enjoyed reading your book after purchasing it.
Hello, Mark:
Yes, it’s a great painting. I think the National Air & Space Museum has the painting in its permanent collection. As such, the museum’s photo archives might feature a high-res image that you might print and display. Contact the NASM’s archives for further info.
Also, email Quentin’s family: mailto:boldtiger@quentinaanenson.com
…and ask if they have a line on where you can find it. They might, for example, know the artist.
Let me know how you fare in your search.
Thanks,
Tom Jonoes
Tom, appreciate the information and the email address to contact Quentin’s family.
Mark Veerman