Lt. Col. Robert E. "Pappy" Haynes,

[RSwank]

Michael, Haynes whole RCAF career is something of a mystery to me. We know he joined the RCAF in August, 1940. In August 1941 he apparently flew the Duke of Kent to Canada from England and then around to visit various Canadian training bases. He flew the Duke to the U.S. for a visit with Roosevelt and finally back to England. I don't know what squadron(s) he was in during his time in England, or how much training he received in Canada before going overseas.

In May 1942 he joins the AAF as a captain.

By Oct 1943 he has done a tour with the 2nd BG 49th BS and returned to the US as Lt Col. The 497th was formed late in 1943 and I suspect he was with the group from the start. We know he was making early "test" flights with the group during the whole B-29 "teething" process. Then to the Pacific in the fall of 1944 and in the spring of 1945 he moves to the 499th BG where he completes his Pacific tour and returns with "Thumper".