Planes on the Prairie

Welcome back to another episode of our Minnesota Aces Series, this time covering Captain Francis J. Lent of Melrose, MN! Lent served with the 431st FS of the famed 475th FG, downing 11 aircraft in the New Guinea Air Campaign. Follow along to hear about Lent's life and combat career, along with context on the air battle for New Guinea in 1943.

Hey guys, it's been a while! There's been a lot going on outside the podcast, but we're excited to be able to sit down and chat about what is going on, and what we look forward to doing in terms of creating more content for the podcast and YouTube channel!

In this episode of our Minnesota Aces series, the guys travel back to the First World War to discuss the combat career of Lake Benton native Harold Boysen. Boysen saw extensive combat with No. 66 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps on the Italian Front. Tune in to learn about an American flying with the British and a little-known air campaign from the dawn of air combat!

In this episode, the guys discuss the life and combat career of First Lieutenant Hipolitus T. Biel. Also known as Tom or "Hippo", Biel had a successful combat career with the 334th FS, 4th Fighter group in the European Theater of Operations, becoming an ace in just a short time with the squadron before unfortunately meeting his end in combat. Tune in to learn more about Biel, the 4th FG, and Mustangs!Biel Victory Records:http://www.cieldegloire.fr/014_biel_h_t.php

In our eleventh installment of the Minnesota Aces series, the guys discuss the life and combat career of Colonel Leslie E. "Andy" Andersen. A Leader, MN native, Andersen had a successful combat career with the 96th Fighter Squadron of the 82nd Fighter Group in the Mediterranean Theater (MTO) during the Second World War, downing five aircraft. Thanks for listening!

In this installment of our Minnesota Aces series, we have a very special one for you, featuring Waseca native Percy Bartelt. Bartelt was an ace belonging to the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers. Tune in to learn about the AVG, Bartelt's exploits, and the aircraft he flew.

The Planes on the Prairie crew are excited to bring to you this very special episode, featuring Captain William "Bill" Hennon, who was a fighter pilot in P-40s during the darkest days of the Pacific War, racking up aerial victories in the ill-fated Java campaign along with the struggle for air superiority over Northern Australia in early 1942. This episode is very special to us because we were able to get in touch with Hennon's son, Mike Raudenbush, who not only was able to provide us with great insight on his father's personal life and combat exploits, but also to join us on this episode of the podcast. Episodes like this are why we are doing this series, and it has been a blast working with Mike. With that being said, we hope you enjoy this installment of our Minnesota Aces series!

In this episode, the guys cover Major William J. Stangel, a Thief River Falls, Minnesota native. Tune in to learn about his combat exploits during the final years of the Second World War and learn about the famed 352nd Fighter Group!

In our next episode, we discuss our seventh MN Ace, this time featuring Captain Herbert N. Houck, a Corona, Minnesota native. Tune in to learn about Houck's impressive combat career with VF-9 of the US Navy, the air engagements he was apart of, and the famous sinking of the Yamato.

In this episode, the guys discuss a World War I ace by the name of Martinus Stenseth, a Heiberg, Minnesota Native. Tune in to learn more about Stenseth with his time with the 28th Aero Squadron on the Western Front during WWI, his interwar exploits, and his time during WWII as the founding commander of what is now called Nellis AFB.

In this episode, the Planes on the Prairie crew discuss the life and combat career of the podcast's first F4U Corsair Ace, Albert Lea native Major John W. Ruhsam. Tune in to learn a bit about his combat career, the air battle over Okinawa, and the "Death Rattlers" of VMF-323.

In this spooky edition of the Minnesota Aces series, we have a special treat for you, 1st Lt. Eugene D. Axtell, a P-61 Black Widow ace who hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tune in to hear the guys discuss the combat career of Axtell, and learn a little bit about the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron, along with night fighting operations in the European Theater of the Second World War. Thanks for listening!

In this installment of the MN Aces series, Max and Sam discuss the life and combat career of Second Lieutenant Cecil J. "Danny" Doyle. Doyle was a Marshall, Minnesota native who served as a member of VMF-121, Joe Foss's "Flying Circus." We hope you enjoy this episode of our first Marine ace across all of our episodes, and thanks for listening!

In our second installment of our Minnesota Aces Series, Max and Sam discuss the life and combat career of Kenneth H. Dahlberg, who was a triple ace flying Mustangs and Thunderbolts in Western Europe. Special thanks to AirCorps Aviation out of Bemidji, MN for their assistance in researching this episode!Shillelaugh Restoration: https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/p-51b-shillelagh-wings-of-the-north-museum-project-fall-2021-update/

We're excited to announce that we are back with a new "Aces" series, this time featuring aces from Minnesota! We thought it fitting to start off this series featuring Lieutenant Colonel William R. Dunn, who was the first American ace of the Second World War, primarily flying with No. 71 Eagle Squadron RAF. We hope you enjoy this episode, and we're glad to be back!

We are back with a holiday special, featuring Pembina, North Dakota native and P-51 Mustang pilot Donald Emerson. Both Max and Sam have ready Sandra Merrill's biography of her uncle Donald in the thrilling book Donald's Story, and both of the Planes on the Prairie crew enjoyed it so much, they figured you would enjoy hearing his story and his exploits as a fighter pilot in the 4th Fighter Group. Unfortunately, Emerson was killed by ground fire on Christmas Day, 1944, but his story cannot go untold by the crew, so enjoy this episode, have a great holiday season an happy new year!

In our last episode of the North Dakota Aces series, we cover John Owen Donaldson, our only Ace from World War One. Tune in to hear us discuss World War I aerial combat, Donaldson's victories, and his harrowing journey as a POW on the run.

In this installment of the North Dakota Aces Series, we cover Leland Molland, a Nome, North Dakota native who flew Spitfires and Mustangs in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations with the 308th FS of the 31st FG. Tune in to learn more about Reverse Lend Lease aircraft, a bit about the air war in the MTO, and of course the "Fargo Express!"

Welcome to our tenth episode of the ND Aces Series, where Max and Sam cover Harvey Picken, a Minot, North Dakota native who served as a photo reconnaissance pilot with VF-18 in the Pacific. Special thanks go out to Mike Fink and Jackie Case for the wealth of information provided during the research process for this episode.

Episode nine of our ND Aces series features Colonel Donald A. Baccus, a Jamestown, ND native who downed five aircraft while serving with the 356th Fighter Group in Europe during World War II. Tune in to hear a neat story!

In this episode, the crew talk about Lloyd P. Heinzen, a Garrison, ND native who served with VF-8 during the war. Tune in to hear about his combat career, his interesting victories, and his tragic death in an aircraft accident.

In episode 7 of the North Dakota Aces series, Sam and Max talk about the life and combat career of Norman E. Olson, a P-47 and P-51 pilot from Fargo, ND. We hope you enjoy this episode and thanks for listening!

In this episode, Sam and Max talk about Lieutenant Leonard Joeseph Check, a Double Ace from Berwick, North Dakota. Tune in to hear Check's interesting path to the navy as well his mixed bag of victories against both Japanese Army and Naval aircraft!

In this episode, Max and Sam discuss the combat career of Ensign Clarence "Spike" Borley, a Williston, ND native who flew Hellcats with VF-15 in the Pacific. Tune in for an epic story of combat and survival on this installment of our ND Aces Series!

This week, Sam and Max take a little break from the ND Aces series to discuss Max's recent trip to the Denver area. In this episode, the crew will discuss some museums and kebabs so we hope you enjoy the listen!

In our fourth installment of the North Dakota Aces Series, Sam and Max cover Ltjg. Alfred Frendberg, a Hillsboro native who shot down six enemy aircraft in the Pacific aboard the USS Lexington flying F6F Hellcats. We hope you enjoy!

In this third installment of the ND Aces series, the Planes on the Prairie crew dive in to the life and combat career of Oscar H. Coen, who flew with No. 71 "Eagle" Squadron with the RAF and with the 4th Fighter Group in the USAAF. Tune in to this interesting story about Coen and his adventures as a fighter pilot during World War II.

In this episode, Max and Sam dive into the biography of Francis "Cash" Register, the first ace of North Dakota who hailed from Bismarck, North Dakota. Tune in to hear his story and discussion about the fighting in Guadalcanal. Thanks for listening!

In first episode of our new North Dakota Aces series Max and Sam dive into the biography of "Scrappy" Blumer, the Fastest Ace in a Day!

Max and Sam recap their trip to Air Expo 2023! Enjoy!

As a follow up to the Grand Forks AFB Heavies episode, Max and Sam discuss the history of the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wings based at Minot AFB. We hope you enjoy the episode!

In this episode, Max and Sam discuss the 319th and 321st Wings from Grand Forks AFB. This is the first part of a two part series on bomber wings in North Dakota. Tune in to learn about the interesting history of these units!Links to YouTube videosB-25 North American B-25 Mitchell - Grand Forks AFB - YouTubeB-52 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress - Grand Forks AFB - YouTube

In this episode we discuss something very exciting. Co-host Max has co-authored called Images in Aviation: North Dakota Air National Guard. Tune in to hear about how the book came about, and how it has been received by local veterans of the Happy Hooligans1

In this episode, Max and Sam discuss the recent Warbird Restorations in the area!

We're excited to release a new podcast episode! Today is more of an update and hopefully soon we can release another getting back to our usual content!

It's been a while, and Max and Sam talk about what the have been up to, and what is coming! Big things this winter so stay tuned!

The Planes on the Prairie crew talk about the recent Avenger ditching at Cocoa Beach and the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter first flight!

In this episode, Max talks about his trip to museums across the Midwest, primarily in Kansas, and the guys talk about updates to the podcast and upcoming events you can expect to see them at! Thanks for listening!Kansas Trip and Upcoming Podcast Events - Episode 6 - YouTube

We have a special treat for you today! Our first ever guest, Brigadier General Al Henderson discusses his life and breaks down his experiences flying for the ND and IA ANG, flying F-89s, F-102s, F-101s, and F-4s! Thanks to Mr. Henderson for coming on to the show and thanks to all of you for tuning in! For sticker orders email us at [email protected]!

In our fourth episode of Planes on the Prairie, we are covering interceptor squadrons based in North Dakota! Our Kebab Flyer of the week is an F-104 from Valley City, ND and our First Flight is about the F-105 Thud. Thanks for tuning in!

Episode three of Planes on the Prairie covers the Battle of Britain! Our Kebab Flyer is an F-100 from Oakes, ND and our aviation history events cover the F-100 and TSR. 2.

In this episode, we discuss the history of Fargo's own Happy Hooligans of the North Dakota Air National Guard! Today's Kebab Flyer is an F-101 Voodoo from Devils Lake, North Dakota and our aviation history event for September 10th is relating to the C-82 Packet. Thanks for watching and check out our links below!Spotify Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planesonthe...Email us with segment ideas or stories!: [email protected]

In our first episode, we introduce ourselves and discuss our backgrounds. Our Kebab Flyer of the day is an F-4C Phantom in Casselton, ND and our aviation history event is covering the F-89 Scorpion.