Publisher Description

Renowned for decades as the world's foremost railroad artist, Howard Fogg's career spanned half a century and some twelve hundred paintings.

However, while his art has been welcomed for decades, few of his enthusiasts have been aware of his prior career, as a fighter pilot in the U.S. 8th Air Force during World War II. Fortunately Fogg left behind a detailed diary of his experiences, which illuminate this brief but exciting aspect of his life, as he engaged in direct combat with the Luftwaffe at the controls of a P-47 Thunderbolt.

Articulate and insightful, his diary offers a frank and fascinating glimpse into the life of a fighter pilot, both in the sky and in wartime England. Written during 1943 and 1944 it offers a confidential perspective of life as a "flyboy," during which Howard flew 76 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with three clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster.

Presented in its entirety, with supplementary material by Richard and Janet Fogg, and supporting illustrations from Fogg himself, including satirical cartoons and military and railroad artwork, Fogg in the Cockpit paints with a broad brush, from the smallest details of a pilot's day-to-day existence to air combat, and the strategic and political decisions that influenced the course of the war.

Author Biography

A New Jersey native, Richard Fogg was raised in Colorado after the family moved to Boulder in 1955. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in English Literature and, inspired by his father's service, joined the U.S. Air force for four years, including a year in Vietnam. Janet Fogg was also raised in Colorado, after her family moved from Illinois. She attended Front Range Community College and has served on the Board of Directors of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, being published regularly in trade periodicals. Her award-winning World War II novel "Soliloquy" was released in 2009. Married in 1973, Richard and Janet were honored to join the 359th Fighter Group Association while researching "FOgg in the cockpit".

Table of Contents

Introduction 1: October 1943: England at Last! 2: November 1943: The Calm Before the Storm 3: December 1943: Operational! 4: January 1944: Oh, This English Weather! 5: February 1944: The Bombing Intensifies 6: March 1944: First Ground Attacks 7: April 1944: The P-51s Arrive 8: May 1944: The War Hits Home 9: June 1944: Operation Overlord 10: July 1944: Deep Into Germany 11: August 1944: Winding Down 12: September 1944: Changing of the Guard 13: October 1944 through August 1945 Summary of Action: Captain Howard Fogg Summary of Action: 359th Fighter Group Epilogues The Postwar Career of Howard Fogg Political Cartoons by Howard Fogg Rough Sketches by Howard Fogg Acknowledgments Art by Howard Fogg

Review

First-hand account of railroad artist Howard Fogg's World War II service" * Model Railroader Magazine *
Howard Fogg is one of those rare people who managed to keep a diary whilst engaged in fighting during the second world war. It's "witting testimony" of the highest calibre, and a most welcome addition to the library of reminiscences of this most recent world conflict. Add to this the genuine and amazing talent of Fogg as an artist, and you have a most fascinating read - the appendix of beautiful colour paintings by Fogg is a welcome addendum. A remarkable book indeed. * *
As an ex fighter pilot I read the book with great anticipation and was rewarded with a gem. * Rene Burtner, 359th Fighter Group Association *
…a firsthand look at his fascinating wartime career…presents a hidden side of one of the 20th century's great artistic geniuses. * Railroad Model Craftsman Dispatcher's Report *
Howard Fogg was one talented individual. Not only was he America's premier railroad artist, but he dropped his palette and brush to become a fighter pilot in WWII… a very detailed diary chronicling his wartime experiences… * WWII History *

Review Quote

"...the story of well known railroad artist Howard Fogg's career as a captain in the US 8th Air Force 359th Fighter group in WWII...based upon the detailed diary which Fogg maintained to record his combat experiences..."

Details