Hey FW, now we have a place to post this stuff!

Hew FW, I just remembered something, I have a 1919 Tobacco Card (insert into tobacco packs) of Eddie. It says EDDIE RIKENBACHER, Prem. Airman (Downed 26). So it is misspelled as well.

well, it was a shame taking a french medal for american service. those germans didn't know what to think when they saw in the papers an american name RICHENBACHER receiving the french medal CROIX de GUERRE. anyone else have more?

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/wildeone/Eddie.jpg

Here is the scan of that Tobacco Card....

I have a book I really like called "Under the Guns of the Red Barron." It has a page on every kill that he was "said" to have made and the a page or two on the person he shot down. It is very interesting to put all of that into chronological order. It still amazes me the gentlemenly process that was the ariwar in WWI, and how that all changed in WWII.

wildone, got anything from his EASTERN AIRLINE days?

No, I have a copy of the 1943 life magazine with him on the cover. It talks about Eastern and him running it, but I have it sealed up and it has been 5 years since I read it.

haha, that's my position too. can't take it out now! i was awestruck that you scanned the tobacco card. my wife always yell at me about trying to take the "stuff" to the grave with me. she has no idea for my passion for history.....

Oh, that old card, I use it as a coaster for my beer! :w000t:

Just joking, it was easily removed from the clip style frame to scan for a fellow buff like yourself to enjoy....but don't ask me to do it again! :)

If you ever want to unload a few items, let me know!

wildeone, after staring at your tobacco card, i think it is a reproduction of his earlier days with LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE. there are no AEF emblems, typical of touch-up jobs.

So you think the card is a reproduction? I caouldn't vouch for its autenticity, but is is very brittle and definatly seems old. I paid like $5 for it so it wouldn't be a big surprise or loss!

no, that's not what i meant, i'm no traveling antique road show. what i meant was that those pictures at the time was a reproduction based on an artist's interpretation of a photograph. i meant that the photogragh used as a model was not him in an american AEF uniform, but rather of him in a french uniform.

i agree with you on the uniform. I wish I knew more about the card series, I have tried to find more info online, but I could come up with nothing on it.

I would like this, but I buy too much fish stuff....

http://cgi.ebay.com/FIGHTING-THE-FLYING-CIRCUS-94th-STORY-by-RICKENBACKER_W0QQitemZ6636356834QQihZ012QQcategory Z13969QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

oh my, i'm afraid to hit your link. i'm big time flying circus fan......richthoven, manfred...lothar...wolfram, udet, and that fat bastard whose name can never be spoken again.

i found this site that u to nerds might like to peruse, just dont be gone for to long now u hear!:D
http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?act=idx