LAST OF THE SUNDOWNERS: Finding the last Hellcat Ace that flew off the USS Hornet

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"Last of the Sun Downers" is a short documentary featuring U.S. Navy Carrier Air Group 11 veteran, Lt(jg) John A. Zink from Fighting Squadron Eleven "Sun Downers" (VF-11). Zink was a pilot in the F6F Grumman Hellcat in the Pacific Theater during World War II and became an Ace serving across three squadrons from three different aircraft carriers:
VF-11, USS Hornet (CV-12)
・Three Victories: Zeke, Tony, Frances
VF-18, USS Intrepid (CV-11)
・One Victory: Frances
VF-7, USS Hancock (CV-19)
・One Victory: Val
#ElevenTheMovie
Filmed on location at the USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum in Alameda, CA and the residence of John Zink in Lima, OH.
Copyright © 2019 Lazy Panda Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved.

[@rayowen3853]

My dad, Lt. (jg) Ray H. Owen, flew the Hellcat (VF-81) off the Hornet's sister ship the USS Wasp (CV-18). He still tells stories about those days. Alive and well as of March. 2021. In 2018 we had a reunion with another Hellcat pilot from his squadron. The only 2 from that squadron that are still alive as of this post. Often wonder if there are others.

[@robertmorey4104]

Awesome try n get all the stories from him you can! So cool he's still with us!

[@njduquette]

looks like john zink passed away in september of 2018 before the video made it to youtube. i hope he was able to see the final production. thank you for sharing.

[@Tom-bl4rh]

Have my Dads VF11 Sundowners flight jacket, Logbook, flew F6F’s on bombing runs, Silk sectionals of Formosa, with prevailing winds and currents, another of South China sea, a flight deck picture, and, S&W .38 revolver issued to him his first of 2 tours on the Hornet. “Lost At Sea” was not unheard heard of, later discovered in a foot locker.

[@GeorgeRetelas]

Oh wow! Tom, can you please contact us at: [e-mail]

[@robertmorey4104]

So cool, what a treasure! That flight jacket would neat to see.

[@wramsey2656]

George God Bless you brother for putting this up, great video as usual!

[@scottphelps6387]

What a fantastic video. Could have listened to him chat for hours. And like so many vets of WWII, so humble. An ace pilot serving on 3 different carriers, and the story he tells us is of others bravery! Thanks for sharing this, must have been an incredible experience to take in the Hornet, with all that history around you, and then get to talk to such a great hero.

[@notjeeves5454]

Very underrated video

[@beckarose420]

My grandfather Antonio Pimentel served with the Sundowners. Did any of them ever mention him?

[@robertmorey4104]

This is a great video and lots of good stuff in less than 4 min! Well done!

[@cliff9708]

What in the holy fuck of an intro did I just watch