Original Items: One of a Kind Set. Here we have a fantastic collector's set, amassed by David Lee Sims, who was an officer in the U.S. Armed forces, we believe the Air Force, though it is possible that he was in another branch. Some of the early letters were addressed to Lt. David L. Sims, while ones dating in the 2000s were addressed to Col. David Sims. He spent years corresponding with various German Luftwaffe veterans, and received numerous photographs, pictures, letters, and other items from them, all signed. Additionally, he also acquired the signatures from a few U.S. WWII Era pilots as well, including one featured in an article in the included magazine. There is really a HUGE amount of research potential here, as well as a lot of transcription and translation potential as well, as much of the correspondence is hand written in German. For a collector of WWII Pilot Signatures, this set will be a fantastic addition to their collection, or even a great start to a new one!

From what we can tell, the set contains correspondence and photos from the following German Luftwaffe Veterans some of which were pilots, and some of which were notable for other achievements:

- Dr. Heinrich Neumann (17 February 1908 – 19 May 2005) a highly decorated Oberstarzt in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

- Egon Delica (4 January 1915 – 26 April 1999) a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

- Alfred Grislawski (2 November 1919 – 19 September 2003) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 133 victories claimed in over 800 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with 24 claims over the Western Front. Of his 24 victories over the Western Allies, 18 were four-engined bombers.

- Hans Ekkehard Bob (24 January 1917 – 12 August 2013) was a German fighter pilot, serving with the Luftwaffe. During World War II, Bob flew approximately 700 combat missions, and claimed 60 victories; 37 of which were on the Eastern Front.

- Hans-Joachim Jabs (14 November 1917 – 26 October 2003) was a German officer in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Jabs was the rare case of a pilot who found success in two distinctly different forms of aerial combat. He was one of the few pilots to obtain Experte while flying a heavy daytime fighter. Surviving the Battle of Britain, he later became one of the most successful pilots in the night fighter force. The skill sets for the two operations were completely different. Through 510 combat missions he was credited with 50 victories, 31 of them achieved at night. Following the war he became a successful businessman in the field of heavy agricultural equipment.

- Rolf Pingel (1 October 1913 – 4 April 2000) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He is credited with six aerial victories during the Spanish Civil War and further 22 aerial victories on the Western Front of World War II. He flew about 550 combat missions, including approximately 200 in Spain.

- Major Friedrich Lang (12 January 1915 – 29 December 2003) was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace and later member of the West German Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Friedrich Lang flew 1008 combat missions, from the first until the very last day of World War II. During all these missions he was never shot down, never crash landed his aircraft and never had to bail out.

Sims seems to have corresponded with Lang on Multiple. occasions, and there are two WWII period signed photographs, as well as one of him later in life circa 1997

- Josef "Pips" Priller (27 July 1915 – 20 May 1961) was a German military aviator and wing commander in the Luftwaffe during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 101 enemy aircraft shot down in 307 combat missions. All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front, including 11 four-engine bombers and at least 68 Supermarine Spitfire fighters.

There is also a photo of a WWI German soldier, and some additional material that we were not able to identify, but was included with this lovely grouping. There are also signatures and various material from the following U.S. WWII Aerial veterans:

- Albert "Bert" Earnest, USN, WWII Pilot and member of Torpedo Squadron 8, who was the only pilot to return in his plane from that unit during the Battle of Midway, along with his radioman Harry Ferrier. His signature is on the cover of a copy of issue 8 of GHOST WINGS, Summer/Fall 2002, which details this story.

- Joseph D. McGraw, USN, WWII Ace Pilot and veteran of many Pacific Campaign naval Engagements. Recipient of the Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying cross.

- Archie G. Donahue, USMC, WWII Ace Pilot and Pacific Campaign veteran. He shot down 14 Japanese planes during WWII, including 5 in a single day. Recipient of the Navy Cross.

- Guy P. Bordelon, Jr. USN, the only U.S. Navy Ace Pilot from the Korean War. He enlisted September 1942, and received his wings May 1943, and was made an instructor. He was able to make it to the USS Corregidor, but did not see combat before the end of WWII. During the Korean War he had 5 confirmed Aerial Victories, and had a long career afterwards.

A fantastic collector's set, full of research and display potential!