Update Pilot Model for Rasmussen’s P-36A — The Pajama Pilot over Pearl Harbor

[Nostalgistic]

Would you like to see a new pilot model for Rasmussen’s P-36A?

• Yes
• No

Pilot Model of Lt. Philip Rasmussen in his Pajamas

   Hey everybody. This suggestion’s purpose is to replace the pilot model of Rasmussen’s P-36A in-game with a pilot model in pink pajamas to represent Lt. Philip Rasmussen’s uniform at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a premium airplane, I believe it would be cooler to have a unique pilot model to give the airplane an identity that represents the action that made both the airplane and the pilot famous at Pearl Harbor.

History

Philip M. Rasmussen (18 May 1918 – 30 April 2005) was a USAAF pilot who became famous for his actions during the Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 at the age of 23. On the morning of the attack, Rasmussen was awakened by a group of Japanese aircraft dropping bombs near his barracks at Wheeler Field, Oahu. Immediately becoming aware of the situation, he rushed to his room, grabbed his pilot’s shoes, aviation headset, and .45-cal pistol and belt, and streaked to the airfield while still wearing his pink pajamas.

Despite being outnumbered, Rasmussen managed to shoot down one A6M2 fighter despite his plane’s .30-caliber machine gun being jammed, with only the .50-caliber machine gun working intermittently. Rasmussen’s P-36 was severely damaged by the Zeros over the course of the battle, with his canopy completely shattered, radio destroyed, and hydraulic lines and rudder cable severed. The aircraft fell into an uncontrolled plunge through the clouds, though he luckily managed to regain control of the aircraft and landed at Wheeler Field with no brakes, rudder, or tailwheel. His aircraft was reported to have been hit by approximately 500 bullets.

For this action, he was awarded the Silver Star medal. Rasmussen later flew many combat missions, assigned to the 8th Fighter Group in New Guinea, and claimed two additional kills as well as a second Silver Star for a bombing mission over Japan. Rasmussen retired in 1965 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Images

Curtiss P-36A Hawk diorama with portrayal of Lt. Rasmussen in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio

Curtiss P-36A Hawk in the markings of the aircraft flown by Rasmussen during the Pearl Harbor attack

Rasmussen with battle-damaged P-36A Hawk 38-86 at Wheeler Field on Oahu. (December 7, 1941)

Lieutenant Phil Rasmussen (on wing) of his 7th Fighter Command P-39D-1 (41-38356) Airacobra.

Sources

• Philip Rasmussen (pilot) - Wikipedia
• https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195995/lt-philip-rasmussen-and-his-p-36a/
• https://avgeekery.com/the-pajama-pilot-of-pearl-harbor/
• Pacific Wrecks - Lt. Col Philip Martin Rasmussen

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

[Savage-SRC]

+1, I think we should have more planes that get their pilot’s namings come with their respective pilot models

[RDXRooster63]

+1 this is hilarious

[CharAznable3]

+1 would be funny and historical there are plenty of examples of these types of situations where there is no time to get dressed.

A famous one was a USA sub captain in the pacific due to the temperature would sleep with nothing on so when they bumbled into a Japanese convoy he had to jump up and command with nothing on. His crew would after the war provide him with some PJs as a gift. I will go try to get names but I think the sub is a museum.