Happy Birthday Victoria Elder!

Wishing Wings of Angels model, Victoria Elder an unforgettable and truly memorable birthday. May all your dreams and wishes come true and that your day is surrounded by the love, warmth and laughter of family and friends today!

End of a Legend - F6F-5 Hellcat

Today's tribute to World War II Aircraft goes to the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat which was the plane used in the Wings of Angels Photographs featuring model Victoria Elder. It is currently on display at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, CA. The United States Navy preferred the F6F-5 Hellcat over the F4U Corsair due to the preference of carrier landings despite the speed difference of the Corsair. This was a critical component for success for the Navy and thus the Corsair was used primarily for land based sorties. The Corsair was eventually cleared for carrier landings but not until late in 1944. The Wildcat was the forerunner to the Hellcat. It truly earned its name with an average kill ratio of 19:1 against the enemy attacks.

The U.S. Navy loved that the Hellcat was easy to maintain and able to withstand considerable damage in addition to it's superiority in being utilized for the aircraft carrier sorties. They were designed with the task of getting the pilot back to base and take damage if needed. Designed with a bullet-resistant windshield, add in 212 pounds of cockpit armor as well as an armor fitted oil tank and oil cooler and you have the makings of a tank with wings in retrospect. Combined with armament of six .50 inch M2/AN Browning machine guns with 400 rounds per gun along with a center-section under the fuselage could carry a single 150 gal (568 l) disposable drop tank. Later planes were equipped with single bomb racks underneath each wing. Further revisions would include the use of night radar and cameras for reconnaissance duties.

The Hellcats despite their air superiority in being faster, did in fact have some disadvantages when utilized against the Japanese Zero Type 52 planes. The F6F outclimbed the Zero marginally above 14,000 ft and rolled faster at speeds above 235 mph. The Japanese fighter could out-turn its American opponent with ease at low speed and enjoyed a slightly better rate of climb below 14,000 ft. When it came to engaging the enemy it came down to one simple strategy:

“Do not dogfight with a Zero 52. Do not try to follow a loop or half-roll with a pull-through. When attacking, use your superior power and high speed performance to engage at the most favorable moment. To evade a Zero 52 on your tail, roll and dive away into a high speed turn." (Spick, Mike. Fighter Pilot Tactics . The Techniques of Daylight Air Combat. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens, 1983.)

What makes the F6F-5 Hellcat that I utilized in the Wings of Angels Photographs is that this is one of the few planes that still retain the original "cat mouth" paint scheme that earmarked this plane for use aboard the USS Princeton. When the Princeton was attacked and sunk, the painted Hellcats were requested to comply with current Naval regulations in which Hellcats were supposed be painted in accordance to the aircraft carrier to which it was assigned. The Navy frown on the "cat mouth" design since this was something done strictly for Hellcats stationed aboard the USS Princeton, and thus this one is truly a one of a kind aircraft and the end of a WWII legend. 

 Photo credits: Malak Photography.com, Michael Malak, Wings of Angels. F6F-5 Hellcat courtesy of Yanks Air Museum.

Wings of Angels Model Spotlight ~ Victoria Elder

Had an amazing conversation with Victoria Elder as she is getting ready to spend a wonderful Christmas with her family in Texas in preparation for the Wings of Angels Model Spotlight. She was born in the heart of Texas and has lived there her whole life until moving to Los Angeles three years ago. Hard to believe that living in the heart of Texas, she doesn't eat meat, which her family thinks is just weird. She is a huge football fan in both college and professional football. Born January 2nd, Victoria shares one of her favorite Christmas traditions was collecting Christmas ornaments with her sister until they were 18, so being able to look back at all those ornaments gives her time to reflect on all the changes in her life that have happened over the years.

1. Who have been your role models and what about them do you admire?

That is easy, it would be my dad. Even though he passed away during my senior year in High School, his kindness in everything he did and to everyone was unforgettable. He never missed one of my volleyball games and was known as the "water boy" for always bringing a chest of water to the games. He was so well loved that they cancelled school so that students could attend his funeral. That shows what a huge impact he had in people's lives and not just mine.

My 9th grade English teacher as well. He inspired me to be a better writer and was constantly pushing me to never settle for anything in my life. He never let you get comfortable with what you thought was your best. And yes, I did get those assignments turned back in to me with red pen, but he was always creative in his comments so I never saw that as a bad thing. I continue to use that inspiration in everything in my life today!

2. How has modeling been important to you in the Wings of Angels Project?

We had a great opportunity to do a signing at an air show and it just being around the planes played a pivotal part of my life. They (the planes) are truly an emotional piece and just being around them, you can't help but be affected by the stories they could tell if they could talk. Just to know the role these planes played in history is so incredible and emotional.

3. What in your life has brought or given you the greatest satisfaction or fulfillment?

Spending my senior year of high school going to Nicaragua and helping in the orphanages there, teaching these amazing kids about drama and just seeing the profound difference of what I was doing in their lives. It's like my English teacher taught me to never be satisfied and to do greater things with your life. This one experience, even now looking back, is one that is truly unforgettable and one I am glad I took part in.

4. Looking back at your modeling or acting career, is there anything you wish you would have done differently?

Hmm, not necessarily different I would say, I just wish I would have done things earlier. Looking back I could see where if I would have pushed myself to do things earlier instead of simply waiting on different areas could have benefited me sooner.

5. If you could have been born into any period of time in history, which one would you pick and why?

Oh that's easy. Mid 40's to early 50's. I LOVE the clothes. Truly a classic fit. The clothes looked sexy but done in a classy way, not a trashy one. It was like the white picket fence time and things were just much different than they are now. More classic!

6. What is your favorite picture that Michael has taken of you?

It would be the picture Mike took of me in front of the plane saluting. I love the Navy, the formal uniforms, and just that classy look. By far my favorite branch of the service.

7. What is one thing most people don't know about you?

That I'm obsessed with Celine Dion. Everyone thinks that is so weird, but I love her. My life is pretty much an open book and most people know everything about me. I hate drinking out of a can or even watching people do that truly grosses me out. That and buffets. Ever since watching a show on the Discovery Channel about bacteria, I can't eat at one.

8. What is it like working with Michael on the Wings of Angels Project?

I LOVE HIM!!! He is my favorite photographer I have ever worked with. He gives you good direction and does it in a way that is clear so you can really understand. I love the shot in my video where he was telling me about the "A" "E" "I" "O" and "U." He has great wisdom and when he talks to you, he does it in a humble way. I've worked with people who give no direction or yell at you, but working with Mike, is he is easy to be around. He is always great at keeping me in the know and staying in touch. I've worked with people in the past and once things are done, I don't hear anything from them.

Well that wraps up our interview with Victoria Elder, Wings of Angels Model in this week's Model Spotlight. Thanks to Victoria for taking time out of her day to answer these questions and to let you know just a little bit more about who she is. I'll leave you with a look at the Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot video of Victoria Elder's.

You can also find Victoria Elder on Facebook!

Sponsor Credits on Photos include: Robert Austin Photography, LTW Custom Cosmetics, Ellie Shoes, Betty Paige Clothing, Secrets in Lace Lingerie, Hair and Make Up by Martin Christopher, Yanks Air Museum. 

Now is the Time!!!

This Saturday's Model Spotlight will feature Wings of Angels Model, Victoria Elder. So now is the opportunity to post any questions you would like Victoria to answer in the comment box below. We will be collecting the questions and posting the answers as well as some fun facts on Saturday, December 14th. Not many people know that she is a writer and actress working on Path of Gen Project.  So if you have ever wanted to ask her anything, now is the time!