The Able Queen

This historical memoir is told as the first-person eyewitness account of Robert Dean Binzer, a young man who follows his call to become a pilot and enlists in the 14th Airforce for the adventure of a lifetime in the service of his country during World War II. Stationed in China, he faces the perils of the flying a C-47 Hump transport plane over Himalayas following the deadly call of the Aluminum Trail. Follow him in his own words from training, crossing the ocean to India, rescuing downed pilots, dodging air raids, and finally stepping out the door of his failing craft, "Able Queen," to become one of those in need of rescue.



This could be the story of any one of thousands of American and Allied pilots who flew combat missions in primitive aircraft with little to no outside help, depending on "Yankee ingenuity," good luck and faith to carry them through their dangerous missions in wartime China.