Memoirs of Jayne Mansfield Airforce Flight by the Pilot

Below is a memoir from John 'Hank' Meierdierck, a very lucky man who had the pleasure of meeting Jayne and flying her to an air-force base in UK. To read the full article follow the link below;

http://www.roadrunnersinternationale.com/meierdierck/hank.html

In 1957, Millie and I were transferred to the UK  as were most of the other pilots from the U-2 group. While there I got to fly the C-47 to Europe and not much else. But even flying the Gooney Bird can be fun. Working in the Command Post, I controlled the flying hours. So when a request came in to fly Jane Mansfield and a group of reporters to one of our bases for a football game, I okayed it but put my self down as pilot.
        The trip up was uneventful in good weather and I got to go to the rear of the plane and talk with Jane for awhile.  I guess they all went to a party after the game and the weather turned terrible. Rain, low ceilings and about 1/2 mile visibility. Right after takeoff my copilot went to the rear to meet the people and I was left alone to fly the plane. Not an easy job what with flying in rough instrument conditions and working theradios, etc. A British female reporter came up front and sat in the copilots seat.  That was O K but then she began interrupting my concentration by grabbing switches. I told her about three times not to touch anything but when she did it again, I grabbed her someplace on her front area, pulled her out of the seat with my right hand and hollered for the crew chief to get her out of there. The destination was about 200 feet visibility and about 300 foot ceiling but I penetrated OK and landed safely.
        Miss Mansfield and her friend, Mickey Haggerty, lived quite close to us in England. I was hosting a small party for members of the old U2 group and invited the two of them for drinks and dinner. They tentively accepted but the day before the planned event, called and declined. It was close though.

The only inconsistency with this story is that Mickey Hargitay was not with Jayne during her 1957 trip to Europe and the UK. The studio would not have it. Jayne didn't even bring Jayne Marie with her. She traveled with Fox Studio employees only. It was one of the only times she done what she was told to do, all other times she did what she wanted. 

Our latest video, shared on YouTube, actually coincides with the short little story. It is footage from Jayne's trip to the US Airforce base mentioned. Jayne is shown enjoying an American football match, partaking in some publicity on the field such as kicking the football herself, greeting people at the base and cutting a cake and sharing the pieces with some little children. 

And of course here is the mentioned video footage