Re: American aircraft photos
 

Thanks Nick

Nice site. I notice the date is not recorded and it seems the photos were taken during a period of time
between late 1942 and ca Feb 1943.
I note that all photos Typhoon McGoon are of 41-9211, ie TM II.

I think we can safely conclude that the date TM (I) stated in the e-bay photo is wrong. Perhaps when the
photo was received by officialdom instead of real date?

Just want to conclude that antennas and extra equipment can be mounted and dismounted at any point, so
not necessarily conclusive..... :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: American aircraft photos
 

Hi Stig. Though some of the photos were on Guadalcanal I'm sure the others are Espiritu Santo where the 11BG and HQ were based from July 1942; the maps on the wall show the New Hebrides, probably parts of Santo. There are several references on the mission board ( Dec. 1942) referring to "Cactus" ie. Guadalcanal eg.
"1 B-17 to Cactus for Service".
"1 B-17 spare at Cactus".
"Alert Striking Force..strike at Cactus" (7 a/c).
Also one B-17 to "Nandi" ( Fiji). The 42 / 98BSs had detachments at Cactus in December, often for Search missions, XIIIAF had a Search Command from Jan. 1943. The first 6 B-17s on the list were for "Search", a few having radar.

Some of the B-17s on the board can be ID'd ie. 41-9217, 41-9124, 41-9222, 41-2613, 41-2467, 41-2444, 41-2461; mostly 42nd/98th BSs. 41-24535 was one if the first B-17Fs sent to the S. Pacific (ex-5AF). "Ol' Shasta" was lost Dec 28 so the nose-art photos taken before then.

This is the No.2 Field on E. Santo a little later, Field 1 was off to the left. There are 30+ planes there, by this time the dispersals had been cleared and improved (mostly B-17s but by this date,1943 some may be Marine or RNZAF).
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...oNavalBase.jpg

Note on one photo of an engine crate was stamped "BELLOWS FLD. SUB DEPOT ENG.", much equipment coming via Hawaii. Roger Freeman found one B-17 (probably an "E") at Santo had 8 engine changes in 3 weeks, no doubt due to long missions and the climate.
Regards
Nick