American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

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Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Hi Ed.

Photo 1. B-17E 41-2609 "Loose Goose" 63BS / 43BG probably on N. Guinea. Returned to USA.
Photo 2. Early 304BW with diamond designator before colour markings in April 1944, but after squadron colour letters introduced.

Photo 3. 38BG at Itawi, Japan---also called Osaka AB between 10/46--4/49. High letters should be 405BS "Green Dragons".


Nick

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Hi Nick,


Thank you. You are a wealth of knowledge.


Best,
Ed

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Ed- a few short notes on these.......


Photo 1. 22BG, 19 or 33 BSs (white or yellow bands). Okinawa 8/45.
2. 90BG Ie Shima 8/45. Last 3 numbers on squadron colour tails.
3. (B-24M) 528 / 380 Okinawa 8/45.
4. C-46 Phillipines 1945 ( "X" designator = 375TCG ).
5. (F-13) 42-93852, she photographed Tokyo for the first mission to the capital, from Saipan. 3rd PRS.
6. 678 / 444BG lead aircraft ( striped fuselage band, the band in squadron colour). Early markings from Dudhkundi, India 1944. Cobra insignia.
7. Probably 29BG Guam 1945.
8. 676 / 444 Tinian 1945; "Eleanor / Jo" 42-65337, damaged and landed on Iwo Jima.
9. I think this is 42-24736, 678 / 444 belly-landed Feb 1 1945, cobra badge (738 was 45 / 40BG "Honeywell Honey" ).
10. 676 / 444BG 42-24538 with Dragon insignia, tail marking Diamond 24.
11. "Blue Bonnet Belle" 42-6307 , 679 / 444 with winged bull insignia. To 676BS, still with Bull badge, when the 4th sqn. in B-29 Groups was disbanded in Oct. 1944. Tail Diamond 25.
12. 676 / 444, the "Reluctant Dragon" squadron badge (not approved until June 45).

Nick

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Nick,


Outstanding. Thank you.


Best,
Ed

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Ed---- update on photo 7.
I think this is 22BG (VH) in 1946. The back of the photo reads


"B-29s on Kadena runway. These are Doolittle's 8th Air Force planes."
The Group was there April 1946 to May 1948 with B-29s, assigned to 316BW which was there to June 1948 (the other Groups were in the Marianas); Eighth AF was based on Okinawa July 1945 to June 1946, though Doolittle wasn't Commander then it was still known as "his" Air Force.

Although there could have been B-29s from other Groups calling at Kadena for various reasons the 22nd seems most likely.


Regards Nick

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Sorry Ed these are unlikely to be 22BG; the note on the photos ( " Doolittle's 8th Air Force planes") means more likely the 2 B-29 Groups from the 316BW at Kadena, 333rd ( Aug.5 1945 to 28 May 1946) or 346th (Aug.7 1945 to 30 June 1946). Wing HQ was also there. Eighth AF was established on Okinawa July 16 1945, Doolittle commanding 3 days later. They look like new planes, no markings.

The 22BG didn't move to Okinawa until May-June 1946 when they got B-29s.

The other 2 Groups from the Wing were on Guam and Tinian.
Regards
Nick

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Re: American aircraft photos 8 - 12
 

Ed. A few notes here.
Photo 1. B-17E 41-2659 "Frank Buck" ( "Bring 'em back alive") 43BG ( ex-19th) N. Guinea 1944.
2. B-17G 42-39999 "Bataan Avenger" 49BS/ 2BG ditched in the Adriatic.
3. B-17F 42-29480 99BG (Fifteenth AF) ex-483rd. "Cotton Eyed Joe".

4. B-17F 41-2537 probably at Wright Fd. 1944.
5. Looks like a "Snooper" a black B-24J from the 868BS (Thirteenth AF). Night ops.
6. B-24J "Reddy Teddy" 42-51551 (Ford), 714BS/448BG ( Eighth).
7. P-38G or H N. Guinea 1943; the square style of numbers could be 49FG (9FS = 70-99).
8. P-51D looks familiar but can't remember.
9. B-25 (?).

10. B-25D 41-29705 "Baby Blitz" 13BS / 3BG N. Guinea 1943 (scrapped).
11.B-29 (Omaha) "Lil Butch" 19BG (93BS = probably 41-60). Ex-497BG, their "A Square" visible below and one of several re-marked.

12. B-29 (?).



Nick