Allied aircraft
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37519531301...8AAOSwaEllqB4T
https://www.ebay.com/itm/37519531116...EAAOSwbkZlqB3S
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15601313734...kAAOSw2ztlqBtI

Re: Allied aircraft
 

Re: Allied aircraft
 

Re: Allied aircraft
 

The B-24J is 44-40340, 400BS "Black Pirates (90BG), tail was black with red-white stripes and 340 in white; there's a nice colour photo of the artwork on Dan's "B24bestweb" site.
Nick

Re: Allied aircraft
 

Thanks Nick. Most helpful.

Re: Allied aircraft
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15625983218...QAAOSwIYdmby~f
https://www.ebay.com/itm/37548909236...8AAOSw-x5mbyo4
https://www.ebay.com/itm/37548899767...UAAOSw89pmbxgF

Re: Allied aircraft
 

Ed; The 504th. designator was a Circle "E"; Circle "W" was 505BG, "X" was 9BG. All 3 were in 313rd. Wing (Tinian) and were delegated mining ops. in Japanese home waters. The B-29 with USMC artwork was probably commemorating the Battalion's service (and heavy losses) on Peliliu in Sept.-Nov. 1944, Company "A" supporting 1st. Marine Div. There was a Navy Seabees Btn. attached.

The photos are from a 504th member but the 4 Groups (6th.BG was the 4th) shared the same airfield at North Field.


Nick

Re: Allied aircraft
 

The only serial I am reasonably certain of is Circle "X" / 31 (formerly "X Triangle 16" before the April changes) 42-24796 "Dotties Dilemma"- 9th BG, she ran off the North Field runway landing from the June 1 mission to Osaka. Her 34th. and last mission and removed from Inventory on the 6th. July. No doubt a source of spares.



Nick

Re: Allied aircraft
 

Nick,


Many thanks.


Ed

Re: Allied aircraft
 

Circle "W"/41 has an interesting marking anomaly (not unusual in the Pacific), the Group letter is an upside-down "M" as seen in another photo; the castle in the Marine insignia is the US Army Corps of Enginneers symbol, a "Guadalcanal" ribbon was added later and 5 stars for the Southern Cross. The 2 turrets represent "Offence / Defence". The Battalion also supported the Division on Okinawa in April so that may relate to the B-29's artwork.

Incidentally the 1st. Battn. won 3 Presidential Unit Citations in WW2. The Navy Seabees attached was the 17th.(Special) Battn. (I believe segregated).


Nick