About the P-38 “The Florida Gator » (F-5 Lightning)

[canonne]

Bonjour,
I would like to speak with you about the P-38 “The Florida Gator" (F-5 Lightning) of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group '(22nd Photographic Squadron). It seems numerous photos showing this beautiful P-38. Colour profiles too. But no weapons in its nose Ok ... but no cameras too ... was it a versatile (“adaptable”) type of P-38? Do you know one photo of this recon plane with its cameras?
Thank you very much! Merci from France.
I wish you good researches!
Philippe

[RSwank]

Some models of the F-5 had the cameras set up on the right side of the nose.

Left side of Florida Gator: https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/a1/f0/19/...138a610873.jpg

Example of right side cameras:

https://www.fold3.com/image/46944167...e-mission-an-i

https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn....?itok=h9-eKbg-

The pilot of Florida Gator, W C Bruns, was killed 14 August 1944.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/ar.../waldo-c-bruns

https://vlp.cah.ucf.edu/biographies/sanc/BC-0-17-F.html

There is an IDPF file, (193 pages long) that can be downloaded: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/330652215

[Buckeye30]

"Florida Gator" (42-67119) had 2 (possibly 3) vertical cameras under the nose in front of the nose-wheel, covered here; a similar colour photo of 42-67566 "Ginger Snap" shows the ports open. Both 22PS F-5Cs conversions of P-38Js; some F-6s also had verticals. When 2 were fitted they were angled slightly left-right for more coverage. I believe usually for "pinpoint" photos of specific targets. Many F-5s like F-5Es had both vertical and oblique camers.


Regards
Nick

[edwest2]

Nick,


Vertical was normal. Left - right could provide more coverage but the angle needs to be taken into account when reviewing the film. I wonder if these could or did carry photo-flash bombs synchronized with the camera. The Germans were moving troops and equipment at night.

[Buckeye30]

Ed. Night photography ("JOKER" missions) was assigned to Mosquito XVIs from 654BS (SP)(P) with 25BG(R) at Watton; they had night cameras and M46 flashlight bombs and included a few B-26s. The Mosquitos were from NS-serials, Roger Freeman recorded 11 which saw service with 654. No doubt they had the speed and range.
There is a photo of the 2 vertical cameras in an F-5C, the original caption says this is "Florida Gator" but not certain.
Regards
Nick


Incidentally there is a memorial near the crash site in France where pilot 2/Lt. Durst was killed; the prop on it is said to come from his F-5.

[RSwank]

Interesting regarding Durst. So Durst was flying "Florida Gator" 42-67119, the F-5 named by Bruns when Durst went down on 24 July, 1944. MACR 8139. The memorial for Durst is here:

https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/1...rles-Dysko.htm

https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/...?PeopleID=4657


Waldo Bruns was flying 43-28331, MACR 7762, an F-5 named "Dottie" when he went down on 14 August, 1944.



https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...-william-durst
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/.../waldo-c-bruns

[edwest2]

Thanks again Nick.

[Buckeye30]

These are the 2 K-17 vertical cameras in F-5C "Florida Gator" as stated elsewhere; most film processing was done at Medmenham (Bucks) close to HQVIIIAF at High Wycombe.
https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/...9f0a2e7565.jpg


Nick