Scrapped planes after WWII

[Rwrwalker]

The Canadian experience was similar to what was described above. Some aircraft, especially Cornells and Bolingbrokes, that were delivered to the RCAF late in the war went direct into storage. They were sold off over the next few years, some for scrap, and some with ten hours or less airframe time. The storage sites also held reserve aircraft from earlier orders, and I've heard stories of Tiger Moths, Ansons, Hurricanes and others being sold in the years right after the war in virtually new condition. For example, Fleet Fort 3563, delivered on 15 July 1941, had 57 hours went it was transferred for sale on 5 February 1945. In contrast, numer 3564 was delivered the same month, to a Flying School, and had 1,566 hours when transferred in March of 1945.

There were large numbers of Waco troop gliders in Canada in packing crates at the end of the war, waiting shipment to operational units, that were sold still in the crate. Apprently the boxes made great chicken coops, and many of the gliders were thrown away by the new owners who just wanted the sturdy wooden crate.

Fairchild Aircraft of Canada continued to build Bolingbroke airframes at a low rate after the BCATP orders were cut back in late 1944, in hopes that the RCAF would eventually buy them. After the war they finally sold several dozen complete airframes, less government supplied engines, for scrap, without ever flying them. By the way, if anybody out there knows the exact number of airframes, or when they were finally sold, I would love to hear from them.

[Hemiman]

Some pics of the Oklahoma Birds..

Gentlemen,

I have been researching USAAF Air Technical Intelligence in the ETO. One veteran interviewed in the UK traveled with the advancing US forces into Germany. He mentioned discovering a Junker bomber plant that the US Army swept past during their advance. This ATI veteran spoke with the director of the aircraft factory and ordered him to have his workers return to the plant and keep working on the Junker bomber production line.

The veteran stated that eventually, after the German surrender, many factories in Germany would be utilized to produce material for the war against Japan. Therefore, the Allies wanted German aircraft factories fully functioning for eventual conversion towards producing material in this effort.

The director of the Junker aircraft factory was instructed to have the factory workers return to work, and the US Army would pay their salary. The Allies wanted to keep thus particular aircraft factory production in force.

The American veteran, Ford Porter enlisted in the RCAF, transfered to the USAAF and flew Beaufighters with 415 Squadron in the MTO and later transfered to the 25th BG at Watton and flew de Havilland Mosquito aircraft with 653rd Squadron. At the end of the war, he again transfered to ATI to assist as US forces moved deeper into Germany. He died four years ago in the UK from lung cancer.

Norman Malayney

[ArtieBob]

IMHO, this is a case of, at best a rather befuddled memory in old age. First, virtually all Junkers bomber production had been stopped months before the war ended by the Germans in order to concentrate resources on other types. Second, USA did not need any German aircraft production capacity or any German types for the war in the Pacific, USA production rationalization and cutbacks had actually begun before V-E day. The only Junkers bomber production that continued after capitulation was in France and that had nothing to do with US forces (see the book "Junkers 88 et 188 Francais" for the full story). Third, if you look at the location of the Junkers production facilities, IIRC, most if not all ended up in the USSR occupation zone, where the US Army Air Force had very little authority. The USSR continued development of some Junker jet bomber types, but none of thes were apparently ever produced in quantity, but that is another story. Sorry, this appears to be another of the many wars end myths with little or no substance.

Best regards,

Artie Bob

[edNorth]

Hi all;

It´s true that ´more than thusand´ B-17 and B-24 were flown back to the USA via Iceland, Greenland and Canada in May, June, July 1945 - only to be parked at f.e. at Kingman and elsewhere - and scrapped.

489 ´White Project´ aircraft passing through Meeks Field (Keflavík) in May 1945. These were 189 B-17, 288 B-24 and 12 Consolidated OA-10 Catalina. First to arrive was on 20 May. That was B-17G 44-83484 with tew man crew. That day most came in one day (71) all B-17 and B-24 continiued over the next few days. On the 23 May many passing through Greenland, 63 landed at Narsarsuaq but most flew over to Goose Bay.

At the same time eastbound were nine B-24 Liberator bombers. During same period the British ferrying increased through Reykjavik, mostly Mosquito to UK.

Statistic for May 1945: During May 1945 there were 841 arrivals to Meeks Field (Keflavík). Of that 306 were four engined C-54 transports. Also 2 twin engined transports. There arrived 486 four engined and 29 twin engined Bombers. Other planes were 18. One C-54 (American Airlines) with injured soldiers returned to Meeks Field at night on the 15th because of broken exhaust. The pipe from cylinder one on number four engine was broken and had damaged the engine. It took three hours to repair. Only nine B-24 Liberator bombers were eastbound before VE-Day.
On VE-Day five USN PB4Y Liberators were at Meeks Field on their way to Europe. They were ordered to return but 11 C-46 Commando transports and 7 C-47 Skytrain proceeded. The 16 other planes were AACS or Special Mission. The British stopped using Camp Geck at Meeks Field (Keflavík) during the month. The traffic was slow untill the 20th when traffic picked up, now in the opposite direction - Westbound!

During June 1945 there arrived 1370 aircraft at Meeks Field (Keflavík). These were 1073 four engined and 4 twin engined Bombers. Also 266 four engined transport aircraft and 27 others. The Bombers came all from Prestwick in Scotland or Valley in Wales. They only stopped for fuel, then proceeded to Goose Bay, Labrador, then Bradley Field, Connecticut. During the month American Weather planes flew every other day from Gander to til Meeks Field (Keflavík). These were B-17 from the 53rd (LR) Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. Two aircraft, B-17G 9106 and 9149, searched for an lost Canadian aircraft near Greenland during the month.

For July 1945 is the following RAF TAC Prestwick controlled flights: 1545 (343 direct, 1108 via Iceland, 2 via Greenland, 64 via Azores, 1 Sweden, 10 Iceland to/from Sweden, 1 Amsterdam, 2 Norway, 15 Russian deliveries)
(123 RAF deliveries: including 3 Westbound, 602 transport/weather, 759 USAAF Westbound, 15 Russia deliveries, 15 to/from Russia, 1 delivery to France, 2 flights by Iceland Airways: Catalina TF-ISP making the first Icelanders flown passenger flight)

cheers
ed

[Skyraider3D]

Some of the B-17 in the photos Hemiman posted have unit markings. Isn't that odd for brand new aircraft? I wouldn't expect factories to spray on the unit markings.

[edNorth]

Many or most of those flown home had their old unit markings still applied when flown back home, factories did not, I belive, paint those. Rather you, Skayraider, are looking at ex-ETO operational B-17. Most of those ended up at Kingman etc.

[edwest]

More photos:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170026409838
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170026408234
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170026409081
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170026410684
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330025657424



Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[Skyraider3D]

Very interesting! That P-40 graveyard is a work of art!

[Larry Daley]

To Ed:

Then I can safely state that Valley was an allied air base, with U.S., Czech and other allied planes using it?


Larry Daley