Photo USAAF Aircraft

[Buckeye30]

Pretty sure it's a Curtiss A-3, a 1927 attack development of the O-1 Falcon observation type.
Nick

[musec04]

Hi Nick,


Thanks for your reply. I'm pretty happy to go with your id. Safe to assume none were around post 07.12.41 I assume? as looking at Joe Baugher's site very few survived into the early 1930s. This would be my only concern. I know virtually nothing about the paint schemes of late 1920/early 1930 USAAC aircraft, but the machine shown at least appears to be more drabbly painted than I would expect for the earlier period.

Regards,


Clint

[Buckeye30]

Oh dear should have had another look; it's got the 15th Observation insignia so obviously an O-1 !

The finish at this time ( 1920s) was overall Olive Drab except for trainers; until the Blue and Yellow scheme replaced OD mid-30s. I can't imagine any around in 1941.

Nick

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay are a series of photos of USAAF aircraft as follows:


Consolidated OA-10A Catalina


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-...sAAOSwXxNgKHl4



Republic P-47 Thunderbolt:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-...UAAOSwSvlgKHhw


North American B-25 Mitchell


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-...MAAOSwBS5gKHvs


Northrop P-61


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-...IAAOSwt39gKHXZ


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-...AAAOSw5J5gKHRr


Regards,


Clint

[Buckeye30]

I think both P-61s are 550th NFS, the first one has their squadron colour flaps and front spinner; the second photo was taken by a 419th NFS radio-operator called Shelton on Floridablanca but going by the coloured spinner and mid-range number probably 550th.
Nick

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of an Alaska based Consoldated PB-2a at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/30409071007...cAAOSwPVJhCC1k


The seller also has may photos of less obscure aircraft at:


https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item...&_skc=50&rt=nc



Regards,


Clint

[bearoutwest]

Clint,
The aircraft in the right background, looks like a Seversky XP-41 with the flush inward retracting undercarriage.


Seems unusual for that to have been in Alaska.


Regards,
...geoff

[musec04]

Hi Geoff,


Nice spot. It is indeed the XP-41. It appears that the 10th AB was a destination for a number of unusual aircraft.I have a USAAF thread on the allied airforces board of this site at:


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...ighlight=Clint


In which a YP-37 with 10AB tail markings features. Alas the photo I linked to is of course long gone.


Regards,


Clint

[bearoutwest]

Clint,

What unit is 10AB?
All I find on-line is a bunch of (very nice) photos of a shiny P-40C but not any background info on the unit itself.

Curious,
...geoff

[bearoutwest]

Thanks gents.


So is there a simple reason the eBay-seller thought this photo was taken in Alaska? Did 10AB send aircraft for cold-weather testing; or just in error on the listing?

...geoff