American aircraft 11-12

[edwest2]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-1945-U...4AAOSwqBFfrYNQ

[DavidIsby]

thanks, some interesting antennas on this and the tail serial seems to be just readable.

[edwest2]

You're welcome David. I did a search and the serial may be 41-11923, but I can't confirm that. If it is, joebaugher.com has this to say:
condemned Sep 6, 1945 due to non-combat accident.

[Stig Jarlevik]

I doubt it is Ed

"Your" aircraft was a pretty early B-24D, and unless they rebuilt those with a proper nose turret (which we can see in the picture), it is not.

Seller is equally confused. Every aircraft taken by the Corporal in Okinawa are from 26th BS, but note the seller is not even 100% certain that's where the Corporal who took the shots was actually serving.

Thus we end up with a US Navy PB4Y-2 also in 26th BS, and so on.

Cheers
Stig

[Revi16]

http://www.b24bestweb.com/flying8ball1.htm
http://www.b24bestweb.com/flying8ball2.htm

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Revi

So they did upgrade the B-24D with nose gun turrets after all. It is not mentioned in the book I have on the B-24.... (apologies Ed!)

Was this a field modification since as far as I can find, none was built with one.

Interesting to see that neither this aircraft had nothing to do with the 26th BS!

Cheers
Stig

[twocee]

Stig,

That PB4Y-2 was assigned to VPB109, which moved to Okinawa in July 1945. That would fit with the general time scale for this photo collection.

As regards the B-24D, I understand that there was a very large programme in 1943, both Army and Navy, to retrofit them with nose turrets.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks George

In your opinion, the last three digits of the nose code, did that always stand for the last three digits of the Bu No?

Interesting that with the B-24D. Must have completely missed out on such a programme. Must take a closer look to see if I can find more details.

Cheers
Stig

[twocee]

Stig,

In most cases I have come across the three digits on the nose reflected the "last three". Also, the letter 'V' was indicative of 109.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks again

Makes things a bit easier trying to ID photos.....

I have found a few details regarding the B-24D nose turret mods, but the info moves in two different ways.

Anyone who knows if Consolidated (or other sub-contractor) actually built D-models from scratch with the nose turret installed?

Cheers
Stig