Any WWII/WWII Aviation/Aviation enthusiasts on board?

[gb6491]

If so, you might find this link that a long time friend sent me of interest (many photos): http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=14428&finish=15&start=0
In example (with firearm content:)), here's one that is captioned:
"New bombsight being taken aboard under armed guard"
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/Photos%20Two/NewbombsightTex1942.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Makes me want to take a hack saw to my Tommy! I dig old military pictures in any arena. I'll take a better look a bit later, suspect it might take awhile.

[O'Dell]

Although I grew up in the Jet age and flew Mach 2 fighters in the Navy, I'm a huge fan of the WWII warbirds, especially the fighters. I have many books and a couple of hundred video clips and many movies on the subject. I followed closely the restoration of "Glacier Girl", a P-38 recovered from the ice in Greenland, as the project was ramrodded by a local guy.

[ken_in_austin]

Thanks so much for posting this link. The pictures are amazing.

Ken

[Longitude Zero]

Thanks. My son and I have taken a flights on a B-17(2), B-29, B-24. It really is an honor to be able to experience those old warbirds.

[7shot]

my dad flew in b-24's over germany. when i got my chance to fly in one (witchcraft) when they were in houston, tx a few years back i requested the seat behind the pilot and co-pilot, just like pops did when he flew (crew chief/top turrant gunner). man that was an emotional moment for me. and an awesome ride...

[O'Dell]

The restoration of of Glacier Girl was fascinating to me. I've always liked the P-38. When it first flew in 1939 it was the first fighter in the world to top 400 mph. The two leading American aces in WWII both flew P-38's. Glacier Girl was found under 260 feet of ice and brought up one piece at a time. The aircraft that is flying today has 80% of the original 70 year old parts. They even test fired the 20 mm cannon on the icecap and it worked perfectly with the ammo that was still in the magazines. I wonder if a 70 year old Kahr or any pistol would do as well with 70 year ammo that had been under an icecap that long.

[muggsy]

My mother built B-17s. She was a "Rosie the riveter".

[mr surveyor]

wow.... that's the best hour and a half I've spent in years:)

thank's for the link... I may take the advice of the "originator" of the data compilation" and copy every photo to a CD.


surv

[JohnR]

Thanks! I'm a big sucker for any airplane in olive drab with a meatball star.

[Planedude]

The P-38 was the only really successful twin engine fighter of the era. The Bf-110, KI-45 "Nick" and the problematic British Whirlwind represented each countries attempt to meet the same goals.
The German Bf-110 was slower, and less manuverable than the Spitfires and was withdrawn from that type of frontline service. The Japanese KI-45 had a few better traits than the the 110 but was an easy mark for a good pilot in a Corsair, Hellcat or P-38.
The Whirlwind showed some promise early but could never get past it's engine teathing issues and production stopped at about 115 aircraft.
The P-38 met every challange and was a frontline fighter through out the war. I do love that old bird and would have loved to have been in on the resto of Glacier Girl.
Photos of Glacier Girl and our first namesake Lighting II F-35, AA-1.

[JFootin]

I've always thought the P-38 was an especially beautiful plane!

I have a question: what purpose do those large air scoops 2/3 of the way back on the twin fusilages serve?

[Planedude]

I've always thought the P-38 was an especially beautiful plane!

I have a question: what purpose do those large air scoops 2/3 of the way back on the twin fusilages serve?


Twin raidiators for each of the V-12 Allison V-1710 engines (1725hp). :cool:

[forestranger]

Thanks for posting that! My Dad was in the Army Air Corps during WWII so I've always loved those old warbirds. Back in the 60s & 70s, we used B17s and PB4Y2s (Navy version of B24) as fire retardant air tankers on forest fires. Thanks again!:)

[JFootin]

Originally Posted by JFootin http://kahrtalk.com/images/tigra/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?p=183668#post183668)
I've always thought the P-38 was an especially beautiful plane!

I have a question: what purpose do those large air scoops 2/3 of the way back on the twin fusilages serve?


Twin raidiators for each of the V-12 Allison V-1710 engines (1725hp). :cool:

Oh, yeah. Makes sense. Thanks!

[ken_in_austin]

When I looked at those pictures I was reminded of a friend here in Austin.....and then today I heard that he had passed yesterday. Many people here in Austin knew or heard of EAW Ted Smith. He was a Spitfire pilot and flew 90 missions during WWII. Here is his website: http://www.ww2fighterpilots.com/index.html

I have both of his books.

Ken

[Planedude]

When I looked at those pictures I was reminded of a friend here in Austin.....and then today I heard that he had passed yesterday. Many people here in Austin knew or heard of EAW Ted Smith. He was a Spitfire pilot and flew 90 missions during WWII. Here is his website: http://www.ww2fighterpilots.com/index.html

I have both of his books.

Ken

Sorry to hear of Ted's passing. I met him once while I was working at the Texas Airplane Factory during the ME262 project. Nice guy.

We keep losing more of the old guys every day. God Bless um.

[doc540]

If so, you might find this link that a long time friend sent me of interest (many photos): http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=14428&finish=15&start=0
In example (with firearm content:)), here's one that is captioned:
"New bombsight being taken aboard under armed guard"
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/Photos%20Two/NewbombsightTex1942.jpg
Regards,
Greg

My dad flew those before he got checked out in the B-17. In fact, the guy inside the plane looks just like my dad!

They had a bomb bay and trained new bombardiers in the twin Beech or AT-11.

[downtownv]

I already told you My Dad's background B-17 bomber pilot 8th Army Air Corp...

[rvanpelt]

Very interesting thread. Thanks to all who have posted.:)
Here's a link to Byron Johnson's, my cousin's, crash landing on the deck of the U.S. Enterprise, November, 1943. Byron was not able to get the canopy opened. As you can see, Walter Chewning risks his life to save Byron.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18532986@N07/3465118664/
Byron passed 5 years ago.
Thank you,
Rod

[Charlie]

Although I grew up in the Jet age and flew Mach 2 fighters in the Navy, I'm a huge fan of the WWII warbirds, especially the fighters. I have many books and a couple of hundred video clips and many movies on the subject. I followed closely the restoration of "Glacier Girl", a P-38 recovered from the ice in Greenland, as the project was ramrodded by a local guy.
I'm a fan of my father who flew these 38's in the Pacific, he didnt talk much, and he never flew again.

[QuercusMax]

One of my "neighbours" and eventual good friend from when I lived in Britain was a Spitfire pilot in the RAF during WW2, and looked every bit the part even as an older gentleman.

Although he was slightly too young to fly during the Battle of Britain, after school he would go to the fighter fields in Essex at the time to admire his heroes as they took off for battle. The next year he was old enough to join up, and learned to fly in a Tiger Moth. On his first flight in a 2 seater, his instructor flew inverted with him over the Solway Firth.

He had a lot of great stories, but one that was especially entertaining occurred while he was stationed in Egypt, when he flew his MK IX Spitfire over the Nile at low altitude to tip over some of the dhows (boats) on the river with his prop wash and really piss off the Egyptians. Funny what a thousand horsepower can do for a young man.

I still have Peter's RAF wings. I miss him. One of my heroes.