Early KC-97A at Boeing Field

Born a cargo aircraft, C-97A 49-2591 was soon converted to a tanker configuration as seen here. Her air refueling days were short-lived as she was then reconfigured to once again become a trash hauler. Not the very obvious rear cargo doors where the boom operator’s pod has been attached.

“General Gilmore & Staff”, 1930

General Gilmore was Chief of the Air Corp’s Material Division where, naturally, he had a trusty staff to make things easier. That staff included Captains Frank Andrews and Laurence Kuter, and Major Henry Arnold. These men would achieve three, four, and five-star rank in the coming years. All of the men in this photo are wearing mourning bands but I am unable to ascertain who it was that died. The location of the photo is Wright Field, the aircraft, a Curtiss B-2 Condor of the 96th Bomb Squadron.

American Airlines, 1949

Webp.net-resizeimage (2) — Super Connie NC90926 (“Star of Tunis”) heads an all-star ensemble of American Airlines heavies. B-377 Stratocruiser (NX1023V, “Clipper Golden Gate”) is next. It was the second prototype of the 377 and, judging by its lack of company markings plus the sizable crowd, had probably just arrived. Sadly, it crashed in Manila on 2 June, 1958. Last in the line is the stalwart DC-6.

RAAF Beaufighters

A Beaufighter (A8-154) of No. 30 Squadron coasts in after another mission.

A pair of Beaufighters from No. 31 Squadron await their next mission (A8-143 in background, A8-176 in the fore). Note the Dauntless swooping down from the right.

The Beaufighter was pretty much all engine. Location of photos: Moret Field, Philippines.

124th Fighter Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, 1951

“To minimize risk, only the fewest number of men required should refuel an aircraft” ~ Air Force Technical Order on the Refueling of Aircraft

Men of the 124th Fighter Squadron

Air Policemen defy anyone to touch the squadron’s C-47.

Iowa Air Guard F-51s and a lone AT-6

Working hard for the Guard.

The year 1951 was busy for the Iowa Air National Guard at Des Moines Airport. At the beginning of that year the boys had been flying F-84 Thunderjets, but with the Korean War now in full-swing those F-84s went to active duty units while Iowa reverted to the F-51. Having flown them from 1946-1949, the 124th and the Mustang were old friends. This state of affairs continued until the war ended thus making jets available once again.

18th Fighter Group P-38s at Moret Field, Philippines, 1945

“Margie” (44-25468). The bird behind is named “Porky”.

44-26169 taxis past USMC F4U Corsairs.

44-26260 taxis towards its parking area.

18th Fighter Group P-38 takes to the air.lift

113th Observation Squadron

Pilots and observers of the Indiana National Guard at Stout Field in the late 20s – early 30s. The Douglas BT-1 was their aircraft and it was a familiar sight in the skies over the Hoosier State during this era.