Boeing 247, Billings Airport in Montana

PBY Catalina, VP-71 “Black Cats”

Pistol cleaning time in a PBY

My first thought was that the man on the left was the aircraft’s navigator using a drift sight. (One can be mounted at the waist blisters.) But nope, he has a gun.

The legendary “Planemobile”

The post-war brainchild of Daniel Zuck and partner Stanley Whitaker, the Planemobile was what Zuck envisioned as part of a future world with “an airplane in every garage”. This would lead to less congestion on the road and shorter commute times. There was an additional benefit: Given that this was the Cold War era, Zuck foresaw his Planemobile’s mobility as a means to disperse the population thus making it less likely they would be vaporized in a nuclear attack. That, is one of the most unique sales pitches in both aviation and automobile advertising history.

The really great news is that this historic aircraft is now restored and on display at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA. I have visited that fine museum a few times and if you have not gone, go.

TBM Avenger in the South Pacific

Photo was given to me by one of the pilots. Unlike most pilots, this one was an enlisted man, Chief Bill Shoalts. He’s 2nd on the right, first row.

2nd Bomb Group B-17’s over New York City

Young P-80’s in a hurry

These are early-birds – they wear the “P” for pursuit on their noses.

With a graceful curtsy, an A-3 Skywarrior makes it arrival.

“Hurry up and wait”

For those unfamiliar with the term, “hurry up & wait” refers to what is a large portion of military service: frantic haste followed by seemingly pointless delay. These guys decided to pitch a few pennies next to their PBY as they idle away the time before they hit the skies. In my Air Force days, we called this portion of the mission “the mill-around checklist.”

86th Observation Squadron, Wheeler Field, 1941

Jack Hansen, naval photographer, enjoys the scenery from a PBY

My grandmother’s kid brother, Uncle Jack was flying that day to photograph the rescue of a downed P-38 pilot. No pictures of that, because someone else rescued him first. But, Jack did take some of the photos you see on this website.

O-46, 91st Observation Squadron

Bellanca C-27 Airbus

That lower strut wasn’t just to keep the wings where you want them; it was an airfoil. Aircraft carries the “FAD” arrowhead of the Fairfield Air Depot where it was overhauled.

Keystone Bombers

Keystone built a plethora of bombers for the Air Corps in the 1920’s and 30’s. While nothing earth shattering in the advancement stage, they were solid performers and mirrored the world’s other bombers of the time.

Consolidated P-30

36th Pursuit Squadron. The two-place pursuit concept didn’t last too long.

This is somewhat frowned upon today

Why do some people wonder how we ever won World War II? Just Look at these PB4Y crews for the answer.

B-36J Peacemaker

This is one of the “featherweight” models that had most of the guns removed to better the aircraft’s performance. Somewhere in the house, I have a Dash-One for a B-36; featherweight or not, the -1 charts reveal a beast that needed a runway halfway around the earth to get airborne. (Just one of the many reasons I love the B-36.)

Douglas BT-2, Randolph Field

Cadets (11 ea.), and, count’em, 35 women. These guys are doing all right for themselves.

P-12 pilot ready for some high altitude work

B-2 Condors, 96th Bomb Squadron

The “all metal” age arrives. Boeing 221A “Monomail” and P-12

This view of Boeing’s 221A “Monomail” and P-12 illustrates how quickly aviation technology was advancing in the 1930’s – and things were just getting started.

The Boeing 221A “Monomail” is the focus of onlooker’s attention at Boeing Field

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United 247 Mechanics Toil Through the Night.

Inside the XB-15

Inside the engine nacelle of the XB-15. The engines could be accessed in flight, and the nacelle interior seems roomy enough. Note the oil can mounted lower right. Manufactured by Brookins, its stamped “Two Gallons”.