Sporting some rather bizarre camouflage paint schemes, P-36 Hawks of Selfridge Field’s 27th Pursuit do some fancy flying for the camera. Contrary to popular belief, the camo paint was not part of some war game exercise but rather for display – the 1939 National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio. In theory, the water-based paint could be easily removed. In practice, that was not quite so: broad areas were washed clean, but the paint adhered itself into every panel seam and rivet head.

Fast forward: In the early 1980s, a pair of A-10s from my base in Alaska were given a water-based “Arctic white” paint job over their normal dark green. Used only for a one week exercise, the white paint was then given a rinse. Same results as in 1939. Every place that was not a smooth flat surface had white paint clinging to it. Every panel, rivet, and screw head was highlighted making for two hideous-looking A-10s. Eyesores that they were, the two aircraft were parked together at the far end of the ramp.

Starting life as P-51 44-73097, this Mustang was transferred to the RCAF in 1947 where it acquired the serial no. 9566. It sported the original blue and red RCAF roundel when this photo was taken at (probably) RCAF Station Chatham. Also noteworthy is the original USAAF data stenciled on the side. This aircraft crashed in 1953.

A PB4Y Privateer enjoys a sunny day at NAS Whidbey Island’s Ault Field in 1945. Given the obvious lack of protection from the as yet unfinished hangar, it is just as well that it is a sunny day. In the background is the base theater – still in use as such today.

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.

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.

Men of the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron say cheese on October 12, 1940. Their B-18 does likewise. Although Mitchel Field shut down eons ago, the hangars seen still stand today.

Judging by the pastoral setting, the highway in the background, and the fact the aircraft is roped off, it is safe to say that this B-18 is not on its home turf.

Photos #1 & #2 show a squadron of O-47’s lined up while on maneuvers at the Malone, NY, airfield. A couple of BT-2’s and a B-10 are thrown in for good measure.

A mass of struts and wires, an O-43 waits beside the less strutted (but less graceful appearing) O-47’s.

Classy gas truck fills up the beasty O-47’s.

Lt. Howard Means and crew deplane after a grueling mission over upstate New York.

O-43 (33-271) gets a few tweaks before darting back in the sky.

Engines are warming up as ships of the 19th Pursuit Squadron prepare to take to the Hawaiian skies in the early 1930s. The P-12E in the foreground(31-565) is the personal mount of the 18th Pursuit Group. Most of the aircraft are “C” models, but there are a few “E’s” seen as well (taller horizontal stabilizers).

Already a legend in aviation, on January 23, 1930, Lieutenant Doolittle was in New York as the Air Corps advisor on construction of Floyd Bennett Field. Happily enough, he signed the back of his calling card for an admirer. Only three weeks later, Doolittle resigned from the active duty Air Corps and went to work for Shell Oil. He retained a commission in the Reserves, and was, of course, back in uniform for World War II and further exploits.

Engines were already running when this crew arrived to build their nests and get their bird moving. This B-3A (30-301) was assigned to March Field’s 31st Bomb Squadron.

Keystone LB-5’s of the 72nd Bombardment Squadron  drone past downtown Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii. Based out of Luke Field in Pearl Harbor, the 72nd’s LB-5’s – like any Keystone Bomber – never went anywhere in a hurry. The photo was hand-tinted way back when and they did a pretty good job too.

I believe this group photo was taken upon delivery of the first B-23 to the 17th Bomb Group. Although only 38 B-23’s were built, fully 21 percent of them survive to this day. Doing some quick comparison math, if that same percentage of B-17’s survived, there would be 2,673 of them still around.

Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii.