This bird had a short but eventful career. Entering service with the 412th Fighter Group, it transferred to the 1st Fighter Group where it joined the 71st Fighter Squadron as seen here. Unfortunately, the “incident” pictured here was not its last. After some necessary repairs to the underside of the aircraft, it eventually ended up with the 26th Fighter Interceptor Squadron where it crashed for good in 1950.
Bolting another cockpit in front of the P-39’s existing cockpit afforded the front-seater an excellent view of the propeller whirling inches from his toes.
Crew chief is putting the final touches to the words “The Third Dallas Blonde.” Aircraft was shot down in November, 1944. The pilot, Donald P. Kerns, bailed out but unfortunately became a POW and died in captivity.
The L-15 Scout never made it as a military aircraft, but the dozen aircraft that were built eventually found work elsewhere. Nifty idea with the quick-attach wings.
832nd Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group. Though they pose in front of a B-24, they eventually transitioned to the B-17. The crew signed the back of the photo, and unfortunately, several of these men did not survive the war.
#1 is the XB-24Q (44-9916) which was used to test the remote controlled guns for the B-47. (The array at the tail says it all) #2 is the EZB-24M (44-51228) used, as you guessed, for ice research. The last B-24 in USAF service, the EZB soldiered on until the 1950’s, was salvaged and put on display at Lackland AFB. It eventually wound up at the museum in Duxford, UK.
