“Lone Ranger” – The XPBB-1

 

 

Boeing plant at Renton, WA three weeks before the first flight.
Good view of the internal bomb bays. Boeing obviously factored in the loss of lift that would be experienced with these doors open. Judging by the lunchboxes at lower left, the men are anticipating a long day.
The open overhead hatch tells us that this is a high speed taxi test.
Famed Boeing test pilot Eddie Allen takes in the view while the XPBB is towed to open waters on Lake Washington.

The XPBB-1 “Sea Ranger” was Boeing’s effort at fulfilling the Navy’s need for a better long-range flying boat. Such aircraft are always a battle between aero and hydro dynamic engineers, but the XPBB was a remarkably streamlined and efficient design. Internal bomb bays with sliding doors were incorporated into the wing were one such aerodynamic feature.

First flown on July 7, 1942, the XPBB proved a winner from the start and seemed to have a bright future, but…other forces were at work. Despite the Navy’s satisfaction with the project, Boeing’s talents (and factories) were needed for the B-29 program. This was given priority, and, with only one example built, The XPBB project was cancelled. The B-29 program, coupled with the Navy’s growing lack of enthusiasm for the future of large flying boats, caused the one and only XPBB-1 Sea Ranger to became known as the “Lone Ranger”.

Oddball Aircraft

 

The Westland-Hill Pterodactyl was one of a number of tailless aircraft designed by that firm in the 1920s. A revolutionary idea, but I have to say that in looking at this photo one would be excused for thinking it was the result of some dire mishap.
Due to its flying characteristics (to say nothing of its appearance), the Vickers Vulcan carried the nickname “Flying Pig”.
The YC-123 was fitted with skis, wing floats, and a host of other devices with the idea of having an aircraft that could fly (and land) just about anywhere.
VB-17G (44-83259) was a VIP transport for General Carl Spaatz during the time he was the Air Force’s first Chief of Staff. The aircraft was nicknamed “Boops” after his daughter.
Boeing’s XAT-15 was a promising trainer but was elbowed aside in favor of other designs. Somewhat of a throwback in construction (it used a lot of wood), the aircraft is seen here at Boeing’s Wichita plant (note the Stearmans in the background).
The XB-24N (44-48753) was another one-off Liberator, but not too bad an idea. It did illustrate that a B-24 was doable with only a single horizontal stabilizer.
The Vultee Vulture in its original configuration. With the snug-fitting engine cowl and nacelle, one could easily mistake the aircraft for having a liquid-cooled engine. It did not, but the engine didn’t like it so Vultee eventually opted for a more conventional open cowl.
The XB-24J (42-73130) was a one of a kind aircraft that incorporated the nose of a B-17G. (Translation: Okay, maybe that wasn’t such a hot idea after all.) Due to the numerous “Frankenstein” versions of highly modified B-24s, there must have been something about its design that caused engineers to have fantasies about modifying the aircraft into something it was never intended to be.

 

Hahn Air Base, 1956

T-33 16817 of the 50th Fighter Bomber Wing and F-86H 53-1429 of the 417th Fighter Bomber Squadron. The photo was taken April 28, 1956. Both aircraft would crash in the coming weeks.
417th FBS pilot explains the workings of the F-86 (53-1472) to an interested German civilian.
T-33A 51-6834 attracts a crowd of locals at the Hahn open house. When I was stationed in Germany, the annual “Flugtag” brought in huge crowds. Some came for the aircraft, others for the ice cream.
Air Policeman makes sure no one walks out the gate with a brand-new F-86.
T-33A 51-4502 assigned to Hahn’s 69th Tactical Missile Squadron. This aircraft was later sold to the Singapore Air Force and is now on display in that country.
T-33A hurries past the Hahn tower.
F-86H 53-1430 of the 417th FBS. This aircraft was the personal mount of Chuck Yeager when he commanded the 417th during this time.
417th FBS boss Chuck Yeager and pals with Yeager’s bird, 1430.

“General Gilmore & Staff”, 1930

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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

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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.

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.

 

The RAAF in the Philippines, 1945

Spitfire (A58-635) of No. 457 Squadron
Lineup of No. 457 Sqn aircraft. A58-642 is second from left.
“Grey Nurses” in the Philippines. Aircraft here include 626 and 634
RAAF Spitfires were more than a match for most Japanese aircraft.
No. 457 Sqn Spitfire coasts down for landing. B-24 Liberator in the background.
No. 31 Squadron Beaufighter.
Beaufighter A8-15 (“Holbrook”) of No. 31 Sqn. The cigar-chomping kid is the source of these photos; Dan Esterly, my next door neighbor.
A8-14 is prepped for another mission.
Beaufighter of No. 31 Sqn roars past USMC Corsairs, Zamboanga, Philippines.

Young pups: K/C-135’s in the early 60’s.

 

 

 

KC-135A 59-1504 “City of Tacoma” on the ramp at McChord AFB in 1961.
Another shot of “City of Tacoma”. Now 60 years old and still flying.
1504 flew with the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron, 1960-1962 – McChord’s brief time as host to tankers.
60-0357 started life as a C-135A but was quickly converted to a tanker configuration. Still flying today.
C-135A 60-0369 never underwent the tanker conversion. This, no doubt, is one reason it had a comparative short life: eventually used as a ground trainer, then scrapped.
C-135B 61-2264 was also not “tankerized” but was converted into an RC-135, “Cobra Ball”, assigned to Eielson AFB, AK.
2664 role as a “Cobra Ball” spy plane ended tragically on March 15, 1981, when it crashed on Shemya Island killing 6 of the crew. Stationed in Alaska at the time, I remember the tragic incident well.
61-2664, 665, 666, and 667 on the Renton ramp in the early 60’s. All were converted to some form of intelligence gathering configuration.
61-0278 was the 500th KC-135. Delivered in 1962, she was dubbed “Miss Ak-Sar-Ben” – “Nebraska” spelled (for whatever reason) backwards. She was converted to an EC-135 and ended her life in the bone yard.

Alaska aviation in days of yore

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Naturally, the true test of an aircraft’s load capability is the amount of beer it can get airborne. A rough count of the number of beer cases x the 24 cans (12 oz. each) they hold makes this load approximately 2,000 pounds. Easily enough done, but the trick is finding a pilot who won’t help himself to the cargo while en route. Wherever this aircraft is bound in Alaska, the people there will be happier for its arrival.

The aircraft, a Pilgrim 100-B (N709Y), belongs to Star Air Lines and is, believe it or not, still in existence today. Comfortably housed in the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, N709Y is still in flying condition. It has been a few years since it hauled a ton of beer, but it’s still a pretty good old aircraft.

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Pioneer Alaska Bush Pilot John W. “Johnny” Moore poses with a ski-equipped Travel Air BW. With that open cockpit for an office, Moore’s furry ensemble will serve him well in the skies of Alaska.

460th Bombardment Group

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It’s always fun to browse thrift stores for bargains; never know what you might find. The patches seen here illustrate that point: They were glued to a cheap imitation leather flight jacket that was priced $4.99. Alas, there was no name on the jacket – it no doubt belonged to a veteran who wore it to reunions and such. He would have flown the B-24’s of the 460th from their bases in Italy (the patches are Italian made). But the patches live on, and those mementos of a veteran’s service have been saved for all time.

A soggy day for an airshow…

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It is a rainy day at McChord AFB, but such weather never deters the die-hard aircraft fans. B-47E 53-6219 – as with all Stratojets – was nearing the end of its days when this photo was taken in 1963, but it could still draw admirers. (Made a good umbrella too) This 9th Strategic Aerospace Wing aircraft was visiting from Mountain Home AFB, a place where rain is less a concern than dust and tumbleweeds.

When this photo was taken, McChord AFB was home to a rather large fleet of rather large aircraft: The C-124 Globemasters, many of which are seen in the background.

VP-101, Philippines, 1941

Under the tropical skies of the Olongapo Seadrome on Subic Bay, men of Patrol Squadron 101 stand before one of their PBY-4 aircraft. When this photo was taken in late 1941, war clouds were gathering over the western Pacific. In response, VP-101 has hastily camouflaged their aircraft; this is easily seen on the OS2U Kingfisher on the right. Soon, the squadron would be at war. Very few of the men pictured will avoid death or capture in the coming weeks and months.

Here’s five feet of the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

 

Five feet is the length of this photo, and given that I had to scan it in segments then stitch it all together, I would not have minded had the 18th FIS done its job with fewer men. That being said, it is a great shot of the entire squadron at Ladd AFB, Alaska, on July 18 1955, Major John “Buck” Rogers commanding. The following summer they moved to the somewhat less frigid Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan. F-89D Scorpions were the weapons of choice for the 18th in Alaska. One can be identified: 52-1839.