Sporting a hastily applied camouflage paint scheme. Such paint was usually water soluble, and was (at least in theory) easily enough removed as required.
Pictured are 80A and 80B. The 80A had an enclosed cockpit, the B model was open-air. You’d have thought it would be the other way around. Perhaps there were issues with cockpit visibility.
So, one minute you’re up in the air gaily waving to all your earthbound friends, the next, you’re peeing your pants. J.A. Morrell’s “airship” had a very brief flying career at Berkeley California on a day in May, 1908. According to one of the passengers, “we came down hard enough to realize we had reached solid earth again.” The good news: no one was killed, and, the passengers did have a good story to tell for the rest of their lives. Gee, it looked safe enough…
Northrop’s ground crew with the XB-35. Hard to believe the developments in aviation these guys were part of. Ten years earlier they had been working on open cockpit biplanes. Now, this.
Took some searching to discover that this is Blythe Army Airfield in Calif. The B-24 is from the 34th Bomb Group. Despite being advertised as “The world’s healthiest airbase”, Blythe closed with the war’s end. Note: From my experience in the USAF, anytime a base is promoted as being the “healthiest”, the “best kept secret” (etc.), it is usually a place most people would choose not to reside.
P-12 of the 6th Pursuit Squadron goes crunch. I believe this is the result of a hard landing – the bent prop shows the engine was running, the destroyed landing gear suggests he hit pretty hard and flipped.
Keystone B-3, B-4, or maybe a B-6. The minor differences between these Keystone bombers is such that if you can tell them apart, you’re a better man than I.
Nichols Field, PI. Aircraft are the Thomas-Morse O-19. One famous face is that of future 4-star general Leon Johnson. A Medal of Honor recipient for leading the 44th Bomb Group when it attacked Ploesti, August 1, 1943. Johnson was with the 2nd at Nichols from 1932-35.
Colorado National Guard, 1938-39. Flying from Lowry Field, the 120th was transitioning from the Thomas-Morse O-19, to the North American O-47. This photo is about 3 feet long.
In the summer of 1935, the 73rd Attack Squadron and their P-12’s spent a few weeks away from their home at March Field, and got some fresh air at Big Bear, CA.
The mechanics seem to be enjoying their visit.
Good thing they brought a spare.
Though the insignia is that of the 36th Pursuit Squadron, I am inclined to believe the aircraft was a new arrival to the 73rd Attack. Either that, or a P-12 from Langley Field (home of the 36th), having flown across the continent, landed at Big Bear where, by the greatest of coincidences, a group of P-12 mechanics had a P&W Wasp engine, and nothing better to do.
Oil by the gallon.
Pilots of the 73rd. Several famous faces here. (Ira Eaker being one)
While staying at Big Bear, the squadron bunked in this lodge. Around the chimneys are bombs painted in the squadron markings of the 17th Attack Group.
Zooming in a bit, we see the Air Corps has found room for numerous cases of beer. Obviously this was a well-planned operation. The car bears a permit for March Field.
The Jive Bomber 