United Airlines DC-4B “Cargoliner Hudson River”

This aircraft began life as a USAAF C-54 (42-72281). Picked up by United after the war, it began life anew as a cargo hauler until being sold off in 1957.

PB4Y Privateer, Buno 59525 “Our Baby.”

What a great looking aircraft. Though it was the brother of the B-24 Liberator, of the two, I always preferred the look of the PB4Y.

Earning your flight pay, 1960

Departing from Otis AFB in Massachusetts, an intrepid crew in a C-119 flew a cargo of Air Force flight nurses to Key West in 1960.

We’re going to Florida! The uniform on the right was worn by the nurses while performing their inflight duties…

…or you could wear a flightsuit. (Don’t forget the purse)

Driving the C-119

“Looks like Florida to me…”

On final to NAS Key West. Thanks to google earth, I can state that this is Summerland Key…

…and this is Cudjoe Key

Key West at last. Another tough mission hacked.

Now that they’ve made it, fishin’ is the mission. And, anyone who has been to Key West in the last 40 years will stare in amazement at the quiet highway.

“Charcoal Broiled Steaks” – I checked: this joint is long gone. Too bad, it looks good.

Having caught all the fish, and eaten “Charcoal Broiled Steaks“, it’s time to take the gals back north. Passing Little Pine Key.

BTW: I spent an hour on google earth staring at the Keys of Florida to figure out which was where. Using the C-119’s altitude helped narrow it down. This photo is a good example. Climbing in the hot sun in a heavy C-119, they couldn’t be too far from Key West. Bingo: Little Pine Key.

Taylor Aerocar

Everyone seems distracted by the F-102 cranking up in the background, but heck, who wouldn’t want to go for a spin in that Taylor Aerocar? I’m happy to say, this planeautomobile, N101D, is still extant, and in flying/driving condition. These days, the lack of air bags, bumpers, emission controls, etc. etc. etc. would doom the Aerocar from being deemed “safe” for highway travel. Well, who cares – I want one.

l…..cares – I wan

Boeing P-12 after what would appear to be a rather eventful arrival.

Boeing P-12C

Aircraft is part of the 2nd Air Base Squadron, Mitchel Field NY.

Boeing P-12, 27th Pursuit Squadron

Taken at Selfridge Field, this P-12 sports a pair of skis which, judging by the lack of snow, are not required for the upcoming flight. However, the field is a sea of mud, so the skis might just come in handy after all.

Trans-Canada Air Lines Vickers Viscount at SeaTac Airport in the early 1960’s

This particular TCA aircraft, CF-THK, fleet # 629, was written off in a mishap in 1969.

Boeing PW-9D

The PW-9D shares the turf with an A-3 Falcon from Bolling Field, a Douglas O-32 (ser. 30-219), and a Douglas O-2. Kelly Field is the likely place for this early 30’s photo.

F11F Blue Angels

From 1957-1969, the Grumman F11F was the mainstay of the Blue Angels. Here at NAS Whidbey Island’s Ault Field in the early 60’s, they are ready to wow the crowd once again.

Hand Your Fedora to the Stewardess…

… Once comfortably seated, take out a Chesterfield, and said stewardess will fire it up. Such was life in a Boeing 307 Stratocruiser in 1940.

B-17B, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron

Langley Field. Lurking in the background are an O-46, and two A-17’s.

B-17B, Boeing Field

This B-17B will soon depart from gloomy Boeing Field to the more salubrious climate of Langley Field Virginia and become a welcome addition to the 2nd Bomb Group.

Grumman S2F Tracker of VS-891, NAS Seattle.

S-Two-F gives us “Stoof”, and it was a name that stuck forever. When a huge radome was slapped on its top, it was then a “Stoof with a roof”. The ability to come up with such adjectives is surely a sign of the ingenuity inherent to naval aviators.

A-6A of VA-196

151823 of VA-196, AKA “The Main Battery” (Great name) basks in the typical non-breezy sunshine of NAS Whidbey Island. Sarcasm about the weather aside (it’s usually the opposite), Whidbey was A-6 central from the 1960’s until the Intruder was retired in the 1990’s.

Douglas O-38, 116th Observation Squadron

Taking a break in an Eastern Washington pasture. Years back, a pilot from the 116th told me of flying in those days: “Hell, we always found time to land for lunch in some podunk town. Who was to know, and who cared? Besides, the townsfolk were impressed enough where they would usually bring us lunch – they just wanted to look at the plane.”

Douglas O-35

One of the spiffy looking planes of the Air Corps was the Douglas O-35. A bomber version, the B-7, was identical in appearance – just a different role. This bird belongs to the 88th Observation Squadron at Hamilton Field, CA.

Consolidated PB-2A

“PB-2A” Hmm…sounds like a navy patrol bomber, but (!) it was actually this: “Pursuit, Bi-place.” A real beauty of the 1930’s. (Also known as the P-30.)

USMC F4B visits Randolph Field, 1935

Boeing P-12, 6th Pursuit Squadron

P-12 at Wheeler Field readies for a warm night-time drive in the skies over Hawaii.

Douglas R4D-5 39064

Photographed at NAS Seattle in the early 1960’s.

Curtiss AT-5

The Curtiss AT-5 was the training version of the P-1 pursuit. This example, 27-239, is from Kelly Field. 239 crashed in 1931.

Douglas O-43

The Douglas O-43 was one of the slicker looking aircraft of the 1930’s. This bird of the 12th Observation Squadron sure is pretty darn nifty.

Douglas O-25C, 3rd Observation Squadron

Taken during the late 1930’s.

This sign of the 3rd proudly hangs on my office wall at home.

The Douglas O-38

The O-38 was ubiquitous in the 1930’s Air Corps observation squadrons. Later versions such as the E model this had fully enclosed cockpits as seen here.