Aircraft pics

[427TJ]

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Some B24's at Willow Run

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That's an interesting paint scheme on these B-24's. Is this a work-in-progress paint scheme, or some attempt at
camoflague? Notice the row to the far right is all olive drab.

Nuch

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The airplanes with the white paint are probably Navy PB4Ys, the navy patrol/bomber version of the Air Corps B-24. The top (darker color) would be standard navy Medium Blue as found on other navy planes such as PBYs and Wildcats in 1941-42 before the "tri-color" scheme of two shades of blue with white undersides came into use. The round insignia less the red-ball center denotes 1942-early '43, before the "bars" were added to each side of the insignia. This navy version of the B-24 is the same type of airplane that Joe Kennedy, JFK's older brother, died flying later in the war. It was an older war-weary version such as these and was packed with explosives and was to be flown to the German's V-1 and V-2 development and launching site at Peenemunde where Kennedy and his copilot were to bail-out as the explosives-laden PB4Y flew on the crash into the launch sites. The airplane exploded in flight before they got out of English airspace.

The overall Olive Drab (with gray undersides) airplanes are Air Corps B-24s, built alongside the navy birds (or vice-versa).

[PeteLeathersac]

"...This navy version of the B-24 is the same type of airplane that Joe Kennedy, JFK's older brother, died flying later in the war. It was an older war-weary version such as these and was packed with explosives and was to be flown to the German's V-1 and V-2 development and launching site at Peenemunde where Kennedy and his copilot were to bail-out as the explosives-laden PB4Y flew on the crash into the launch sites. The airplane exploded in flight before they got out of English airspace..."
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Thanks for posting this Bill..
Simply incredible what missions these guys were handed also what so many would willingly volunteer for!.

In the book on Bomber Command I mentioned reading, a couple of nights ago I read about Peenemunde being the target for two nights in Aug. of '43..
Almost 600 Bombers were sent on this mission plus squadrons of the speedy plywood construction Mosquitos sent to Berlin as a diversion to draw the German fighters away from the true target..
Included in this mission were 57 aircraft and crews of the Canadian 6-Group who were happy to be flying at higher and safer altitudes in their new Lancasters (12 didn't return).
Statistics weren't a happy thing in those days especially for rear tail gunners who's average lifespan was less than 5 weeks!.

If you know a Veteran or have the opportunity to, shake his hand and salute him and his lost brothers w/ thanks for their sacrifices and the freedom our generation has grown up with!.


~ Pete

[427TJ]

Pete, check out Google Earth and you can see the Peenemunde site and remnants of the buzz-bomb and missile operations from WWII. People have attachd current photos of the site that are fascinating.

-Bill

[nuch_ss396]

It's truly amazing! Almost 600 bombers were sent to destroy
one target. Modern stealth aircraft can accomplish the same
result with one or two missions and a few well placed laser guided bombs

Great images - thanks for posting them.

Nuch

[1967 Impala]

Plywood , balsa and two Merlins look the heck out

[427TJ]

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Plywood , balsa and two Merlins look the heck out

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And "Mossies" sound great too.

[Woj]

"Dead Stick Takeoff"

Check out this video, sent to me by an FAA buddy of mine. Nice energy management.

I think you guys will enjoy this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z985xdXW-3w

Phil Woj.

[Xplantdad]

That's just crazy!

[PeteLeathersac]

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Plywood , balsa and two Merlins look the heck out

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And "Mossies" sound great too.

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I love Mosquitos too and they're a rare bird now as their wood construction contributed largely to what few airframes remained being worthy of restoration..

About 10 years ago I remember reading about the recovery of an abandoned Mossie in Northern Canada...here's a link to the story of how it all happened the day it went down in 1956..

http://www.mossie.org/windsor/mossie_down.htm


~ Pete

[m22mike]

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"Dead Stick Takeoff"

Check out this video, sent to me by an FAA buddy of mine. Nice energy management.

I think you guys will enjoy this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z985xdXW-3w

Phil Woj.

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Single engine pilot's

Mike