Found an Army Air Corp Ring

[Benibiker]

Hello all, I found an Army Air Corp ring made of silver with the inscription "U. S. Army Air Corp" on the front and the initials WHG in the center. On one side it says "Nichols Field Nov, 37" and on the other side it says "Rizal P.I. Nov, 40". I looked up Nichols Field and found out it was in the Philippines during WW II. Does anyone know more about Nichols Field and its aircraft?

 

[syscom3]

Where did you find that ring?????

 

[Benibiker]

I found it at a garage sale in San Antonio, it fell out of an "empty" jewelry box.

 

[Pong]

Nichols Field is now called Villamor Airbase and is the current H.Q of the Philippine Air Force. I don't know what aircraft were stationed there, but it is likely that most of them were trainers or P-26 Peashooters. Possibly most of the more "advanced" P-36s or P-40s were stationed at Clark Air Base. "Rizal P.I" (Rizal, Philippine Islands) is what they called Metro Manila during the war. Just my two cents.

-Arlo

 

[Capt. Vick]

...and perhaps Martin B-10's?

 

[Pong]

Possibly. My only guess is that most of the late 30s and 40s planes (P-36, P-40B, B-17E etc.) were stationed at Clark.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Nice info Arlo.

 

[BikerBabe]

Cool find, BB.
Pic - pleeeeease???

 

[timshatz]

Yeah, BB has it right, it is a pretty cool find. And a pic would be very nice.

 

[evangilder]

Still looking for that era, but did find this:

American Units Based at Nichols (Defense of Philippines)
24th PG, 20th PS (P-35, P-40) Hamilton Oct 40 - Dec 9 , 41 to Clark
24th PG, 17th PS (P-26, P-35, P-40E) from USA late Oct 40
24th PG, 21st PS (P-40E)

 

[evangilder]

Looks like they had some B-10s and B-18s at Nichols in that time frame. The B-18s were sent to replace the B-10s.

 

[Matt308]

Great stuff guys. Here are the period planes that we are talking about. In order...

P-26
P-35
P-40E
B-10
B-18

 

[Benibiker]

Let me take some pictures... I'll be right back... Great info on Nichols Field all!

 

[evangilder]

Matt, you disappoint me. I have photos of the P-26 and the P-35...

 

[Benibiker]

Here they are, they came out pretty good! Wonder what it's worth? Sorry about the huge pictures!

 

[Pong]

Great info Eric.

By the way, are there any B-10s or B-18s in museums or being restored to flying condition?

 

[Pong]

Hey BB you might be interested in this. While I was searching Google for Nichols, I found this two year old thread on the forums. The photos are very interesting.

U.S Aircraft in the Philippines, 1937-1942

Hope it helps.

-Arlo

 

[evangilder]

According to Michael Blaugher's Air Museum guide, there are 4 B-10s in museum in the US.
1. Pioneer Air Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska
2. Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona
3. US Southwest Soaring Museum in Moriarty, New Mexico
4. National Museum of the Air Force in Fairborn, Ohio

Same reference list 5 B-18s
1. Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California
2. Wings Over the Rockies Air Museum in Denver, CO
3. National Museum of the Air Force in Fairborn, Ohio
4. McChord Air Museum in Tacoma, Washington
5. Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona

One thing I did notice in the reference is that the B-18 in Tacoma and Tucson list the same Serial and N-number. So there is either a misprint, or the airplane is only in one of those places.

 

[Benibiker]

Hey BB you might be interested in this. While I was searching Google for Nichols, I found this two year old thread on the forums. The photos are very interesting.

U.S Aircraft in the Philippines, 1937-1942

Hope it helps.

-Arlo

Great info, thanks Pong!

 

[Pong]

Thanks Eric.