Hi Guy's
I have a selection of WWII aircraft photo's from my Grandfathers memoirs. After he passed away i scanned a few of them and they have been siting on my Mac for some time. I thought i should probably share some of them to places where there might be some interest.
All i know for sure is that he was with 1AD in the South African Air Force, and was based in Egypt and later sent to Italy.
So here it goes... Hope you enjoy them.
Hi Jason,
Some great photos in your granddad's collection. Actually all of them are great
. Are there any notes on the back of each photo or were those developed from negatives after the war?
I'm asking because often one can find valuable information on the back of a photo as well.
The B-25 "Mitchell" (2-nd photo in your post # 1) caught my attention for several reasons.
1. This is a "Fat Cat" or a "hack" - not a bomber anymore. Used for supply flights and/or as a transport. "Mitchells" were loved for their characteristics and used by many squadrons or groups (fighters, bombers etc.), not only by the B-25 units.
2. This is an old model B-25, C or D, not a J, with all armament removed (no top turret, nose guns etc.).
3. Fun factor # 1: the serial number (s/n) is
41-29479 - this is not a B-25 serial! I believe it's possible that the ruder is from a different a/c and was recently installed. One can see that the second tail is 100% camouflaged. The second B-25 behind has a camouflaged tail as well.
4. The first 3 numbers (if original) put this a/c in the
41-29xxx group of serials, which are from the B-25D, D-1 or D-5 blocks. The 479-ruder could be from a much newer , not camouflaged J-model, who knows
.
5. Interestingly enough the Clayton type "S" exhausts were factory installed effective on B-25D-15 s/n 41-30353 and subsequent. This means either the engines have been replaced earlier (not uncommon for older a/cs) or the tail is not original.
6. The darker panel on the top of the a/c is the panel over the life-raft hatch. It could be a spare from a different (camouflaged) a/c too.
7. Judging by the size and style of the white number 6, this can be an a/c from the 321-st BG. in 1944. At that time the 12-th BG. (also using similar numbers) was moved to the CBI and the 321-st BG. changed from roman numerals to the simpler "number in unit" system.
7a. Or it could be an original a/c from the 12th BG. used by another group in the MTO, after the 12-th left the theater.
8. I can't really see is this the top corner of a waist window visible above the engine nacelle's rear end, in front of the national insignia or is it just a shadow?
Is there any chance to scan this photo with a higher resolution? It could be a modified a/c - my all time favorites!
9. The second B-25 in your post #3 is a different a/c: possibly a B-25C, still in "sand"-camouflage, IMHO another 'hack' (no armament).
Cheers!