Help Identifying some planes

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R

Rick Showalter

Recruit
2
3
Jul 24, 2018
Hey all,
New to the forum. Just found a bunch of B&W negatives all 1947-1949
Randolph Air Force Base in TX
I'm trying to id plane types by tail numbers and Letters. but somewhat confusing for me(train guy)
Here are a few pics....

thanks
Ricky Showalter
Naperville IL
 

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Img 0004 is an A-26 Invader with a T-6 Texan/Harvard behind it.
Img 0009 is a PT-17 Stearman trainer.
Img 0012 show more T-6 Texans/Harvards.
Img 0033 is a Lockheed T-33.
Img 0027 is an F-51 Mustang.
 
Randolph AFB was a major training base for the USAAF during (and a couple years after) WW2, with both primary and basic (flight) training conducted there at various times. The PT-17 Stearmans were used for primary and BT-13 Valiants were used for basic (flight) training.

Primary training taught the very basic flight skills while "basic" training built on that and introduced formation flying, instrument flying, "cross country" (i.e. longer flights requiring navigation) flights, etc.

After basic flight training, the cadets would go onto advanced training in either a single or multi-engine trainer - the T-6 Texan was the single-engine advanced trainer. The T-33 would have been for post-WW2 advanced training on the "fighter track". The A-26 and P-51 / F-51 were probably WW2 surplus aircraft that may have been used for specific training purposes and/or ended up with various Air National Guard units or sold to allied nations after the war.

All of the pictured aircraft feature the post-WW2 numbering schemes. I'm guessing the Stearmans didn't have those for long, as they would have been retired from use as the jet age was quickly ushered in.
 
Thanks so much!....Here's a few more....
Thanks for info on Randolph as well
 

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Img 0029 - a formation of B-25 Mitchells, probably J models
Img 0034 & 0037 - B-29 Superfortress
Img 0007 - Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly

Here is a recently taken photo of a PT-17 Stearman in the war-time color scheme... note the black text on the fuselage beneath the wing struts:

Source: self
 
YGBSM said:
...and P-51 / F-51 were probably WW2 surplus aircraft that may have been used for specific training purposes and/or ended up with various Air National Guard units or sold to allied nations after the war.
Click to expand...
The P/F-51 was held in front-line service through Korea and started to get phased out as newer types were coming into service during the 50's.
 
True, but only a portion of the inventory was kept post war. Many didn't even make it back stateside and were scrapped or sold overseas as war surplus. I assume most of those would have been B/C models.

For instance, the F-51H pictured in Img 0027 is listed in the Texas ANG as of 1950 as part of the 181st Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Ellington AFB.
 
Nice pics.
Pic 0037 is a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress.
Tail number 44-62293, (They delete the first 4 ( stand for 1944) and the -) give the number 462293 on the tail.

62293 Delivered to USAAF 22Apr46. Modified to EB-29A
Assigned to 3203rd Maintenance & Supply Group, Eglin AFB, FL
Assigned to 6520th Flight Test Squadron, 6520th Test Support Wing, LG Hanscom AFB, MA
Damaged 28May54 due to mechanical failure 4 miles NE of LG Hanscom AFB, MA
Accident 13Aug54 taking off at LG Hanscom AFB, MA

You can find this information on the databank of Joe Baugher, just google his name and you find the databank.
Edit 1, right tail number this time thanks to Wurger's sharp eye
 
Last edited:
Well done Grant.

YGBSM - I knew P-51D Mustangs became F-51Ds (from 1947 IIRC), but did the P-51H become an 'F' aswell? Only read the P (for Pursuit) designation before now.
 
Yes, all the "P" (pursuit) designations became "F" (fighter) designations during the general re-organization of the Army Air Corps after the war - for all applicable aircraft. Whatever model number and variant letter designation would be carried over.

The "H" model was a special lightweight variant that was developed at the very end of the war. Mentions of it are more rare because it missed any action in WW2, was produced in relative limited quantities, and was relegated to Air National Guard units after the war. It did not see any action in Korea either.

As a historical note - the "D" and "H" P-51 models are one of the historical curiosities where two designs are very similar yet share almost no common parts. The Mig 25 and Mig 31 come to mind as another example. I'm not certain, but the lack of common parts and low production numbers are probably what convinced the Air Force to use "D" models exclusively in Korea. The extra hassle of dealing with another set of parts just wasn't worth it when there were enough "Ds" to go around.
 
YGBSM said:
As a historical note - the "D" and "H" P-51 models are one of the historical curiosities where two designs are very similar yet share almost no common parts.
Click to expand...
Just as the P/F-82 may resemble the P-51, it's a completely new design, although it and the P-51H shares a common ancestor, the XP-51F.

Other WWII fighters that transitioned into the "F" designation: F-47, F-61, F-80

Obsolete types in USAF service after 1947 received the "Z" prefix for obsolete: ZF-38, ZF-39, ZF-40, ZF-59
 

Ricky,

The first photo is of A-26B-66-DL Invader. This particular aircraft survived the war, was sold on the civilian market and wound up in 1965 with the Portuguese Air Force. It was withdrawn from service and scrapped in 1971.

The Stearman is a PT-13 not a PT-17. The PT-13 had a Lycoming R-680 engine (9 cylinders vs. the 7 on the Continental W-670 one)

Then there is a T-33

The Mustang is a P-51H-10-NA.
 
This sweet PT-13-- "The stuff dreams are made of"-- Wowieeee!!
 
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