Observation: O-My

[Wildr1]

I was in the service in the early 70's as a graphic artist in the Airforce and National Guard, my station which was next to our photo labs. I got pictures of the aircraft the units flew both AF and ANG, many historical shots and of other units. In the ANG, they received new automatic developing equipment and needed room in their shop so they thew out crates of 8x10 contact prints and some negatives. I went dumpster diving and so retrieved seven to eight hundred. The biggest group were from the 116th observation sq. They used to hang out of the rear seat of O-38's with a graphlex 8x10 camera. I also was an early purchaser on ebay and would buy albums and collections, as well as individual items that caught my eye. 10-12 years ago, now the good ones you cannot touch for the commercial printers pick them up. I have sold some and have kept digital files.

 

[Wildr1]

A photo of me with my back to you, a 19 year old staff sgt. I am looking up the tail of an F-111F . ( I have many 50's- 60's 70's jet a/c pix but this is not the forum for them.) The photos below are a sample of what was retrieved from the dumpster. I have a few of the recon photos showing various western cities and locals in the 30's. The manila envelopes housed full 8x10 negatives large enough to print a billboard with the image. You are looking at what the call contact prints on the envelopes.

 

[Wildr1]

Douglas O-25

1930 CURTISS XO-1G

 

[Wildr1]

 

[vikingBerserker]

Nice!

 

[Wildr1]

The O-38 was also used later as a trainer, called the BT-2, also an example of the Douglas on pontoons. Below are Randolph field examples of the BT.

 

[Wildr1]

Curtiss O-18,

consolidated XO-17

O-38's over Felts Field Washington 1932, airbrushed to show the field from the background, looks like lights outlining the field.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildr1]

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildr1]

Some of the vast collection from the dumpster, observation photos that really do not have a specific subject other than they were shot hanging over the side of a plane. These envelopes have full size 8"x10" negatives, large enough to print a billboard size photo. The prints on the envelopes are contact prints the size of the negatives inside.

 

[Wildr1]

Would it be appropriate to post 50's-60's and 70's jet a/c in this section. I have seen a few.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Man, you've got a great collection!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Greg Boeser]

Those cityscapes have got to have some interest.

 

[Wildr1]

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildr1]

Douglas O-43

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildr1]

Douglas O-46