Trying to identify WW2 Bomber

[theo2076]

Hi,
I'm trying to identify the plane my Grandfather is standing in front of? Everyone in the family seems to think he flew as a radio operator on the B-25 Mitchell, but from what I can tell, the B-25 was a tricycle gear and much larger.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Wurger]

This is a Beechcraft AT-11.

 

[Airframes]

Yep, it was a training aircraft, used to train bomb-aimers (Bombardiers) and, I believe, navigators and radio operators.

 

[Crimea_River]

You da man Wojtek!

 

[A4K]

Yep! Good man Wojtku!

 

[Wurger]

THX Gents.

 

[Snautzer01]

But what unit? somebody knows the logo? What school could it be?

 

[Wurger]

The enlarged emblem ...

 

[FLYBOYJ]

If Johnny sees this he might know the unit.

 

[theo2076]

very cool, thank you guys. I'd love to know more about the unit he was in. There does seem to be some confusion whether he was a radio operator on the B-24 or B-25. Maybe his unit would lead me in the right direction?

 

[Wurger]

Your Grandfather could be a radio operator on the B-24 or B-25. I would say , the squadron of the AT-11 was a training one but not a combat unit. All crew members had to get a such training before sending to their operational squadrons. So it was a kind of a school , wasn't it. Of course we can't be sure the squdron was using B-25s or B-24s for the training purpose too.

 

[Airframes]

After basic ground instruction and then 'trade' training on the AT-11, cadets would then be sent to the relevant bomber (or transport) unit for continuation training on the type of aircraft they would fly/fly in, operationally, for example, B-17, B-24, B-25 etc.
This would again be a training unit, where the nucleus of a crew would form. On completion of this training, the crew, or possibly just individuals in some cases, would then be assigned to an operational unit, and posted to that unit's location.
If you have your Grandfather's Log Book, it should show the units, from training onward, even if this is only an endorsement stamp from the unit HQ, possibly on the last page of each qualification section, and/or at the front of the book. I'm not familiar with US Log Book format, compared to RAF, so I'm afraid I can't be more specific.

 

[Johnny Signor]

The only emblem I can find closely resembling the one on the AT-11 , is one with the 505th Bombardment Group , but it's not an exact match ,note the round one with B-29 looking aircraft , but the hands aren't there , so I'm not 100% sure on this one, it could be a Bombardier Training unit/Sqd ..........

If you have more background on where the photo was taken etc that may help narrow down the unit ......

 

[res6kgcr]

Gooday Theo,

The emblem is the unofficial emblem of the B-24 crew replacement training unit at Walla Walla, WA.

Hope that's a help

Tom

 

[fubar57]

Theo hasn't been here for over 2½ years