Mystery B-24 (PB4Y) ... (edited)

[Mark Allen M]

It's a mystery as far as the paint scheme. Looks to be all black with bright orange vertical stabilizers. Most likely an air/sea rescue I'm guessing.

Photos states: "B-24 Nome Alaska 1950" ...

Shame to find so many rare aircraft in photos that aren't clear or focused.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[raconnel]

Verrry Interesting.
I think it's a PB4Y-1.

Richard

[JohnTerrell]

Yeah, it is a PB4Y-1, painted dark sea blue and "arctic" insignia red markings (color of the photo is a bit off).

This model kit was done in the same style markings: https://ipms-mckinstry.org/2016/11/12/m ... 2nd-scale/

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Mon Jul 09, 2018 5:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Dan K]

I also believe PB4Y-1.


Post-war Libs from San Diego carried Arctic markings:

https://ipmsmckinstry.files.wordpress.c ... iew-02.jpg

https://ipms-mckinstry.org/page/2/



The markings on the vertical stab doesn't look like "SD" though.

Could it be "TP"...like these PB4Y-1P's of VJ-62 ?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/my_public ... otostream/

[JohnTerrell]

Here is a black & white photo of the same San Diego VP-61 PB4Y-1's on a survey mission over Alaska in 1948: http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/AE/AE03-6/49-1.jpg

[JohnB]

Here is a black & white photo of the same San Diego VP-61 PB4Y-1's on a survey mission over Alaska in 1948.

In aeronautical years, there is a big difference between 1948 and 1950 as quoted in the original post.

Did the Navy keep twin tailed -1s around until 1950?

[JohnTerrell]

Trying to get a handle on the unit history/histories - supposedly VC-61 then became VP-61, and then that eventually became VJ-61 sometime during/after 1950, at which time PB4Y-1's are still attributed to the unit well into the early 1950's.

There is also this photo I've found of a VP-61 marked PB4Y-1, though with "EF" letters on the tail, with the description of the photo being that it was taken in Naples. Unfortunately there is no date. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougsheley/6885006465

The image that Mark posted appears to be mirrored/flipped the wrong way, as if you reverse it, the letters on the tail immediately appear as "EF" as well, just like the VP-61 photo I've linked to here.

[Chris Brame]

The image that Mark posted appears to be mirrored/flipped the wrong way, as if you reverse it, the letters on the tail immediately appear as "EF" as well, just like the VP-61 photo I've linked to here.

Yep: