Bombing up A P-40F Tunisia 1943

[Jack Cook]

The original caption of this NA photo doesn't give much info. I remember seeing it the the first airplane book I ever owned which was the old arcam (?) book by Ernie McDowell. I can tell you it's a P-40F from the 64th FS 57th FG 12th AF taken around May 1943 or so in Tunisia. but old bombs aren't my forte. What are these things? 70# or so I presume anti-armor or personel. Now the shots I have of the 80th FG P-40Ns carried 500# bombs on the wings is really impressive!

[Mike]

I do wonder if they might be dummy training bombs or the like, since the guy is nonchalantly carrying one vertically with one hand and another slung over his other shoulder.

[tom d. friedman]

they look like practice bombs to me, as they came apart in 3 sections like that toward the front, & held a small powder charged marker to detemine accuracy at the practice target. also because it is painted white. they could also be borrowed raf bombs, as those lines of the bomb shape are simular to theirs, especially w/ the round fin. but i'd bet on it being the practice type as i have a smaller version of 1 in my office.

[Mike]

..........i have a smaller version of 1 in my office.

Don't drop it!

[Jack Cook]

No Tom they aren't MK-76s. I loaded about 5 million of those things and even swiped one by stuffing it under my coat and carried off the flight line and out the security gate!

[CWBuff]

I believe they're British 40lb GP/HE jobs...


Fade to Black...

[tom d. friedman]

jack the wix unabomber.......

[Jack Cook]

since the guy is nonchalantly carrying one vertically with one hand and another slung over his other shoulder.

sorta like the one i posted earlier this week of the armorer standing on the drum of napalm while loading the 50s on the P-38L

[The Inspector]

Given the location the aircraft is parked in, if they dropped one, would it become a 'daisy cutter?" If they are hot, why is here what appears to be either paper sacks or old Tee shirt pieces stuffed into the front fuse port? Wouldn't the 'kaboom' stuff trickle out?

[Mgawa]

Jack- outstanding images. have you ever think about to make a book about US history? This will be great title