Here's a few interesting & unusual photos

[Mark Allen M]

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Last edited by Mark Allen M on Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:28 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Wildchild]

HE-111-Z Zewing or something like that. was a glider transport for the ME 323 or ME 321

[jack973]

AMAZING PHOTOS!!!!!

[The Inspector]

Zwilling, it means 'twin' and it was very much better than the original setup on the 321 glider of using three ME-110's in what was called 'troika schlep' where all it took was one engine on one airplane to sneeze and all three tow aircraft would most likely collide into each other.

The other two gliders are GOTHA 242 troop gliders.

FHC's airplane was modified in the field as far as I've read. I forgot to note that the two A6M-2K's shown are factory built as they have the anti spin strakes on the fuselage ahead of the horizontal stabs like the spin preventer strakes installed on Tiger Moths

Last edited by The Inspector on Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[StangStung]

Very cool photos, thanks for posting.

[Mark Allen M]

Very cool photos, thanks for posting.

Of course, my pleasure. Still hoping someone will enlighten me on my first question. I haven't found anything on the subject yet. Sorry if it's an "amateuristic" question but I don't recall anyone ever asking it.

1. Did B-17's, B-24's or any large Commonwealth bombers ever fly combat missions against mainland Japan during the war? I have never heard of missions using these types, but I haven't researched the thought much. Anyone have any evidence to offer?

[Pathfinder]

The C-46 was used in the ETO on a limited basis for Operation VARSITY--24 MAR 45. The 313th TCG was equipped with them. The 313th was possibly the most experienced TCG in the ETO having been involved in every airborne drop since Sicily, as well as providing the cadre for the formation of the 9th TCC Pathfinder School/Group.

The unit shown with code 5X is the 29th TCS of the 313th TCG. Dropped elements of 3rd Bn 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division

313 TCG lost 14 C-46s on 24MAR45 alone. (29 TCS lost two) Veterans tell me they reeked of avgas fumes.

MACRs for the 29 TCS aircraft lost state that the nose code and radio call letters were "battleship grey"...which can be interpreted as a pale blue...and appear to photograph white.

[Mark Allen M]

Thx Pathfinder for the info.

How about a couple Interesting canopies. Never seen a Malcolm type hood on a P-47 or an F2G type canopy on an FG-1? and vise versa?

[John Dupre]

I once did some volunteer restoration work with a man who had done nose art on B-24s in the Pacific and they were flying missions against Japan itself at the end of the war from Okinawa. My father in law's Navy transport was used to move B-24 ground crews to Okinawa as well. I don't think the B-17 ever flew combat missions against mainland Japan. Though it may have been possible against the northern most islands flying from Alaska.

[sandiego89]

[quote="Mark Allen M"]First a couple of questions for the history experts.

1. Did B-17's, B-24's or any large Commonwealth bombers ever fly combat missions against mainland Japan during the war?

One footnote on the often forgotten heavy, the B-32 Dominator, which did fly a few photo-recon runs over mainland Japan very late in the war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidat ... _Dominator