SNJ's in South Pacific combat zones ...

[Mark Allen M]

New to me, but upon a bit of further research I found that indeed there were a few (very few) SNJ's out in the S. Pacific combat areas. Interesting as I believe they were not armed and used as either hacks or photo recon duties. At least that's what I believe to be the case. I'm also under the assumption these SNJ's in the photos below are connected with VMF-211? MAG-11 during 1943? although the photos state "CPU2". Not sure what CPU2 means.


Photo states: SNJ on Turtle Bay strip. Location: Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides. Date: October 5, 1943. Taken by: CPU2. NARA Ref #: 80-G-54763


Photo states: An SNJ with Major Louis B. Robertshaw in front cockpit, Lt. J. P. Drennan on ground, taking Eyemo for Jos. F. Ames, PhoM 2/c. Location: Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides. Date: October 5, 1943. Taken by: CPU2. NARA Ref #: 80-G-54762


Photos states: SNJ-4 MAG-11 Espiritu Santo OCT 1943


Pilots of VMF 211 on Turtle Bay fighter strip #1, being briefed for a raid on Buka Panage. CPU2 Movie man at right. Location: Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides. Date: October 5, 1943. Taken by: CPU2. NARA Ref #: 80-G-54751

[K5DH]

Wild guess: CPU = Combat Photography Unit ? ? ?

[Mark Allen M]

Wild guess: CPU = Combat Photography Unit ? ? ?

Yep! thx Dean, I'd say that is correct.

[Fernando Estanislau]

Very nice Mark. Do you have access to higher resolution samples of these images?

A friend noticed two inscriptions painted on the cowling of the I-I3.
In front of the air intake something like KATE and above it something like ..... BUGGY

Can you figure out what is written there?

Cheers and thanks for posting.

[Mark Allen M]

Greetings Fernando, yes indeed and if you like I can e-mail you better res. photos. As for what it states: "Bundle Buggy" and "Kate"

M

[Fernando Estanislau]

I would love it, Mark. Many thanks!

My email address is stanslau_artwork@yahoo.com.br



Best regards.

[Mark Allen M]

Of course, on the way now.

M

[Fernando Estanislau]

Got them, there.

Best regards and thank you once again,



Fernando

[Mark Allen M]

VMO-251 had four. Not sure if all four went out to the S. Pacific though.

[Mark Allen M]

Speaking of VMO-251, great looking Wildcats.


VMO-251 mechanics work on F4F-3 Wildcats on Espiritu Santo sometime in late 1942, interesting as it looks like these F4F's are being assembled out of the crates.


Grumman F4F-3 (BuNo 1890 squadron plane #9) piloted by 2Lt George S. Kobler crash landed at Tontouta Airfield in New Caledonia on 22 July, 1942

[43-2195]

Fifth Air Force Combat Replacement Training Center (CRTC) at Nadzab, New Guinea had T-6s and BT-13s in 1945. Photographs do exist of these.

[Mark Allen M]

Speaking of 'Turtle Bay'.


Photo states: Muddy F4U-1's on the Turtle Bay airstrip Espiritu Santo c 1943 (Chuck Wahl?)


Map of Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo, 1944.