National Archives US Military Aviation (Kodachrome) …

[Mark Allen M]

The National Archives have a batch of "newly available online" kodachrome images for those interested. The files are extremely large so posting a big batch at once takes time. Also each image doesn't have much for descriptions, locations, dates etc. unfortunately.

There's some really great stuff with great color detail. Most are well known images from the WWII era seen plenty around the internet, but there are still some images that are not so well seen by the masses. I've picked out just one so far from over 600 images I've downloaded into a folder. I'll post additional as I have time.

Below is the link if you'd like to browse yourselves:
https://catalog.archives.gov/search-wit ... 0Materials

The image below shows an interesting selection of types. Can anyone list them all? And determine a location and rough date?

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[JohnB]

Location is Wright Field...it'su the ramp from where the NMUSAF restoration shop is.

So, 1947.
The B-17 has a pod on the right wing. It still flies as the "Sally B" in the UK. It was a GE test platform.
Behind the B-29s (and X-1) is one of the rare, step nose C-46Es.
Then the C-82, C-54, then a Republic XF-12 Rainbow, C-97 then C-74.
Quite a lineup.

Last edited by JohnB on Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:05 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[wendovertom]

THAT is a dream line up right there! Everything but a B-24 as far as i can see.
Tom P.

[Mark Allen M]

Another great lineup.

[Pogmusic]

There is also a TBF/TBM behind the B-29s.

[Mark Allen M]

This one looks to be taken at a Douglas plant or more likely a stateside A-20 AAF training base.

[Mark Allen M]

Another AAF training base. Any ideas where?

[Mark Allen M]

A batch of T-6's

[JohnB]

The T-6s (and AT-10s) have SP fuselage codes, so Spence Field, at Moultrie, Georgia.

After closing post war, it was reactivated for Korea and remained an AFB until 1961.

General aviation fans know it as the home of Maule aircraft.

[mike furline]

In photo #2 (Patterson Field) all the aircraft are O.D. Green except for the P-47D 42-28540 sitting next to a 4-blade prop A-31.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vultee_A-31_Vengeance

XA-31C
Vengeance III modified as testbed for 2,200 hp (1,640 kW) Wright R-3350-18 Duplex Cyclone engine. One converted.[21]
YA-31C
Vengeance IIIs modified as testbeds for R-3350-17 engines for B-29 Superfortress. Five built.[21]

[mike furline]

Four of the A-20's are DB-73's. AL384 Closest to camera.

DB-73
A variation on the DB-7B/Boston III built for a French government order and featuring French instruments and secondary equipment; of the 480 DB-73s ordered by France, 240 were built by under license by the Boeing Company in Seattle.[42] None were delivered, due to the fall of France, the DB-73 block was ordered by the RAF, after conversion to the Boston III configuration. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, 151 DB-73s were provided to the USSR. Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, a further 356 DB-73s were taken up by the USAAF, which transferred 22 to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for use in the South West Pacific theatre. Australian sources usually list these aircraft as DB-7B.[34]

[mike furline]

And a couple of AT-10's in front of the 6's.

[AG pilot]

Ahhh, Kodachrome. Even better pics when they are clear, and in color!

[spriso]

These are absolutely sublime... so much detail! I wonder if they were taken with a 4x5 or 8x10 view camera?

Can't wait to see more. Thank you for taking the time to post them!

Michael

Last edited by spriso on Tue Dec 19, 2023 12:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Hey Mike, ya mind if I repost those images you posted? I've been cleaning each image up using Photoshop. And thx for your research both Mike and John. Great stuff to learn.

Here's some Bomber maintenance.