Warbird Information Exchange

In browsing through a group for "found photos" on Flickr, I came across these:

Found Kodak PlusX022 by Hachi Gatsu, on Flickr

Found Kodak PlusX023 by Hachi Gatsu, on Flickr

Found Kodak PlusX025 by Hachi Gatsu, on Flickr

Found Kodak PlusX026 by Hachi Gatsu, on Flickr

Found Kodak PlusX021 by Hachi Gatsu, on Flickr

Now, identifying by serial number I can do, but unit markings aren't really my forte, so I'm wondering if the WIX brain has any guesses as to what units these belonged to, and possibly what base they were taken at.

Additionally, I also found this:
Vintage Found Photo - Grumman Flying Boat - June 1959 by Mark 2400, on Flickr
but, as stated, the reg isn't legible besides ending in 247A. Anyone got any info on Civil Mariners with that reg?

Neat pics. I especially like that straight-winged Thunderjet.

However... that "Grumman" flying boat appears to be a Martin PBM Mariner.

_________________
Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Mariner is perhaps N4247A.

She's been discussed before.

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... =3&t=16280

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

The F-84Gs and T-33 are from the 20th Fighter Bomber Wing (77th FBS, I believe)... the C-47 might be the staff hack for the group as it carries the same lightning bolt motif with all three squadron colors. The B-45s are from the 47th Bombardment Wing, and I'm not positive but the F-86 might be from the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing (can't see enough of the plane to tell for certain).

The 20th and the 47th were both stationed at Langley AFB in 1951-52, with the 20th then going trans-Atlantic to be stationed in England as part of USAFE... so it's possible these pics were taken here at Langley during that timeframe, although the Sabre really throws a wrench in that theory.

Lynn

Think it's an RAF base from one of the cars (Austin A-40) I could see, as well as the boys in kneepants and caps; the B-45 47-057 spent time at RAF Alconbury before being retired in 1958 (to a fire dump in Morocco); the control tower looks similar to other photos of the one at Alconbury.

Millionmonkeytheater.com lists the B-45 as being with the 86th BS (47th BW) in 1952, and T-33A 51-6648 as:
1952: USAF 85th ADW.
1952: USAF 85th BS (47th BW).
1954: USAF 77th FBS (20th FBW).
So according to Lynn's info that should put the date around 1954.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

The B-45s were at Sculthorpe pretty frequently so that's a possibility as well. I think we're all agreed it's likely in England, not Langley.

Cheers,

Lynn