Friends,
Here are some samples of prints that I bought made from 3-1/4" negatives from the estate of Robert Flynn when he was a jump instructor at Ft. Benning and paratrooper with the 503rd PIR at both Ft. Benning and Ft Bragg ca. 1941-42. He pass away in 2006.
Any comments or corrections are more than welcome.
The full set can be found here:
http://news.webshots.com/album/57296673 ... vhost=news
A formal portrait of Sgt. Flynn.
A informal shot of Sgt. Flynn, I think better showing his character.
A C-39, ship 21 of the 61st Transport Group. The lack of camouflage on the C-39 would date this photo before April 1941.
The same group loading on ship 21. Note that he air depot "Spearhead" emblem is incomplet. By default Matreriel Division's transport squdrons where used for these test and training since they had cargo aircraft.
These C-39s are participating in the 1941 Louisiana maneuvers as part of “Blue Force” By this date the airborne concept was accepted and the supply transport units would soon become combat troop carrier units
Air to air shot of ship 3 a C-53 serial no. 42-6459 (c/n 4911) had to be taken after 12 May 1942 when the red disk of the national insignia was order to be deleted. This C-53 went to the RFC Jan 12, 1945
Air to air of ship 7 of the same unit as ship 3 but with the red disk in the national insignia.
Air to air of C-47-DL 41-7811 (c/n 4310) which was delivered to USAAF Apr 24, 1942 went to the 8th AF, UK Sep 04, 1942 and lost over Mediterranean Sea Nov 23, 1943.
Hurry up and wait 1. The date of this photo has be around May 1942 for ship no. 2 has the red disk painted out will the C-53 in the foreground does not.
Hurry up and wait 2. By this date the jump uniform and equipment is standardized, but they are still using AAF type summer flying helmets, as worn turned up by the trooper laying on the ground
C-53 Hanger & Control Tower 1. Does anyone know where this is?
Flight Line 1. Bell P-39D-BE Airacobra. 41-7076 modified as P-39J. To RFC at Ontario, CA May 19, 1945, note the P-40F ship the back ground.
Flight Line 2. A early P-40F.
Flight Line 6. A engine change on B-17E 41-2600 ESMERELDA if this is Georgia then she is a long way from Ephrata WA or Muroc CA.
Chalk Mark? Looks like this C-47 from the Fairfield Air Depot has been reassigned twice, take you pick of what ship number it now is. Now you know why they chalk mark the planes for the day's jump.
Private Pilot Private 5. Sgt Flynn was later assign to the 503rd PIR which was station both at Ft Benning and Ft Bragg, NC so this photo maybe taken at a airport around Ft Bragg by the T-shirt that private is wearing.
Portraits 1. This trooper still is has the old blue fatigues but does not have jump boots like his comrade in the background both are wearing the Riddell “football” type jump helmet. What he is wearing on his neck I don’t know. The plane is a C-53 41-20074 (c/n 4844) which was delivered to USAAF on Dec 27, 1941 and condemned Lubbock, TX Aug 9, 1944. The 62nd Transport Group just move from McClellan Field, CA to Kellogg field, Mich., c 30 May 1942 which might explain why the red disk in the national insignia has not been paint out.
Friends & Comrades 2. What else “Three Amigos” beside a C-53.
Best to you all,
Tom Michel
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