Warbird Information Exchange

Happy Turkey day everyone. Wanted to share with you my A-2 jacket, fresh (2 days ago) from the tailor to have the patches put on of my grand-uncle's B-29 squadron. I'm happy to wear it. Going through the airport yesterday, I got a lot of questions about it.



Wanted to know about USAAC/F flight training in WW2. Which was first, Basic or Primary and what were the aircraft used? I was asked last night being picked up at the Airport. Stay safe out there amongst the mine field of food!

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Hi,

Nice A-2! I did mine like my grandfathers, he was a A/C on B-24's in CBI. For him it was 10AF, 493rd Bomb group 7th bomb Squadron.

The first was "Primary", airplanes could be any thing from Fairchild PT-19, 23 or PT-17 Stearman, Ryan PT-22 and so on. Second was "Basic" including BT-13, 15 and so on.

The "primary" trainer is very simple, fixed gear and prop and no radios for the most part. From there it went "basic" with Constant speed props, bigger engines, radios and a more advanced over all airplane. From there they went onto an "advanced" trainers. Even higher horsepower, complex systems, instument training, retractable landing gear and so on. The most comon trainer for this was the AT-6. From this point they would go into single engine fighters or multi engine trainers and then into bombers.

Enjoy the holiday,

Cheers,

Bill

Yep, what Bill said. My Dad went to San Antonio and did primary in PT-19's, then went to basic and flew BT-13's. Advanced was AT-6's and then to P-40's before getting P-47's and shipped out to India.

I too have an A2 with patches that my Dad painted of the "Fighting Crows" of the 60th FS in CBI. They were part of the 33rd FG "Fire from the Clouds" and I get a lot of inquiries as well and am proud to tell his story.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Nice A-2!

I've had mine for a couple years now. It honors the memory of dad, his squadron, and his group. A great bunch of guys who have treated me like a family member and have been gracious in sharing their history.

Bill

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Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.

Here's mine.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Ok... So here is my jacket. I still have to sew on the blood chit patch on the inside.

Correct you are Sir, inside, not on the back. (many times disputed)

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."