SNJ's in South Pacific combat zones ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

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 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 10:56 am

Wild guess: CPU = Combat Photography Unit ? ? ?

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

K5DH wrote:

Wild guess: CPU = Combat Photography Unit ? ? ?

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

Fernando Estanislau · **Joined:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:01 am **Posts:** 15

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 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

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 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:01 am **Posts:** 15

I would love it, Mark. Many thanks!

My email address is stanslau_artwork@yahoo.com.br

:-D

Best regards.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

Of course, on the way now.

M

Fernando Estanislau · **Joined:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:01 am **Posts:** 15

Got them, there.

Best regards and thank you once again,

Fernando

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

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

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

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 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2015 5:52 am

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 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

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.

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SNJ's in South Pacific combat zones ...

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