Warbird Information Exchange

From an album belonging to Lt. Ballard Dinwiddle. He was a pilot in the 371st Fighter Group in France.
Goes to show ya's that there still are great hidden away/private collections most folks have not seen still out there. The hope is that these ebay'ers don't piecemeal away photos from albums and that they at least sell them as a whole as they belong. Wishful thinking of course.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

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Remember, the propeller is only there to keep the pilot cool.If you don't believe me, have it stop and watch the pilot start sweating!

Wholly Guacamole Mark...winner winner, chicken dinner! As my wife's mother says, "well done laddie".

So what's the top hat and cane marking under Jack's cockpit mean? I'm guessing the brooms mean "sweeps" of some sort?

-Tom

I'm assuming the brooms represent fighter sweeps.

As to the top hats, I'm thinking they represent missions flown as top cover.

FWIW...

I am no expert with the 371st, but it seems the units in the ETO were fairly consistent with...

broom = sweep

umbrella = top cover

top hat & cane = escort

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

Awesome...that is class! Thanks for the help with the IDs, Dan!.

Doing A little research and this is what I got so far.
There all from the 405th Fighter Squadron.
8N-N 42-76264 'Peg-O-My Heart' pilot Lt. A. Arno

8N-O 42-76492 'Black Jack' pilot Lt. J. Jackson

8N-P 42-76289 'Dottie' Pilot ? looks like the crew names were painted out in the one photo

8N-H 42-76452 'Mumblin Joe' pilot Lt. Holderness,my friend knew this pilots wife but she past away couple years ago. Latter lost on 2-2-45 as 8N-B

8N-R 42-76099 'Damm Yankee'? unless I'm reading it wrong. pilot Lt. Moody but hard to read for me.

Pilots in photo I don't know but I assume they match the names on the side of the P-47D.
Rick
Thanks for posting Mark

Edit name on 'Mumblin Joe' , thanks Bob, Gerald

I'm working on reloading some of my old threads (the one's that were any good anyway). the photobucket experience has causes some unfortunate setbacks as most of you may know by now. These are valuable photos that should be shared with those folks who care about this type of thing. This usually would be 'us'

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

btw although they all look a bit on the dark side. I prefer not to mess with them in photoshop.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

[url=https://flic.kr/p/DjzJmb]

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or are the gun barrel shrouds capped with something, maybe to keep junk, bugs, or ice buildup ? Seem footage where aircraft are firing thru leading edge and what looks like they were taped up to prevent foreign debris to enter before firing. The pressure ahead of the round would blow it away.

Mark,

Those are some Bitch'n photos!

Thanks for posting them.
Andrew

Hi guys,

Thanks for posting those photos of the 405th -- incredible stuff!

Speaking of the 405th, I'm hoping you might be able to help me. My Air National Guard squadron traces its lineage to that squadron -- it was re-numbered the 190th when the ANG was created, but per the order, we inherit all the "honors, decorations, and lineage" of the 405th. I have been trying for the longest time to find pictures of the 405th's squadron patch/crest as part of a history project to honor our roots (these pics help a ton). Does anyone happen to have such photos/artwork, or can you point me in the right direction?

My near-term project is to re-create the patch so we can wear it on Fridays.

By the way, it's only right that our A-10 squadron started out in THE Thunderbolt!

Thanks so much.

- Tom