Warbird Information Exchange

I'm working with John Voss on his Fuselage Codes site, and he sent me two shots of AT-23 converted Martin B-26Bs. Both are coded Z:

42-43338


Maybe 42-43376?

The Z field code is usually associated with Las Vegas AAF, but all Vegas planes we've found have all been coded "Z-###", sometimes without the hyphen. This style seems to correspond to the style used on Eastern training commands (first letter=field; second=squadron; third=plane number), but none seem to use Z as a field code that we've found.

Does anyone here have a record card handy for either of these planes? That would help answer the question. (For what it's worth, the background doesn't look like Las Vegas to me.)

Over to the experts - thanks!

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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)

Here you go, Chris.

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Scott Thompson
Aero Vintage Books
http://www.aerovintage.com
WIX Subscriber Since July 2017

And two of the same airplane taken by William T. Larkins in February 1947 at Kingman.

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Scott Thompson
Aero Vintage Books
http://www.aerovintage.com
WIX Subscriber Since July 2017

Thanks Scott! Hmm. '338 looks almost factory fresh in those shots, like its skin was buffed out. VIP use?
How about the card for 42-43376? I thought it might also be 41-35376, but that one went to the RAF.

_________________

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)

Just checked the AAIR accident listings; they do show at least five TB-26s based at Deming, two AT-23s based at Mountain Home, four AT-23s at Biggs, and none at Smoky Hill; maybe the accident report photos would show something?

Current status: Still stumped.

_________________

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)