Pictures from Ie Shima, 1945. Can anybody ID the P-38?

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

I think I posted these a couple of years back, but I don't remember for sure.

These are pictures my late Grandaddy (the world's greatest cowboy) took. He was in the 77th ID and as far as I know, the were all taken on Ie Shima in 1945. I've seen color versions of nearly identica pictures in one of Jeff Ethell's books. Strange to think that that photographer and my Grandaddy were dang near standing next to each other.

Japanese arriving for the surrender ceremonies.

Unknown P-38

B-24 "The Dragon and His Tail"

Crashed C-46

Crashed P-47

Ztex · **Posted:** Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:22 pm

WOW!

Those are a real treasure!

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

Z

Dan Johnson II · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 1:49 am **Posts:** 659

P38 is and 80th FS bird. It's a P38L with the code letter U on the engine cowling and the headhunter insignia next to the U. Similar photo appears in Stanaway's book about the 8th FG "Attack & Conquer".

Dan

CWBuff · **Joined:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:14 am **Posts:** 854

These are super groovy...

The C-46 is a Buffalo-built C-46D from the 66th TCS, 433rd TCG, Fifth AF. The 433rd was known as the 'Frontline Airline'.

Does anyone know what the colors of the trim tab would be?

Thanks for sharing these!

Fade to Black...

wls3 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:41 am

Brad,

Great photos!

2 GM-4 Bettys were flown to Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 19 August 1945.
The planes brought a Japanese delegation who were flown on to Manila in
a USAAF C-54 transport to receive instructions concerning the surrender
and occupation.

Of note per MacArthur's surrender orders,
the 2 Bettys were required to be painted white and have special markings painted
on them where the national insignia would be to identify them as the surrender team.
These markings ( green crosses) can be seen clearly on the rear a/c of
your first photo.

Below is another picture, this of one of the Bettys arriving at Ie Shima.
I wonder if your Grandaddy might be somewhere in the photo.

Bill

wls3 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:44 am

Doing some digging I found that P-38's escorted the Bettys to the
airstrip. Couple more pics below, Somewhere I have seen color also.
Brad, pretty cool to think your grandfather was there!

Bill

Tigercat · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:54 am **Posts:** 288

I love the nose art on the P-38. That's really a sexy looking lady-----very well done!!

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Pictures from Ie Shima, 1945. Can anybody ID the P-38?

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