Jack's Top Picks..............

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 9:08 am

Outstanding pics.
Robbie

Dave Fish · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 1:11 pm

tom d. friedman wrote:

delivered for land based operation via carrier, very common mode of transportation to the combat area. i'd like to see some other types that were flown off carriers. i've seen p-40's but thats about it.

Although not flown off the Escort Carrier USS Manila Bay, these two photos of VMB-611's MB 1 reflect their PBJs lashed to her deck while in transit from North Island, San Diego to Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Their PBJs were modified at Barbers Point NAS, including five-inch HVAC "hard points" before the squardon's island-hopping flight to Emirau Island.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11330

wHAT IS THE 4-BLADED JOB IN THE LAST PHOTO BEHIND THE b-25?

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 2:38 pm

B-26 or a JM-1

Dave Fish · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 4:09 pm

I don't know and didn't pay any attention to it.

That particular photo is new to me and my collection. From my documentation and conversations with VMB-611 vets, they had 14 PBJs on board, but there was never any mention of other aircraft on the Manila Bay. I don't know how many "bomber" aircraft they could pack on her deck...but this needs additional investigation. I will contact my 611 pilot vet who sailed with the carrier when he returns from the MAG 61 reunion in Quantico, VA.

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 4:24 pm

My guess about the 4 blade would be a B-26. You can make out the two scoops on top of the cowling.

Dave Fish · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 5:16 pm

About the Manila Bay from my VMB-611 collection:

"... They remained there a little over two weeks while the aircraft carrier USS MANILA BAY, which was to transport the Flight Echelon to Hawaii, finished a well-deserved overhaul ...

... she participated in the campaign on Saipan before returning to San Diego on July 16. On August 24, she departed San Diego for Pearl Harbor with the PBJs of VMB-611 lashed to her flight deck."

She arrived at Pearl on August 31.

No mention of other type aircraft or other squadron's personnel on board for that trip. My Google search of her didn't provide any additional info other than to confirm the dates.

Dave Fish · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 5:33 pm

Another thought just came to mind...The Marine Corps only flew the B-25; I know the Navy flew their verison of the B-24. Did the Navy fly B-26's, and if not, why would a B-26 be aboard a Navy aircraft carrier?

(I know we may be a little off topic, but every time I view this thread, I again look at Jack's top picks!)

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11330

That's what I thought odd, why would a Marauder be on a ship transporting USMC aircraft?

Dave Fish · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 7:08 pm

Ah-Ha...Upon further re-reading my book on VMB-611, I found something that I had forgot about their departure from Ewa MCAS on their long flight to Emirau:

"... It was a long flight. The first leg was a six-and-a-half hour trip to Palmyra Island where the 14 PBJs plus the transport plane refueled before continuing on for another four-and-a-half hours to Canton Island where they spent the night ..."

I now recall (the mind is a terrible thing to lose :cry:

) a discussion about a "transport plane" but do not know what type of aircraft it was. If it was transported from San Diego (which I think it was), that could explain the 4-prop plane in the photo.

Any hints from anyone on what type of plane the Marines would use as a transport plane?

ww2John · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 8:29 pm

...on the Lt Art Heiden & crew "Lucky Lady" P38 picture, would someone be kind enough to decipher the mission symbols for me, please & thank-you.

Thanks for these great shots.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11330

Could it be a C-46?

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 9:01 pm

Quote:

...on the Lt Art Heiden & crew "Lucky Lady" P38 picture, would someone be kind enough to decipher the mission symbols for me, please & thank-you.

White circles swasticks are kill markers for 1/2 air and 1/2 ground
Top hats are top top cover missions (bomber escort).
The top hats with swastickas indicate the missions the kills when scored on.
Bombs are for dive bombing missions.
Brooms are for fighter sweeps.
Trains are for train kills.
Top hat with a broom is for top cover and return on the deck straffing.
Boat is for straffing a small surface vessel.
Tripod with camera is a photo recon escort.
Funny looking bombs on the bottom right are for droop snoot missions (level bombing with droop snoot P-38 named "EZ-Does-It" for bombardier Easy Ezelle.
Pin-up is starlette Lorainne Day who cooresponded with the crew.

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 9:05 pm

Dave Fish wrote:

Another thought just came to mind...The Marine Corps only flew the B-25; I know the Navy flew their verison of the B-24. Did the Navy fly B-26's, and if not, why would a B-26 be aboard a Navy aircraft carrier?

(I know we may be a little off topic, but every time I view this thread, I again look at Jack's top picks!)

Im not sure. We've all seen the pictures of the Army Airforces P-47's on the decks of carriers going overseas.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 9:07 pm

It's a B-26 aka JM-1 going to Hawaii for target tug duties.
Yes, the Navy flew B-26s aka the JM-1.

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