Warbird Information Exchange

Ok, to try get this place back on topic, I have a question that has probably been answered before, but I can't figure out where it may be said.

What is the sigificance of picture on the opening page of WIX with the P-38, P-51, and P-47?

It is quite unusual to see this range of aircraft flown together during war-time. A formation like this might have taken place recently, but the picture quality and paint schemes of the airplanes makes me think it is a wartime picture.

Also, what is with the numbers on the noses of the airplanes?

Again, sorry if this question has been asked before. My memory's so bad that I probably even posted on the thread about it.... or maybe not.

Cheers,

David

I believe the pic you're referring to shows wartime training aircraft Stateside. The numbers are just "Buzz" numbers.

Regards,
Mike

Cool, thanks for the response.

I'd expect that airplanes less "front line" would have been used for training back home, but then, maybe these are tired airframes that have already seen the face of war and are back home training.

Like the Memphis Belle? Right?

Cheers,

David

Many aircraft off the production line went straight to training outfits.
Stephen Grey's P-38 went from Burbank to OK City and was converted into a Photo Recon trainer ( It was built as a fighter, P-38J-5) and then used for that role. It was an early J model but lacked the leading edge fuel cells. It didn't have the aftercooler built into the leading edge and it didn't have fuel tanks either. Basiccally the leading edges didn't match what was in the books. We thought that the fuel cell production wasn't happening fast enough so they built some plain leading edges to fit and they could replace them later if it was desired. That is probably why that one went into a training role.
Another reason many went straight to training is that a more advanced varient or design was about to be made or was also in production.
I Don't think it was the norm for combat and war weary a/c to be brought back for training.
Rich

Many of the warbirds that we see today are aircraft that were delivered to training squadrons. Especially the older designs such as the P-40s they were used extensively in training.

I just looked at my copy of the history card for 42-67543.
It went to the Dallas mod center 10-10-43, then to Will Rodgers Field 11-18-43 and then was assigned to the 37PHR at Okmulgee.
Rich