Bombing up A P-40F Tunisia 1943

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:34 pm

The original caption of this NA photo doesn't give much info. I remember seeing it the the first airplane book I ever owned which was the old arcam (?) book by Ernie McDowell. I can tell you it's a P-40F from the 64th FS 57th FG 12th AF taken around May 1943 or so in Tunisia. but old bombs aren't my forte. What are these things? 70# or so I presume anti-armor or personel. Now the shots I have of the 80th FG P-40Ns carried 500# bombs on the wings is really impressive!

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

I do wonder if they might be dummy training bombs or the like, since the guy is nonchalantly carrying one vertically with one hand and another slung over his other shoulder.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:45 pm

they look like practice bombs to me, as they came apart in 3 sections like that toward the front, & held a small powder charged marker to detemine accuracy at the practice target. also because it is painted white. they could also be borrowed raf bombs, as those lines of the bomb shape are simular to theirs, especially w/ the round fin. but i'd bet on it being the practice type as i have a smaller version of 1 in my office.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

tom d. friedman wrote:

..........i have a smaller version of 1 in my office.

Don't drop it!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:04 pm

No Tom they aren't MK-76s. I loaded about 5 million of those things and even swiped one by stuffing it under my coat and carried off the flight line and out the security gate!

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

I believe they're British 40lb GP/HE jobs...

Fade to Black...

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:04 pm

jack the wix unabomber....... :shock:

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:27 pm

Quote:

since the guy is nonchalantly carrying one vertically with one hand and another slung over his other shoulder.

sorta like the one i posted earlier this week of the armorer standing on the drum of napalm while loading the 50s on the P-38L :shock:

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:28 am

Given the location the aircraft is parked in, if they dropped one, would it become a 'daisy cutter?" If they are hot, why is here what appears to be either paper sacks or old Tee shirt pieces stuffed into the front fuse port? Wouldn't the 'kaboom' stuff trickle out?

Mgawa · **Posted:** Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:18 am

Jack- outstanding images. have you ever think about to make a book about US history? This will be great title

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Bombing up A P-40F Tunisia 1943

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