1943 Crash site of A-20B sn. 41-3013 - South Greenland

[Django]

You can see on the red dot on the wing that there is still white paint that hasn't worn away yet.

[Jon Petersen]

When looking for it at Google Earth from 300 meters, it looks as though it COULD be this:

60*59'081"N - 45*43'31.79"W

At least it is in that area.

60°59'08.1"N 45°43'31.79"W ?????????????

Sorry - very nice I am not your navigator...or anybodys....I am not a navogator!

60°59'08.81"N 45°43'31.79"W - is that understandable?

As far as I am conviced....the larger object with the shadow could very well be the tail. As I said, it´s been 15 years, but I know the area pretty well, so I am pretty certain.

Thanks for all the extra information, I really find it very interesting.

Apart from just googling - where should I look for photos from the squadron?

I understand they were doing duty in Tunisia at the time - is that correctly interpreted?


Jon

[Jon Petersen]

You can see on the red dot on the wing that there is still white paint that hasn't worn away yet.

You must be right - I mistook it as beeing the other way around - the red paint withering away.....

Jon

[Jon Petersen]

I am going to build a 1/48 kit of the plane - does anybody has pictures from the 47th Bomb Group or 97th Bomb Squadron in Tunisia, winter and spring 1943?

Or, faltering that, an idea where I can ask for the info? Modellers forae?

What I am looking for is especially its noseart, if at had any.

Regards

Jon

[Second Air Force]

Jon,

I don't know why it took me so long to remember these photos. The airplane in the foreground is 41-3011--pretty close!



Even closer!


Scott

[Jon Petersen]

THAT was close!

Many, many thanks!

Do you know the issue of Life they come from? Is there any dates to these photos?

Is it fair to assume, that the "specks" are a lighter, "curry"-coloured camouflage, applied on top of the standard olive drab?

Is this a standard colour and/or camouflage from Tunisia/North African campaign?

Does anybody have or know of colour photos of anything in these colours?

Questions......even though it doesn´t seem to wear that paint in its wrecked condition.

Many thanks in advance!

It will be so much more fun to make the model, when I know more about it.


Regards,

Jon

[Second Air Force]

Jon,

Go to the Google Life photo search engine, select "1940s" for the era you wish to search, and type in the keyword "Tunisia". There are ten pages of photos, only four or five show the A-20s.

The overpainted camouflage was a shade of Sand (from British stocks of paint as I recall) that was hand painted over the standard O.D. and Neutral Gray. This scheme was applied in-theater.

Since that paint was field applied it may have weathered more rapidly than the factory-applied paints, and that may be why you can't find any on the remains. The other two options would be that it never got the paint or it was removed on purpose when the airplane left the combat zone.

I may have a photo or line drawing of this paint scheme. I'll post it if I am able to lay hands on it.

Scott

[Jon Petersen]

Thanks again!

I will do as advised.

Regards,

Jon

[Second Air Force]

P.M. sent, Jon.

Scott

[Second Air Force]

Jon,

I've sent you another PM pertaining to Squadron insignia for your project.

Scott

[Jon Petersen]

I am sorry, but it didn´t come through - could I ask you to try again?

Regards

Jon

[Second Air Force]

It is on the way, Jon.

[Mikkel M]

Hello,

This summer I visited the site of the 13013 crash as we were doing an archaeological survey of the Ilua Valley. It's really interesting to see the LIFE Magazine photos showing i.a. the 13011 and 13014 as well as the additional info that you guys have posted here. Does anybody have more info on the two other Havocs and the C-87 on this flight out of Bluie West 1 - Narsarsuaq (Id. no.'s, crew names etc.) and the circumstances leading to the crash? (the high speed spin, time of day, statements, weather condition etc.)

Notice the black and yellow paint that was applied post crash. I wonder if it was part of a salvage team procedure to mark the wreck with paint?

You should be able to see some wreckage photos via the link below.

Regards

https://picasaweb.google.com/112820228015671653200/A20B413013IluaGreenland?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKqat6D_kYT0UQ&feat=directlink

[The Inspector]

Standard practice to paint a found wreck with yellow paint so it won't be re-reported by someone else later on

[whistlingdeath77]

very nice! thank you for posting