Photos wanted, 31st or 35th Pursuit Group

[Hal B]

Looking for any photo's or other info. concerning the 35th Pursuit Group, and more specifically the 39th Squadron while in service in the Zone of the Interior. Any ideas for sources?

The HFM is working on a history of the Bellingham Airport and we're just starting on the WWII era and the use of KBLI as a P-39 and possibly P-38 base. Trying to record some of the history before it's lost to progress...

Any help would be much appreciated.

Last edited by Hal B on Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Hal B]

BTT

Looking for any photo's or other info. concerning the 35th Pursuit Group, and more specifically the 39th Squadron while in service in the Zone of the Interior. Any ideas for sources?

The HFM is working on a history of the Bellingham Airport and we're just starting on the WWII era and the use of KBLI as a P-38 and P-39 base. Trying to record some of the history before it's lost to progress...

Any help would be much appreciated.

While researching this we have found that the 39th Squadron was attached to the 31st Group until Jan. 15, 1942 when they were transferred to the 35th Group, which was also the day they ceased flying ASW patrols out of Bellingham.

A couple of us are going to head over to the west side of the field tomorrow to take a look at the old bomb dump area and closed runway. We'll see what we find...

[TonyM]

Two 39th PS airplanes were involved in accidents in December 1941 while attached to the 31st PG. Both accidents were non fatal.

Don't know if there are any photos in the accident reports--I'll have to check my microfilm later. It is likely that the reports have photos. I'll let you know later. Here is the info:

12-08-41. Baer Field, Indiana. P-39D # 41-6756

12-09-41. Baer Field, Indiana. P-39D # 41-6748

Good Luck with your research.

TonyM.

Last edited by TonyM on Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jack Cook]

No clue

[TonyM]

Here are the details of the two accidents involving 39th PS airplanes in December 1941:

12-08-41. Baer Field, Indiana. Pilot 2Lt. E.T. White; P-39D # 41-6756. Purpose of the flight: "31st PG leaving for the West Coast" (U-5); Take-off accident: Pilot set the propeller pitch lever in error and lost power on take-off--the airplane sank back to the runway with landing gear partially retracted. No injuries. There is one photograph in this accident report.

12-09-41. Baer Field, Indiana. Pilot 2Lt. D.J. Green; P-39D # 41-6748. Purpose of flight: Same as above (U-5); Take-off accident: engine failed while airplane was taking off--pilot landed on runway with landing gear retracted. No injuries. There are no photographs included in this accident report.

So here are two pieces of information involving 39th PS airplanes attached to the 31st PG while they were flying to the West Coast. I could not find any more accidents or incidents involving aircraft from 39th PS up to 15 January 1942.

Hope this information is helpful. Good luck with your research.

TonyM.

[Hal B]

Thank you Tony!

While it didn't occur while they were here at Bellingham; at least its related and we can probably tie it into the story.

[Jack Cook]

BTW I believe the 39th FS was based at Paine Field. All the photos I have were taken there. The 55th FG was at Olympia. All 4 of the squadrons also flew out of Bellingham but wern't HQ'ed there.

[Hal B]

BTW I believe the 39th FS was based at Paine Field. All the photos I have were taken there. The 55th FG was at Olympia. All 4 of the squadrons also flew out of Bellingham but wern't HQ'ed there.

You've got photo's of the 39th at Paine? Any you'd care to share?

So far, all the documentation we've come across, which admittedly isn't much, says that the 41st Squadron flew ASW patrols from Paine Field, while the 39th flew out of Bellingham. But, the two fields are close and the Group could have moved the Squadrons around some.

A lot left to learn here...

Thanks for the help

[Jack Cook]

2Lt John "Shady" Lane on his P-38D at Paine Field, WA 1942 (Shady Lane Photo)

[Hal B]

Thanks Jack!