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Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Mon May 09, 2011 4:40 pm

What services did the P-47 provide in a Bomber Outfit?

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Mon May 09, 2011 5:07 pm

Rich,
I believe that some groups used them as formation assembly aircraft.

Dave

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Tue May 10, 2011 12:33 am

Also as hacks, time builders, and it was easier to take a P-47 to a big meeting @ headquarters than a bunch of B-17's.

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Tue May 10, 2011 9:31 am

Last photo I got from their box.
Looks like a graduation pic from Marauder School.
Only person identified is Lt. Mitchell Nussman on the left.
Photo is on paper that looks similar to what I have seen the graduation remembrance booklets printed on from that time period.
This is blank on the reverse side.
Image
I didn't buy everything they had, at $6 a piece it could get expensive.
They said that local teachers would come in a buy some. They said they had many more in the past.
Others I noticed were air to ground shots from nose, several with J-3 and L-4s.
One I think about but didn't get was a Cletrak connected to a fuel bowser in front of a B-17. Maybe next time.
There were lots of closeup photos of servicemen and pilots in that box.
Past history just about thrown away.

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Tue May 10, 2011 4:45 pm

Del Rio maybe?

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Fri May 13, 2011 10:21 am

Friends,

For the record B-26 with the field number 1887 is from 336 BG (M) the III Bomber Command, Third AF the replacement training unit at Lake Charles AAfld, LA.

The B-26 pilot transition school at Del Rio AAfld, TX, Gulf Coast Training Center, Flying Training Command used a suffix letter C or D to a two digit field number.

Best to you all,

Tom Michel

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Fri May 13, 2011 10:27 am

Hi Tom-

Is there some kind of comprehensive list which deciphers these stateside codes and lists the training units assigned to each base? I profess almost total ignorance of stateside training units, and would be interested in learning more...

Thanks!

Lynn

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Fri May 13, 2011 2:37 pm

what Lynn said :rolleyes:

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Fri May 13, 2011 7:47 pm

good for you!

Re: Photos found at the Attic Barn.

Sat May 14, 2011 10:19 am

Hi Lynn,

In my head!

I should start a blog or web site on these stateside unit/field codes.

These codes were issue by a Command or number Air Force HQ to the units assigned to them but they have long been lost. Only one list that of the Southeast AAF Training Center dated May 20, 1942 has been found so far.

It is obvious that the units were using large, what were colloquial called ‘Buzz Numbers’ to help prevent these 20 year old pilots (tell me the things you did in your 20’s) from terrorizing some small town and getting themselves and others killed.

In the example of the B-26 crew photo with buzz number 1887 all I know for sure is it is from the 334 BG (M) the O.T.U. at Lake Charles. The other III Bomber Command O.T.Us, R.T.Us and the combat units that III Bomber Command trained that went overseas I don’t know other than they all have these large buzz numbers in blocks hundreds.

Then in April 1944 Third AF changes it all to a new system with the AAF wide Base Unit re-organization which are easier to decipher but I still don’t know all the code letters assigned by Third AF.

And that is just one Command of about 10 or so HQs that issue these codes! And Second AF generally did not use field letter at all just the last three or four numbers of the plane’s serial number for the buzz number.

Best regards,

Tom Michel
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