Battle of the Bismarck Sea ...

[Hemiman]

Here's a poor scan of her... I do have another so will find/post.

[HCP54]

Thanks for taking the time to post that picture. That's a keeper. Not sure if I've seen that one. I have seen a few others of Runt's Roost scattered around books and the 3rd BG forum. Have a couple in dad's "archives". Somewhere on the nose is a port for a 75mm cannon. One of his favorite stories involved crawling through a tunnel to get up front and load load it. Dad flew half his missions in A-20s. Don't recall him mentioning a name for the plane. He said going from the B-25 to the A-20 was like getting the keys to a Ferrari. The down side was one pilot up front. Had no choice but to live with it.

Any idea what happened to most of the groups B-25s/A-20s after the war? Is there a way to find out? I would imagine many are buried in New Guinea. Sad. Course many of the FB-111s I worked on 40 years ago are buried in Australia. Funny how life comes around at times. Thanks again.

[Hemiman]

HPC..

Still trying to find the other pic and will post when I find it. If you want, send me a PM with your email and I can send some photos your way. I also have a copy of the 90th's Combat log if you're interested..

Bill

[Hemiman]

HPC..


My dad flew as a gunner in the 8th Sq. There's a book being written on the 3rd and one of the writers would like to converse with you.. My good friend Ed Rogers just sent this to me so I do hope you can find the time to connect with him

Bill


Hi Bill,

I really need to converse with Sgt. Piper's son. I registered at the WIX forum but cannot send messages as I am a newbie.

Would you please message him and ask him to contact me about his father's service in WWII and the 3rd BG book.

Thanks,

Edward

[Hemiman]

Back to the top one more time for all who participated and paid the ultimate price for freedom, for those who came home safe and have made their final flight west, and to those few still with us. Thanks so much for your service and dedication!

[PHague]

Who ever took this shot has GREAT BIG BRASS ONES!! That's the closest shot I've ever seen of a IJN DD!!

[Chris Brame]

Looking at a couple of these gun-modded B-25s, it seems like the painted-over plexiglass sections in the noses (or were they swapped out for aluminum?) have expanded like overstuffed pillows - was that from the heat and pressure of the guns firing?

[Hemiman]

PH..

pic is from Bill Beck's "LAWNMOWER" His bomb release failed, so he made multiple strafing passes over the ship..Very famous pic of Bill weaving through the trees at Lae..

Chris.. Painted over plexiglass mostly, with some replacement panels of aluminum when the originals were damaged..