P-40's and junkyard in the desert in 1943

Larry Kraus · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:38 pm

I stumbled across these pictures via the Google Life images.The caption simply stated Tunisia and Lybia and listed the photographer as Hart Preston and was undated.

I wonder what these guys are talking about

These are obviously USAAF fighter bombers in the North African area,but I don't have any reference material with me to identify the unit

The airfield has obviously changed hands recently

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Fantastic photos! Looks like a junkyard for Ju 52's.

mtpopejoy · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:58 pm

Thank you so much for posting those Larry. I am a junkie for the 9th Air Force P-40s. These are great images of the 57thFG P-40F's (Merlin Engine).

GREAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you again sir,
Mark Popejoy

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:40 pm

Excellents stuff there Larry. You keep on mining.

"She got to the first landing before me, but I reckoned I could get to her before we were out of the Nunnery." :lol:

More seriously, they're probably saying "How long do we have to pose like this before he gets the fricking pic?" Note how carefully 'staged' the positions are? Everyone looking, up, no one obstructing anyone else, from the camera POV, just like on a stage set.

A Merlin P-40 with the cowling off - great. I know the Tyabb guys will be interested. There's not many shots.

Note how different the rads are, and the intake for the updraft carburettor.

Larry - d'you know what the original catalogue details are for these shots?

Great stuff again...

Larry Kraus · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:12 pm

James,

I can send you a file with the catalog numbers,but it might be easier and more expedient to just get them via this link:

http://images.google.com/hosted/life

In the "Search LIFE Images" box,type in:

Tunisia source:life

Then click the "Go" button

If everything works the way it did for me,you can click on the lower right thumbnail of the Me-323 wreck and save the image that opens to get the catalog number.I click on the "View full size" link before saving.You can then either search though the "related images" thumbnails to the right side of the page,or just click on the "Back to image results" link above the picture and go through the pages to find all of the images that I posted as thumbnails.

I made a file with the original catalog numbers if you need it.One plus from doing that is that I found a couple of additional pictures related to the ones that I posted above.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:46 pm

57th and 79th FG in 1943.

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:54 pm

Larry Kraus wrote:

I can send you a file with the catalog numbers,but it might be easier and more expedient to just get them via this link:

Thanks for the offer Larry, I was more asking have you got the refs for your future reference - and what I didn't say, but should've - it would be good to post the refs with the pics, just making it easier to backtrack in future, iff someone asks, or find the thread.

...as you can guess, I've had a few 'Um, now which one was this?' moments myself. :shock:

The Colonel's Son · **Joined:** Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:08 pm **Posts:** 1

The first photo of the LIFE pictures shows my father, Col. Frank H. Mears (standing) discussing flight tactics with fellow pilots of the 57th Fighter Group.

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:30 pm

The Colonel's Son wrote:

The first photo of the LIFE pictures shows my father, Col. Frank H. Mears (standing) discussing flight tactics with fellow pilots of the 57th Fighter Group.

Thank You for shedding some light on this subject.
Welcome to WIX.
Robbie

TAdan · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:31 am

The Colonel's Son wrote:

The first photo of the LIFE pictures shows my father, Col. Frank H. Mears (standing) discussing flight tactics with fellow pilots of the 57th Fighter Group.

Welcome to WIX. Thanks for pointing out your father in the picture. I always enjoy seeing family members fill in the blanks on some of these old photos.

I am pretty sure most of us would love to hear more about your fathers service.

Augsburgeagle · **Joined:** Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:17 am **Posts:** 112

I believe this 323 to be the same in these videos??

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... r-of-plane

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... r-of-plane

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:34 am

246040 (#13 taxiing) was a P-40K-1-CU. Wrecked @ Malir Air Base, India 9/30/43 pilot killed

ACMech · **Posted:** Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:27 pm

Love those original color shots, it just brings the scene to life

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 30, 2012 5:02 pm

Thanks for the post. Anything P-40 gets my attention :drink3:

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

Great pics.

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P-40's and junkyard in the desert in 1943

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