PB4Y-1 video in color

[ACarey]

I placed an updated PB4Y-1 video in color at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW0t-pbxt6I

[Curtis Block]

Sweet.
Do you know of, or have any PB4Y-2 videos?

Curtis Block

[ACarey]

Sweet.
Do you know of, or have any PB4Y-2 videos?

Curtis Block

Yes,

I'm trying to get copies from the National archives.

[astixjr]

Great to see this stuff in color. Thanks for posting it. Was the ground crewman starting the engines with a cartridge starter?

[Craig59]

Cool video, Alan. I really need to get around to having my Dad's PBJ (VMB-433) movies converted to DVD so I can post those.

[Dave Fish]

Alan,
Great video's...Keep them coming!
Dave

[Dave Fish]

Cool video, Alan. I really need to get around to having my Dad's PBJ (VMB-433) movies converted to DVD so I can post those.

Hi Craig,
Get going on that project...We need some video's of VMB squadrons in action posted.
I am not aware of any WWII videos of VMB-611 except for one "poor" Hollywood representation of the PBJ that Kirk Douglas "flew" in the movie In Harm's Way; with VMB 611 painted on the fuselage near the waist-gun positions. But at least they referred to it as a PBJ and not a B-25. Of course, that was another fake representation of Hollywwod, as "VMB 611" was never painted on any of VMB-611's PBJs...Just their "MB" number.
Dave

[ACarey]

Great to see this stuff in color. Thanks for posting it. Was the ground crewman starting the engines with a cartridge starter?

Looks like it

[ACarey]

Great to see this stuff in color. Thanks for posting it. Was the ground crewman starting the engines with a cartridge starter?

Looks like it

Haven't been able to trace any VMB video as yet

[ACarey]

I came across this at the national archives and since it was produced by the Naval Photographic Center, the B-25s listed could very well be PBJs.

Identifing code 428-NPC-4236

B25 BOMBING TALILI SUPPLY DUMP, NEW IRELAND (IS.), 06/1944

MS B25 in flight, drops a stick of bombs.2) AV Target area Talili Supply Dump, explosions.

Item from Record Group 428: General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1941 - 2004

Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Records LICON, Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS-M), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001 PHONE: 301-837-3540, FAX: 301-837-3620, EMAIL: mopix@nara.gov

[Second Air Force]

Thanks for posting the link!

At the 1:00 minute index in the film notice the nose turret installation. This was a "D" model B-24/PB4Y-1 that had a modified Consolidated tail turret installed in the nose. This turret graft is much nicer looking than the Oklahoma City modification on AAF Libs and has bombardier windows similar to PB4Y-1s with the Erco turret installation. I suspect this airplane was modified at the Navy modification center after being taken on as a PB4Y but is the first I've seen without the Erco ball. Excellent material!

Scott

[ACarey]

Thanks for posting the link!

At the 1:00 minute index in the film notice the nose turret installation. This was a "D" model B-24/PB4Y-1 that had a modified Consolidated tail turret installed in the nose. This turret graft is much nicer looking than the Oklahoma City modification on AAF Libs and has bombardier windows similar to PB4Y-1s with the Erco turret installation. I suspect this airplane was modified at the Navy modification center after being taken on as a PB4Y but is the first I've seen without the Erco ball. Excellent material!

Scott

VP-51/101 went operational with the standard B-24D with the plexi nose (major reason why they lost aircraft). VB-102 went in with the standard turrets as well as VD-3. Afterward most had the ERCO config but I do have images of VPB-111 with the AAF turret. Years ago I actually saw a color video from a VPB-111 vet who had a 8mm camera while deployed. Stupid me didn't ask for a copy.

[Second Air Force]

ACarey,

Thanks for that info. I have seen both the greenhouse, Erco modified, and standard B-24J style nose installations, but the one in the filmstrip you linked to was the first of that exact set-up I have seen. The Navy (or their contractors) did a fine job on the turret installation on that airplane. Innovations like that saved crews, no doubt about it.

Scott

[Django]

I didn't realize they operated in OD.

[Second Air Force]

Django,

The first PB4Y-1s were directly off the B-24 assembly line--some photos exist of the vertical fin carrying both the Army serial number and Navy bureau number together.

Scott