Plane spotting (Vintage style) ...

[Mark Allen M]

So what do see down there? You name it and it seems to be there (Navy wise) ... These first three photos are quite interesting, with a little history to go with them below from "theamericanwarrior.com" website.

"In the fall of 1944, Marine Air Group-45 set up shop at Ulithi Atoll and received the task of suppressing the bypassed Japanese bases in the Carolines. MAG-45’s biggest and most important target was Yap, which included a large airfield capable of handling twin-engine bombers. The air group’s Avenger squadron, initially VMTB-232 and later VMSB-245, also provided anti-submarine patrols around the fleet anchorage at Ulithi. In November, two Japanese submarines launched five midget subs which succeeded in sinking a U.S. Navy oiler. Marine Avengers sank two of the midget subs.

In the months that followed, the air group flew night intercept operations with VMF (N)-542’s F6F-5N Hellcats, carried out ceaseless attacks on Yap, Fais and Sorol Islands. Though they encountered only occasional Japanese aircraft, the flak over these targets was often intense and so dangerous the crews were told not to drop below six thousand feet during their attack runs.
MAG-45’s job was a thankless one, their efforts and missions lost to the American people as the tide of war advanced ever closer to the shores of the Japanese Homeland. Yet, it was in these grinding, attritional missions that the Marine aviators demonstrated a supreme level of dedication to their craft and cause. Day in and day out, the struck the same targets to ensure the strips at Yap could not be used to launch surprise raids against the U.S. warships at anchor in Ulithi, which had become a key forward replenishing base for the fast carrier task forces. There was little chance to participate in a major battle that could make headlines and history, and almost no opportunity for the fighter pilots to score aerial kills. Yet they were steadfast and carried out their missions with deadly effectiveness until the Japanese surrender in August 1945."

[Mark Allen M]

You should be able to see a lineup of these guys in the third photo above.


Culver Cadet prang with MAG 45 Falalop airstrip Ulithi Atoll Caroline Islands

[Mark Allen M]

These guys are probably not too hard to figure out ...


PB2Y's in formation working from USS Cumberland Sound VS-17 c 1943

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Fri Feb 27, 2015 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

This is interesting. A captured Kawanishi H8K2.


Captured Kawanishi H8K2 coming on board USS Cumberland Sound AV-17 for servicing. c 1944

[Mark Allen M]

This is a rare photo of the "lethal" black duck of Ulithi c 1945. Why lethal? because it's black of course. Truth? I haven't a clue why it would be all black on Ulithi in 1945.

[Mark Allen M]

The foreground B-17 must have been slated to go somewhere else before the Army AF took it back?


Two B-17E Flying Fortresess (serial number 41-9131) and (serial number 41-9141) fitted with ball turrets during a test flight.

[Mark Allen M]

I'm aware that B-17's and B-24's grouped together on a few missions, but I don't recall seeing a photo of such a formation. I'm sure I'm wrong on this until now anyway.


Elements of the 401st Bomb Group over Germany, December 30, 1943.

[Mark Allen M]

A few interesting and unique (in my opinion) P-47's


A P-47E Thunderbolt at Wright Field.


The first natural metal finish P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-7921) of the 8th Air Force, 26 September 1943.

[Mark Allen M]

An experimental XP-47B, early P-47 Thunderbolt, in flight, 1942.


A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 44-90248) landing at Okinawa, 23 September 1945.


A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 44-89425) of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. Would love to know the colors on this scheme. Looks cool

[Mark Allen M]

A request for a P-64 from Doug ...


A rare North American P-64 (North American NA-68) I believe at San Diego along with an O-47 (I'll be on the lookout for Luke Field AZ P-64's Doug)

[Mark Allen M]

What are these coming at ya? ... Interstate TD3R-1's?



Yep! looks like it ...

[PJ]

I see a lone PV-1 Ventura in the second photo!





PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff"
www.amhf.org

[Mark Allen M]

I know little about this photo other than it shows the obvious formation of two Corsairs and a P-38. Quite a tight formation IMO

[Mark Allen M]

Sorry for scattering all over the place, but this IS plane spotting of sorts right?


A formation of Brewster Bermuda dive bombers on a training flight.

[PropsRule]

I admit I don't know much about the Martin Marauder in U.S. Navy service, but it is surprising to see JM-1s at a combat base. The same goes with the Culver Cadets, as both were training types.

The captured H8K2 is incredible! This gets said quite a bit around here, but I wish it was still around!