Warbird Information Exchange

It's a mystery as far as the paint scheme. Looks to be all black with bright orange vertical stabilizers. Most likely an air/sea rescue I'm guessing.

Photos states: "B-24 Nome Alaska 1950" ...

Shame to find so many rare aircraft in photos that aren't clear or focused.

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Zero Surprise!!...

Verrry Interesting.
I think it's a PB4Y-1.

Richard

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I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Yeah, it is a PB4Y-1, painted dark sea blue and "arctic" insignia red markings (color of the photo is a bit off).

This model kit was done in the same style markings: https://ipms-mckinstry.org/2016/11/12/m ... 2nd-scale/

I also believe PB4Y-1.


Post-war Libs from San Diego carried Arctic markings:

https://ipmsmckinstry.files.wordpress.c ... iew-02.jpg

https://ipms-mckinstry.org/page/2/



The markings on the vertical stab doesn't look like "SD" though.

Could it be "TP"...like these PB4Y-1P's of VJ-62 ?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/my_public ... otostream/

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Here is a black & white photo of the same San Diego VP-61 PB4Y-1's on a survey mission over Alaska in 1948: http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/AE/AE03-6/49-1.jpg

In aeronautical years, there is a big difference between 1948 and 1950 as quoted in the original post.

Did the Navy keep twin tailed -1s around until 1950?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Trying to get a handle on the unit history/histories - supposedly VC-61 then became VP-61, and then that eventually became VJ-61 sometime during/after 1950, at which time PB4Y-1's are still attributed to the unit well into the early 1950's.

There is also this photo I've found of a VP-61 marked PB4Y-1, though with "EF" letters on the tail, with the description of the photo being that it was taken in Naples. Unfortunately there is no date. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougsheley/6885006465

The image that Mark posted appears to be mirrored/flipped the wrong way, as if you reverse it, the letters on the tail immediately appear as "EF" as well, just like the VP-61 photo I've linked to here.

Yep:

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)