Warbird Information Exchange

38 according to Baugher: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b24_33.html

The dad of a friend of mine was a decorated ROC B-24 pilot. I've seen his medal group and a couple of photos. He had been a pilot prewar for one of the warlords whose air forces were absorbed by the ROC, and came to Arizona during the war for training. During the war the Libs mainly seem to have been used as transports over the hump but postwar they may have been used as bombers against the reds.

The warlords had obtained planes wherever they could which accounts for the amazing diversity of types in service in China in the late 30s. My friend's dad flew, among many other things, He 111s, Mosquitos, and Libs -- not many opportunities to do that within the same air force! It's all a fascinating and largely undocumented story.

August

My type rating says Cessna ... I usually drop my bombs from a cracked open door.

I have some China B-24 images if anyone is interested.

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Zero Surprise!!...

Yes please on the Chinese B-24 pics.

August

Here's a couple from the SDASM archives. Sorry for the poor quality. I cleaned them up as best they could take it. I'll find the LIFE images I've seen as well.

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Zero Surprise!!...

I know a fair number of B-17s were stripped of armament and used to haul troops home from the combat zones, but I don't know if the 24 served a similar role. I've always been under the impression that the Liberators were quickly disposed of once the war was over.

Of course B-17s served in various roles for many years, but I've always read that the last B-24 in active USAF service was the EZB-24 that was on display at Lackland for many years, and now at Duxford. It was highly modified for ice research, and retired around 1950.

SN

My grandfather was support staff for the 352nd FG. He told me that they were ferried in a B-24 when the group moved to Belgium during the war. He said because he was the ranking NCO that he got a waist gun window seat. He told me his duffel bag made a comfy seat.

Thanks for the pics Mark. I hadn't seen those. The first two appear to be from the training program in Arizona. The last is of interest and must be the basis for a profile illustration that appeared in the old Aircam B-24 book. The sun motif of the Chinese insignia looks to have been hastily painted off-center in the roundel, something the profile does not show.

August

Your welcome August, when you have some extra time take a look through this collection. There are more to be found here. Hope this helps.

Mark

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchi ... 838352887/

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Zero Surprise!!...

That serial 44-42452 was familiar; Googled it and sure enough it was an F-7, probably from the 2nd Photo squadron out of Puerto Princesa:

http://www.b24bestweb.com/f7-452.htm

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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)

I wonder how many of the 17's and 24's are sitting in jungles in south america... Not from crashes, but just abandoned...

And here's a good example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d2rrtXJ4vA

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My racing will fund my warbirding. Hopefully...

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