Warbird Information Exchange

For some reason today's date has some sort of meaning, who knows ...
Here's a nice bit of reading for those interested with additional photos.
http://timothyblotz.com/2012/04/13/the- ... old-story/


"Two of Doolittle’s B-25′s awaiting the installation of extra fuel tanks at the Mid-Continent Airlines hangar in January 1942. This is a critical photo for two reasons. First, the tail number of the right aircraft matches the manifest of Doolittle’s after action report on the raid on Tokyo. Second, the aircraft is clearly guarded by two armed sentries which speaks to the secrecy and security concerns of the fuel tank modifications." (Courtesy: Tom Norrbohm)


"B-25 #2242 at Wold-Chamberlin Field. This B-25 was flown by Capt. Ed York and was the 8th plane to launch from the deck of the USS Hornet and the only plane to survive the raid on Tokyo. Capt. York safely landed this aircraft a Russian airfield about 40 miles north of Vladivostok." (Courtesy: Tom Norrbohm)


"One of Doolittle’s B-25B Bombers at the Mid-Continent Airlines Hangar in Minneapolis during the winter of 1942." (Courtesy: NWA History Centre)


"One of Doolittle’s B-25′s at Wold-Chamberlin Field in Minneapolis. This picture is significant for two reasons. First, it is taken inside the security zone, perhaps by a contractor. Second, is the presence of an armed sentry. The sentry provides importance to the secrecy of the modifications being conducted on the B-25′s." (Courtesy: Tom Norrbohm)


"Another view of the one of Doolittle’s B-25′s at the Mid-Continent Airlines Hangar in Minneapolis – 1942" (Courtesy: NWA History Centre)


"B-25′s at Mid-Continent Airlines Hangar in Minneapolis." (Courtesy: NWA History Centre)


"B-25′s of the 17th Bombardment Group at the Mid-Continent Airlines hangar in Minneapolis as they were being retrofitted with extra fuel tanks for the raid on Tokyo. The picture is signed by four crew members of the mission. These signatures were most likely obtained well after the Doolittle raid by evidence of the fact that David Davenport signed his rank as Colonel. Davenport would have been a lieutenant during the mission." (Picture Courtesy: NWA History Centre)

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Fascinating stuff. Thanks for posting! I'd still like to do a 1/144th diorama of the Hornet.

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Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Today's date is also important for not only the Doolittle raid but also Ernie Pyle's death as well.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Pyle

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Don't forget the Yamamoto interception exactly one year after Doolittle. Amazing how much the tide turned in just a few months.

SN

Fascinating stuff. I feel bad for those sentries...that must have been COLD duty!

Even though it was pure coincidence, I guess it was good karma that April 18th was chosen as the date for the first post-restoration flight of the CAF's National Capital Squadron Avenger in Hagerstown, MD today.

Love this painting




Bob Hoover tells a great story in his book about Thomas Lanphier insulting the head of a Japanese military delegation in the U.S. to buy fighters during the late 1950's. Lanphier was working for Convair then and told the head of the Japanese military delegation (I believe he was a general) that he could not toast him while they were at a party for the Japanese delegation. The head of the of the Japanese delegation told him that was ok, that he understood. But the head of the Japanese delegation said he wanted to thank him although. The general told Lanphier if it wasn't for him (shooting down Yamamato), he wouldn't have gotten promototed!

Back to the Doolittle B-25's for a moment,

Does anyone have any information on one of the Wright Field test pilots Lt Carter Clayton PORTER?

I believe he was one of the pilots who tested/evaluated the B25 for the feasibility of a short carrier take-off.

Thanks

Barry

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Not sure about Lt Carter Clayton PORTER but Miller below had a hand in carrier operations.

Photograph of Lieutenant (junior grade) Henry L. Miller during his flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida. A flight instructor when the United States entered World War II, Miller was the officer chosen to train the Doolittle Raiders in carrier take-offs prior to their famous bombing mission against Japan launched from the carrier Hornert (CV in April 1942.
Miller Graduated from the Naval Academy in 1934 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1938. Served as a flight instructor at NAS Pensacola in early 1942 and was assigned to Eglin Field Florida to teach a group of Army Air Force pilots how to take off from a aircraft carrier. Taught Doolittle short field take offs. Flew with Col. Doolittle to the west coast and accompanied the crews aboard the Hornet. In April 1942 helped launch the 16 B-25's on their way to bomb Japan. Promoted to Read Admiral in 1960. Retired in 1971.

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... and speaking of Doolittle and P-38's ...


LGEN James H. Doolittle in the cockpit of P-38H 42-66972, somewhere in England after returning from the Mediterranean to take command of the 8th AF.


Lt. General James H. Doolittle, Commanding General Of The U.S. 8Th Air Force In England, Gets The Feel Of This Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter Plane Just Before He Takes Off On A Short Flight. 23 March 1944

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Thomas Lanphier claimed he shot down Yamamoto, but Rex Barber really did it.

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Quite the legal battle in the courts by Barber well after the war to get credited with the Yamamoto shoot down.

Carter Porter was my father! He passed away in 1993, but my family has plenty of information about him.

Does anyone know if that Hangar at KMSP still stands. The closest I can find is the Zantop hangar.

Thanks,

Jim

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Jim, I've read that the structure still stands and serves as the main hangar for the 934th Airlift Wing.

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