Warbird Information Exchange

I placed an updated PB4Y-1 video in color at

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

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

Curtis Block

Yes,

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

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

_________________
Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

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.

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Cheers,

Craig

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

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In Honor and Memory of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 611 "Black Seahorse" 1943-1945
Remembering 1st Lt Doit L Fish, MIA May 30, 1945 in PBJ-1J "MB 11"
Cherry Point - Parris Island - Emirau - Zamboanga

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

_________________
In Honor and Memory of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 611 "Black Seahorse" 1943-1945
Remembering 1st Lt Doit L Fish, MIA May 30, 1945 in PBJ-1J "MB 11"
Cherry Point - Parris Island - Emirau - Zamboanga

Looks like it

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

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

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.

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

I didn't realize they operated in OD.

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