Warbird Information Exchange

USAAF PHOTO

The caption says; Open house at Atlanta Army Airfield, 1945, after VJ-Day. This was located at the old Candler Field, which is now Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

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Excellent photo. Thanks for sharing.

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Looking at window configuration, is that one of the last variants of B-24 to be built?

Seems to be a lack of unit markings or training buzz numbers on the B-24, B-17, B-25, P-51, and P-47. Wonder if those planes might've been near-new? I imagine the Fort gang could run the tail number ....

Ken

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Good eye on the B-24M, Ken. That two piece windshield certainly gives it away. I can't read the serial number on the B-17, but it's a late '44 number, and I'd guess both of those airplanes were pretty close to factory fresh when the photo was taken.

I'm curious about the little airplane that has the huge crowd around and on it. It appears to be a T-6, but why is everyone wanting a look at it when they have a viewing stand on the P-47 next door? I almost convinced myself that the popular machine might be Japanese, but I'd like some help on that one.

Great photo!
Scott

Scott, It did not occur to me at the time I posted this, but I think the airplane in question is this one below. These photos were taken at a museum here in Atlanta, & given to me by a fellow CAF member (I'm sorry I don't remember their name) years ago at an air show. IIRC the airplane was a captured example that was ground looped, & damaged during a display at old NAS Atlanta, & later sold off for scrap. I think the airplane is now in the Paul Allen collection.









Regards
Robbie

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That was where I was headed with my comments, Robbie. I can't tell for absolutely certain from the photo if it is a Zeke or not, but there sure is a crowd around that airplane. I first thought it might be another T-6, but couldn't explain all the interest from the visitors.

Oh, the Fortress is a late Vega airplane. Partial serial number that I can figure out is 44-85?74.

EDIT: I studied Baugher's list, and the only possibility I can come up with for the B-17 is 44-85674, B-17G-100VE. That is, if my eyes aren't decieving me--I can't clean up the numbers enough to confirm it.

Scott

I remember sitting in that Zero several times over the years as a kid. Each time it would be more and more dilapidated and vandalized. The guy that had that "museum" sure had some wild stuff, I remember a french 75 howitzer among other things. Nobody ever believes me when I tell them there used to be a zero sitting behind a building in downtown Atlanta.

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I have several photos of that Zero taken behind the Atlanta Museum (yes, that was the name of it) on Peachtree Street in Atlanta in the early 1980's. They're posted on the "Preserved Axis Aircraft" website. I even had a "father-son" shot showing a Mitsubishi pick-up truck parked next to the Zero, but that print has gone missing.

Walt

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A very crisp version of the Atlanta AAF photo exists on page 23 of Mel Shettle's book "Georgia Army Air Fields of World War II". The s/n of the B-17 is indeed 485674. As far as the crowd clustered on the AT-6 (it is indeed a AT-6) a close examination of the people reveals that they are up facing away from the airplane! I think that there is some air performance about to happen ( or is happening) and they went up there to get a better view. All of the people standing out on the ramp are all facing the toward the air field as well. The photo also reveals many people sitting of the wing of the C-46, on top of the distant fuel truck, and on the nose of the P-47 ...all facing the same direction. Yes, something exciting about to happen!

The gaggle of AT-6's and the sole P-40 are all from Spence Field (fuselage code "SP")

Thanks for clearing up the details, jd! I spent so much time looking at the airplanes that I didn't really look at what the people were doing. I didn't think that was a Zeke.....

Scott

Thanks for the info. Times like that you wish you had a "Time Machine" would have been cool to have been there.

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