SNJ-3 Photos and Rear Gunner T-6/SNJ details- Multiple Bases

[51fixer]

You folks have been a great resource on my previous request so I have a new one.
I'm looking for Pensacola SNJ-3 Photos from early 1942 to mid 1942.
I'm also interested in detail pics of the rear gun install in use/flight.
Thanks

Last edited by 51fixer on Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnTerrell]

Although a poor scan, I have always liked this image, taken at Pensacola, in I believe sometime in 1942 - i.e., no meatballs in the stars. This image is featured in an old coffee-table book that I've had for many years, and I would love to find a high-resolution copy of the original image. I've always liked the look of "99", the example closest to the camera, with polished aluminum, glossy blue cowl and tail, and non-symmetrical wings - always thought this would be a cool way to finish an SNJ if I were to ever come into owning one.

[51fixer]

Although a poor scan, I have always liked this image, taken at Pensacola, in I believe sometime in 1942 - i.e., no meatballs in the stars. This image is featured in an old coffee-table book that I've had for many years, and I would love to find a high-resolution copy of the original image. I've always liked the look of "99", the example closest to the camera, with polished aluminum, glossy blue cowl and tail, and non-symmetrical wings - always thought this would be a cool way to finish an SNJ if I were to ever come into owning one.

#99 and #94 seem to suffer from the dreaded L/H Wing Solid Yellow Fever Syndrome.
My bet is the wings had to get changed due to Loss of Directional Control in the roll out down the runway.

[Lynn Allen]

#99 looks the best but yes,the yeller wing needs to go...

[Stoney]

Looks like 94 has a yellow wing too, must a unit marking.

[51fixer]

My best guess is that prior to WWII and probably just after the Pcola SNJ's were solid yellow wings from the wing walk to the tip. I have a 3 ship color photo from Pcola in a book here. Red dot in the wing stars, red bands on the wings, red tail and fus band. I believe Red cowling as well.
The spares they had might have been painted solid yellow so when a wing change due to a ground loop occurred these solid yellow wings were used. L/H wings get the dings.
Anyway, its my story and I'm sticking to it.
They probably had many changes in markings during the 42 -43 time period so there would be a mixture of markings.

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

I thought that the Yellow was used to ID the plane as a trainer so others would keep their distance?

[51fixer]

I thought that the Yellow was used to ID the plane as a trainer so others would keep their distance?

Paint schemes started out pretty colorful at the start of the war carried over from pre-war times.

As time progressed schemes toned down and by the wars end most seemed to be basic bare metal.
SNJ-3 1942-



SNJ-5C on the Sable-

Post War in a GA Blimp Hangar-


Some of the colors denote bases, squadrons, Instrument trainers, Gunnery, ect.
Post war they seemed to go back to Bright Yellow.

[sdennison]

I thought that the Yellow was used to ID the plane as a trainer so others would keep their distance?

Paint schemes started out pretty colorful at the start of the war carried over from pre-war times.

As time progressed schemes toned down and by the wars end most seemed to be basic bare metal.
SNJ-3 1942-



SNJ-5C on the Sable-

Post War in a GA Blimp Hangar-


Some of the colors denote bases, squadrons, Instrument trainers, Gunnery, ect.
Post war they seemed to go back to Bright Yellow.

Not enough or too much booze but what is the config of all the aircraft on the left side of this photo? It's like one of those photos that when you stare at it long enough, they all turn to fish turning to birds. Wings folded, understood but what are they?

[Trey Carroll]

I was thinking the same, are they a bunch of T-6's stood
Up on their nose like the picture before last?

[pilot06]

Does anyone know the source for the GA blimp hangar. I've never seen this set of pics before. Almost looks as if they are in a state of preservation.

Patrick

[sdennison]

I was thinking the same, are they a bunch of T-6's stood
Up on their nose like the picture before last?

Ding, I was looking too hard for folded wings. No wings about. Good call Trey, thanks.

[snj-5]

Glynco Naval Air Station (near Brunswick, Georgia). Many aircraft were stored at this ex-blimp base. Many of these aircraft were brought out of storage for the Korean War. My SNJ-5 (BuNo 91077) was stored @ Glynco from 1947 - 1948 (it may well be in that picture buried amongst the hundreds of SNJs there!).

Bela P. Havasreti

[tom d. friedman]

i don't think the the t-6 was gunned up for actual combat until the korean war where they were dubbed as "mosquitoes" for fac missions. i'm sure the t-6 had a rear machine gun prior to ww 2 for gunnery training specifically. in korea they were moderately armed with guns, rockets & what not. i've heard numerous accounts of forward air control missions in korea but not ww 2. i've read there were some hairy missions in korea where they were flying low, taking small arms fire etc, while calling in bomb strikes, spotting for shelling for naval ship artillery, etc, in support of ground troops. i'm sure somebody on the board will scrounge up a a t-6 pic with teeth for combat!!

[51fixer]

I was thinking the same, are they a bunch of T-6's stood
Up on their nose like the picture before last?

Yep.
T-6s stacked like cord wood.