B-17's and B-24's usage after WW2

[WallyB]

...and of course bombers by India, Republic of China, a few others.

Any idea how many were used by China? I've seen the remains of one (a wing).

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

[k5083]

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

[Mark Allen M]

My type rating says LB-30...it can only be traced back to this airframe. B-24's drop bombs out of a bombay...LB-30's roll them out the cargo door.

jh

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.

[k5083]

Yes please on the Chinese B-24 pics.

August

[Mark Allen M]

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.

[Steve Nelson]

On a related note when were the B-24 and B-17 retired from US service in their intended role? Aug 45? Did they see service in show the flag roles in Europe and Asia after the surrender?

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

[maxum96]

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.

[k5083]

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

[Mark Allen M]

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/

[Chris Brame]

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

[Wildchild]

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