Info needed on this F-82E Twin Mustang Photo

[ACarey]

Anybody have an idea of these general officers are? The aircraft serial is 46-293A and belonged to the 27th FEG. Thanks in advance!

[gary1954]

the man standing in the middle sure looks like the Late Great James Harold Doolittle

[ACarey]

Could one be be LeMay?

[gary1954]

Could one be be LeMay?

I believe you to be correct, the General on the right... I went through a bunch of photos of LeMay for comparison, and found several that have the same profile features.
General Doolittle in the middle, well his features are unmistakable
So I believe 2 outta 3 are identifed, at least I am confident of it.....Buler....Buler

[The Inspector]

27th Fighter Escort Group and their F-82E's went from Kearney AFB in Nebraska to Mc Chord AFB Tacoma WA as escort support for B-29's that were on standby in case the Berlin Air Lift went sour. Installing surplused P-61 drop tanks the 27th did weather missions over the Pacific Northwest until the F-82's were replaced by F-84's then rotated back to Kearney. So those involved in the photo could be from McChord or Kearney AFBs. The Group and the F-84's wound up in Korea during the fun there.

[SaxMan]

the man standing in the middle sure looks like the Late Great James Harold Doolittle

Looks too young and too much hair. Doolittle would have been in his early fifties when this picture was taken.

[gary1954]

the man standing in the middle sure looks like the Late Great James Harold Doolittle

Looks too young and too much hair. Doolittle would have been in his early fifties when this picture was taken.

the ears and nose and smile as well as his stature give him away. Doolittle at age 46 was the oldest man on the Tokyo Raid, and around age 49 when the F-82 made its first flight in 1945.
granted he went on inactive reserve status and went back to Shell Oil in May 1946 and in 1951 he was appointed a special assistant to the Air Force chief of staff, serving as a civilian in scientific matters which led to Air Force ballistic missile and space programs then retired from Air Force duty Feb. 28, 1959

no, I'm confident that this is Doolittle. The ears and nose and smile as well as his stature give him away man. If I am wrong it won't be the first time. anyone else have any I-Dears?

[Ken]

The dude's hat on the left looks more foreign than US. The dude on the right doesn't have the visor clouds n' darts of a general as well. The dude in the center, all due respect, does not look like JHD.

If the true caption came out and said "Libyan AF personnel inspect newly arrived P-82 on gunnery TDY to Wheelus AB" I wouldn't be shocked.

Ken

[mike furline]

The dude's hat on the left looks more foreign than US. The dude on the right doesn't have the visor clouds n' darts of a general as well. The dude in the center, all due respect, does not look like JHD.

If the true caption came out and said "Libyan AF personnel inspect newly arrived P-82 on gunnery TDY to Wheelus AB" I wouldn't be shocked.

Ken

I have to agree with you. The visor insignia for the man on the left is wrong for a USAF Officer. The insignia is on the cap body, not on the crown as it should be.

Last edited by mike furline on Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

.... Doolittle, Lemay and Richard Todd discussing the making of the movie, "The Dam Busters 2" using P-82's instead of Lancasters.

[ACarey]

Closeup. Maybe two of them (left and center) are Canadian?

[Ken]

So, are you saying that either Doolittle or LeMay was Canadian?

[ACarey]

So, are you saying that either Doolittle or LeMay was Canadian?

I was referring to their uniforms. The one on the left doesn't look USAF. I could be wrong or maybe Doolittle and the unknown were secretly working for the Canadian Government.

[Ken]

Yup, I was funnin' with ya. I also see that no one is wearing ribbons or (at the minimum) AF pilot wings.

Ken

[Cvairwerks]

Looking at the closeup, all three are wearing different style uniforms. Note the pocket and collar designs on the left and right most jackets....definately way different from the one in the middle and different from each other. Another clue is the hats....all three are different designs. Possibly from 3 different countries...