Simpson Harbor, Nov 2, 1943

[Lightjug]

Wow!

Round from the Cruiser fired at Patton's plane!!

Fantastic pictures... thank you very much for sharing

12th picture, aircraft "Patton" is circled left... what is circled right and lower?

[Hemiman]

Well, in the 2 years that have passed since I first posted this, many of my 3rd friends have gone west. So, to honor those guys for one last time, it's back to the top..

In 42' ,members of the 8th Sqdn who posed for this pic in front of one of their A-24's didn't realize how real the words on their sign would become... "H*E*L*L, HEAVEN OR HOME BY X-MAS HURRY BOYS KEEP ON FLYING"




Conversion to "Pappy" Gunn's B-25 Strafer, and practice on the "Moresby Wreck" made their name...






The 8th lineup on Nov 2.. The -25 with the A on the tail is 8th CO Ray Wilkins plane, "FIFI"..






Another 8th plane that went to Rabaul. Unfortunately, like Wilkin's plane "FIFI", it never made it out of harbor




Guys, our WW2 friends remaining time on this orb is short. Visit them, call them, do whatever you can to let them know what they did back then will never be forgotten!

[The Inspector]

Can never get enough of the strafer B-25's!! Any more A-24 pix?

[makin' boost]

Great photos, doesn't get any more real than these ...............................

[Dave Homewood]

Those are amazing and sobering photos.

Rabaul was an amazing fortress. I have talked with many New Zealanders who flew both fighters and in bombers to attack Rabaul, and I can only echo your suggestion to get and talk to those guys and hear their stories first hand while they are still with us. It's an experience that shouldn't be missed.

[O.P.]

Couple more pics....
Bill Webster supplied these maps of Rabaul. One he marked to show the paths flown by the 3rd. Pic of Bill in his shorts and Aussie boots by "Sting Of Death" Dad flew between 10- 15 missions with Bill as a gunner

Awesome Awesome thread! Thanks for the pictures! I haven't been around for a long time, but this is one of the reasons WIX is great. I showed my Chinese Wife this picture, out of the blue, and asked her what it said. She said it says "Kill People No Limit". I ran it through babelfish and heres what came up,

English to Japanese,
The Sting Of Death
死の刺し傷

English to Chinese Traditional
Kill People No Limit
殺害人沒有極限

The upside down Y kinda clued me. About the only chinese I can read is, upside down Y and square, that means "People Cave", or "Pedestrian Exit" in Beijing.

I just thought it was interesting. It kinda looks like a Chinese dude wrote it. Or, more likely, I'm full of the ole feke.
Great pictures! Thanks again!

[tom d. friedman]

is it my poor vision, lighting in the old pics?? or are the plexi noses painted over??

[Hemiman]

Tom...

Painted over.. Common to the strafer mod

Bill


8th CO Jimmy Down's



90th Sqdn Bob Chatt's



13th Sqdn



Another 13th Sqdn



90th Sqdn


And 90th CO Jock Henebry and Lee van Atta with Jock's "Notre" Jock led the 3rd on this Mission

[tom d. friedman]

i'm used to seeing solid nose versions, & even in artist profiles i can hardly see the ribbing of the plexi frame......... or i need to see the eye doc again!!

[Hemiman]

I ask for a little understanding. More of my friends have made that last flight west and this is the only way I can show my respect and honor to the v few left.. The computer is getting fewer emails now, and some phone calls bring sorrow. As I said before, keep in touch with them, and let them know their efforts won't be forgotten.. So, one more time for all my friends that flew that day.. Those still here, and those now gone...Photos courtesy of those vets.. Thanks Guys!
Bill

Pappy Gunn and first of his creations that brought fear to our enemy





My good friend Dick Walker giving a briefing at Hollandia, long after his trip across Simpson Harbor.. Dick was credited with sinking one of the heavy transports



and the ship going down

[43-2195]

Bill,
Is Jock Henebry still with us?

[Hemiman]

Jock and Doc Gilmore flew west back in 2007....

http://forum.armyairforces.com/Jock-Hen ... 32437.aspx


http://forum.armyairforces.com/Doc-Gilmore-m134138.aspx

[Hemiman]

[img][quote="The Inspector"]Can never get enough of the strafer B-25's!! Any more A-24 pix?[/quote

I have some A-24 pics but it would probably be better to start another page. Will download a bunch to photoshop later and hopefully post them this coming week.

[SaxMan]

The one question I had about the 3rd was that they were originally equipped with A-20s, but as their numbers were worn down, they were not replaced and the 3rd switched to B-25s, before returning to the A-20s in early 1944 when they became available again. Why was this? Were the A-20s earmarked for Lend Lease before any would be sent to the Pacific?

[Punisher05]

You know, I've opened this thread a number of times over the years and every time I do it stuns me at the perspective it gives on this part of the air war. Thanks much for doing this.

By the way, are there any books on "Pappy" Gunn that anyone would recommend? I can always use more fodder to keep me awake and interested in the deer stand...

-Brandon