Warbird Information Exchange

I should know this, but...

What was the Columbus NAA factory used for in the war?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Another Thunderbolt located at NAS Columbus at some point.


P-47N Thunderbolt (serial number 44-88613)


P-47N Thunderbolt (serial number 44-88613)

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Zero Surprise!!...

One of the Curtiss SC-1 Seahawks.


One of the FAA Corsairs at NAS Columbus

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Zero Surprise!!...

And since I only saw a small glimpse of a Hellcat. I better post a few here.


VF-695, attached to NAS Columbus, OH, flies F6Fs over Miami, FL 1952


VF-695, attached to NAS Columbus, OH, flies F6Fs over Miami, FL 1952

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Zero Surprise!!...

Gnarly PBY with rather unusual engines...?

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Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

PIC, Ford 6600 pulling Rhino batwing up and down the runway

I think those are spark arrestors for night ops? Some of the Catalinas destroyed in Tora! Tora! Tora! have them, along with the eyeball turret.

Is there any way to ID this one as a -5A or a -6A? The photographer obscured the vertical stabilizer. If it's a -6A could the 002 be the last three of the BuNo? If so, that could be the one Earl Reinert had (64002/N331RS).

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

It's my pleasure Mark, I'm awfully glad you took up this challenge to gather them all together and I congratulate you once again on the positive ID of the base (it was stumping us for a while)!

I am really stoked about building my PV-1 as "Boston Blackie" now... I don't think I've ever seen a stateside PV-1 with the rocket rails previously. Some really, really good stuff in there, but I want to smack whomever framed that B-29 shot... seriously, who positions a tree to perfectly obscure the tail? Jackwad!

Cheers,

Lynn

Geez, those are amazing! My heart reacts to all those pics, such great creatures they were and how few survived. Thank Mark.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

The B-29 named "FI" is a hoot. Also loved seeing a new shot of a Boeing 307.

To: JohnB (RE: your entry of 04/14)

During WWII the factory site at Columbus, OH was that of the Curtiss Aircraft Co. The new Columbus site was dedicated on 04 December 1941 with the transfer of the production of the SO3C Seagull from Buffalo NY. The factory was soon set up for the volume production of the SB2C Helldiver and later the SC Seahawk. That accounts for the scads of the factory fresh Helldivers and occasional Seahawks in the background photos. The factory no doubt went dormant after V-J day and NAA did not pick up its usage until well after that date. IIRC, I believe that NAA initially produced the FJ Fury there for the USN. There "may" have been T-28 production there too (???).

JohnV

www.fuselagecodes.com

T-28C's were built at Columbus.

The Curtis SC-1 Seahawk sure has a tiny prop for the massive engine cowl

Almost in the same place as this fine aircraft...

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999