Calling Mark Allen....Pacific A-20s

[Nathan]

Dear Mark,

I have a request, don't feel obligated. But I was wondering if you have any photos of Pacific A-20 Havocs? I've been trying to learn more about Pacific outfits other then P-40 and P-39 groups. But honestly my A-20 Pacific History is a little lacking.

Thanks,
Nate

[Mark Allen M]

Greetings Nathan and Happy Easter to you and your family.

I never feel obligated so not to worry about that, but I'm a student as well and no authority or expert here. I'll see what I can do.

I do know there's a couple of guys who post here that really know their A-20 stuff so hopefully they'll see your request as well and contribute to both of us learning more.

Always fun to learn about these old airplanes isn't it?

In the meantime.


P-38 'Wabitt' 55th FG Officers, McChord Field, WA June 4, 1943

[mike furline]

[Nathan]

Thank you Mark so much!!!! Thanks to all!

Was the predominate model the G model in the Pacific? I've been trying to find sources if any H models saw service in the Pacific. Pacific wrecks only show one H model wreck. Although I know Geneseos A-20 is an H model and that is part of Tallichets collection and recovered from the Pacific I think.

BTW: there is a story of a flight of A-20's flying into a mountain because of bad weather or something. Anyone got any info on that?

[Nathan]

Its seems a lot of Tallichet's collection get turned into static. Im all for static, but with the amount of A-20s and B-26s he recovered I'm sad hardly any have been made airworthy.

[Chris Brame]

Although I know Geneseos A-20 is an H model and that is part of Tallichets collection and recovered from the Pacific I think.

Hi Nathan, my recollection is that the Geneseo A-20H was recovered by MARC from an Central American country where it was either a gate guardian, in a public park or something similar. I think it was recovered in the 70s but others here know a lot more.

That's 44-20, which was recovered from a park in Nicaragua:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a20regis ... 40020.html
At Chino in 1983:

[Mark Allen M]

Nathan here's a couple neat ones.


An A-20 form the 312th BG attacking Marivales Bataan


Neat looking A-20C


This is your A-20H (A-20H "Baby Blitz II" 44-512 of the 13th Bomb Squadron Philippines)

[Mark Allen M]

I've posted these before. 312th BG A-20's doing their thing in the Philippines and Formosa.

























Wekak

[Mark Allen M]

Clark field 7 Jan 1945 (312th Bomb group)


Salomangue, Ilocos Sur 28 Jan 1945 (312th Bomb Group)


USAAF A-20G on a low level bombing run. Calauag,Quezon 16 Jan 1945 (312th bomb group)


312th BG A-20G's Covering Cape Sansapore landing

[Mark Allen M]

And these are fantastic photos that have been around for some time. Still great to look at again.

[Nathan]

Thanks Marks! The Pacific A-20s sure sported some nice markings and nose art!

Too bad there are so few A-20's out there today.

Those photos are amazing and very interesting. I find it interesting how the Japanese aircraft are parked off the field and in brush. Must have been interesting during taxiing.

[Chris Brame]

Were any A-20s flown to Japan when the occupation began? My dad says he saw them but I can only find shots of A-26s there.

[Hemiman]

More of the "Characters"...

Robert Dow, CO 89th Sq



Walter Heyer CO 89th CO



Ed Suor 89th



Rex Rutland 89th



George Maki



H. Monroe 89th



H.D. Fones 89th



John Soloc 89th



Jack Craig



W Fowler 89th



Walter King



R. Vukelic 89th

[Hemiman]

Gents.. Most of the "Characters" were painted by then 89th CO Dow. What little info I have( 3rd Attack Group) is that the early models were phased out before Sept 43'. The G-10's, due to short range didn't last long at all and the turret equipped G-25's started showing up in late Dec 43'-early 44-. H models started arriving shortly before the 3rd moved into the Philippines, along with the 4 test A-26's ( Hollandia). When the Group was based in Okinawa the A-26's were arriving and the Group was almost entirely A-26 equipped when they moved to Atsugi. Here's the names from the previous post that Chris referred to:

"BUB'S BROTHER" 8th Sq . Jim "Two-Gun" Brown

"LAWNMOWER" over Lae- 89th Bill Beck

"Miss Possum, My Texas Girl" 8th Sq Jimmy Downs ( Killed in a landing crash at Nadzab shortly after being released from combat.

"Paddy the Link"/ "Spanish John".. 89th John Fields and Rich Loftus. John inherited the bird after Loftus rotated back and slightly changed to nose art.

"IZZY CHEESCAKE" 89th Elliot Hickham

"JOJO" 89th CO Walter Heyer

"Harry the Horse" 89th Rex Rutland

"Maid in Japan" 89th Fred Klatt

"BIG NIG" 89th Jim Folse

"Hard to Get" 8th Sq CO Ed Shook

"Kentucky Red" 89th Sq Jack Taylor. probably one of the last early versions in the Group. Damaged in a landing accident at Dobodure in the fall 0f 43'

"Patches" 13th Sq CO Dick Walker

"Strawberry Roan" 89th Sq Bill Roan

"Adam Lazonga" 89th but flown by 8th Sq pilot Ed Chudoba.

Chris.. Far, far from an expert.. Lucky to have known a bunch of great guys who gave me some fantastic info and pics. And I would be remiss to not credit them for it!


Bill