B-17D in revetment w/radar - any info?

[Chris Brame]

Spotted this in a large photo lot on eBay - went for more than I wanted to pay. Anyone know when and where this was taken, and isn't that a radar antenna under the wing?

Penny for your thoughts?

[jdvoss]

Chris,

Neat photo indeed. It's hard to say where the photo was taken but given the harsh desert geography I would say California, Nevada or Arizona. Interesting to see a revetment made from local rock. Also noted that the top of the fuselage has what appears to be rough/faded multi-colored camouflage scheme (ex-RAF ?).

JDV
http://www.fuselagecodes.com

[res6kgcr]

Hi all,

I'm with you John, sure looks like California to me. Here is 40-2063 picture at March field in a safety training film in its Hawaiian Air Depot camouflage that I posted earlier.



The Yagi antenna ASV (Air to Surface Vessel) radar (I don't know what set number it is, others may know that) is also a clue.

All the best to you all,

Tom

[Elwyn]

That sure looks like it has a big vertical stab like you would see on a later model. Am I seeing something that isn't there? I'm probably just seeing a shadow under a rock that's just in the right spot.The cockpit side window look correct.

[Jerry O'Neill]

That huge penny probably put the CG WAY out of balance!

[sandiego89]

I propose the photograph was taken at Bellows, Oahu, Hawaii.

Check out these photos of a P-40's at Bellows and the mountains behind. Scroll down and you will see a nearly identical angle of the mountains with a photo with a burned out fuel truck.

http://pacificwarbirds.com/bellows-air-force-base/

[jdvoss]

I believe that SanDiego89 has hit it on the head!! It's Bellows Field, Oahu

[Chris Brame]

Looks like we have a winner on location.
Thanks all - now to ID the plane!

[jdvoss]

In the immediate above posting I neglected to give my source for the P-47 @ Bellows Field which was Paul Freeman's abandoned airfield website (http://www.airfieldsfreeman.com).

Thank you again sandiego89 for the field ID!

http://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/HI/Airf ... tm#bellows


JDV
http://www.fuselagecodes.com

[Nathan]

I have this photo in my collection. maybe its the same D model. This flight was taken after December 7th-Jan 1942.

[sandiego89]

Glad I could be of help. I did a tour on Oahu, and those mountains screamed Hawaii or South Pacific (not western pacific which tends to be much flatter/lower, with volcanic mountains being much more eroded). I also grew up in Southern California, and could not think of any airfield close to a volcanic background like that. I did a quick mental scan of which fields would have such pronounced spires in the near background and Bellows was my first choice, with nearby Kaneohoe second. That side of the island is still green, but drier. Found a match on first google image search of Bellows. Other fields on other parts of the island (Ford, Hickam, Eva, Wheeler....) would have less pronounced, and further away mountains in the background. A fun exercise! I have no idea on the serial number.

-Dave

[HMFischer]

If that P47 is on Bellows it would be pre June 1944. As they went to Saipan from there. Since it has a bare cowling it would be with the 19th FS 318th FG they used letters for a/c id. the 73rd and 333nd used numbers. The 73rd had white bands on cowling, wings, vert and horizontal stabilizers. I think 333rd were yellow bands. My father was there then as a armorer in the 73rd FS 318th FG.

[mike furline]

I believe that SanDiego89 has hit it on the head!! It's Bellows Field, Oahu

This is interesting. New Guinea? https://www.fold3.com/image/48535664/?terms=bellows

[jdvoss]

Mike,

Bellows Army Air Field is located on Oahu, Hawaii. If you review the attached file you will note that there is photo of a Nike Hercules missile battery site (circa 1963) with the same jagged mountain range in the background.

http://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/HI/Airf ... tm#bellows

BTW, I have made two trips to Papua-New Guinea and have never seen any jagged mountain ranges there. That holds true for my three trips to Australia as well.

JDV
http://www.fuselagecodes.com

[mike furline]

Mike,

Bellows Army Air Field is located on Oahu, Hawaii. If you review the attached file you will note that there is photo of a Nike Hercules missile battery site (circa 1963) with the same jagged mountain range in the background.

http://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/HI/Airf ... tm#bellows

BTW, I have made two trips to Papua-New Guinea and have never seen any jagged mountain ranges there. That holds true for my three trips to Australia as well.

JDV
http://www.fuselagecodes.com

Yes, I know. I thought it "interesting" that the original source document (stored at NARA) indicates that it was in New Guinea, that's all.