Subject: WWII-L Digest - 8 Apr 1993 to 9 Apr 1993

From: Automatic digest processor <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1993 00:00:41 -0400

There are 12 messages totalling 1107 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. U505
  2. USAAF 8 APR 43
  3. USAAF OA-10's
  4. USAAF 9 APR 43
  5. Lockheed Aircraft
  6. VC-58/VC-5
  7. Ye 'Old Pup
  8. B-17F "Ye 'Old Pup"
  9. USAAF 10 APR 43
 10. USAAF 10 APR 1943
 11. Spruce Goose (2)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 06:15:10 EDT
From:    Lowe Barrett MAJ <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: U505

Mark Coover,

Thanks for telling me the name of the book.  I had read it so long ago that the
title "just plumb evaded me".  I enjoyed it, as well as Dan Gallery's book
Cap'n Fatso. (That one I still have).

Have a good weekend.

Barry

Barrett F. Lowe                    RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
MAJ, IN
Dept of Physics, US Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 07:15:27 -0400
From:    [email-masked]
Subject: USAAF 8 APR 43

COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
THURSDAY, 8 APRIL 1943
FTP SITES
  1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf
  2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in pub/history/military/wwii/usaaf

AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  P-40, Curtiss
  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
  In the Aleutians, The weather airplane scouts Kiska and islands W of it
with negative results.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
     In Burma, 9 B-25's bomb Meiktila Airfield; 6 B-24's attack the
airfield at Heho; and Ft Bayard Airfield is strafed by 9 P-40's. Enemy
stores at Ningam are hit by 4 P-40's and a B-25.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
  In England, 56th and 78th Fighter Groups become operational. Added to the
4th Fighter Group (already operational), this enables VIII Fighter Command
to increase activity and paves the way for its coming role of escorting
bombers on deep penetrations into enemy territory.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
    In Tunisia, P-40's fly 29 bomber escort, armed reconnaissance, and
fighter-bomber missions against retreating column along coast N of Gabes.

  WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
    Weather prevents all Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF)
operations except minimum weather reconnaissance.
    In Tunisia, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) P-40's and
Spitfires fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance over the Faid Pass-Fondouk
el Aouareb-Kairouan-Ousseltia area as the British X Corps attacks Fondouk.
Other fighters fly widespread reconnaissance and sweeps, attacking motor
transport S of Zaghouan. Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) fighters hit
retreating columns in the Cekhira-Sfax area.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
  HQ 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 4 squadrons, the 26th, 42d,
98th and 431st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17E's and F's, transfer
from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands to the Territory of Hawaii.
Group HQ and the 431st go to Hickam Field; the 26th to Bellows Field, the
42d to Kualoa Point; and the 98th to Mokuleia.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
  In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17's and B-24's carry out small harassing
strikes, bombing Ulamoa, Finschhafen, and the airfield at Kavieng.

SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
  Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
  History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
  Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2

Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 07:19:47 -0400
From:    [email-masked]
Subject: USAAF OA-10's

Wilber Williams in Oz asked about the USAAF use of the Consolidated PBY
Catalina during WWII.  A quick research revealed the following:

                      THE CONSOLIDATED OA-10 CATALINA

The OA-10 was the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) version of the Consolidated
PBY Catalina series for air-sea rescue (ASR) operations during World War
II. The "OA" designation indicated Observation, Amphibian; all OA-type
aircraft were redesignated "A" for Amphibian in the revised designation
system introduced in 1948.  Although primarily used for ASR work, a few
OA-10A's were used by the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa as bombers,
with a 2,000 pound load on underwing mounts.  (First time I have heard of
this; does anyone have any information?)  The last A-10 was finally
withdrawn from service in January 1953 when the type was replaced by the
Grumman SA-16 Albatross (redesignated HU-16 in 1962). The OA-10's were
procured in three versions as follows.

OA-10-CO: 56 Consolidated PBY-5A's manufactured in San Diego, California
transferred from the US Navy starting in 1942; another 2 were obtained in
1947.  Survivors were redesignated A-10-CO in 1948.

OA-10A-VI: 230 PBV-1A's (Canadian version of the PBY-5A) built by Canadian
Vickers, Ltd at Cartierville Airport, Montreal, Quebec transferred to the
USAAF.  One, USAAF serial number 44-34054, was temporarily operated by the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. Deliveries were 4
in 4Q43, 28 in 1Q44, 42 in 2Q44, 72 in 3Q44, 59 in 4Q44 and 25 in 1Q45.
(NOTE: On 11 Nov 44, Canadair, Ltd took over production of the OA-10A's and
Canadian Vickers gave up aircraft manufacture.)  The survivors were
redesignated A-10A-VI's in 1948.  Three ex-USN aircraft were acquired in
1949 as A-10A-CO's.

OA-10B-CN: 75 Consolidated PBY-6A's manufactured in New Orleans, Louisiana
transferred to the USAAF.  Survivors became A-10B-CN's in 1948.

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 07:49:11 -0400
From:    [email-masked]
Subject: USAAF 9 APR 43

COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
FRIDAY, 9 APRIL 1943
FTP SITES
  1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf
  2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in
pub/history/military/wwii/usaaf

AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-20, Douglas Havoc
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  B-26, Martin Marauder
  P-40, Curtiss

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
  In the Aleutians, a B-24 flies reconnaissance over Kiska, Attu and the
Semichis.  P-40's fly reconnaissance over Kiska.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
    In Tunisia, P-40's in a fighter-bomber role attack Sfax, as the
British Eighth Army, in pursuit of the retreating enemy, reaches a position
a few miles to the SW of the coast.

  WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
    In Tunisia, fighters continue reconnaissance of the N half of Tunisia
and the Straits of Sicily and hit enemy movement and defenses over wide
areas between Sfax and Enfidaville.
    HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 443d Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) with B-26B's transfer from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu,
Algeria.
    The 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group with P-40F's transfers
from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu, Algeria. The squadron will fly
it's first mission on 17 Apr 43.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
  In New Guinea, B-25's bomb and strafe the airfield and town and dock
areas of Madang.  A-20's hit the Kitchen Creek-Mubo area.  Single B-17's
attack barges at Bogia, Alexishafen and Finschhafen and hit the town of
Wewak.
  In the Admiralities, vehicles at Lorengau on Manus Island are strafed.

SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History,
  Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air
Force
  History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945
by the
  Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN
1-85409-071-2

Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 07:49:16 -0400
From:    [email-masked]
Subject: Lockheed Aircraft

I prepared the following listing for distribution in rec.aviation.military
on usenet and thought some of you might be interested.

                  LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT IN U.S. MILITARY SERVICE

USAAC/USAAF/USAF
----------------

Y1A-9: Projected attack version of the Y1P-24 2-seat fighter. One company-
owned aircraft tested at Wright Field as XA-938 but not purchased

A-28 Hudson: Military version of Model 414-08 Super Electra.
  A-28-LO: 52 lend-leased to RAAF as Hudson Mk IVA's
  A-28A-LO: 450 similar to A-28-LO but with convertible interiors for troop
transport; all to RAF as Hudson Mk VI's.

A-29 Hudson: Military version of Model 414-56 Super Electra
  A-29-LO: 416 intended for the RAF as Hudson Mk IIIA's but 153 were
"drafted" by the USAAF as RA-29-LO's (20 of these to the USN as PBO-1).
  A-29A-LO: 384 with convertible interior for troop transport; all for Lend-
Lease as Hudson Mk IIIA.
  A-29B-LO: 24 "drafted" A-29-LO's converted for photo survey work

AT-18 Hudson: Model 414 trainer version of the A-29
  AT-18-LO: 217 gunnery trainers
  AT-18A-LO: 83 unarmed navigator trainers.

B-30: The XB-30 heavy bomber project was not ordered nor built.

B-34 Lexington: Model 437-27-02 version of the USN PV-1 given USAAF
designation for procurement purposes
  B-34-LO: 200 lend-leased to the RAF as Ventura Mk IIB's; 20 were "drafted"
by USAAF as B-34-VE and redesignated RB-34-VE in Oct 42.
  B-34A-2-VE: 57 bomber trainers; to RB-34A-2-VE in Oct 42
  B-34A-3-VE: 28 gunnery trainers; to RB-34A-3-VE in Oct 42
  B-34A-4-VE: 16 targets tugs; to RB-34A-4-VE in Oct 42
  B-34B-VE: O-56-LO's redesignated in Aug 41; order cancelled
  B-34B-1-VE: 13 navigation trainers; to RB-34B-1-VE in Oct 42

B-37-LO: Model 437-96-03.  Originally, 550 O-56-LO's were ordered; they were
redesignated B-37-LO's in 1942.  Only 18 delivered.

RB-69A-LO: Seven Model 726's.  Five were ordered by the USAF and two were
modified from USN P2V-7 airframes.  Known to USN as P2V-7U; all later
transferred to USN and modified as SP-2H.

C-5 Galaxy
  C-5A-LM: 81 Model 500 transports
  C-5B-LM: 50 Model 500 transports

Y1C-12: One Model DL-1 Vega, msn 158, acquired for evaluation

Y1C-17: One Model DL-1B Speed Vega, msn 159

Y1C-23 Altair: One Model DL-2A Altair, msn 165

Y1C-25 Altair: One Model 8A Altair, msn 153

XC-35: One Model 10-E Electra, msn 3501, used for pressure cabin development
tests

C-36: Communications version of the Model 10 Electra.
  Y1C-36: 3 Model 10-A's purchased by USAAC; to C-36; to UC-36 in Jan 43;
later to Brazil
  C-36A-LO: 15 commercial Model 10-A's "drafted"; to UC-36A in Jan 43
  C-36B-LO: 4 commercial Model 10-E's "drafted"; to UC-36B in Jan 43
  C-36C-LO: 7 commercial Model 10-B's "drafted"; to UC-36C in Jan 43

Y1C-37: One Model 10 Electra, msn 1104, ordered as Y1C-37;  to C-37 and UC-
37 in Jan 43.

C-40: Military version of the Model 12 Electra Junior.
  C-40: 3 Model 12-A's purchased by USAAC; to UC-40 in Jan 43
  C-40A: 10 Model 12-A's purchased by USAAC; to UC-40A in Jan 43
  C-40B: 1 Model 12-A with tricycle landing gear; later used as airborne
radio lab
  UC-40D-LO: 10 commercial Model 12-A's "drafted"

C-56 Lodestar: Military version of Model 18 Lodestar
  C-56-LO: 1 Model 18-50 purchased by USAAC
  C-56A-LO: 1 commercial 18H-07 "drafted"
  C-56B-LO: 13 commercial 18-40's "drafted"
  C-56C-LO: 12 commercial 18-07's "drafted"
  C-56D-LO: 7 commercial 18-08's "drafted"
  C-56E-LO: 2 commercial 18-40's "drafted"

C-57 Lodestar: Commercial Model 18 Lodestars with Twin Wasp engines.
  C-57-LO: 13 commercial Model 18-14's "drafted"
  C-57B-LO: 7 commercial Model 18-08's "drafted"
  C-57C-LO: 3 C-60A-LO's re-engined with R-1830-43's
  C-57D-LO: 1 C-57C-LO re-engined with R-1830-92's.

C-59 Lodestar: Ten Model 18-07's ordered as C-59-LO's and transferred to RAF
as Lodestar Mk IA's.

C-60 Lodestar: Model 18-56
  C-60-LO: 36 with seats for 14 troops; 16 to the RAF as Lodestar Mk II
  C-60A-LO: 325 similar to C-60 but accommodated 18 paratroops; survivors
became ZC-60A-LO's in 1948.

C-63-LO Hudson: Original designation for the A-29A-LO.

C-66-LO Lodestar: One Model 18-10 Lodestar, msn 18-2148, acquired and
transferred to Brazil.

C-69 Constellation: Model 049
  C-69-LO: 22 Model 049-46-10's ordered by Pan Am and TWA and "drafted" by
USAAF
  C-69A-LO: projected versions never built
  C-69B-LO: projected versions never built
  C-69C-1-LO: 1 C-69-LO was converted with VIP interior; redesignated ZC-
69C-1-LO in 1948
  C-69D-LO: projected version never built
  XC-69E-LO: 1 C-69-LO converted

UC-85-LO: 1 commercial Orion 9D-2, msn 208, "drafted" in 1942; served until
Sep 44.

UC-101-LO: 1 commercial Vega 5C, msn 210, drafted in 1942; served until Aug
44.

C-104: Twin-engine transport project cancelled.

UC-111-LO: 3 commercial 14-WF62 Super Electras of KNILM "drafted" in
Australia in Mar 45

C-121 Constellation
  C-121A-LO: 9 749-79-39 cargo/passenger transports
  VC-121A-LO: 3 C-121A-LO's converted as Presidential aircraft
  VC-121B-LO: 1 749-79-38 VIP transport; 3 C-121A-LO's and 3 VC-121A-LO's
also converted
  C-121C-LO: 33 1049F-55, -75 or -96 long-range transports
  EC-121C-LO: RC-121C-LO redesignated in 1962
  JC-121C-LO: 2 C-121C-LO's as electronic flying test beds; also 1 RC-121C-
LO used for systems testing
  RC-121C-LO: 10 1049B-55-84's AEW aircraft; to EC-121C-LO in 1962; 1 to C-
121C-LO
  TC-121C-LO: 9 RC-121C-LO's for AEW training; redesignated RC-121C-LO
  VC-121C-LO: 4 C-121C-LO's converted to VIP transports
  EC-121D-LO: RC-121D-LO's redesignated in 1962
  RC-121D-LO: 72 1049A-55-86 AEW aircraft; to EC-121D-LO in 1962; 1 C-121C-
LO to RC-121D-LO
  VC-121E-LO: 1 1049B-55-97 for Presidential use
  YC-121F-LO: 2 1249A-94-75 with turbo-props from USN (R7V-2)
  C-121G-LO: 33 USN R7V-1's transferred to USAF
  TC-121G-LO: 4 C-121G-LO's converted as crew trainer
  VC-121G-LO: 1 C-121G-LO converted to VIP transport
  EC-121H-LO: 42 RC-121D and EC-121K aircraft for SAGE
  EC-121J-LO: 2 EC-121D-LO's converted with extra gear
  EC-121Q-LO: 4 EC-121D's modified for AWACS development
  EC-121R-LO: 30 ex USN EC-121K/EC-121P's as flying relay stations in
Vietnam
  EC-121S-LO: 5 C-121C-LO converted for tactical ECM
  EC-121T-LO: 23 EC-121D-LO's with computerized AEW equipment

C-130 Hercules
  YC-130-LO: 2 Model 082-44-01 prototypes
  NC-130-LO: 1 YC-130 modified
  C-130A-LM: 204 Model 182-44-03 transports; 14 more converted from RC-130A
  AC-130A-LM: 18 C-130A's modified as gunships
  DC-130A-LM: 8 C-130A's modified as drone directors
  NC-130A-LM: 5 C-130A's modified for tests
  RC-130A-LM: 15 photo recon aircraft plus 1 modified from TC-130A; 14 to C-
130A
  TC-130A-LM: 1 trainer modified from C-130A; to RC-130A
  WC-130A-LM: 3 weather recon aircraft modified from C-130A's; back to C-
130A's in 1970
  C-130B-LM: 156 Model 282 transports + 5 modified WC-130B's
  C-130BLC-LM: 1 modified C-130B for boundary layer tests
  NC-130B-LM: 2 C-130B's modified for tests
  RC-130B-LM: 13 electronic recon aircraft modified from C-130B's; modified
back to C-130B's
  VC-130B-LM: 1 VIP aircraft modified from C-130B
  WC-130B-LM: 5 Model 282 weather recon aircraft + 12 modified from C-
130B's; 16 modified to C-130B
  C-130D-LM: 9 modified C-130A's plus 12 Model 182 ski-equipped for Arctic
operations
  C-130E-LM: 486 Model 382 transports
  AC-130E-LM: 11 modified C-130E gunships; modified to AC-130H in 1973
  DC-130E-LM: 7 drone & RPV launchers modified from C-130E's
  EC-130E-LM: 1 Model 382 aircraft for Loran calibration plus 10 ABCCC
aircraft modified from C-130E's
  EC-130E-LM(CL): 5 C-130E's modified fro electronic recon
  EC-130E-LM(RR): 4 C-130E's modified for electronic warfare
  MC-130E-LM: 18 C-130E's modified for electronic recon
  MC-130E-C-LM: 10 C-130E's modified for Special Forces
  MC-130E-S-LM: 1 C-130E modified for Special Forces
  MC-130E-Y-LM: 4 C-130E's and the MC-130E-S-LM modified for Special Forces
  NC-130E-LM: 2 C-130E's modified for tests
  WC-130E-LM: 6 C-130E's modified for weather recon
  C-130H-LM: 142 Model 382C transports + 13 converted HC/VC-130H's and C-
130E
  AC-130H-LM: 11 AC-130E's modified in 1973
  DC-130H-LM: 2 modified HC-130H's for drone and RPV launching
  EC-130H-LM: 8 EC-130E's modified for ABCCC + 16 for ECM
  HC-130H-LM: 43 Model 382C ASR aircraft
  HC-130H(N)-LM: 2 Model 382C ASR aircraft for ANG
  LC-130H-LM: 4 Model 382C ski-equipped transports
  YMC-130H-LM: 1 C-130H modified for STOL tests
  MC-130H-LM: 24 Model 382C electronic warfare aircraft
  NC-130H-LM: 1 HC-130H modified for tests
  WC-130H-LM: 15 C-130H and HC-130H's modified for weather recon
  HC-130N-LM: 15 Model 382C ASR aircraft
  HC-130P-LM: 20 Model 382C ASR and helicopter tankers + 13 modified from
HC-130H's
  RC-130S-LM: 2 RC-130A's modified with searchlight pods
  AC-130U-LM: 12 Model 382C gunships

C-140 JetStar: Military version of Model 1329
  C-140A-LM: 6 similar to civil JetStar 6 as navaid calibration aircraft
  C-140B-LM: 5 utility transports
  VC-140B-LM: 6 aircraft as VIP transports plus 1 C-140B modified

C-141 StarLifter
  C-141A-LM: 284 Model 300 transports
  NC-141A-LM: 1 C-141A modified for testing
  YC-141B-LM: 1 C-141A modified as prototype for C-141B.  Redesignated C-
141B-LM
  C-141B-LM: 270 C-141A's modified with lengthened fuselage and refueling
capability

F-4, Lightning:  Model 222 photo recon version of P-38E and P-38F
  F-4-LO: 99 222-62-13's based on the P-38E; to RF-4-LO in 1943
  F-4A-LO: 20 222-60-13's based on the P-38F; to RF-4A-LO in 1943

F-5, Lightning: Photo recon version of P-38G/H/J/L
  F-5A-LO: 181 222-62-16 and 222-68-16's based on P-38G
  F-5B-LO: 200 422-81-21's based on P-38J; 4 to USN as FO-1
  F-5C-LO: 123 422-81-20 conversions of P-38H
  XF-5D-LO: 1 222-68-16 F-5A converted with plexiglass nose
  F-5E-LO: 705 P-38J's and P-38L's converted
  F-5F-LO: 422-87-23 conversions
  F-5G-LO: 422-87-23 conversions of P-38L

F-12: interceptor version of A-12
  YF-12A-LO: 3 prototypes
  YF-12C-LO: second SR-71A redesignated

F-14, Shooting Star: 1 YP-80A modified with cameras; to XFP-80. Used as FP-
80A (RF-80A) prototype.

YF-22A: ATF built with Boeing and General Dynamics. 13 ordered.

F-38, Lightning: P-38's redesignated in 1948

F-80, Shooting Star
  F-80A-LO: P-80A redesignated in 1948
  DF-80A-LO: Few F-80's converted as drone directors
  QF-80A-LO: F-80A's converted to radio-controlled targets
  RF-80A-LO: FP-80A redesignated in 1948
  F-80B-LO: P-80B-LO's redesignated in 1948
  F-80C-LO: P-80C-LO's redesignated in 1948
  NF-80C-LO: 1 F-80C to test aircraft
  QF-80C-LO: F-80C's converted to radio-controlled targets
  RF-80C-LO: FP-80C's redesignated in 1948
  TF-80C-LO: TP-80C redesignated in 1948; to T-33

XF-90-LO: XP-90's redesignated in 1948

F-94 Starfire: Model 780 (F-94A/B) and 880 (F-94C) fighter-interceptor
  YF-94-LO: 2 TF-80C's converted
  F-94A-LO: 110 production aircraft
  YF-94B-LO: 1 F-94A converted as F-94B prototype
  F-94B-LO: 357 production aircraft
  YF-94C-LO: Ex YF-97A-LO; 2 F-94B's converted as F-94C prototypes
  F-94C-LO: Ex F-97A-LO; 387 production aircraft
  YF-94D-LO: 1 support fighter version of F-94C
  F-94D-LO: 112 F-94D's (Model 980-75-14) ordered but cancelled before built

F-97 Starfire: Original designation of F-94C
  YF-97A-LO: Delivered as YF-94C
  F-97A-LO: Delivered as F-94C

F-104, Starfighter: Interceptor fighter and fighter-bomber
  XF-104-LO: 2 Model 083-92-01 prototypes
  YF-104A-LO: 17 Model 183-93-02 service test aircraft; later to F-104A
  F-104A-LO: 153 Model 183-92-02 production aircraft
  NF-104A-LO: 3 F-104A's as high-altitude trainers
  QF-104A-LO: 24 target drone conversions of F-104A
  RF-104A-LO: 18 Model 383-93-04 photo recon versions of F-104A cancelled
  F-104B-LO: 26 Model 283-93-03 2-seat trainer version of F-104A
  F-104C-LO: 77 Model 483-04-05 production aircraft
  F-104D-LO: 21 Model 383-04-06 2-seat trainer version of F-104C
  F-104DJ: 20 assembled by Mitsubishi for Japanese ASDF
  F-104F-LO: 30 Model 483-04-08 similar to F-104D for Luftwaffe
  F-104G-LO: 1,127 Model 683-10-19 all-weather fighter-bombers built by
Lockheed, Messerschmidtt, Fokker, SABCA and Canadair
  RF-104G-LO: 189 Model 683-04-10 photo recon version of F-104G built by
Lockheed, Fiat and Fokker
  TF-104G-LO: 70 Model 583-10-20 2-seat version of F-104G
  F-104J: 210 Model 683-07-14 interceptor version of F-104G for Japanese
ASDF.  Lockheed built 3; Mitsubishi assembled 29 for Lockheed-supplied
parts; and Mitsubishi built 177.
  F-104S: 246 Fiat all-weather interceptor.  Prototype was a converted F-
104G.

F-117A: 56 Stealth fighters built

XFM-2: Projected fighter superseded by P-38

XH-51A-LO Aerogyro: 2 high-performance research chopper for Army/Navy
evaluation

YAH-56A-LO Cheyenne: 10 test aircraft built but project cancelled

O-56: 550 Model 437 observation version of B-34 ordered; 18 delivered as B-
37's

P-38 Lightning: Model 22 twin-engine fighter
  XP-38-LO: 1 Model 22-64-01 prototype
  YP-38-LO: 13 Model 122-62-02 service test aircraft
  P-38-LO: 30 Model 222-62-02 production aircraft; to RP-38-LO in 1942
  XP-38A-LO: Model 622-62-10; 1 P-38 converted
  P-38D-LO: 36 Model 222-62-08 production aircraft; to RP-38D in 1942
  P-38E-LO: 210 Model 222-62-09 production aircraft; to RP-38E in 1943
  P-38F-LO: 527 Model 222-60-09, -15, -12 and 322-60-19 production aircraft
  P-38G-LO: 1,082 Model 222-68-12 and 322-68-19 production aircraft
  P-38H-LO: 601 Model 222-81-20 production aircraft; 128 to F-5C
  P-38J-LO: 2,970 Model 422-81-14, -22, & -23 production aircraft
  XP-38K-LO: 1 P-38E converted
  P-38K-LO: 1 Model 422-85-22 test aircraft
  P-38L-LO & -VN: 3,810 -LO's and 113 -VN Model 422-87-23 production
aircraft
  TP-38L-LO: 2 P-38L's converted as trainers
  P-38M-LO: 50+ P-38L's converted as night fighters

XP-49-LO: 1 Model 522 prototype

XP-58-LO Chain Lighting: 1 prototype

P-80 Shooting Star: jet fighter
  XP-80-LO: 1 prototype
  XFP-80-LO: XF-14-LO redesignated in 1948
  XP-80A-LO: 2 prototypes
  YP-80A-LO: 13 service test aircraft; 1 to XF-14
  XFP-80A-LO: 1 P-80A converted as recon prototype
  P-80A-LO: 563 production aircraft; to F-80A in 1948
  FP-80A-LO: 38 P-80A's converted for photo recon
  XP-80B-LO: 1 P-80A converted as prototype; later to XP-80R-LO
  P-80B-LO: 240 production aircraft; to F-80B in 1948
  P-80C-LO: 798 production aircraft; to F-80C in 1948
  FP-80C-LO: Number of P-80C's converted for photo recon; to RF-80C in 1948
  TP-80C-LO: 1 P-80C converted to T-33 prototype; to TF-80C in 1948
  P-80R-LO: Racer version for cross-country speed run

SR-71 Blackbird
  SR-71A: production aircraft
  SR-71B: 2-seat trainer

T-33: 2-seat trainer version of F-80C
  T-33A-LO: originally TF-80C; 5,871 production aircraft
  AT-33A-LO: armed conversion of T-33A
  DT-33A-LO: drone director conversion of T-33A
  RT-33A-LO: 85 photo recon production aircraft

T-40 JetStar: projected crew trainer version of C-140 not ordered

TR-1: high altitude recon aircraft
  TR-1A: 25 production aircraft redesignated U-2R
  TR-1B: 2 production trainers redesignated U-2RT

U-2: spy plane
  U-2A-LO: 48 production aircraft
  WU-2A-LO: at least 2 weather recon conversions of U-2A
  U-2B-LO: at least 5 production aircraft
  U-2C-LO: at least 2 production aircraft
  U-2CT-LO: at least 1 U-2C and 1 WU-2D converted to trainers
  U-2D-LO: 5 production aircraft and at least 3 U-2B's converted
  WU-2D-LO: At least 3 U-2D's weather recon conversions
  U-2R-LO: 19 production aircraft + 25 TR-1A's redesignated
  U-2RT-LO: 1 production trainer + 2 TR-1B's redesignated

V-4-LO Hummingbird: jet-lift research aircraft
  XV-4A-LO: VZ-10-LO redesignated; 2 prototypes
  XV-4B-LO: 1 XV-4A converted

VZ-10 Hummingbird: redesignated V-4

X-7A-LD: 61 high-altitude unmanned ramjet test beds

X-17-LD: 26 3-stage test vehicle

X-27 Lancer: Model CL-1200-2 low-cost development of F-104G cancelled

U.S. NAVY/U.S. COAST GUARD
--------------------------
C-121 Constellation
  C-121J: R7V-1 redesignated in 1962; also 1 USAF C-121G-LO transferred to
USN
  EC-121K: WV-2 redesignated in 1962
  EC-121L: WV-2E redesignated in 1962
  EC-121M: WV-2Q redesignated in 1962
  WC-121N: WV-3 redesignated in 1962
  EC-121P: Number of EC-121K's with updated ASW equipment

C-130 Hercules for USN and USCG
  C-130BL: 4 Model 282 ski-equipped transports; to LC-130F in 1962
  SC-130B: R8V-1G redesignated before delivery
  C-130F: GV-1U redesignated in 1962
  KC-130F: GV-1 redesignated in 1962
  LC-130F: C-130BL redesignated in 1962
  C-130G: 4 Model 382 transports
  EC-130G: C-130G's modified for TACAMO
  HC-130G: SC-130B redesignated in 1962
  HC-130H: 25 Model 382C ASR aircraft + 7 transports for USCG
  EC-130Q: 18 Model 382C VLF communications aircraft
  TC-130Q: 1 EC-130Q modified as trainer
  KC-130R: 14 Model 382C tankers for USMC
  LC-130R: 7 Model 382C ski-equipped tankers
  C-130T: 2 Model 382C transports
  KC-130T: 18 Model 382C tankers for USMC

C-140C JetStar: UV-1's redesignated in 1962. Order for 2 cancelled.

XFO-1 Lightning: 4 USAAF F-5B-LO's temporarily loaned to USN

XFO-1 Salmon: redesignated XFV-1

XFV-1 Salmon: 1 XFO-1 VTOL fighter redesignated

GV Hercules
  GV-1: 46 Model 282 tankers for USMC; to KC-130F in 1962
  GV-1U: 7 Model 282 transports; to C-130F in 1962

JO: Model 12-A Electra Junior
  JO-1: 1 12-A for use by Naval Attache in Brazil
  JO-2: 5 production aircraft; 3 to USMC
  XJO-3: 1 prototype with tricycle landing gear

P-2 Neptune: P2V redesignated in 1962
  P-2D: ex P2V-4
  P-2E: ex P2V-5P
  AP-2E: ex USN P-2E's used by US Army in 'Nam
  DP-2E: ex P2V-5FD
  EP-2E: ex P2V-5FE
  NP-2E: 1 P-2E for tests
  OP-2E: few P-2E's used for surveillance in 'Nam
  SP-2E: ex P2V-5FS
  P-2F: ex P2V-6
  MP-2F: ex P2V-6M
  TP-2F: ex P2V-6T
  P-2G: ex P2V-6F
  YP-2H: ex YP2V-7
  P-2H: ex P2V-7
  AP-2H: few P-2H's converted for special duties in Nam
  DP-2H: at least 2 drone director conversions of P-2H
  NP-2H: 1 P-2H for tests
  SP-2H: ex P2V-7S
  LP-2J: ex P2V-7LP

P-3 Orion: Model 186
  YP-3A: ex YP3V-1
  P-3A: ex P3V-1
  EP-3A: 1 modified P-3A operated by NATC
  NP-3A: YP-3A used as P-3 system test aircraft
  RP-3A: 2 P-3A's modified for oceanographic recon
  VP-3A: 3 WP-3A's converted as VIP transports
  WP-3A; 4 P-3A's converted for weather recon
  P-3B: 125 production aircraft
  EP-3B: 2 P-3B's for electronic surveillance; to EP-3E
  YP-3C: P-3B modified as P-3C prototype
  P-3C: 233 production aircraft
  RP-3D: 1 P-3C converted to survey aircraft
  WP-3D: 2 P-3C's converted for weather recon
  EP-3E: at least 10 P-3A's + 2 EP-3B's modified as electronic aircraft

P-7A: supposedly a replacement for the P-3 Orion

PBO-1 Hudson: 20 RAF Hudson IIIA's "drafted" by USN

PO Warning Star: Model 749A and 1049A
  PO-1W: 2 Model 749A-79-43; redesignated WV-1 in 1950
  PO-2W: 12 Model 1049A; redesignated WV-2 in 1950

PV Ventura and Harpoon: Model 37; USN version of USAAF B-34
  PV-1 Ventura: 1600 Model 237-27-01 production aircraft; 388 to RAF as
Ventura GR I
  PV-1P Ventura: PV-1's modified with cameras
  PV-2 Harpoon: 470 Model 15-27-01 production aircraft
  PV-2C Harpoon: 30 production aircraft for conversion training
  PV-2D Harpoon: 35 production aircraft
  PV-2T Harpoon: PV-2 & -2D's converted as trainers
  PV-3 Ventura: 27 RAF Ventura II's "drafted" by USN

P2V Neptune: Model 26 patrol bomber
  XP2V-1: 2 Model 026-49-01 prototypes
  P2V-1: 15 Model 026-49-01 production aircraft
  XP2V-2: 1 P2V-1 modified as Model 026-52-01
  P2V-2: 81 Model 026-52-02 and 126-52-02 production aircraft
  P2V-2L: 2 P2V-2's converted with skis
  P2V-2S: 1 P2V-2 converted as Model 226-52-03  with search radar i ventral
radome
  P2V-3: 53 Model 326-59-02 production aircraft
  P2V-3B: 1 P2V-3, 1 -3W & 1 -3C converted to close support aircraft
  P2V-3C: 11 P2V-3's converted as Model 326-59-05 for carrier operation
  P2V-3W: 30 Model 326-59-04 and 526-59-04 production aircraft
  P2V-4: 52 Model 426-59-03 and 426-42-03 production aircraft
  P2V-5: 372 Model 426-42-06, -11, -13, -15, -16 and 426-45-15 production
aircraft
  P2V-5F: Most P2V-5's converted; to P-2E in 1962
  P2V-5FD: At least 9 P2V-5F's converted to drone directors; to DP-2E in
1962
  P2V-5FE: P2V-5F's converted; to EP-2E in 1962
  P2V-5FS: P2V-5F's converted with Julie/Jezebel systems; to SP-2E in 1962
  P2V-6: 41 Model 626-42-12 production aircraft; to P-2F in 1962
  P2V-6B: 1 P2V-5 to P2V-6 standard
  P2V-6F: P2V-6's converted; to P-2G in 1962
  P2V-6M: 42 production aircraft; to MP-2F in 1962
  P2V-6T: P2V-6's to crew trainers; to TP-2F in 1962
  YP2V-7: P2V-7 used for development work; to YP-2H in 1962
  P2V-7: 318 Model 726-45-14 and -17 and 826-45-14 production aircraft; to
P-2H in 1962
  P2V-7LPL 2 P2V-7's for Antarctic work; to LP-2J in 1962
  P2V-7S: P2V-7's converted with Julie/Jezebel systems; to SP-2H in 1962
  P2V-7U: 7 to USAF as RB-69-LO

P3V Orion: Model 185
  YP3V-1: 1 prototype converted from commercial Electra; to YP-3A in 1962
  P3V-1: 157 production aircraft; to P-3A in 1962

RO-1: 1 commercial Altair DL-2A, msn 179, for use by Asst Sec of Navy

XR2O-1: 1 commercial 10-A Electra, msn 1052, for use by Sec of Navy

XR3O-1: 1 commercial 10-B Electra, msn 1053, to USCG for use of Sec of
Treasury

XR4O-1: 1 commercial 14-H2 Super Electra as staff transport

R5O Lodestar: Model 18
  XR5O-1: 1 Model 18-07 for USCG
  R5O-1: 3 production aircraft similar to Model 18-40; 1 to USCG
  R5O-2: 1 Model 18-07 production aircraft
  R5O-3: 3 production aircraft
  R5O-4: 12 production aircraft
  R5O-5: 41 production aircraft same as USAAF C-60
  R5O-6: 35 production aircraft same as USAAF C-60A

XR6O-1 Constitution: 2 Model 89 production aircraft; to XR6V-1 in 1950

R70 Constellation:
  R7O-1: 11 Model 1049B-55-75; to R7V-1 in 1950
  R7O-2: 2 Model 1249A-95-75 with turoprops; to R7V-2 in 1950

XR6V-1 Constitution: XR6O-1's redesignated in 1950

R7V Constellation
  R7V-1: 51 Model 1049B-55-75's; 32 to USAF as C-121G; rest to C-121J in
1962
  R7V-1P: 1 R7V-1 converted as photo recon aircraft
  R7V-2: ex R7O-2; to USAF as YC-121F

R8V-1G Hercules: 12 ASR aircraft for USCG; to SC-130B before delivery

S-3 Viking
  YS-3A: 8 prototypes
  S-3A: 179 production models
  US-3A: S-3A's converted as utility aircraft

TO: F-80C's and T-33's
  TO-1: 50 ex USAF F-80C's obtained as trainers; to TV-1 in 1950
  TO-2: 26 USN versions of T-33A: to TV-2 in 1950

TV: F-80C's and T-33's
  TV-1: TO-1's redesignated in 1950
  TV-2: 26 TO-2's redesignated + 699 T-33A's from USAF contracts; to T-33B
in 1962
  TV-2D: TV-2's modified as drone directors; to DT-33B in 1962
  TV-2KD: TV-2's modified as radio-controlled targets; to DT-33C in 1962

T2V-1 SeaStar: 1 prototype + 150 production aircraft; development of TV-2;
to T-1A in 1962

T-1A, SeaStar: T2V-1 redesignated in 1962

T-33: 2-seat trainer
  T-33B: TV-2 redesignated in 1962
  DT-33B: TV-2D redesignated in 1962
  DT-33C: TV-2KD redesignated in 1962

UV-1 JetStar: 2 Model 1329's; to C-140C in 1962

WV Warning Star: version of Constellation
  WV-1: PO-1W redesignated in 1950
  WV-2: 12 PO-2W's redesignated + 112 other Model 1049A-55-70, -86, -91 and
-127 production aircraft; to EC-121K in 1962
  WV-2E: 1 WV-2 modified with dish antenna; to EC-121L in 1962
  WV-2Q: at least 5 WV-2's modified for ECM role; to EC-121M in 1962
  WV-3: 8 Model 1049A-55-95 production aircraft + 1 modified WV-2 weather
recon aircraft; to WC-121N in 1962; at least 2 to USAF as EC-121R

XW2V-1: Model 084 Connie with turboprops to AEW aircraft; cancelled

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 08:26:19 EST
From:    S214000 <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: VC-58/VC-5

Hello everyone,
it's time for me to be humble and apologize for my erroneous post about
the USS Guadaulcanal(?) and VC-5. Larry was correct; VC-58was aboard the
'canal while VC-5 was aboard the USS Kitkun Bay during the Battle
of Leyte Gulf.I was on my way to class when I decided to check my mail.
Next time I think I'll take my time. Mike

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 07:46:15 -0500
From:    Larry Jewell <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: Ye 'Old Pup

Seen on Usenet and thought the list might be able to help.  Please reply
to the address in the From: line below if possible.

Larry J

From: [email-masked]:
>
>Hello,
>
>  This may be a second post. I did'nt see it show up on the net
>  after the original attempt so I don't know if it made it or not.
>  If this is the second time you've read it, I apologize.
>
>+_+_+_+_+_+_
>
>  OK folks, here's a challenge for military historians out there.
>
>
>  This post is from my brother, who has read only access to usenet...
>
>+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_
>
>
>
>  I am interested in a particular B-17F serial # 42-3167,
>named  Ye' Old Pup, that flew with the 448th bomb group
>based at AAF Station 117,Kimbolton England. In December
>of 1943, this aircraft, commanded by Lt.Col. Charles Brown,
>was badly damaged over the target. On the way home, a single
>ME-109 with a black, night fighter paint scheme, flown by
>Franz Stigler encountered the B-17.  After carefully looking
>over the bomber and noting its extensive damage, Stigler
>pulled aside, saluted, left for his base.
>
>Questions...
>
>1. Do pictures exist of this B-17 and where can they be found?
>
>2. Does anyone know the general markings of the 448th bomb
>group? Is there any documentation or are there pictures?
>
>3. Does anyone know about any "Night Fighting Jaghlstasfel" ,( sp? )
>based by the North Sea coast line? Is there any documentation or are
>therepictures of its paint scheme and markings?
>
>                                                Thanks
>                                                Mike Thompson
>+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_
>
>
>Post or email, although posts are preferred.
>
>--
>________________________________________________________________________________
>Don Thompson @ Austin, TX           |   I may be opinionated, but at least
>Comshare Inc. [email-masked]  |   my opinions are my own.
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--
#L.W. Jewell Moderator at the Veterans Information Site ([email-masked])#
#& WWII-L Listowner: "Sunday's horoscope is note worthy because of its strange,#
#sudden and wholly unpredictable and inexplicable occurrences, affecting all   #
#phases of life." "Your Horoscope" L.A. Evening Herald Express, Sat, 12/06/41  #

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 11:14:43 -0400
From:    "Dennis E. Sparks" <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: B-17F "Ye 'Old Pup"

Regarding the message Larry reposted requesting information on
a B-17F named "Ye 'Old Pup"....

I've posted a more detailed note to the original address, but thought
that it might be of general interest to the WWII-L also.  In brief:

The aircraft in question almost certainly did not belong to the
448th BG, as that was a B-24 group.  The 448th BG was based at
Seething, and flew their first mission on 22 December 1944.

The aircraft probably belonged to the 379th BG, as they were
based at Kimbolton from 20 May 1943 until after VE Day, flying
their first mission on 29 May 1942.  BTW, the 379th went on to
fly more sorties than any other group in the 8th AF, dropping
more tonnage, and suffering the lowest abort rate.  They were
credited with 10,492 sorties, losing 141 aircraft MIA.  One of
the group's B-17G's, named "Ole Gappy", flew 157 combat missions,
which is probably the most flown by an 8th AF B-17.  The group was
part of the 1st BD, and so carried a triangle, with a "K" on it.

The German pilot mentioned, Franz Stigler, was a "name", with his
career reasonably well documented.  I believe that he flew with
JG 3, JG 27, and with Galland's JV 44 Me 262 group.  I can check
to see which night fighter group he might have flown with also.
An all black Bf 109 would have been a little unusual, but not
unheard of, with the scheme more prevalent on Bf 110s, Ju 217s,
and the like.

I'll have to hit the books to check for reports/photos of the
incident and the aircraft involved.

Dennis E. Sparks
[email-masked]
Lexington, Kentucky

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 15:09:43 -0400
From:    [email-masked]
Subject: USAAF 10 APR 43

COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
SATURDAY, 10 APRIL 1943
FTP SITES
  1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf
  2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in pub/history/military/wwii/usaaf

AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-20, Douglas Havoc
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  B-26, Martin Marauder
  Liberator, Consolidated (RAF)
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-40, Curtiss
  Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
  In the Aleutians, the weather reconnaissance B-24 observes 4 unidentified
aircraft near Segula. Three B-25's, 17 P-40's, and 6 P-38's fly 5 attack
missions to Kiska, and negative searches for the unidentified airplanes at
Segula. The last mission finds Kiska closed in and returns with bombs.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
    In Italy, B-24's bomb the harbor at Naples.
    In Sicily, RAF Liberators, under operation control of the IX Bomber
Command, hit Palermo.
    In Tunisia, Allied ground forces take Sfax and continue N to La Hencha.
    HQ IX Fighter Command is transferred from Egypt to Tripoli, Libya.
Personnel are to be moved from Egypt over a period of several weeks.

  WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
    In Sardinia, B-17's hit ships at La Madallena.
    In Tunisia during the night of 9/10 Apr, Wellingtons bomb troops and
transport on roads in the area surrounding Enfidaville. The following day,
B-26's follow up the Wellingtons with raids on roads and military
concentrations near Enfidaville. Fighter-bombers also hit ground targets
in the Enfidaville areas. Fighters escort bombers, carry out reconnaissance,
and fly sweeps over the battle area from Medjez el Rah to Sousse.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
  In the Solomons, B-24's continue to fly harassing strikes as 3 of the
heavy bombers hit Kahili Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
  In New Guinea, B-17's and B-24's pound the town and dock area of Wewak.
Some of the B-17's also bomb Cape Boram and Kairiru Island while some of
the B-24's hit Alexishafen and shipping off Wewak. B-25's pound the harbors
at Bobia and Uligan. A lone B-17 strafes barges SE of Bogia and trucks at
Cape Croisilles while another bombs the airfield at Arawe.
  The 8th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 3d Bombardment Group (Dive) with
A-20's transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Dobodura, New Guinea.  On
25 May 43, the group and it's 4 squadrons will be redesignated Bombardment
Group/Squadron (Light) to reflect it's true mission.

SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
  Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
  History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
  Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2

Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 16:27:50 -0400
From:    "Dennis E. Sparks" <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: USAAF 10 APR 1943

A side note to an item listed in USAAF 10 APR 1943.....

Under the heading "EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN  (Ninth Air Force) was
this item:  In Tunisia, Allied ground forces take Sfax.....

Prior to this event, Gen. Montgomery had wagered Gen. Eisenhower
that his troops would take Sfax before the end of April.  When
he won the bet, he insisted as his payment a B-17 aircraft as his
personal transport.  Ike was reportedly somewhat miffed that
Monty would hold him to this, as the type was still in short
supply, but kept his word.  On 18 April, Montgomery took possession
of a B-17E, serial #41-9082.  Interestingly, the aircraft had
originally been built to fill a British order, but had been
taken over by the USAAF.  It was painted in an RAF-style camoflage
scheme of dark earth and green over light blue.  Montgomery kept the
aircraft for about six weeks before trading it in for a C-47.

The aircraft had once been part of the 97th BG, the first operational
8th AF B-17 group (first mission 17 August 1942).  After only a few
weeks, the 97th had traded aircraft with the 92nd BG, who had newer
B-17F-1s.  (The 92nd was not yet operational, serving as a combat
crew replacement center, or CCRC.)  The 97th was soon reassigned
to the 12th AF in N. Africa, taking the new "F"s with them.  The
older "E"s remained behind, being farmed out to various purposes as
they were replaced by newer models.  #19082 became a VIP transport,
frequently used by Gen. Spaatz.  The bomb bay doors were sealed,
and a large fuel tank installed in the right side of the bomb bay.
The left side had two overstuffed chairs, a small desk, and a lamp.
Ike presented it to Monty complete with a USAAF crew.  The pilot,
Lt. Frank Evans, who now lives in Idaho, provided me with some
of these details.

Dennis E. Sparks
[email-masked]
Lexington, Kentucky

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 20:58:35 EDT
From:    Jim Barr <[email-masked]>
Subject: Spruce Goose

     While not quite WWII info, I thought that some of the more aviation-minded
members of the list might be interested in a NYT article I found recently:
     (drawn from NYT, March 1, 1993 p. A13)

        "After Long, Tedious Journey, Spruce Goose Has New Home"

     The Spruce Goose, Howard Hughes' "monster flying boat" was moved from
Long Beach, CA to McMinnville, Oregon.  The plane will become a main attraction
at the Evergreen AirVenture Museum (scheduled to open in 1996).  The Spruce
Goose was constructed out of birch (hence the name "Spruce"?) and weighs 200
tons.  Hughes designed it during WWII to as a transport for soldiers and tanks.
It flew (with Hughes at the controls) in 1947 on November 2nd, for a mile at a
max height of 70 feet.  Afterwards, Hughes put the plane into storage, for some
(presumably) unknown reason.

    It should be noted that this pretty much covers the extent of my SG know-
ledge, so most questions would more likely be better answered by others on the
list.

                               A public service announcement from:
                               Jim Barr
                               [email-masked]
                               [email-masked]

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 9 Apr 1993 21:48:00 EDT
From:    TOBY FENWICK <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: Spruce Goose

Dear Jim,

        It was actually called the Hughes Kaiser 1 Hercules. It was produced by
Hughes and Kaiser who was in charge of the Liberty Ships, and this was to
replace the Liberty Ships, which at the time the SG was being designed were
going down at an horendous rate each month to the WolfPack. It was finished
after the war and Hughes was accused of embezzeling money from the government
and faced an enquiry by th esenate which showed that he poured his own money in
to the project. At the time an exapserated Senator seaid that it was never
going to fly and it was nothing but a Spruce Goose since it was made of
non-esstaintal materials.[ ie birch.] So there it is. He saved it 'cos he was
going to build an HK2 super SG with Turboprops like the Saunders-Roe Princess
of the 50's. It didn't happen. Ho hum. .

Hope this is of interest.

Cheers!

Toby

------------------------------

End of WWII-L Digest - 8 Apr 1993 to 9 Apr 1993
***********************************************