OK… lets see how good you guys are!
This pic came my way from a friend in the USA uncaptioned – but I am planning on using in my forthcoming book on the B-24, which is currently in for proofing, but there is ALWAYS space for something as good as this!
The two B-24s are early examples – closest to the camera is 40-2351 which became AM912 for the RAF as a Liberator 1 s/n 3 and was delivered April 1941, which sort of creates a date-ish. There is also a B-25 in there as well.
The location I am almost certain is American, judging by the vehicles and the American fighters on the right hand side of the picture. At this time, the B-24s were being built at San Diego, but the weather – and even the location – does not look that Californian! Then there is a Spitfire – and unfortunately even Photoshop will not sharpen the image to the point that the serial is readable – any suggestions for more information on either the Spitfire of anything to do with the picture please?
By: GrahamSimons - 22nd February 2011 at 17:56
The original pic is just not clear enough to give what Mk of Spitfire.
As far as the B-24 is concerned, I was under the impression that prior to their construction, this serial batch was allocated to B-24As. When it was decided to substitute 20 B-24As for 20 LB-30s on the British contract, the aircraft were given British serial numbers and the AAF serials were reallocated to B-24Ds.
As far as I can tell right now – the B-24 ‘351 in the picture does not have the belly turret of the D model, and also has the mid-fuselage mounted pitot head of the A-model and also appears to have the ’round’ engines of the B-24A not the ‘oval’ engines of the D-model with the turbo-superchargers.
I’m trying – but failing right now – to discover a build date for the second D-model ‘351. If that date falls outside – ie later – than the change from the ‘meatball’ star, we know that this was the first A-model machine. According to Hamlin, who did a lot of work on the Air Britain Liberator book – the RAF ‘351 was delivered via Wright Field and Canada in the second half of April 1941.
It ‘feels right’ for Wright Field – either autumn or early spring, prior to leaves.
By: pogno - 22nd February 2011 at 17:29
PS is that a Seversky P-35 or Curtiss P-36 or P-43 Lancer
It looks like a Seversky/Republic P-43 Lancer to me, the first being delivered in September 1940 which does not really help date the picture.
Richard
By: paulmcmillan - 22nd February 2011 at 17:05
PS is that a Seversky P-35 or Curtiss P-36 or P-43 Lancer
By: paulmcmillan - 22nd February 2011 at 16:57
Good Catch Adrian
What is interesting is we should be wary of B-24 40-2351
As there were two….
40-2351 allocated to RAF as AM912
and then another constructed for USAAF to replace the original one..
So this causes us to expand our query to later than Summer 1941
Can anyone tell the mark of Spitfire??
Paul
By: adrian_gray - 22nd February 2011 at 16:52
With every tree in the photo bare? It’s not summer!
Sadly, that’s all I can add.
adrian
By: paulmcmillan - 22nd February 2011 at 15:44
I guess 31st August 1941
By: paulmcmillan - 22nd February 2011 at 15:40
Summer 1941 – Wright Field Ohio
Does not explain why the B-24 is there though! unless…. There has been a mix up of original 20 from 38 B-24 match up serials to UK ones……
By: J Boyle - 22nd February 2011 at 15:39
Just got off the dog ‘n bone with John Hamlin and we’re now wondering if it is at Wright Field, up alongside Huberville Road close to the old Harshman Road area.
As a one-time resident ofthe Wright-Patterson area, I aggree, the trees, houses, weather all fit.
Judging by the clothes and the people wearing heavy coats, I’d say it was before May. The lack of snow may also be a hint. March-April time frame perhaps?
By: GrahamSimons - 22nd February 2011 at 15:00
Just got off the dog ‘n bone with John Hamlin and we’re now wondering if it is at Wright Field, up alongside Huberville Road close to the old Harshman Road area. John suggests that the Spitfire could be either R7347 or W3119 which were at Dayton in May 41 – but there’s still a month mismatch!
By: paulmcmillan - 22nd February 2011 at 14:56
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February 22, 2011 at 2:11 pm