POLAR PIONEERS

The 46th and 72nd Reconnaissance Squadrons’ operations in the Arctic at the outset of the Cold War in 1946 ARCTIC RECONNAISSANCE Over time the F-13As of the 46th/72nd RS were modified by having their gun turrets removed. The reason was primarily to lose weight and so reach higher altitudes. Serial 45-21846 was assigned to the 90th Bombardment Wing as a B-29 before conversion to F-13A standard. ALL PHOTOS USAF As early as 1935, Gen ‘Billy’ Mitchell had spoken out about