Watson Lake, Alaska 1943-1945

And the pic clearly shows the civilian markings, which is what makes it a Lodestar… and one not in service with the USAAF, USN, USMC, or RCAF.

I was just noting how, just as the Model 14 was developed into the Hudson, so was the Model 18 developed into a patrol bomber.

The Lodestar was developed into the Ventura (originally for Britain), which was used as a bomber and patrol aircraft from mid-1942 on (USN PV-1 & USAAF B-34), then developed into the PV-2 Harpoon.

Both types operated extensively in the Alaskan theatre.

I know, but Pan Am only operated Lodestars….

watson lake

I believe watson lake is actually in the yukon,canada about 500 miles from alaska.

At the risk of being pedantic, photo 4 is not a Lockheed Hudson…it’s a Lockheed 18 Lodestar..probably within the NC33663 to NC33668 range.

Hudson refers to the RAF/Commonwealth armed aircraft based on the Lockheed 14 Super Electra.

The Lodestar was developed into the Ventura (originally for Britain), which was used as a bomber and patrol aircraft from mid-1942 on (USN PV-1 & USAAF B-34), then developed into the PV-2 Harpoon.

Both types operated extensively in the Alaskan theatre.

Those wishing more info on the Alaskan theatre of operations should get The Thousand Mile War by Brian Garfield.

It covers the area from the assignment of Colonel (soon General) Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr in mid-1940 as commander of the newly created 11th Air Force (its first plane was an old Martin B-10 light bomber which arrived 12 August 1940) to the end of the war.

Thanks so much

QuePee

Thanks so much they will make a great addition to the exhibit.

Its a very important year for us as Edmonton was the start of the North West Staging Route.

So both you and the family can verify we are the real thing I am supplying both our website and my museum contact information.

Proper credit will be given and I am including my direct e-mail

Alberta Aviation Museum
www.albertaaviationmuseum.com
11410-Kingsway Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
780-451-1175

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director
e-mail [email]eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca[/email]

Thanks again

Tom

Tom H,
I have spoken to Lori (R Whytes daughter) this morning to ask if she (and her family) would be willing to have some of these photographs used in the way you describe. They are very happy for you to go ahead and use whatever you need. All they ask is that they are properly credited, I would suggest that they go under the name of Robert Whyte and I think it would be appropriate to add his rank also. I will get back to you later with the final details.

In addition to the aircraft shots (my particular interest) they are hundreds of other photos of Watson Lake and the surrounding area, animals as well as many pictures of just life in general in that area during the years 1943-1945. I know it would be difficult for you to say without seeing them, but if you want anything other than the aircraft pictures I could scan more for you. Just let me know the sort of thing you are interested in.

I am glad that these pictures have generated some interest, they are too valuable to be locked away in a photo album collecting dust.

QP

At the risk of being pedantic, photo 4 is not a Lockheed Hudson…it’s a Lockheed 18 Lodestar..probably within the NC33663 to NC33668 range.

Hudson refers to the RAF/Commonwealth armed aircraft based on the Lockheed 14 Super Electra.

Thanks for catching my mistake. I meant to put a question mark after that one because I wasn’t sure.

The women are wearing USAAF issue cold weather flying gear, so I’d still guess USO.

QuePee

Marvelous photos

We are in process of creating an exhibit on the 70th Anniversary of the North West Staging Route which Watson Lake was a major part of.

Would it be possible to get permission to use some of the photos in our exhibit, properly credited of course.

The women in the photo are most likely USO…but there is a chance they are Soviet ferry pilots.

Some (very very few) Women ferry pilots from the Soviet Union are recorded as far south as Fort St John. Many picked up aircraft from Fairbanks.

Tom

Fascinating photos… thanks so much for posting. It rather made me think of my own grandfather whom I lost last week.

All the best,
Richard

Many many thanks to both J Boyle and to DL Sheley for all the info they have provided. I would have got some of the IDs correct but not all of them. You have helped tremendously, so thanks to you both for helping me out and taking the time to post your thoughts. Much appreciated.

QP

At the risk of being pedantic, photo 4 is not a Lockheed Hudson…it’s a Lockheed 18 Lodestar..probably within the NC33663 to NC33668 range.

Hudson refers to the RAF/Commonwealth armed aircraft based on the Lockheed 14 Super Electra.

#15 Is another P-39 Airacobra, heading to the USSR with the large ferry tank
#16 They could be women ferry pilots, but probably are a USO troupe since there is a lot of brass standing around.
#18 B-25 Mitchells
#19 A-20 Havoc, Consolidated B-24D Liberator and a C-47
#20 Norseman
#21 A-20 Havoc
#22 Norseman on floats again

Many thanks to you both for providing so much info already. I have already posted the best photographs but there are a few others that I will post here so that you can see the complete set and I will then try and compile a complete list of identities so that I can pass it on to the family.

Photo No 15

Did the USAAF use women ferry pilots to transfer aircraft to Alaska? It would seem so judging by this picture.

Photo No 16

Photo No 17
A close of the damage shown on this aircraft during the previous posting.

Photo No 18

Photo 19

Photo No 20

Photo No 21

Photo No 22

Photo No 23
Finally the man himself, Robert Whyte. I am sure he would have a fund of stories about this period in his life and I would have loved to have had the chance to meet him. Sadly he is no longer with and these photographs are all that remain of his memories.

QP

Lets see how manu I got right (with the ones J Boyle alreadt I.D.’d).

P-36
P-40
Lockheed Hudson
P-38 Lightning
Boeing 247
Bell P-39Q Airacobra (s/n 44-2092) went to USSR
P-47 Thunderbolt
L-2
P-47 Thunderbolt
Bell P-39N Airacobra (s/n 42-9578) with a ferry tank, sent to USSR
North American B-25 Mitchell
Douglas A-20 Havoc (maybe a P-70?)
Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman

Your friend’s father was indeed up there for awhile judging by the early wartime aircraft (P-36 in photo 2) and late (a later P-40 variant..an “N” if I’m not mistaken…in photo 3).

One fairly rare aircraft is the Taylorcraft L-2 in photo 8…they weren’t sent overseas because the Army standardized on the more docile Piper L-4 (after a number of stall/spin accidents with the L-2) and more powerful Stinson L-5. I’ve always read that most were used for training, good to see at least one was used operationally (albeit not in combat). And it’s an early L-2 with the exposed engine cylinders. Later L-2Ms are more commonly seen, they have the close-fitting cowls.

It’s also neat to see the Canadian Boeing 247..an early ship with the reverse windscreen (photo 6).

The Alaskan front doesn’t get much publicity, but those poor souls had it rough.