Ram-bro

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darn, the water was just getting hot to...oh well Calgon will wait. Thanks P51b

blackrapids

Did I interrupt your Mary Kay party? Okay this group was in the ETO and with the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Ernie P.

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blackrapids got it; the Heinkel He-112R; and now he is up. This is his question. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

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Please amplify one point. You said this was a USAAC Group? In the ETO? The USAAC became the USAAF in June, 1941; six months before we entered WWII. So this group served in the ETO prior to our entering WWII; and therefore was a non-combatant group in the ETO? Is that correct? Thanks; Ernie P.

blackrapids

This group served during WWII.The air forcethey flew under was the result of the split of the 12th Air Force.

Experten109/40

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The 489th Bombardment Squadron

blackrapids

No but thats getting warmer, maybe a little too much. Another hintis thatthisinsignia serves as group and squadron insignia unlike most othergroupswhich hadindividual squadron insignia.

Experten109/40

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U.S. Southern Command Forces.

blackrapids

You were on the right track the first time. That number was too high. They were based in Italyduring 1944. 15thAir Force

Experten109/40

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the 97th,301st,17th,319th,320th,321st,15th all served under the 489th. they all used the lion holding the 2 bombs insignia,
which was part of the 12th airforce. so there is multiple correct answers to your question. the 340th bomb group also served
with the 12th airforce and used the 2-wings over the white star w/ red circle inside the had 12th on it.

Experten109/40

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so is it my turn for some more WarBird trivia?

blackrapids

Okay the 12th Air Force split into. The split became known as the 15th Air Force. The 15th being mostly for the strategicbombing targets that the 8th Air Force could not reach such as the Ploesti oilfields. The group I am looking for was in the 15th Air Force based in Italy during 1944. Your right there were more than one groups that used the same insigniafor group and squadrons but it was not common. Here is another clue. Tail marking was a square above a circle. Their base was in Spinazolla, Italy. Dead giveaway!

Experten109/40

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460th Bombardment Group

Experten109/40

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760th BS, 761st BS, 762nd BS, 763rd BS where the seperate squadrens flown under the 460th.

blackrapids

Alright P-40 you got it! It's your turn. 460th bomb group under the 55th bomber wing, 15th Air Force. My cousin Harry D. Scottwas KIAover Zwolfaxing, Austria July 26, 1944 flying with the 762nd squadron in the B-24Morningstar II withthe Julius Hilbink crew. He was the assistant radio operator. Shortly after bombs away they were hit by flak in the bomb bay and they broke in half. Only 3 guys survived. I believe theywere on their 38th mission. He is buried at St. Lorraine France.

Experten109/40

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Thanks.

Ithank your cousin Harry D. Scott forHis servicein defending our world's freedom.
every time a see a soldier in my favorite coffee shop I always buy them a coffee.

now for the question:

whats the story behind this P-40? when, where , and how did it fall into this enemies hands?
also, who took the time to paint with extreame pride the nose art?

blackrapids

Captured by the Japanese in May, 1942 at Mindanao.P-40E of the 24th PG. Mechanics painted the nose at Maramag.

Ernie P.

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You might want to complete your answer (How did it fall into Japanese hands?) before some one else finishes it for you. Thanks; Ernie P.

Experten109/40

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close enough. back to you.

blackrapids

Here is my question. Tail hooks stopped fighters on the decks of aircraft carriers but in a different form theyhad another completely different use for some land based WWII fighter squadrons. Whatwere they used for?

jonny_hthwy

To pick up mail bags???

blackrapids

No,That truly would be air mail. It would be exciting though would'nt it

glasscock

To cut through power/communication cables.

DG

uncljoe

My Feedback: (8)

They became an arresting hook for aircraft . to keep them(A/C)from running off the overrun . A 1.5 inch cable was across the end of the runway just before the over run .Cable was attached to naval anchor chains, when the hook would ingauge it would drag the cable pulling the anchor chain slowing and stopping the a/c. Its still in use today.
Semper Fi

blackrapids

Glasscock got it. Some of the fighter squadrons would use a slicing type of tailhook to cut anddisrupt power and communications. Alot of times it would be done at night under good weather conditionsand obviously attreetop or lower levels. Extremely dangerous activity. Your turn