WWII War Birds - pics and video

[Sharps '63]

There is a book called "The Ragged Rugged Warriors" (can't remember author's name) about the early days of the Pacific air war. Many accounts of the trials and tribulations of operating P-40s, P-39s nd B-26 Marauders.
The early Marauders had shorter wing spans and were often badly over loaded by crews intent on delivering the maximum punch to Japanese shipping. That coupled with the warm tropical air made for hairy take offs and landings.

 

[bjmurata]

There is a book called "The Ragged Rugged Warriors" (can't remember author's name) about the early days of the Pacific air war. Many accounts of the trials and tribulations of operating P-40s, P-39s nd B-26 Marauders.
The early Marauders had shorter wing spans and were often badly over loaded by crews intent on delivering the maximum punch to Japanese shipping. That coupled with the warm tropical air made for hairy take offs and landings.

I have a copy of that book, one of the best military aviation reads ever in my opinion.Martin Caidin is the author.

 

[Halfton]

The B-26 because of its high laminar flow wing needed a higher take-off and landing speed then was the norm for the day and quite a bit faster then the pilots of the time had been trained for. When it 1st came out this lead to many landing/take-off accidents and the aircraft picked up the name "The Widow-Maker" as well as a few other not so nice names. This proved to be unfair once the pilots learned how to handle her and the B-26 actually had the lowest loss rate per sortey or possibly per ton of bombs dropped (I forget) of any of the Allied Bombers of World War 2.
Here is a pic of a Flak damaged B-26 over Europe...Interesting to note how low the waist gun openings are on this bird...possibly they served as Belly-Gun positions as well other then to fire straight down...Anyone Know?

 

[wce323078]

There was an other book on the Marauders I think by B26 Marauder or something like that complete history.

books.

 

[purple]

I always liked the B-26 Marauder. For me it was a toss up between the Marauder and the B-25 Mitchell. Both were sound designs and excellent performers. The Mitchell went on to have a fairly long post-war career while the Marauders went to scrap pile as soon as the war in Europe was over.

The RCAF used B-25s in a training, utility and light bomber role into the late 1950s. We used to see them flying out of RCAF Station Saskatoon. 2 yrs ago I fulfilled a boyhood dream and bought a ride on the CAF's restored B-25, Maid in the Shade. It was expensive, but what the hey.

I was stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL 30 yrs ago. MacDill had been a WW2 training base for B-26 crews and the loss rate on them was quite high, coining the phrase, "one a day in Tampa Bay". When I was there it was the operational training unit for the then new F-16. A few of them were lost in training causing me to think of the old Marauder saying.

 

[sailor723]

My dad flew as a radio officer in RAF Ferry Command (later 45 Group Transport Command) on both the North and South Atlantic routes. I have his log book and see mention of Marauder deliveries... in addition to Hudsons, Bostons, Baltimores and Dakotas. He had some pretty neat stories, especially about the southern route to the Middle East and India via Brazil, Ascension Island and central Africa

 

[bearhunter]

DAD, the planes we used to see in the BC interior were indeed B26 conversions. We also saw a lot of Avengers and one other type of single engine which I didn't recognize. We got to see the B26 and Avenger WBs up close and personal at the Kelowna airport where they had a section of the airport set aside for them and the big pit they mixed up the flame retardant mud. Another place we used to see them was in Kamloops under similar circumstances. Now we see all sorts of later model aircraft from what appear to be old Convairs to 737 jets. I don't know if I have their descriptions right as I don't follow the new birds as closely as I did the old prop jobs.

The old WBs were painted red and white. Some of the Avengers were painted gray and yellow.

 

[bearhunter]

I always liked the B-26 Marauder. For me it was a toss up between the Marauder and the B-25 Mitchell. Both were sound designs and excellent performers. The Mitchell went on to have a fairly long post-war career while the Marauders went to scrap pile as soon as the war in Europe was over.

The RCAF used B-25s in a training, utility and light bomber role into the late 1950s. We used to see them flying out of RCAF Station Saskatoon. 2 yrs ago I fulfilled a boyhood dream and bought a ride on the CAF's restored B-25, Maid in the Shade. It was expensive, but what the hey.

I was stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL 30 yrs ago. MacDill had been a WW2 training base for B-26 crews and the loss rate on them was quite high, coining the phrase, "one a day in Tampa Bay". When I was there it was the operational training unit for the then new F-16. A few of them were lost in training causing me to think of the old Marauder saying.

Did you take that flight out of Penticton last year???

 

[#1bcshooter]

B25 was here in 2014 , B17 was 2015

 

[purple]

Did you take that flight out of Penticton last year???

Gerald, I took the B-25 flight in 2014 and the B-17 in 2015. Of the 2 I liked the B-25 best because it was really zippy. I even got to play tail gunner fighting off the Zekes as we flew over my house. The B-25 is really noisy as it has no exhaust collector rings like the B-17. I wore my ear defenders from the shooting box and was glad I did.

The B-17 is bigger, quieter and more sedately, but still a hell of a rush. The CAF has restored both of these bombers down to great fidelity.

 

[rocklin]

took a few pictures today at the Pre show for the London Ontario airshow.

this P-51 fits this thread nicely, it even has its own armed guard!.

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

F.G.I.B., ME-110.

The view forward:

 

[wbaad]

DAD, the planes we used to see in the BC interior were indeed B26 conversions. We also saw a lot of Avengers and one other type of single engine which I didn't recognize. We got to see the B26 and Avenger WBs up close and personal at the Kelowna airport where they had a section of the airport set aside for them and the big pit they mixed up the flame retardant mud. Another place we used to see them was in Kamloops under similar circumstances. Now we see all sorts of later model aircraft from what appear to be old Convairs to 737 jets. I don't know if I have their descriptions right as I don't follow the new birds as closely as I did the old prop jobs.

The old WBs were painted red and white. Some of the Avengers were painted gray and yellow.

I think you are thinking of the Douglas A-26 for fire fighting. Lots of them used and a great machine.
Not aware of any Martin b-26 for fire fighting in Canada.

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Here's a video on the resurrection of N3200:

[youtube]i7Zebpu2nS4[/youtube]

 

[bearhunter]

I think you are thinking of the Douglas A-26 for fire fighting. Lots of them used and a great machine.
Not aware of any Martin b-26 for fire fighting in Canada.

You could be right but ??????? That was over 50 years ago.

 

[Old Ranger]

During the 2004 or 05 fire season (don't remember which now) I was assigned as a Liaison Officer with Ont MNR fire crews to Alberta . Was visiting a tanker base at Loon River air strip in North Central Alberta . There were 4 A-26's assigned to the base at that time. Got to see them each do a practice/training drop. This was late in August and we were told it might be the last operational season for these A/C.

During my MNR career I was fortunate enough to work around and fly in some interesting A/C which had started life as military machines. My first large fire experience included seeing close up a couple retardant drops by TBM's. Lots of ferry flights in DC-3's some of which were ex military. Also some flights in BE-18's which started life as C-45's in RCAF service
Ontario operated 6 Trackers as retardant bombers in the 70's.
Worked dozen's of fires where air support was provided by Canso waterbombers. Was fortunate to have a flight in one of these A/C from Timmins to Geralton when it was being repositioned.
Ontario also operated 6 DHC 3 Otters which were acquired from our Air Force when the reserve squadrons in Toronto converted to Bell Jet Ranger helicopters. Some of the DHC-2 Beavers operating here in Canada were/are ex US Army veterans.
Although I've been retired for 10 years I still love the sound of a radial engine being fired up. Still hate the smell of aviation kerosene which became a way of life as the switch was made to turbine powered fixed wing and rotary wing A/C

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Round engines are wonderful things. A triumph of engineering and geometry over established thinking. And that sound. Jesus.

This poor A20 had a nasty run in with rhinoplasty:

The whole story is here: http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/544/Blinded-by-the-Light-The-Turbinlite-Havoc.aspx

 

[Suputin]

For anyone with Kodi, I've found a bunch of classic TV shows and movies. Currently watching Black Sheep Squadron but have 633 Squadron and Mosquito Squadron on deck.

Sure some of the acting and effects are hokey but they used real warbirds, not cgi.

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Good source - thanks, bud.

The Fairey Battle was no decent combat aircraft when the war started, but they did find ways for her to earn her keep.

Recce work in Australia:

An object for amusing civvies:

Aerial gunnery trainer:

A repository for surplus cockpits:

Target tugs:

You could always flop them directly on The Hun:

Or, in one instance (poor old R7439) give some whizzo engine fitters something to toss a round engine on.

 

[Still alive]

F.G.I.B., ME-110.

The view forward:

I would hate to be this guy facing a Spitfire with 20 mm Hispanos and .303 rounds coming up his 6. At least the ending would have been quick.