Name This...(142)

[Brady]

???

[DrewMatrix]

It is a pilot whose Hudson broke it's leg and he is about to shoot it (humanely).

[Cap Mandrake]

Firestone...345/65 Series R-32 (H rated)...good wet weather performer....I think the chap is getting ready to test sidewall puncture resistance with this revolver.

[jrcar]

Going to kill himself rather than fly in one of THOSE things again...


Cheers

Rob

One of those things being a RAAF Hudson.

[DrewMatrix]

He dropped bombs in the Japanese base until out of ordinance, then landed on the enemy base, got out and shot all the Japanese in sight. He is now hunkered down behind the left main gear of his plane (I still think it's a Hudson) reloading to get the rest of the Japanese base force with his next six shots.

Then back to Port Moresby for a Tall Cool One.

[Cap Mandrake]

Not a Hudson...they had a small extension of horizontal stabilizer beyond the twin rudders.

Not a B-25...they had a main landing gear strut which was "inside" (closer to centerline) the wheel.

I think its a B-24...with the kind of clunky aft fuselage and almost rectangualr twin rudders...AND...a main landing gear strut which is "outside" the wheel. Still, the size surprised me ( I thought it was bigger)

[jrcar]

Yeah looks like you are right... never big on allied aircraft

Cheers

Rob

[Bill Durrant]

ORIGINAL: Beezle

He dropped bombs in the Japanese base until out of ordinance, then landed on the enemy base, got out and shot all the Japanese in sight. He is now hunkered down behind the left main gear of his plane (I still think it's a Hudson) reloading to get the rest of the Japanese base force with his next six shots.

Then back to Port Moresby for a Tall Cool One.

But does he know that someone is sneaking up on him - see left of tyre.
(Sorry but it was the post that takes me to Matrix Veteran)

[Cap Mandrake]

Of course, there was at least one Brit twin-tailed bomber (Lancaster??)..but it is a US officer after all.

Also just noticed shadow of outboard engine on ground behind the tire...that makes it a 4-engine..also fits with B-24

[DrewMatrix]

Yes, the B-24 has the upright on the outside of the tire.

Do you all know about Castle Air force base? It is in Atwater California (Due south of Sacramento, north of LA, southeast of SF by about 100 miles or so).

They have a large air museum there. You can walk around the planes. I have a bunch of pictures (at home).

Their website is:

http://www.elite.net/castle-air/

They even have a B-18!

[timtom]

Halliburton employee about to help push the company further in the black

[denisonh]

Too small for a B-24 I think.

[panda124c]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Of course, there was at least one Brit twin-tailed bomber (Lancaster??)..but it is a US officer after all.

Also just noticed shadow of outboard engine on ground behind the tire...that makes it a 4-engine..also fits with B-24

A US Officer with a top break Weabley????? Too small for a B-24.

[Herrbear]

I think it has to be a Brit or Aussie. Isn't that the nationality marking on the far left on the fuselage?

[stubby331]

ORIGINAL: Herrbear

I think it has to be a Brit or Aussie. Isn't that the nationality marking on the far left on the fuselage?

Yup, Aussie. which makes it a Hudson, IIRC in twin tails the RAAF (in the Pacific Theatre) flew unly Hudsons, B-24's.

[stubby331]

ORIGINAL: stubby331

ORIGINAL: Herrbear

I think it has to be a Brit or Aussie. Isn't that the nationality marking on the far left on the fuselage?

Yup, Aussie. which makes it a Hudson, IIRC in twin tails the RAAF (in the Pacific Theatre) flew unly Hudsons, B-24's.

I suppose it could be a B-24?

[denisonh]

It is a B-24, without a doubt

[gunnergoz]

A Lib for sure. The rudder and stab are uniquely shaped, landing gear just as I recall it (I've been pretty cozy with a B24J at one time) and it's the right size and layout.

[Cap Mandrake]

pbear;

That is an odd handgun for a US Officer...but check this out...the RAAF had Liberators too:


In 1942, the Australian government began to explore the possibility of manufacturing heavy bombers in Australia to equip the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Liberator, by virtue of its excellent long-range characteristics, was a natural choice for Australia because of the large distances that would be encountered by the RAAF in the Pacific theatre of operations.

However, at an early date it was deemed infeasible to manufacture the Liberator under license in Australia since it was already under production in several plants in the USA. Instead, the Avro Lancaster was chosen for Australian production. However, the war ended before such production could get under way. However, 73 examples of the improved Lincoln version were built in Australia starting in 1946.

Although Australia had opted not to manufacture the Liberator, in late 1943, General George C. Kenney, commander of Allied Air Forces in the South West Pacific Area, recommended that the RAAF form seven Liberator squadrons. The USAAF would assist the RAAF with both the procurement of aircraft and the training of crews. The RAAF personnel would be temporarily attached to the US Fifth Air Force to gain experience.

In February of 1944, twelve B-24Ds were obtained second-hand from USAAF stocks and delivered to Australia. They were assigned the RAAF serials A71-1 through 12. By this time, the B-24D was well past its prime, and was deemed suitable only for operational training, pending the arrival of more capable Liberator versions. These B-24Ds were assigned to No 7 Operational Training Unit based at Tocumwal, Victoria to carry out heavy bomber operational training for air crews. They served there until 1945. None ever saw any combat, and this unit was disbanded at the end of the war.

The definitive Liberators for RAAF service were the B-24J, L, and M versions, the first of which was delivered in May of 1944. 287 Liberators were ultimately taken on charge by the RAAF, with 168 of them being allocated under the terms of Lend-Lease. They were assigned the serial number A72-31/198 and A72-300/405. Some of these were delivered to No 7 OTU for training, but most of the others were delivered to operational units for combat. The following RAAF squadrons were equipped with Liberators: Nos. 12, 21, 23, 24, 25, 36, 99, and 102. Five of these squadrons had previously operated Vultee Vengeance dive bombers. Most of the RAAF Liberator operations were directed against targets and shipping in the former Dutch East Indies which had been overrun by the Japanese. Many RAAF Liberator operations were conducted out of air bases in the Northern Territory and Queensland, whereas others were flown from bases in Burma. As islands to the north were liberated from the Japanese, the Liberators would often take off from Australian bases, bomb their targets, and then land at bases in Borneo or Morotai. They would then bomb up again and attack other targets and return to their bases in Australia. In addition, Nos 200 and 201 Special Duties Flights flew Liberators in covert operations, which generally involved the dropping of agents, the support of guerilla operations, and the supplying of coastal watchers.

[gunnergoz]

The officer definitely is not US (see the cap badge, for one thing.) And the insignia on the fuselage is a dead giveaway that it's not US.