Civil Aviation in WWII

[southkogs]

I've been working on a few projects that have given me a chance to see some cool images, and here's a couple that I found interesting - thought the larger community might enjoy too.

The first is of a Stinson Voyager (10A) that Civil Air Patrol used to fly coastal patrols during WWII. The Navy Paint scheme was kinda' cool (this photo was colored by hand) - most CAP airplanes were red, blue or yellow. But what's nifty about this one are the two Mk15 Navy practice bombs on it CAP flew coastal patrols searching for, and even "firing" on German U-Boats.


HT32BSX115 I thought you may wanna' MOD yours out with the Mk15s

Second image is the one that I really was impressed with: The airplane in this photo is towing a practice target (another of CAPs missions during WWII). Look how close the target is to the plane!!


Apparently more than one of 'em got chewed up by neophyte fighter jocks ...

Just last year the guys and gals who flew Civil Defense during WWII with CAP were finally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. It was a long time coming for the men and women who served as volunteers for their country's defense. I've been privileged to work on a few projects honoring these folks, and it's been fun seeing some of the old photos and documents.

 

[sam60]

Very cool, kogs.

As an aside, my Grandma riveted wings in Bellevue, Nebraska back in the day. I remember USO stationary, pens and envelopes in her house. My Gramps on that side died before I was born. I still have her ration stamp books.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Very Cool southkogs. There are many instances of our Greatest Generation doing war time work here at home that many today would consider Medal worthy, but to them they just did what needed to be done for Peace and Freedom to survive.

Sam60 I was stationed at Offutt AFB in the early 90's after I came back from the Gulf War, and it is truly impressive to walk through the Martin Bomber building and consider all the civilians who made the planes that helped free Europe and the Pacific. Bellevue and the people who lived there certainly did their part to help win the war.

My thanks to you southkogs for helping recognize and remember those who accomplished the forgotten tasks here at home.:encouragement:
My thanks to your grandma Sam60 as her work may have saved my grandfather as he flew bombing missions over France and Germany.:usa2:

 

[sam60]

The elders back then taught well. tnstrat, not often I tear up but.....

 

[HT32BSX115]

That 10A was a precursor to the 108 series. I think they had a 75hp Cont engine installed.

You wouldn't want that bomb to weigh much!! It wouldn't get off the ground!

 

[southkogs]

As an aside, my Grandma riveted wings in Bellevue, Nebraska back in the day.

There's some incredible stories that come out of war times - really any war - but WWII was unique in not just a few senses. We have Oak Ridge, TN not too far from here which was one of the sites for the Manhattan project. Some incredible history made by some incredible people.

You wouldn't want that bomb to weigh much!! It wouldn't get off the ground!

There are several other types that were used too - I'm still getting acquainted with all of the historic aircraft CAP used. Stinsons seemed rather common, along with Piper Cubs. The military would retire planes for use with CAP too, but not too many. Some of them must have flown out overweight - some carried bomb ordinance, some would carry depth charges and some even had torpedoes strapped to 'em.

 

[southkogs]

My thanks to you southkogs for helping recognize and remember those who accomplished the forgotten tasks here at home.:encouragement:

Thanks - my role is small, but I like it. I kinda' make the frosting to help the cake look as good as other people make it taste Lots of folks worked real hard to get the recognition out.

You can see the history of it all HERE.

 

[sam60]

No Title

Workers celebrate as the last of 1,585 B-26C Marauder aircraft built at the Martin Bomber Plant rolls out April 4, 1944. Two days later, the plant near Bellevue started making B-29 bombers instead, and production demands were higher than ever. The plant made both of the B-29s that dropped atomic bombs on Japan.

 

[southkogs]

Very cool ^^^ My squadron is named for the Marauder (they flew 'em outta' Stewart AFB here in Smyrna, TN). I had to turn down a flight in a B29 last year ... Buddy of mine got to fly all the way to Dallas in nose gunner / navigator seat.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Very cool ^^^ My squadron is named for the Marauder (they flew 'em outta' Stewart AFB here in Smyrna, TN). I had to turn down a flight in a B29 last year ... Buddy of mine got to fly all the way to Dallas in nose gunner / navigator seat.

Now, that would've been pretty cool!!

 

[southkogs]

Just the video from his flight was sweet to see.

 

[sam60]

I call my Mom every day but decided to call her back tonight to discuss my Gma.

We were on the phone for an hour talking about the bomber plant and how her Mom worked there and her Dad was in Europe & older Brother was in the Navy.

She called me back after finding something hand written by the riveter. She read it to me and what was written is why this was a great nation.

I'll scan it and share when I get a copy.

 

[MTboatguy]

I remember when I was growing up, there was a small sub spotter plane that used to fly around Fort Clatsop on the Oregon coast where we were camping quite often, and it had a .50 cal under the belly. That area is quite famous as one of the only places in the US that was actually bombed by canon fire during WWII the area we hung out still had the gun emplacements from WWII one of them was named Battery Russell and we loved to play hide and seek at that place.

During WWII both my Gma and GGma worked in the war effort and I had an Aunt that worked at Boeing building bombers in the Seattle area, and my Gma and GGma were involved in building war ships in the Kaiser plant.

 

[sam60]

I call my Mom every day but decided to call her back tonight to discuss my Gma.

We were on the phone for an hour talking about the bomber plant and how her Mom worked there and her Dad was in Europe & older Brother was in the Navy.

She called me back after finding something hand written by the riveter. She read it to me and what was written is why this was a great nation.

I'll scan it and share when I get a copy.

I asked her about this today & she said yes, I know I'm old but I remembered to put it in the car today & will send it tomorrow. She is the sweetest 4'-10" Lady that I know but not if someone riles her.