Photos

At Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, 18 December 1943.

A late-production model of the useful JF/J2F series begun by Grumman in 1933. The original JF and the later J2F-1 thru -5 were built by Grumman. A last, post-Pearl Harbor, batch was ordered for manufacture by Columbia to allow Grumman to concentrate on fighter production. Contrary to the usual Navy designation practice, they were ordered under the Grumman designation of J2F-6 instead of under a Columbia designation. In this photo, dated 31 December 1943, this J2F-6 wears the 3-tone dark blue/intermediate blue/off-white camouflage adopted for ship-based airplanes early in 1943, with the star-and-bar national insignia with the blue border prescribed in September 1943. Note the dark blue on the forward float upper surface, also the two-tone dark blue/off-white combination on the wing floats.

A nearly completed PB2Y-3 patrol bomber parked under camouflage netting outside the plant building, July 1943. Photo by Jacobs.

Consolidated C-87 as seen from beneath the other

Consolidated C-87s before the takeoff

Boarding passengers at Treasure Island, California, January 1943. This plane was operated for the naval air transport service by Pan American Airways. Note San Francisco Bay Bridge in background.

Loads cargo at the Pan American Airway dock, Treasure Island, California, January 1943. This naval air transport service plane was operated by Pan. Am. Note Marine Corps poster on railway express agency truck at left. San Francisco Bay Bridge and Yerba Buena Island are in the background.

Pan American Airways captain and first officer in the pilots' compartment, preparing for a trans-Pacific flight, January 1943. This plane was operated by Pan. AM. for the naval air transport service.

Naval officer passengers seated in the planes after section, January 1943. This aircraft was operated for the naval air transport service by Pan American airways.

Consolidated PB4Y-1 "Liberator"

Seen from another PB4Y, while on Patrol over the Bay of Biscay, hunting for u-boats. Photographed December 1943.

Flies out from the British coast for a Bay of Biscay anti-submarine patrol, November 1943.

Of U.S. Navy bombing squadron 106 (VB-106) on patrol in the south western Pacific, 1943-44.

Receives a new propeller while undergoing maintenance at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia in December 1943. Note hand-powered crane in use and yellow JM-1 target tug in the left background.

The pilot receives the signal to start engines, probably at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, circa December 1943. Note plane's very light grey color scheme and twin .50 caliber machine gun nose turret.

Patrols the Bay of Biscay, from its base in southwestern England. Photo released 7 February 1944.