Photos

Curtiss SOC-3 scout-observation floatplanes

from USS Honolulu (CL-48) Fly in a formation, circa 1938-39. They are part of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 9 (VCS-9). These planes' Bureau #s are (from left to right): unidentified; 1073; 1175 (a SON-1 variant of the SOC-3); and 1087. Collection of Rear Admiral S

During a recent strike on Jap-held Iwo Jima, this US Army 7th AF P-38 Lightning limped away from the target with its left engine shot out, its right wing badly damaged and in flames. Lt Fred C Erbels, Jr., GLenside, Penn., nursed his crippled back to its Saipa

Second Douglas A-20 "Havoc" burned from direct hits during bombing raid on Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands. 21 December 1944.

Lt Richard Bong of Poplar, Winconsin, in cockpit of his Lockheed P-38 Lightning in New Guinea, 3/6/43

Pilot climbing into Douglas A-20 bomber

Douglas A-20 on ground

Douglas P-70 night fighter, with SCR-540 aerials clearly visible

Douglas P-70 in flight with ventral gun tub and SCR-540 aerials visible

A Douglas P-70 of the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, Guadalcanal, 1943

Douglas P-70 nightfighter in flight. this aircraft was nicknamed "Sad Sack" as evidenced by the nose-art

A Douglas P-70 of the 6th NFS at 12-Mile Drome, New Guinea, in 1943

Douglas P-70 night fighter in flight

Douglas P-70 in flight. Note that the censor has removed the radar aerials and all unit markings from the photo

Men of the 2nd Aircraft Assembly Squadron, 13th Air Depot Group work on a Douglas P-70 at Magenta Air Base in New Caledonia. 13 November 1943

Douglas P-70 night fighters of the 6th NFS, Detachment A, en route to New Guinea