Can anyone identify the fighter type in this pic? P-39

[pchepurko]

Can anyone ID this model of fighter from WWII. I believe the photo was taken when the pilot was in training. Thanks.

[MWalsh]

It's a P-39.

[MWalsh]

I don't know the squadron but someone no doubt will. The emblem is pretty clear on the cockpit door so it ought to be an easy ID for someone more versed in P-39 units.

[MWalsh]

I THINK this one is P-39F 41-7228. If that is correct it was involved in an accident or incident at Raleigh Durham AAF on Paril 11th, 1942, and then was written off after an accident on February 3rd, 1944 at Foster Field, Texas. 859th SEGT was the unit during the Texas crash, I have not figured out what that abbreviation means.

[MWalsh]

So it appears 859th SEGT is the 859th Single Engine Gunnery Training Squadron. They flew RP-39Q aircraft which were modified to allow gunner trainees to fire frangible ammo at. No idea if the aircraft pictured is from that squadron or from its earlier days tho.

[pchepurko]

Thank you for the help. I have the pilot's letters to his sister and in January 1943 he was in gunnery school at Elgin AF in Texas. So the photo must be from then.

[MWalsh]

Elgin AFB is in Florida, maybe he was based in Texas but training at Eglin? From the accident reports that aircraft was in the 2nd Pursuit Squadron in April 1942, not sure what the unit was between then and that early 1944 crash date.

 

Is there a return address on the envelope which notes the unit?

 

Its a great pic by the way!

[pchepurko]

No return envelope. I have to check my info.

[Rakkasan187]

P-39 Airacobra...

 

One of my favorite aircraft.. Surprisingly this American fighter was made quite successful by our Soviet allies in WW2. With the lend lease program large numbers of the P-39's were shipped to Russia and saw service in the Soviet Air Force...

 

Leigh

[Chris_B]

Don`t give me a P-38, the props they counter-rotate
They loop and they spin and they soon auger in
Don`t give me a P-38

 

Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.

Don`t give me a P-39, with an engine that`s mounted behind
It will tumble and roll and dig a big hole
Don`t give me a P-39.

 

Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.

Don`t give me an old Thunderbolt. It gave many pilots a jolt
It looks like a jug and it flies like a tug
Don`t give me an old Thunderbolt

 

Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.

Don`t give me a Peter Four Oh, a hell of an airplane, I know
It's a ground loopin` bastard. You`re sure to get plastered
Don`t give me a Peter Four Oh.

 

Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.

Don`t give me a P-51, it was all right for fighting the hun
But with coolant tank dry, you`ll run out of sky
Don`t give me a P-51.

 

Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.

Don`t give me a P-61, for night flying is no fun
They say it`s a lark. but I`m scared of the dark
Don`t give me a P-61.

 

Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.

[pchepurko]

He was in training at Spence Field in Georgia and was sent to Elgin Field, Florida for gunnery school where I believe the about photo was taken in January, 1943. I have some of his flight log but not from January, 1943. There may be additional information in his service record which I have requested.

[Johnny Signor]

Man, I love and Hate photos like these !!!!!!!

Love them because of the cool emblem/nose art in the photo , Hate them because it's black and white !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for posting , sure would love to see that one in color !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Johnny Signor]

You can see another couple of photos of this P-39 in a Class book at this site address type it on your search bar it will go to main page , then click the "PDF" View icon for download, then scroll down page a ways , you'll see the nose area of "GERONIMO" and a little futher down the door with the same emblem ....

 

"Item000491 Detail-WWII Army Air Forces Collection "