8th Air Force
Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945.
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22nd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Photo of a "Droop Snoot*" P-38 specially fitted to carry out Elint** work. Four A/C were specially fitted like this and were assigned to the 7th PRG. This shot gives a good view of the extra position in the nose and the equipment used. Detached to 192 Sqn RAF***.
* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.
** Elint - Electronic intelligence, the collection for analysis of electronic signals [radio and radar] from enemy transmissions.
*** 'Between September 1944 and February 1945, USAAF two seat lightnings were attached to the squadron and in November 1944 much time was spent in searching for radio signals from V-2s, though these were later found to be uncontrolled' [V2's had on-board guidance systems].
Connections
Units
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7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
Group
Based for the majority of their service at Mount Farm, Oxfordshire, the 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) took over three million intelligence photos during the course of 4,251 sorties over occupied Europe. The Group was awarded a Distinguished... -
People
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Ellis Edwards
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot
Aircraft
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44-23515
P-38 Lightning
P-38J field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work. Detached to 192 Sqn*** RAF for Elint** missions. ... -
43-28479
P-38 Lightning
P-38J field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work. Detached to 192 Sqn*** RAF for Elint** missions. ... -
44-23156
P-38 Lightning
P-38J field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work. Detached to 192 Sqn*** RAF for Elint** missions. "Reported to have been converted to radar search aircraft and operated by 36th BS (a radar... -
44-23501
P-38 Lightning
P-38J field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work. Detached to 192 Sqn*** RAF for Elint** missions. "Reported to have been converted to radar search aircraft and operated by 36th BS (a radar...
Locations
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Langford Lodge
Military site : airfield
Planned to be a Satellite Landing Ground for No. 23 Maintenance Unit at RAF Aldergrove, Langford Lodge was selected in October 1941 to be developed as an air deport for the maintenance and repair of USAAF aircraft. A scheme was devised whereby the... -
Mount Farm
Military site : airfield
Originally a grass airfield satellite for the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at nearby RAF Benson, Mount Farm was built in 1940-1941. It had three concrete runways, 49 dispersals (24 concrete pan type plus 25 PSP squares), and eight blister...
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 01 January 2016 12:58:03 | Al_Skiff | Created entry with caption, unit associations, person associations, place associations and aircraft associations |
| Sources | ||
