43-28479
Elint* employed 'Droop snoots' were:
44-23515, 44-23501, 44-23156 and 43-28479. Loaned out to 192 Sqn RAF.
*Elint - Electronic Intelligence gathering.
AAM DB Entry.
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.
* 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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force 385th Fighter Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-728536
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-927540
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 22nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-753731
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
Foulsham, Dereham, Norfolk NR20, UK | 15 September 1944 | Taxiing accident RAF Foulsham Cat 3 damage, pilot Lt Richard S Quiggins, 15-9-44. 22PRS 7PRG 8AF |
Crashed |
Mt Farm Cottage, Dorchester, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7PG, UK | 1 January 1945 | Crashed Belly Landing Mount Farm/Sta 234 Cat 3 damage, pilot Lt Carter E Hitt, 1-145 13PRS 7PRG 234 8AF |
Crashed |
Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK | 25 June 1945 | Crashed Belly Landing Alconbury/Sta 102 Cat 3 damage, pilot Lt Philip M Algar, 25-6-45. 857BS 492BG 8AF |
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA | Built by Lockheed as a P-38J. | |
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
Other Field modified |
Langford Lodge, Ireland | Field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work. | |
Other Assigned |
Harrington, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6, UK | Assigned to 36th Bomb Squadron, 801st Bomb Group, 8AF USAAF. | |
Other Detached |
Foulsham, Dereham, Norfolk NR20, UK | Detached to 192 Sqn RAF for Elint** missions. |