43-28483 Droop Snoots
The view of the bombardier through the plexiglass nose of a Droop Snoot P-38 coming in to land. Note the bombardiers feet at bottom of frame. Roger Freeman Collection
Roger Freeman Photo.
Built by Lockheed as a P-38J, field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration. Assigned to 435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, 8AF USAAF.
* 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.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA | Built by Lockheed Aviation. | |
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
Other Field modified |
Langford Lodge, Ireland | Modified to Droop Snoot* configuration with plexiglass nose, Norden bombsight and bomb aimers position in nose. | |
Assigned |
Wattisham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7, UK | Assigned to 435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, 8AF USAAF. |