43-56295
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 at Lockheed aviation as P-38J. Modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration at Consolidated Vultee Nashville Division. 24-8-45.
* 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.
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Units served with
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA | Built at Lockheed aviation as P-38J. | |
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
Other Modified to Droop Snoot* |
Nashville, TN, USA | Modified at Consolidated Vultee Nashville Division. Aug 1945. |