shemya photos - page 2
2-3. Here's a front view of the 11th Fighter Squadron's
P-51 on Shemya. (Dan Lange, 1946). This information from
Fred Mitchell of Dallas, TX: This P-51 on Shemya is a
postwar P-51H. It is very unusual to even find a picture of
one as there were not many built and as far as I know
most wound up in ANG squadrons (Maryland and Texas
for sure. The picture would have to have been made after
the organization of the USAF in 1947 as it shows the
insignia with red bar added inside the white bar which
was 1943-47 USAAF standard. The P-51H differed from the
late D models by smaller wheels and taller tail fin, and
longer canopy. This P-51 tail number is 44-64511 (actually
shows only 464511 as there were such high numbers
during WW2 that they dropped the first digit when it was
painted on the tail), which falls in the last block of H
models built. [Wonder how it found its way to Shemya in
1946?]
2-2. I once heard there were no P-51 aircraft on Shemya.
Here's a photo of one from Dan Lange. Dan says the P-51
was late in coming and was the only one on Shemya. The
P-51 belonged to the 11th Fighter Squadron. (Dan Lange,
1946)
2-4. This AT-6 Trainer "The Lone Wolf" also belonged to
the 11th Fighter Squadron, and made its presence known
on Shemya as well. (Dan Lange, 1946)
[Some believe this aircraft was an AT-7. I wasn’t able to
locate any such aircraft. gls]
2-1. Here's a shot of a Shemya P-38 with tail number 110.
This one belonged to the 343 Ftr Grp. (Dan Lange)
2-5. I've read about the B-17’s that were outfitted as
rescue planes, but this is the first photo I've seen of one.
A rare shot of one on Shemya. (Dan Lange, 1946)
2-6. There was much controversy in regards to how
many B-29's landed on Shemya during the war, I think
only one. Probably some general who thought it was a
good idea to bomb Japan from Shemya and had to prove
that at least one could tolerate that weather. This one
may have been post war. Looks the 404th Bomb
Squadron hangar. (Dan Lange, 1946)
2-7. This photo was taken on Shemya in 1946 by William
Blake, USAF, 404th Bomb Squadron (H). Bill currently
lives in Medford, MA. (Supplied by R. Thibault)
2-8. The B-24 "Myasis Dragon." Taken on Shemya in 1946
by William Blake, USAF, 404th Bomb Squadron (H).
2-9. B-24 "The Glutton," tail number 74, provided by
William Blake, USAF, 404th Bomb Squadron (H). Shemya
1946.
2-10. William Blake's hut #47, Shemya, 1946. [Quonset
huts were constructed using corrugated steel sheets
with the ends covered with plywood having doors and
windows. The “Pacific Hut” was made of all spruce, and
was seen in the Pacific theater of operations.]
2-11. On Shemya, 16 June 1946, funeral services were
held for Lt. Col. John Lawson (the CO) and Lt. Phillip
Oltusky. Their passing was the result of a plane crash.
One of the 404th's greatest tragedies. For more
information, click here. (William Blake)
2-12. Bob Leavitt was stationed on Shemya in 1946-47,
with the 344th Fighter Group, working 4-channel VHF,
radio compass, and IFF. Picture taken with a Kodak
Brownie camera. He's standing alongside the P-38 "The
Shemya Kid." This was one of six that he knew of in the
66th Fighter Sq. (1946-47, Bob Leavitt)
2-12. At war's end, many of the fighters were disposed of
in an unfortunate way. These P-38’s were apparently
either buried on Shemya between the old runways, or
were taken out to sea and dumped. Jim Lux sent us this
photo. He's been researching the location of these old
aircraft with the intentions of recovering and restoring
them. Please Contact Jim Lux (and/or this website) if
you have any information that may be of use. (Coord 9F)
2-13. Here's another view of the P-38s as shown above,
courtesy of Jim Lux. (Coord 9F)
shemya photos - page 2
2-3. Here's a front view of
the 11th Fighter Squadron's
P-51 on Shemya. (Dan Lange,
1946). This information from
Fred Mitchell of Dallas, TX:
This P-51 on Shemya is a
postwar P-51H. It is very
unusual to even find a
picture of one as there were
not many built and as far as
I know most wound up in
ANG squadrons (Maryland
and Texas for sure. The
picture would have to have
been made after the
organization of the USAF in
1947 as it shows the insignia
with red bar added inside
the white bar which was
1943-47 USAAF standard.
The P-51H differed from the
late D models by smaller
wheels and taller tail fin,
and longer canopy. This P-51
tail number is 44-64511
(actually shows only 464511
as there were such high
numbers during WW2 that
they dropped the first digit
when it was painted on the
tail), which falls in the last
block of H models built.
[Wonder how it found its
way to Shemya in 1946?]
2-2. I once heard there were
no P-51 aircraft on Shemya.
Here's a photo of one from
Dan Lange. Dan says the P-
51 was late in coming and
was the only one on
Shemya. The P-51 belonged
to the 11th Fighter
Squadron. (Dan Lange, 1946)
2-4. This AT-6 Trainer "The
Lone Wolf" also belonged to
the 11th Fighter Squadron,
and made its presence
known on Shemya as well.
(Dan Lange, 1946)
[Some believe this aircraft
was an AT-7. I wasn’t able to
locate any such aircraft. gls]
2-1. Here's a shot of a
Shemya P-38 with tail
number 110. This one
belonged to the 343 Ftr Grp.
(Dan Lange)
2-5. I've read about the B-
17’s that were outfitted as
rescue planes, but this is the
first photo I've seen of one.
A rare shot of one on
Shemya. (Dan Lange, 1946)
2-6. There was much
controversy in regards to
how many B-29's landed on
Shemya during the war, I
think only one. Probably
some general who thought
it was a good idea to bomb
Japan from Shemya and had
to prove that at least one
could tolerate that weather.
This one may have been
post war. Looks the 404th
Bomb Squadron hangar.
(Dan Lange, 1946)
2-7. This photo was taken on
Shemya in 1946 by William
Blake, USAF, 404th Bomb
Squadron (H). Bill currently
lives in Medford, MA.
(Supplied by R. Thibault)
2-8. The B-24 "Myasis
Dragon." Taken on Shemya
in 1946 by William Blake,
USAF, 404th Bomb Squadron
(H).
2-9. B-24 "The Glutton," tail
number 74, provided by
William Blake, USAF, 404th
Bomb Squadron (H). Shemya
1946.
2-10. William Blake's hut
#47, Shemya, 1946.
[Quonset huts were
constructed using
corrugated steel sheets
with the ends covered with
plywood having doors and
windows. The “Pacific Hut”
was made of all spruce, and
was seen in the Pacific
theater of operations.]
2-11. On Shemya, 16 June
1946, funeral services were
held for Lt. Col. John Lawson
(the CO) and Lt. Phillip
Oltusky. Their passing was
the result of a plane crash.
One of the 404th's greatest
tragedies. For more
information, click here.
(William Blake)
2-12. Bob Leavitt was
stationed on Shemya in
1946-47, with the 344th
Fighter Group, working 4-
channel VHF, radio compass,
and IFF. Picture taken with
a Kodak Brownie camera.
He's standing alongside the
P-38 "The Shemya Kid." This
was one of six that he knew
of in the 66th Fighter Sq.
(1946-47, Bob Leavitt)
