World War 2 In Review

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly US Army Air Corps.

The Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly was an observation aircraft designed and built by Ryan Aeronautical for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). A single-engined parasol wing monoplane, it was designed for optimum STOL capability, but although three prototypes proved highly successful in testing, the Stinson YO-49 was judged superior and no production contract was placed.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly US Army Air Corps.

This YO-51 incorporates fixed slots along the wing's leading edge.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly US Army Air Corps.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly observation aircraft on the ground during evaluation by the United States Army Air Corps.

The first of three Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly prototypes (40-703) demonstrates its leading-edge slats and massive, full-span Fowler flaps during a spirited takeoff. 3 March 1941.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly prototype aircraft taking off, 3 March 1941.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly.

Curtiss YP-37

Curtiss XP-37.

The Curtiss P-37 was an American fighter aircraft made by Curtiss-Wright in 1937 for the US Army Air Corps. A development of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk to use an inline engine instead of the radial engine of the P-36 the fuselage was lengthened and the cockpit moved back. A small number of YP-37 aircraft was built for Air Corps evaluation. The expected top speed was not achieved and the project terminated in favor of the Curtiss P-40.

Curtiss XP-37.

Curtiss YP-37 in flight.

Curtiss YP-37. Service test version of XP-37, 13 built.

Curtiss XP-37 (37-375).

A hastily-camouflaged pre-production Curtiss YP-37.

Curtiss XP-37.

Curtiss YP-37 (38-472).

North American XB-28 Dragon

North American XB-28 Dragon (40-3056).

The North American XB-28 (NA-63) was an aircraft proposed by North American Aviation to fill a strong need in the United States Army Air Corps for a high-altitude medium bomber. It never entered production, with only two prototypes being built.

North American XB-28 Dragon.

The second North American XB-28 was designated XB-28A and was modified for photo reconnaissance work.

North American XB-28A.

North American XB-28-NA.

North American XB-28.

The Mystery of Three Photographs of B-24H 41-28816 "Scrappy"

Photo #1: This photograph was posted on Reddit in r/WWIIplanes; the date given on the Reddit page for its posting is "1y ago" and since this Blog page is being created on January 11, 2025, the photo was posted on Reddit sometime around the same date in January 2024. The caption provided with the photo by the Reddit poster was: "A Consolidated B-24 Liberator of the 15th Air Force comes through an intense and accurate flak barrage over Vienna on October 13, 1944."

Points to note on Photo #1: The large flak burst at top middle of the photo; the large cloud formation at the right of the photo; and in the upper right corner of the photo is a portion of the inside of the port vertical stabilizer of another B-24 (thus it would appear that the photograph was taken from the port waist window).

Photo #2: Unfortunately, I only have a small low quality image of this photograph. I have not been able to find a better copy (or any copy) of this photo online). I found this version some years ago and it included this caption: "A Consolidated B-24H Liberator of the 725th Bombardment Squadron, 451st Bombardment Group (H), 15th US Air Force, emerges from “Flak Alley” over Vienna, Austria with its No. 2 engine smoking but homeward bound. It's not known for sure if it made its way back safely to base in San Pancrazio, Italy. 17 March 1944. The combat mission was to destroy an aircraft assembly plant at Schwechat near Vienna in Austria. Weather clear to Yugoslavian coast, then solid overcast all the way over target. Clouds up to 20,000 feet. Encountered some ack-ack at different points en route and returning from target. None over target. All aircraft returned bar one, which had to turn back at Zagreb and ditched in the Adriatic (all crew lost)."

As you can see it is nearly identical to Photo #1, yet it has a different date: 17 March 1944 while Photo #1's caption stated October 13, 1944. Your first inclination is to simply say, "They are two different photographs taken at two different times." But are they? How can two photos taken months apart look almost identical? The cloud formation is identical; the flak formation is identical, especially in the upper half of the photo; note the large flak burst in the middle top of the photo - it is the lower portion of the large flak burst in Photo #1. Also, note the flak bursts in the lower portion of the photo: some can be found in Photo #1, but some cannot. Especially note the flak bursts just below the inboard port engine, which are not there in Photo #1 (those bursts are not really "below" the engine, of course, they were actually some distance away from the actual plane at the time, but for the purpose of this discussion they are "below" the engine). Also note in the upper right corner a portion of the port stabilizer of the B-24.

Photo #3: Okay, so at first glance this looks like a totally different scene and you might just say that this is a different plane on a different mission on a different day. But look closer. Note the cloud formation and the flak formation - there are many similarities and in some cases, there are parts that are identical to the cloud formation in Photos #1 and #2. I believe that Photos #1 and #2 were taken just a second or two apart, while Photo #3 was taken several or more seconds after the first two and the plane was moving away from the flak and clouds and that the photographer was able to get a more clear photo. Again, note in the upper right corner a portion of the port stabilizer of the B-24. The chances of two or three photos taken on different days/missions having that stabilizer in exactly the same position in each photo would by improbable if not impossible.

Photo #3 can be seen on literally dozens of web pages and the caption is almost identical in every case: "B-24H Liberator “Scrappy” with the 725th Bomb Squadron trails smoke and is losing altitude east of Zagreb, Yugoslavia, 23 August 1944." Some also add this to the caption: "The plane crashed near Zdenci, Yugoslavia." Note that this photo caption gives yet a third date: 23 August 1944.

Photo #1 I have seen several times online, but Photo #2 I only saw it once and have been unable to find it again.

Here are some additional details:

First, I am convinced that all three photos show the same B-24 on the same mission, but what day did this mission take place? Since Photo #3 gives the nickname of the aircraft as "Scrappy" as well as the bomb squadron, 725th, that makes it easy to get the bomb group, 451st. Note that Photo #1 only provided the 15th Air Force, but not the squadron or group, while Photo #2 gave all three.

By searching for the plane's name "Scrappy" this information was obtained, compiled from various web sites:

The first web site provided this: "28816 (451st BG, 725th BS, *Scrappy*) lost Aug 22, 1944 over Hungary on mission to Vienna. MACR 8005" from Joe Baugher's "USAF Serial Number Search Results" page.

And also from Joe's web site we find this: 28816 (451st BG, 725th BS, 15th AF, *Scrappy*, based at Castelluccio Airfield, Foggia, Italy). Crashed Aug 22, 1944 at Konsarnoz, Yugoslavia Due to Engine Failure While Returning From a Mission on The Lobau Oil Storage Installations at Vienna, Austria. All (11) Crew Bailed Out and (7) Were Captured and Became POWs. Released in 1945. (4) Crew Evaded Capture. MACR 8005" ["1941 USAAF Serial Numbers" page]

From a table on the 451st Bomb Group web site there is a table featuring the "451st Bomb Group Aircraft Inventory" and this information is provided: Serial number 41-28816; Aircraft block number H-15-DT; Project 90527-R; Aircraft finish OD; Squadron 725; Aircraft number 57; Date assigned 4/9/1944; Aircraft name Scrappy; Disposition MIA; Date 8/22/1944; IARC ACR-34; MACR 8005.

Note that this table claims that "Scrappy" was in an OD = Olive Drab finish, which as we can easily see that it was in natural metal finish in these three photos. Of course, it may have been in OD finish originally, and then stripped before this mission.

At another web page, "World War II Flight Training Museum and 63rd AAF Flying Training Detachment, Douglas, Georgia, Class 1944-A" comes this information for 2nd Lt. Robert Louis Worsthorn, pilot of "Scrappy": "He graduated from Turner Field in Albany, GA, S/N: O-820925. He was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. He flew B-24s with the 15th A.F., 451st Bomb Gp, 725th Bomb Sqdn. in Italy. On Aug. 22, 1944, he was flying a B-24H (S/N: 41-28816 "Scrappy") on a bombing mission from Castellucio Air Field, Italy to Vienna, Austria when it was hit after bombs away. One engine was feathered and it dropped back. The crew bailed out over Yugoslavia and most were taken P.O.W.s (MACR #8005). He evaded capture and returned to the base."

MilitaryImages.Net web site has Photo #3 posted on 23 August 2022 with these details: B-24H Liberator “Scrappy” with the 725th Bomb Squadron trails smoke and is losing altitude east of Zagreb, Yugoslavia, 22 August 1944. It seems most of the crew bailed out and was captured. The pilot, co-pilot, and left waist gunner were not captured and made it back to base. The last question on the third page (part of a questionnaire filled out by returning crewmen after the war) I uploaded provides these details from another crew member: "Pilot and copilot made it back to the base and completed their missions. Left waist gunner also made it back but was killed later in a crack-up on take off. Written to me by my nose gunner who contacted folks when he reached the states." This is again shown on the list of crew on the fourth page where the pilot, co-pilot and Cpl Cross (the tail gunner) are listed as "fugitive, has been returned". I believe the left-waist gunner was Clinton E Cross who was killed a few months later in November of 1944. A few other crew members I was able to find graves for were Loren Urseth -- Tail Gunner (passed away in 1971) and Jerome B Finegold -- Bombardier (passed away in 2009).

From the book "B-24 Liberators of the 15th Air Force/49th Bomb Wing in World War II" comes this information: "41-28816 SCRAPPY (725th #57) Departed the USA on March 20, 1944. She was flown overseas by Crew #30, commanded by Joseph Younger. SCAPPY was lost on Mission 108 to Vienna. R.L. Worsthorn and his crew were able to bailout. (MACR # 8005)."

And from the same book is this information: "44-10632 (725th ) Left the USA for Italy on August 8, 1944, and arrived at the group on August 11, 1944, to replace 4128816 SCRAPPY. Left the group for unknown reasons on November 11, 1944, and returned on December 16, 1944. Crash landed at Foggia Main on January 20,1945, returning from Mission #182 to Linz, Austria."

Unfortunately there is no photo of this aircraft in the book, but it might be safe to assume that this aircraft was never in OD and was delivered in Natural Metal finish. So, could it be that the plane in Photos #1-3 is this B-24 and not "Scrappy"? And that OD "Scrappy" 41-28816 was lost on the August 22, 1944 mission (while still in OD finish?) and Photos #1-3 are of 44-10632 during the January 20, 1945 mission to Linz, Austria, which fits some of the details in Photos #1-3; or was 44-10632 damaged during a mission or or around November 11, 1944 and then underwent repair and returned to the group on December 16, 1944?

The same book does have a photo of the OD finish "Scrappy":

This is the nose of 41-28816 "Scrappy". Note the panel with the mission markings - there is a similarly shaped panel on the aircraft in Photos #1-3, in the same position on both aircraft. There does not appear to be any nose artwork on the aircraft in those three photos, but that could have been removed when the aircraft had its camouflage finish removed. The aircraft number "57" can be faintly seen in Photos #1 and #3, just forward of the bomb bay doors, apparently in a light colored paint (yellow?). [Photos #1 and #3 are large format photos and you can download a copy by clicking on the photos above and then save a copy of each image.]

The National Archives has Photo #1 which I accessed through the Fold3 web site. Information included on the photograph itself lists the date as October 13, 1944, however this is incorrect; the August 22, 1944 date is correct for this photo. No other photos of this aircraft were found on Fold3.

So, it may be that the B-24 in Photos #1-3 are "Scrappy" 41-28816 after having had its camouflage finish removed prior to the August 22, 1944 mission.

If so, then the three photos show 41-28816 on the August 22, 1944 mission when it was hit by flak and later crash-landed and most of its crew captured, while the rest managed to escape captivity.

This is what can happen when facts are mixed up or incorrect dates and details are contained in documents and photograph captions. I have come across this sort of thing fairly often over the years.

Mitsubishi A5M "Claude"

A5M “Claude.”

The Mitsubishi A5M, formal Japanese Navy designation Mitsubishi Navy Type 96 Carrier-based Fighter, experimental Navy designation Mitsubishi Navy Experimental 9-Shi Carrier Fighter, company designation Mitsubishi Ka-14, was a WWII-era Japanese carrier-based fighter aircraft. The Type number is from the last two digits of the Japanese imperial year 2596 (1936) when it entered service with the Imperial Navy.

It was the world's first low-wing monoplane shipboard fighter to enter service and the predecessor of the famous Mitsubishi A6M "Zero". The Allied reporting name was Claude.

A5M.

A5M4 Model 34.

A5M “Claude.” Note wheel covers have been removed.

A5M4 Type 96 “Claude.”

Navy Type 2 Training Fighter (A5M4-K).

Mitsubishi A5M4 fighters over China, 1930s.

Consolidated B-24/PB4Y-1 Liberator - PB4Y-2 Privateer - C-87

B-24E-1-FO Liberator 42-7770, the first B-24 heavy bomber to come off the assembly line at Willow Run, 15 May 1942.

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models designated as various LB-30s, in the Land Bomber design category.

At its inception, the B-24 was a modern design featuring a highly efficient shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio Davis wing. The wing gave the Liberator a high cruise speed, long range and the ability to carry a heavy bomb load. In comparison with its contemporaries, the B-24 was relatively difficult to fly and had poor low-speed performance; it also had a lower ceiling and was less robust than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. While aircrews tended to prefer the B-17, General Staff favored the B-24 and procured it in huge numbers for a wide variety of roles. At approximately 18,500 units – including 8,685 manufactured by Ford Motor Company – it holds records as the world's most produced bomber, heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft, and American military aircraft in history.

The B-24 was used extensively in World War II where it served in every branch of the American armed forces, as well as several Allied air forces and navies. It saw use in every theater of operations. Along with the B-17, the B-24 was the mainstay of the US strategic bombing campaign in the Western European theater. Due to its range, it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the bombing of Japan. Long-range anti-submarine Liberators played an instrumental role in closing the Mid-Atlantic gap in the Battle of the Atlantic. The C-87 transport derivative served as a longer range, higher capacity counterpart to the Douglas C-47 Skytrain.

By the end of World War II, the technological breakthroughs of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress and other modern types had surpassed the bombers that served from the start of the war. The B-24 was rapidly phased out of U.S. service, although the PB4Y-2 Privateer maritime patrol derivative carried on in service with the U.S. Navy in the Korean War.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator (44-40121) "I'll Be Around". November 1944.

The last of 18,482 B-24 Liberators rolls out of the Willow Run factory, June 28, 1945. Serial number 44-51928 was last B-24 built by Ford at Willow Run. Came off assembly line Jun 28, 1945. Flown directly to storage facility and then to RFC at Kingman, Arizona for scrapping and ultimate smelting.

Sergeant Otto A. Sobanjo, 755th Bomb Squadron, sits in the tail turret of B-24J Liberator “Lily Marlene” (42-50907) at RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, United Kingdom, August 1944.

Father Beck performing communion service for members of the 389th Bomb Group before a mission.

USS Idaho BB-42

Idaho, a New Mexico-class battleship, shells Okinawa on 1 April 1945, easily distinguished by her tower foremast and 5inch/38 Mk 30 single turrets (visible between the barrels of the forward main turrets). Idaho was the only battleship with this configuration.

USS Idaho (BB-42), a New Mexico-class battleship, was the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 43rd state. She was the third of three ships of her class. Built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey, she was launched in June 1917 and commissioned in March 1919. She was armed with a battery of twelve 14-inch (356 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, and was protected by heavy armor plate, with her main belt armor being 13.5 inches (343 mm) thick.

Idaho spent most of the 1920s and 1930s in the Pacific Fleet, where she conducted routine training exercises. Like her sister ships, she was modernized in the early 1930s. In mid-1941, before the United States entered World War II, Idaho and her sisters were sent to join the Neutrality Patrols that protected American shipping during the Battle of the Atlantic. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Idaho and her sisters were sent to the Pacific, where she supported amphibious operations in the Pacific. She shelled Japanese forces during the Gilbert and Marshall Islands and the Philippines campaigns and the invasions of Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

Idaho was among the ships present in Tokyo Bay when Japan formally surrendered on 2 September 1945. With the war over, the ship was decommissioned in July 1946. She was sold to ship breakers in November 1947 and subsequently dismantled.