Vintage shots from days gone by!

Looks like the ole boy has a "Vintage" Wedgie!

 

profile info.:"Ron Lago has not made any friends yet"

 

RE"Kentucky Speed boat".That was one of the comedy acts at Cypress Gardens Fl.Saw that act several times over the years.My parents and my sister and myself went there about four times a year.Great shows and a real family atmosphere.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Automotive Digest, November 1945

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

Automotive Digest, November 1946

 

I don't know about that B17, Doc. At first I was thinking a later 299 but the tail makes it later than a D model. I have a pictorial book with virtually every (??) known configuration of the 299/B17/etc. but will have to look for it & see if that particular version is shown. You may be correct on the postwar conversion. But - doesn't the rear part of the fuselage look a bit slim to you? Seems the G models were a bit 'fatter' in that section; maybe it's just the angle of the photo.

I think I read someplace about that Peacemaker doing a low level flyover along the ocean coast of Florida. Just seeing a B36 in flight would be an awesome sight! I don't think any of the survivors are airworthy. I've seen only 2 static-display B36s but have worked with former crew-members and maintainers. According to most, they were a maintenance nightmare.

 

Yes I think you're correct. I have never seen that type of wheel skirt/treatment on them before though. Interesting.

 

Could have been some general's personal aircraft. MacArthur had a B-17 converted like that named "Bataan", maybe Ike or Eaker also had one.

 

Looks like they're from a training squadron. Active aircraft would be marked something like 8-T-1 for squadron leader of Torpedo 8. Cowl and tail would be painted differently as well.

 

I am not sure that these are Devastators, here is the first prototype which does not have the fared fixed landing gear that these planes have...but not sure what these are??



and this is the first production Devastator in 1935, retractable landing gear:

 

Evidently there were several variations of the design.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_BT

 

This is not a Devastator. It's a Northrop BT-1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_BT

 

The skirted version appears to be a combat variant or at least a trainer, as guessed from the machine gun mounted near front cockpit. I have some info on Boeings, but not on the Douglas fighters. Apparently and with many aircraft during WWII, there apparently were 2 different contractors building them - Douglas and Grumman. Many different configurations and flown by several Allies during the war. Will have to do some checking on that one.

 

In #86439, I identified it as a Northrop BT-1. The Navy only bought 54. The second prototype BT-2 was developed by Douglas when they acquired Northrop, and it ultimately was produced as the SBD Dauntless.

 

missed that one! Thanks for the corrections.

 

I normally wont post anything unless I know it off the top of my head but these fascinated me, hence my reply in #86407. TTpete is right on the money, Apparently there was only 55 made to a 1934 design request, first entering service in '35.
A poor handling aircraft it was replaced in service by '38 by the BT-2, a much modified and improved aircraft known as the SBD Dauntless!

Doc.

 

Interesting that they changed their sign. Went from sales, in the 1938 photo to parts and service in the 1948 photo, must've moved the showroom somewhere else?

 

Nat King Cole with his daughter Natalie, c. 1955

 

-- The guy was like... SIX FOOT FIVE INCHES TALL -----------
for crying out loud ... he "was" ...Daniel Boone & he "was" Davey Crockett
--- for Gall Darn Sakes Alive ...the man was huge !

 

...while on the subject of dive bombers that failed, this is the Brewster XA-32, heavy and underpowered, only two prototypes were built...generally the Brewster Aviation did not build successful planes, though the Buffalo did pretty well in the hands of Finnish pilots during the "Winter War" against the USSR.

 

Look at the tires in post 86432. They are solid rubber with holes to give them flex. In all my years of going to Hershey I have never seen even part of one of these tires in the flea market.