Milton Shupe
November 16th, 2008, 15:32
The NM state has just issued a very glossy document on the history of the Hobbs AAF. Its initial mission was bombardier training in AT-11's but quickly changed to B-17 pilot and 4-engine mechanic training. Actor Jimmy Stewart was in the first group of B-17 Cadets here for training. Col. Joseph P. Bailey was the Commanding Officer who oversaw B-17 Training.
The air base had 457 structures, over 3560 military and 1000 civilians working on base at its peak. At peak times, there were 15 squadrons here,
The book documents all the major structures, pics of blueprints, aerial views of the base, runways, bombing fields, ordinance strorage, the flight line, pilot and mechanic training classrooms, etc. handy for building scenery of same.
Pilot training was from 6AM to Midnight every day. Early B-17 training had no manuals and procedures so they were developed as part of the classes. The resulting info finally became the B-17 Fly Fortress Training Manual in 1944.
After the war, aircraft including A-26's and P-51's were mothballed here before being shipped later to permanent storage.
If anyone has an interest in developing scenery for the HAAF, please contact me.
The air base had 457 structures, over 3560 military and 1000 civilians working on base at its peak. At peak times, there were 15 squadrons here,
The book documents all the major structures, pics of blueprints, aerial views of the base, runways, bombing fields, ordinance strorage, the flight line, pilot and mechanic training classrooms, etc. handy for building scenery of same.
Pilot training was from 6AM to Midnight every day. Early B-17 training had no manuals and procedures so they were developed as part of the classes. The resulting info finally became the B-17 Fly Fortress Training Manual in 1944.
After the war, aircraft including A-26's and P-51's were mothballed here before being shipped later to permanent storage.
If anyone has an interest in developing scenery for the HAAF, please contact me.