.........And Finally

[Sopwith Chameleon]

...........thanks to the generosity of A F Scrubb ..........

........another gap filled - P-38J "Droopsnoot" Lightning .......

The origin of the droop-snoot concept is attributed to Cols. Cass Hough and Don Ostrander of the 8th Air Force's engineering shop at Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, northwest of London. Hough was a highly regarded engineer and test pilot; Ostrander was noted for his ordnance expertise.
In early 1944, 8th Bomber Command was just emerging from a period of staggering losses, especially to Luftwaffe fighters. The suggestion was made that a tight formation of P-38s led by a "master bomber" could benefit from their speed and avoid many interceptors while putting a worthwhile bomb pattern on target. Additionally, only one man per aircraft (two in a droop snoot) was at risk compared with 10 in a B-17 and -24, and the P-38 "bombers" had an inherent self-defense capability: speed.
In January 1944, the P-38J was becoming available, and one was selected for experimentation by the Lockheed modification center at Langford Lodge in Northern Ireland. To provide room for a bombardier, the nose was chopped back, and all armament and mounts were removed. The forward part of the gondola was then rebuilt to include a Plexiglas nose, small side windows, a Norden sight and a couch for the bombardier. Only a select few got to ride in the nose of a P-38, and it must have been a memorable experience. The sensation-not to mention the view-- would have been breathtaking, especially at low level.
But droop snoots "made their money" at altitude. Emulating the big bombers, fighter squadrons were to fly tight formations during the run to the target and "drop on lead." When the droop snoot released its bombs, the other pilots toggled their loads, and this resulted in a tight pattern of hits

http://sopwithc.wetpaint.com/page/Downloads+Page+8#link

Enjoy !

Jim

:salute:

[MaskRider]

That is very cool SC. Thanks very much to you and A F Scrubb. What a remarkable bit of history. Man, what a ride that would have been! Hehe. yeeowsa!

Speaking of oddly shaped P-38s. Have you seen one of these?
Attachment 21083
I found this over at "Airliners.net". It is among a collection taken by a guy named Gromenthal who was stationed at Northwest Field, Guam at the end of the war when the place was being used as a collection point for AC to be scrapped and whatever. Guess he took his camera out one afternoon- looks like after a rain- and snapped pictures of the various AC parked around the airfield. Here is a P-38 with odd looking nose. I was wondering if you might know what it was used for?

Thanks again for the Droop nose and the history lesson and all of your past great work!
MR

[Sopwith Chameleon]

That is very cool SC. Thanks very much to you and A F Scrubb.

Speaking of oddly shaped P-38s. Have you seen one of these?
Attachment 21083


Thanks again for the Droop nose and the history lesson and all of your past great work!
MR

Hi MR,

Thanks for the Compliment - and for the Masterly stuff you've given

.........it looks like the F-5G Photo-Recon version - with a nose full of oblique & sideways looking cameras ...........

Regards,

Jim

[mariereid]

Thank you, SIR!:salute::ernae: