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7"x9" print at auction on eBay
The 8th Pursuit Group was responsible for the air defense of New York City, then as now the photo op capital of the world. Thus this wire service glossy, taken at Mitchel Field April 20, 1941.
The 8th PG was the first Air Corps unit to get the P-40, the very first version of late 1940 with no pilot armor, self-sealing tanks, or suffix (not a P-40B, C or E - just P-40).
It would have been the equipment for these pilots from the 35th Squadron, the "Black Panthers" (later "Pantons"), here getting a briefing from a captain who's presumably a ground officer.
Gearheads please note the folding-bridge sunglasses on 4 of the pilots and the captain's very pre-war bullion lapel insignia ("US" over prop wings).
Jacketheads, any guess as to the color, make or whatever of the A-2 shown? Keep in mind no wartime contracts have been let yet!
DUI of the 8th PG
Gum card of 35th PS crest
The 8th Pursuit Group was responsible for the air defense of New York City, then as now the photo op capital of the world. Thus this wire service glossy, taken at Mitchel Field April 20, 1941.
The 8th PG was the first Air Corps unit to get the P-40, the very first version of late 1940 with no pilot armor, self-sealing tanks, or suffix (not a P-40B, C or E - just P-40).
It would have been the equipment for these pilots from the 35th Squadron, the "Black Panthers" (later "Pantons"), here getting a briefing from a captain who's presumably a ground officer.
Gearheads please note the folding-bridge sunglasses on 4 of the pilots and the captain's very pre-war bullion lapel insignia ("US" over prop wings).
Jacketheads, any guess as to the color, make or whatever of the A-2 shown? Keep in mind no wartime contracts have been let yet!
DUI of the 8th PG
Gum card of 35th PS crest
