23FG photos, lots of juicy flight jacket pics!

[Brettafett]

Thought I'd start another photo thread, this time of the 23FG. Really interesting group and history, some great books on the subject.
A few original AVG pilots, under Claire Chennault, became the nucleus of the 23FG 'Flying Tiger' squadrons (not to be confused with the original AVG); 16th, 74th, 75th, 76th and later, the 118th Tactical Recon. Feel free to add pics, comments and insights.

Notice mix of A-2s and B-10s above. Incl. Chennault and his famous Aero 16160.

Some 75th FG pilots, incl Don Lopez on wing third from left.

23FG Commanders... Back Vincent, Alison, Holloway. Front - Ajax Balmer and Mahony. Notice the group patch on the left breast.

Holloway, second back. Notice the varying patches.

 

[falcon_ib]

Nice! The CBI is a really interesting theater of war to research and learn about.

Great color image of Fred Poats

Alwyn Traylor of 76th Fighter Squadron

76th and 75th personnel. Anyone know the jacket contracts?

Scarf and swagger


Don't forget the 449th Fighter Squadron (Sometimes called the Forgotten Squadron LOL), attached to the 23rd from August-November 1943. http://www.cbi-history.com/part_i.html#106

 

[falcon_ib]

Don Lopez, 75th Fighter Squadron, future deputy director of the Smithsonian NASM

Check out the beautiful Mustang N6555B painted in his livery that won best warbird at Oshkosh this year

(photos are not mine)

Evan

 

[falcon_ib]

Just noticed the tanker jacket on the left of the first picture you posted Brett. I've only seen one in 1 other photo from the CBI!

9th Photo Recon in India

 

[Steve27752]

Nice images. The first photo has been flipped at some point.

 

[Shawn Ali]

Great Photos

 

[Greg Gale]

Another great thread, please keep those photos coming.

 

[falcon_ib]

I just love this picture of Jack Smith, 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Note the large size CATF patch and small size 23rd Fighter Group above it. Timeless style with the sweater and B-2 cap as well.

 

[Brettafett]

Some more of Alwyn Traylor 76th FS

Alwyn Traylor's A-2

Traylor's P-51 Bad Penny

 

[Teddy]

@falcon_ib Where did you find all these beautiful photos!? My search ability is too low haha!

The jacket of Jack Smith is so worn and so full of character as well. Thanks a lot for sharing.

 

[Brettafett]

23FG 118TR leading ace... Ed McComas

McComas' A-2... Another Dubow I recon. 27798?

 

[Brettafett]

I have so many, over the years... About time I sifted through them
If you want to see some fantastic 23FG 118TR P-51 action (albeit, not technically accurate), watch the scene in Empire of the Sun - Cadillac of the Sky

 

[Brettafett]

23FG 75FS Robert "Pete" Peterson. Surely another Dubow...

 

[falcon_ib]

@falcon_ib Where did you find all these beautiful photos!? My search ability is too low haha!

The jacket of Jack Smith is so worn and so full of character as well. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Check out this link! Super high quality photos of 118th Tac Recon from stateside training to late war China.
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/112433283079510262319?source=pwa

Standing: Sgt. Pavlos (Paul) Martakos, Sgt. Frank Ryley Hiss, unknown, Wallace Moyle On Plane:unknown, unknown, Sgt. Charles Tibbals during training in the southern US, 1943

 

[Teddy]

I have so many, over the years... About time I sifted through them
If you want to see some fantastic 23FG 118TR P-51 action (albeit, not technically accurate), watch the scene in Empire of the Sun - Cadillac of the Sky

Ken also mentioned that the M422a worn by Christian Bale was the least accurate one of the five Aero sent to the film crew!

 

[Brettafett]

Yes, I think that where I got some images from...

 

[Brettafett]

23FG 76FS Charles Griffith

 

[Brettafett]

Andrew has a thread with a Knopf A-2 from the 118th Tactical Recon Squadron - This would be the 'lottery' for me.
https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...al-reconnaissance-squadron.17925/#post-165325

 

[Teddy]

By the way, in case this is of interest to some of you, the characters written on the left chest patch of Traylor and Griffith's jackets, "前哨", means outpost.

 

[falcon_ib]

One for the bigger guys, Lt.C. Collops & SSgt Ferretti