23FG photos, lots of juicy flight jacket pics!

[falcon_ib]

Band & Meacham in Naning, China, 1944. The CBI has a really unique "flavor" to it and is full of crazy stories, fascinating details, and beautiful flight jackets. The quality and craftsmanship of theater made patches and souvenir pieces also amaze me.

Flight Line at Laohwangping, June 1945

For example, the 118th TRS was originally going to be the "Blue Lightning" squadron, but they couldn't find any blue paint in China, so they had to go with Black Lightning!

 

[Teddy]

A lot of A2 jackets. Here's a lovely M422a (can't tell which contract) from Tex Hill!

 

[Brettafett]

Agree. 23FG and the airwar in the CBI has always fascinated me. Completely different cultures all thrust together in this theatre.
I love the 75th and 76th's patches... And that 118TR P-51 Black Lightning is the most striking scheme coming out of WW2, to my eyes. Love it.
Reading Martin Caiden's The Ragged, Rugger Warriors at the mo, and its amazing. Learning so much about how all this came to be, before the 23FB, what lead up to Chennault's 23FG.

 

[Brettafett]

Aaaah, Tex Hill, the great leader.

Tex Hill's jacket

 

[Brettafett]

23FG 74FS "Ajax" Balmier

 

[Brettafett]

Llewellyn Couch 16thFS 23rdFG

 

[Brettafett]

Col. Robert Scott 23FG (God is my Co-pilot)

 

[Brettafett]

Don Lopez 75th FS. Pretty sure that a Star Sportswear A-2.

 

[Brettafett]

Great book by Mr Lopez.

 

[Silver Surfer]

hmmm......looks like im going to have to dig out my original 75th fs rw.

 

[Greg Gale]

Before I wrote your caption my first thought was that it looked a lot like my jacket

 

[Brettafett]

hmmm......looks like im going to have to dig out my original 75th fs rw.

Y E S !

 

[falcon_ib]

Great photo of Sgt. Pavlos Martakos, 118th Tac Recon Sqn

 

[Brettafett]

Another 118 Recon pilot

 

[Brettafett]

And something in technicolour
This A-2 is interesting. Look at that shoulder patch, placed one a USAF decal.

 

[falcon_ib]

Another 118 Recon pilot

Henry Davis in a P-40N

 

[Brettafett]

Another Dubow perhaps?

 

[johnwayne]

For fans of 23rd FG just check out the stuff on You Tube, best of course if you've a TV with the app but some good footage and lots of jackets.

 

[Brettafett]

Yes, good call. I have watched a lot already. Some great jackets to be seen, and lots to learn.

 

[Brettafett]

Posted elsewhere, should be there.
Pappy Herbst 23FG