Barksdale photos 1920-30s

[Weasel_Loader]

Scanned these out of a small book about the history of Barksdale AFB, La. I have fond memories of this base as it was my first assignment (1988-90).

First photo is Lt. Eugene Hoy Barksdale himself. Met an untimely death when his Douglas O-2 crashed at McCook Field in 1926.

1923 McCook Field, Ohio. Barksdale is second from left on top row. His old friend Jimmy Doolittle is kneeling front and center.

Lt. Ernest Holtzen would become the second casualty at Barksdale Field when his Boeing P-12 crashed after a midair with another P-12 in 1933.

20th Pursuit Group photo standing in front of a Boeing P-26 Peashooter.

I included this photo of a 3rd Attack Group Curtiss A-12 Shrike II since you don't see too many photos of this great looking aircraft. Love the classic looks and the 13th Attack Sq. patch on the side.

 

[deeb7]

Fantastic, more great photos, thanks Danny .... Zoomer will be all over these.

 

[Vcruiser]

Again the nametag placed directly above the pocket. Has it ever been confirmed that this was the normal placement on an A-1..?
Van

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Thanks David. I think Zoomer and I, along with a few others really love this era of flight. Then again, I love just about EVERY era of flight.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Again the nametag placed directly above the pocket. Has it ever been confirmed that this was the normal placement on an A-1..?
Van

I looks like Holtzen's name has been painted on. I think during this era, there was no standardized way of putting name tags and patches on. It was most likely up to the Wing/Base commander at the time as it seems most are standardized within the units (according to most photos we see). I think when WW2 came along, there was a slightly more standardized method and again we see it go away after the war until about the late 60s.

 

[Vcruiser]

Be nice if someone could/would start an original A-1 photo thread..in order to compare old photos of these jackets in one place.....
Van

 

[deeb7]

Again the nametag placed directly above the pocket. Has it ever been confirmed that this was the normal placement on an A-1..?

All the photos in my A-1 folder show any nametags to be in this position. They don't appear to be the later stamped leather variety, but look to have a white, or coloured ground.

There's wonderful picture in Full Gear, GHQ Air Force (provisional) Staff (1933) ... the men are wearing a mixture of A-1, or first contract A-2 jackets, all with the nametags directly above the pockets.

 

[Falcon_52]

Great photos! Thanks for taking the time to post them.

Does anyone know what the one-piece, belted flight suit is called (spec. number) in the first photo of Barksdale?

Again, wonderful shots.

Noel

 

[zoomer]

I don't think that's a suit. It seems to turn to fabric below the belt.

(Of course they could have made it half leather, half cloth, or even stitched the two together as sort of a field mod... :? )

Swell looking jacket tho. There's little standardization in the winter gear at this point in time, so presumably it was a civvy garment.

Mittens...and plain old street shoes. How cavalier is that? Less control of your plane and cold feet to boot!

 

[deeb7]

Does anyone know what the one-piece, belted flight suit is called (spec. number) in the first photo of Barksdale?

It appears to be the B-7 suit (Circa 1926 - 1931).

Full Gear has pictures, and a photo of AAC Brig Gen. B.D. Foulois wearing one (12 Sept. 1927).

 

[Falcon_52]

Thanks for that, David. It's interesting what zoomer posted; I took another look at the photo. It does appear that the trousers are cloth but somehow it looks like the belt loop connects the trousers with the jacket. It could just be the contrast/lighting in the photo.

Either way, this is some extraordinary flight gear. I wonder if any of this stuff survived over the years.

Noel

 

[Tokyo Jones]

Fantastic photos! I love the sinister line up in front of the P26, as I have a particular fondness for that aircraft. A buddy of mine and I used to hang out at the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, CA which had the only (at the time) flying P26 left. I think there may be another now.

Anyway, great photos - keep 'em comin'!

 

[deeb7]

It does appear that the trousers are cloth but somehow it looks like the belt loop connects the trousers with the jacket. It could just be the contrast/lighting in the photo.

It's frustrating being unable to read the text in Full Gear. The preceding page shows a light coloured, one piece, mid 1920's, fleece lined suit ... the torso is overlaid with a darker coloured lightweight leather, the seam of which is covered by the belt.

 

[SuinBruin]

It does appear that the trousers are cloth but somehow it looks like the belt loop connects the trousers with the jacket. It could just be the contrast/lighting in the photo.

It's frustrating being unable to read the text in Full Gear. The preceding page shows a light coloured, one piece, mid 1920's, fleece lined suit ... the torso is overlaid with a darker coloured lightweight leather, the seam of which is covered by the belt.

I have a co-worker who is Japanese-American (his parents were born in Japan and I believe split their time between the States and their native land), so I might be able to get you a translation of a page or two, if you want to send me a scan.

 

[Andrew]

Thanks for that, David. It's interesting what zoomer posted; I took another look at the photo. It does appear that the trousers are cloth but somehow it looks like the belt loop connects the trousers with the jacket. It could just be the contrast/lighting in the photo.

Either way, this is some extraordinary flight gear. I wonder if any of this stuff survived over the years.

Noel

Whatever it is he's wearing he is indeed the epitomy of the rugged featured fearless Flyer image that kids have grown up with since.

 

[Mac]

It looks to me like the belt loop is for the trousers and the jacket is tucked into oversized trousers. Reminds me of vintage pics of fellows wearing a wide belt over sweaters (jumpers).

Mac

 

[deeb7]

I have a co-worker who is Japanese-American (his parents were born in Japan and I believe split their time between the States and their native land), so I might be able to get you a translation of a page or two, if you want to send me a scan.

Thankyou, that's very kind, but I kinda need to translate the whole book ... Suit Up too.

So, for now, I'll hang in there, hoping for an English edition.