JIMMY DOLITTLE'S A-2 BEFORE AND AFTER RAID

[Grant]

Looking at these before and after pics of Jimmy and some of his crew you can clearly see the results of the "rice paddy treatment" on Jimmy's A-2. After the raid Jimmy and his crew bailed out into rainy darkness not sure where they were. Jimmy ended up landing in a up to his neck in a Chinese rice paddy fertilized with "night soil" (aka human feces).

 

[Persimmon]

Interesting when judging the jacket on certain areas.
With regard to the Goldsmith Aero version and the ongoing collar issue - looking at the after shot the collar of Col Doolittke’s jacket seems far “ bigger” in comparision to the before shot.
Just shows what a picture angle can do to one’s impression.

 

[Edward]

well, ain't that some shit! lol!

 

[Edward]

Doolittle's patch is missing in the second shot. and two crew have different patches than in the first

 

[B-Man2]

Cool observation Grant.
While it may beat the HWT all to shit, ( pun definitely intended) I don’t see myself doing THAT one anytime soon. The smell alone must have been overwhelming

 

[Grant]

Edward, That's the work of US censors at the time covering up any sort of bomb squadron identification. Notice Jimmy's co-pilot, Dick Cole, also has his patch censored.

 

[Edward]

Edward, That's the work of US censors at the time covering up any sort of bomb squadron identification. Notice Jimmy's co-pilot, Dick Cole, also has his patch censored.

AH! of course! thank you

 

[Edward]

now that I zoom in I can see the white splotch and it not completely covering the patch. I need to put my glasses on LOL!

 

[Grant]

Or then again, maybe the "fertilizer"ate away the artwork on Jimmy's Wright Field patch!

 

[Edward]

Or then again, maybe the "fertilizer"ate away the artwork on Jimmy's Wright Field patch!

caustic stuff!

 

[Smithy]

After HWT was all the rage, next big thing is going to be LWCT, or luke warm crap treatment for that "been through it all" period correct look!

 

[Edward]

After HWT was all the rage, next big thing is going to be LWCT, or luke warm crap treatment for that "been through it all" period correct look!

and we can all make our own! no need to special order! just eat a lot of rice and vegetables!

 

[Teddy]

Judging from the pocket shapes, it seems like several of them are wearing Aero contracts?

 

[STEVE S.]

Jimmy even knew how to sport a jacket later in life. Here he is in the late 50’s on my Uncle George’s fishing boat.

 

[Teddy]

@STEVE S. What's the story here Steve? How did your uncle become best fishing buddy with Jimmy?

 

[STEVE S.]

George was one of the pioneers in sword fishing back in the day. Took all the celebrities out on runs in the late 50’s early 60’s. Also have a pic of him when he took Curtis Lemay fishing. That was all after his return from the war and a motorcycle racing career. He was one who came home from the war always looking for an adrenaline rush. I was lucky enough to scan his photo albums shorty before he died.

 

[B-Man2]

Some pretty cool pixs!

 

[Teddy]

Really cool story Steve! Did George serve in the army? Was it the Korean War?

 

[STEVE S.]

Really cool story Steve! Did George serve in the army? Was it the Korean War?

He was in the Marine Corps along with his brother Henry. They were in different units but ended up jumping into the same foxhole at some point during Guadalcanal. These two pics tell the whole story on the toll that combat takes on a body, if you are lucky enough to survive....

Before Guadalcanal:

After the war:

 

[Smithy]

That's a remarkable difference. It's amazing how much combat experience changes the features and often the eyes of those who have been through it. A very powerful comparison you posted there.