44-23162
The view of the bombardier through the plexiglass nose of a Droop Snoot P-38 coming in to land. Note the bombardiers feet at bottom of frame. Roger Freeman Collection
Roger Freeman Photo.
Point of departure was A-11 airfield, Saint-Lambert, for recon of Mortain area, due to overcast reduced altitude and was hit by flak in starboard engine, pilot lost control and both occupants baled out, one parachute snagged tailplane and went down with A/C. 1st Lt Dean R Burns [Pilot] Major William K Collonan [Obs]2 x MIA/FOD. MACR 7862.
* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers/observers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 370th Fighter Group 405th Fighter Group 402nd Fighter Squadron 511th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19074204 / O-674032
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Service Numbers: O-243539
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Observer / Navigator
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
50140 Mortain, France | 9 August 1944 - 9 August 1944 | Recon of Mortain, due to overcast reduced altitude and was hit by flak in starboard engine, pilot lost control and both occupants baled out, one parachute snagged tailplane and went down with A/C. 2 x MIA/FOD. MACR 7862. |
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA | Built at Lockheed Aviation. | |
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
Other Field modified |
Langford Lodge, Ireland | Field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration. | |
Assigned |
Andover, Andover, Hampshire, UK | Assigned to 402nd Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, 9th AF. |