43-28479

media-7213.jpeg UPL 7213 One of the four 'Droopsnoots' at RAF Foulsham. 44-23515 would have been identical. Note radio search aerials above and below nose.

Elint* employed 'Droop snoots' were:
44-23515, 44-23501, 44-23156 and 43-28479. Loaned out to 192 Sqn RAF.

*Elint - Electronic Intelligence gathering.

AAM DB Entry.

Object Number - UPL 7213 - One of the four 'Droopsnoots' at RAF Foulsham. 44-23515 would have been identical. Note radio search aerials above and below nose. Elint* employed...

P-38J field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work. Detached to 192 Sqn*** RAF for Elint** missions.



* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers 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.



** Elint - Electronic intelligence, the collection for analysis of electronic signals [radio and radar] from enemy transmissions.



*** 'Between September 1944 and February 1945, USAAF two seat lightnings were attached to the squadron and in November 1944 much time was spent in searching for radio signals from V-2s, though these were later found to be uncontrolled' [V2's had on-board guidance systems].

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 36th Bomb Squadron (Radar Counter Measures).
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force 385th Fighter Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728536
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-927540
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 22nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-753731

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Foulsham, Dereham, Norfolk NR20, UK 15 September 1944 Taxiing accident RAF Foulsham Cat 3 damage, pilot Lt Richard S Quiggins, 15-9-44. 22PRS 7PRG 8AF

Crashed

Mt Farm Cottage, Dorchester, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7PG, UK 1 January 1945 Crashed Belly Landing Mount Farm/Sta 234 Cat 3 damage, pilot Lt Carter E Hitt, 1-145 13PRS 7PRG 234 8AF

Crashed

Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 25 June 1945 Crashed Belly Landing Alconbury/Sta 102 Cat 3 damage, pilot Lt Philip M Algar, 25-6-45. 857BS 492BG 8AF

Manufactured

Burbank, CA, USA Built by Lockheed as a P-38J.

Delivered

Long Beach, CA, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Other

Field modified

Langford Lodge, Ireland Field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work.

Other

Assigned

Harrington, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6, UK Assigned to 36th Bomb Squadron, 801st Bomb Group, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Detached

Foulsham, Dereham, Norfolk NR20, UK Detached to 192 Sqn RAF for Elint** missions.

Revisions

Date
Contributorbrx851b
Changes
Sources

8th Air Force records

43-28479: Gallery (4 items)