43-28490 Jeanne

French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.' media-456843.jpg FRE 10110 French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.'

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.

Object Number - FRE 10110 - French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be...

Lt Col Roy W Forrest [Commanding Officer 388th BG] monitored Batty** project glide bomb mission from this A/C. Target Le Havre submarine pens. 13-8-44.



* 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.



**BATTY was the 8th Air Force code name for testing of the GB-4 glide bomb. The GB-4 was an early "smart bomb," as we call them today, and consisted of an M34 2,000lb GP bomb with wings and tail attached.

Connections

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

Units served with

People

Roy W Forrest

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Roy Merlin Scrutchfield

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-730630
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot; Squadron Operations Officer

Places

Missions

549

  • Date: 13 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Batty** project glide bomb mission

Le Havre, France 13 August 1944 Lt Col Roy W Forrest monitored Batty** project glide bomb mission from this A/C. Target Le Havre submarine pens.

Other

Field Modified

Langford Lodge, Ireland Modified to Droop Snoot* configuration with plexiglass nose, Norden bombsight and bomb aimers position in nose.

Manufactured

Burbank, CA, USA Built by Lockheed Aviation.

Delivered

Long Beach, CA, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Mission 549 Entry.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archive/index.php?t-3888.html

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Mission 549 Entry.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archive/index.php?t-3888.html

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Mission 549 Entry.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archive/index.php?t-3888.html

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Mission 549 Entry.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archive/index.php?t-3888.html

43-28490: Gallery (5 items)

French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.'

Object number: FRE 10110 - French countryside, photographed through the nose...

Object number: UPL 19776 - "Droop Snoot" is what the boys call this P-38...

Object number: UPL 19777 - DROOP SNOOT-Ground crewman at a base in Belgium...

Object number: UPL 19778 - Head on shot of - 'General view of Lockheed P-38...

Object number: UPL 19783 - "Droop Snoot" is what the boys call this P-38...