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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.
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22nd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Nice front 3/4 view of the electronic surveillance "Droop Snoot*". One of only four so equipped 'Droop Snoot*' used for gathering Elint**. Detached to 192 Sqn RAF***.
* 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].
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22nd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Photo of a "Droop Snoot*" P-38 specially fitted to carry out Elint** work. Four A/C were specially fitted like this and were assigned to the 7th PRG. This shot gives a good view of the extra position in the nose and the equipment used. Detached to 192 Sqn RAF***.
* 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].
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Lt. Ellis B "Bruce" Edwards. 22nd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Lt. Edwards seen here with the "Droop Snoot*" which he flew on at least one of the Elint** surveillance missions. Four A/C were specially fitted like this and were assigned to the 7th PRG and detached to 192 Sqn RAF***.
* 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].
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. "Reported to have been converted to radar search aircraft and operated by 36th BS (a radar countermeasures unit), not sure if before or after RAF service"****.
* 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].
Service
Units
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Group
The 801st Bomb Group was established as part of the Eighth Air Force in late March 1944 to carry out 'Carpetbagger' missions. These were night missions over France and other parts of occupied Europes to support resistance forces by dropping in agents,...
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Places
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Military site : airfield
Foulsham was built for the RAF in 1940-42, then used by RAF bombers and RAF special electronic warfare aircraft. An Eighth Air Force Radio Countermeasures detachment was based here in 1944-45 (it also used nearby RAF Oulton. The airfield was closed at...
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Military site : airfield
Harrington was built by the 826th and 852nd Engineer Battalions of the US Army in 1943. Completed in 1944, it was the furthest Eighth Air Force combat airfield from the east coast.The Eighth's Special Operations Group was based at the airfield, first...
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Military site : airfield
Planned to be a Satellite Landing Ground for No. 23 Maintenance Unit at RAF Aldergrove, Langford Lodge was selected in October 1941 to be developed as an air deport for the maintenance and repair of USAAF aircraft. A scheme was devised whereby the...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA |
August 1943 |
Built by Lockheed as a P-38J.
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Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA |
September 1943 |
Delivered to USAAF.
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Field Modified |
Langford Lodge, 55-57 De La Warr Rd, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN40 2JE, UK |
April 1944 – May 1944 |
Field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration and fitted out with equipment and aerials for Elint** work.
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Assigned |
Harrington, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6, UK |
May 1944 – September 1944 |
Assigned to 36th Bomb Squadron, 801st Bomb Group, 8AF USAAF.
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Detached |
Foulsham, Dereham, Norfolk NR20, UK |
September 1944 – February 1945 |
Detached to 192 Sqn RAF for Elint** missions.
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Converted - radar search A/C |
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March 1945 |
"Reported to have been converted to radar search aircraft and operated by 36th BS (a radar countermeasures unit), not sure if before or after RAF service"****.
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