media-19723.jpeg UPL 19723 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].

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