UPL 19779
IMAGEP-38H 42-67086 'Droop Snoot*' Prototype in front of Hangar No.5 at Langford Lodge. A Douglas A-20 aircraft is in the background. Fitted with a wooden mockup nose and test flown in this configuration. The wooden nose was later used as a mould for the Plexiglass nose for the 2nd prototype.. * 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.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit: Base Air Depot 3
Locations
- Site type: Airfield