I question if this is Drew; Hendricks would have been a more logical point for this trainer.
The Hanger also (in my opinion) does not look like Drew.
The other sticking points I have is the late war insignia, plus, if this was the B-17B that ditched off Hillsborough there is no damage to the nose (something that would be very obvious).... this plus the Hillsborough wreck was a class 5 (meaning only fit for scrap).
found my original and from it I cropped the hell out of it.
Drew AAF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Park ... 1-060p.jpg)
Hobbs Update
Re: Hobbs Update
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Re: Hobbs Update
Here's Hendricks in 1944. I was able to greatly enhance it on the original site and there is a buttload of B-17s on the field, but no sign of a pond with one in it. Given that, I would stick with Drew (thought I had a wartime of Drew, but couldn't find it.
As I recall, the Hillsborough Bay plane really wasn't damaged all that bad, and the nose may have been intact. The picture I saw had it sitting on it's gear (we had a tidal thing a year ago and Hillsborough Bay was almost dry). I would guess the "class 5 damage" might be from the soaking in salt water. I am showing this incident happened on June 20 1941 and it was listed as "forced landing, mechanical failure"
Now, I am also showing B-17B 38-217 as having an incident of some kind on 9-9-41, but I don't know exactly what, and exactly where, other than it was somewhere in the Tampa Bay area Drew maybe? Dennis
Now, I am also showing B-17B 38-217 as having an incident of some kind on 9-9-41, but I don't know exactly what, and exactly where, other than it was somewhere in the Tampa Bay area Drew maybe? Dennis
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Chris Brame
- Posts: 585
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- Location: Yucca Valley, CA
Re: Hobbs Update
Thanks for the enlargements! Name is Fritz the Ditch, and note that it's been stripped back to bare metal with the late insignia. Maybe this one was active for longer than most?
Re: Hobbs Update
one possible site for the ditching trainer at Drew, using the 1948 photo at wikipedia.
now buried under the ramp - just wondering if the building in the background is a gymnasium and not a hanger.
now buried under the ramp - just wondering if the building in the background is a gymnasium and not a hanger.
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Re: Hobbs Update
I had brought up and marked that same area last night, but the file size was too large to upload. Didn't have time to modify it. I believe that is the site as the buildings line up perfectly. There is no area at Hendricks that even came close to that. Also believe that the B-17B was stripped, painted and marked FOR the purpose of being a ditching trainer rather that being in service with those markings. Dennis