[ARC5] More on the "No HF" Myth

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Mike wrote:

> Todd Bigelow - PS wrote:
>
> > I realize it's long after the fact and things could have been changed
> > since the 1940s, but I've been through two B-17s in the last decade and
> > both had BC-348/BC-375/SCR-274N gear installed. I looked the aircraft
> > over pretty well(spent two days in one) to see if anything was
> > missing(any large gaps, patterns of holes where shockmounts could've
> > been mounted, etc), didn't see anything to indicate any other gear had
> > been installed.
>
> I have read that *very* few B-17s and B-24s were returned from the UK
> back to the US following the war.  Apparently they weren't worth the
> effort and cost to reclaim.  The B-29 had come on the scene for Pacific
> Theater use.  I wonder how many of the surviving B-17 and B-24 airframes
> now in the USA actually served in the UK.

I'm not sure where it is, but I have or have seen a picture of what I think
is the Arizona desert loaded with B-17s and B-24s waiting to be smelted. I
feel pretty certain that many of these planes came from Europe because of the
visible nose art and missions flown painted on the noses. I also remember
seeing a movie one time on AMC or somewhere that dealt with a couple of guys
who bought and sold aircraft purchased from the gov't or some such, There
were many scenes in the movie showing acres of engines, cowlings, and
aircraft waiting to be reclaimed. My guess would be that some of the aircraft
were given or sold to our allies if requested, others deemed not worth
returning were scrapped there, while many others were flown home. This is
just a guess, mind you.

It's too bad we can't find more specific information on these matters. You're
correct Mike, we need to find as many of the people who were there and get
their stories down on paper or some other means. Actualy video tapes would be
nice if they could be preserved somehow. Nothing like the actual words of
someone who was *there* and did it.

I'm going to put the word out here locally through a few of the guys I know
to see if I can find techs, mechanics, and others involved in maintaining
aircraft in WWII. If we all do this as we go through life, who knows what we
might turn up for information or documentation? I've always found that the
fellows who went through this period of time are very happy to share and
pleased to have someone showing interest in what they did and went through.
It serves both parties well and assures that more history is preserved.

Hey, it can't hurt to try!

73, Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ