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diceslinger
11-16-2012, 11:01
Can anyone help me identify these two crashed planes? I know they are from the South Pacific theater somewhere between 1943-1945.

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Marechallannes
11-16-2012, 11:15
I think the first one is a Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate, "Frank" fighter.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-84

Because of the 4-blade-propeller.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Ki-84-1.jpg

Naharaht
11-16-2012, 19:41
The second may be a Mitsubishi Ki-51 Sonia.
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marcoperse
11-18-2012, 12:12
I agree with Marchellanes: Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate for the first picture

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/japan/aircraft/fighter/nakajima-ki-84-hayate-frank.asp

And this is the second one (you've right David :thumbsup:)

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/japan/aircraft/ground-attack/mitsubishi-ki-51-sonia.asp

Marco

diceslinger
11-19-2012, 08:03
I think you guys are spot on. All of these are from my Grandfather's albums. He was an engineer in the Phillipines and took them while stationed there.
I have a few more that we came across.


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I may have to get a better scan to identify this one, but any help is great!
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And while not our speciality here on the Drome, a helicopter. My guess is a Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_R-4 What do you guys think?
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Naharaht
11-19-2012, 08:32
They look to me like a B-25 Mitchell, a P-47 Thunderbolt and I think that you are correct about the Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly.

marcoperse
11-19-2012, 09:27
The first one I'm pretty sure that is a B-25 "Mitchell" used by US in Pacific to strafe against japanese airports, naval bases and ships;
the second one I could only trying to guess ('cos the picture is taken at long field and I try also to zoom it) with a Curtiss P-36A not a P-47 (almost sure) that had a different shape for the cockpit;
the helicopter I can only agree with you that is a Sikorsky R-4 "Hoverfly": no way to make a mistake.

Marco

diceslinger
11-19-2012, 09:41
I think you guys are spot on with the B-25 Mitchell. I don't know how I missed figuring that one out. I've got to say I agree with the P-47 lightning for the other one. The tail isn't as rounded as the Curtis P-36A. The cockpit on the Curtis also looks like it joins with the fusalage in a smooth line back to the tail. This one seems to have a "bubble" canopy like the later bubbletop P-47s. Maybe I just misunderstood you Marco?

In any case, thanks a million for the help! I'll see if I can't get a better scan of the fighter.

marcoperse
11-19-2012, 13:14
Maybe I just misunderstood you Marco?

Sorry Shawn, I thought it was the opposite: when I zoomed in it seemed me that the cockpit was "squared" like the one in th P-36A and not tear shaped like the P47's.
But it doesn't matter :thumbsup: I liked so much helping you 'cos this offered me the opportunity to improve my knowledge about WWII planes.

Marco

Marechallannes
11-20-2012, 07:18
I don't think it's a P36.

Doesn't fit to the time the photos were made 1943-1945.

P47 should be right - maybe an early version P47 B or P47 C but I would say it's a P47 D - Bubbletop, too.

diceslinger
11-20-2012, 07:46
It's interesting, because the only war story my grampa told me was when he saw a Japanese plane flying overhead being chased by an American fighter. He saw the whole dogfight that ended in the Japanese plane being shot down. He never told me he had pictures or anything, so now I'm left wondering if one of the wrecked planes in the picture is one from the story. So many unanswered questions.

Thank you guys, you helped me with piecing a bit of my family history together. It means a lot.