461st plaque

461st Bombardment Group (H)

P-40s

There were at least two P-40Fs used by Col. Glantzberg and later Group COs in shepherding formations together.  A closer look at an interesting facet of Bomber operations.  Not to mention one snazzy paint job!

Unfortunately, we still have no photos of the P-38s used for the same purpose. Check in if you know where we can find any.

Camhawk 

Jim Van Nostrand Photo

The P-40s used by Group and Squadron Commanders for shepherding early formations into shape.  Does anyone have pictures of the P-38s used later in the war?


Trommershauser P-40

John Trommershauser on the wing of the soon-to-be Group hack.  Does anyone remember doing maintenance on this aircraft?  The caption on the back reads --

"This is the P-40 that Brooks Lawhon and I stole one rainy night.  Fast paint job and the 461st had entered the fighter era. "

Trommershauser further relates:

When we picked up the plane it was night, no lights on the airfield but the runway lights they finally turned on for us to land.  We had no contact with the tower.  Col. Lawhon had made arrangements with a crew chief to flash a light to guide us to the revetment where the plane was ready for us to acquire.

This was a fast grab.  Never did see the crew chief.  Lawhon jumped out and ran to the P-40 while I made a fast taxi in our B-24 to the runway for a fast get away.  It was a rainy night.  Next time I saw the P-40 it had been painted over with our group insignia.  I can tell you this - the plane was a piece of junk.  After reading the tech order and having a crew chief help me start it up I took off to feel it out and learn to fly like those fighter jocks that thought they were so hot.  I flew around a bit trying stalls, etc. to get the feel.  Did a slow roll and all sorts of trash came flying up from under the rudder pedals and other parts of the plane.  It was a dirty mess.  Also if you landed at another field such as Bari, the coolant would leak out and have to be replaced while the engine was turning and the system was under pressure.  It was pure fun to fly.  I don't believe the pilots we chewed out for sloppy formations appreciated the ships as we hecklers did.


Many thanks to Jon Moran for the first rate image repair.


P-40A

Walter Stewart Photos

P-40 flying

At the start, our 461st CO, Col. Glantzberg, got in his P-40 fighter and “rode herd” on the pilots until they were in proper 6-to-a-unit formation.  Col. Glantzberg flies his P-40, herding 461st Bomb Group together over eastern Italy on one of its first missions in early 1944.


P-40 G 

Photos from Hawes collection

After being stripped of its desert-pattern camouflage, this P-40F was reworked in a resplendent natural metal and "Group Colors" scheme.  Henceforth it would be referred to as "Big G" - for Colonel Frederic Glantzberg.

P-40 


P-40 G 

Jim Van Nostrand Photos

P-40 

Big G P-40 

Bob Drobeck photo

Col. Glantzberg next to his P-40.


Big G P-40 

The "Big G" himself

Colonel Frederic Glantzberg

461st Bomb Group CO

P-40 

Frank Connell photo

P-40 

Frank Connell photo

P-40

Courtesy of Robert 'Stan' Staples

P-40

Courtesy of Robert 'Stan' Staples