Two Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadrons kept using the P-39 throughout 1944 - the 82nd
and 110th. Both were based at Tadji as the thrust of the war continued
towards the Philippines.
This photo
was taken at Tadji in October 1944 when RAAF Beauforts were also using
the same strip. The public relations people thought it a good idea to
photograph the RAAF and US crews together, lending an air of co-operation.
The reality was that the Beauforts and P-39s rarely if ever flew missions
together - they were used for completely different puposes.
Note the
oil on the yellow P-39Q spinner, whilst of course the propellor to the
right belongs to a RAAF Number 100 Squadron Beaufort bomber.
The hand poses,
smiles, and rather clean Mae Wests are the final giveaway of the contrived
nature of this particular photo.
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