Another deceptive public relations shot
  Unidentified P-39Q at Tadji

82nd and

110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons

Fifth Air Force

 

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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