Jessie The Jeep

We got a little damp today. Four of us with vehicles ( three jeeps and a Dodge WC52 ) and the NE WW2 Re-enactors went to a derelict farm house near Tanfield Railway today for a photo shoot. Apart from it being my first off roading with the jeep, down some very muddy, rutted tracks, we had a great laugh "Somewhere in France". Despite searching hard, and firing off a few rounds, we didn't find the enemy, though we did find some rusty tin cans that we were convinced were land mines! and our leader, "The General", won the Purple Heart for pulling a muscle in his back tripping over rock! I took over sixty photos, but here are six of the pictures for your amusement. First pic, most of the gang, the ones who weren't armed with cameras. On the march Defensive positions Noel in his new GPW manning the 30 Cal, and me on the snipers rifle Suspected enemy positions under bombardment Myself looking apprehensive prior to a Berlin mission Steve

The pics were taken on a Digi Camera, a 6.6MP made by Hanshing. The photo editing software is a version 1 of Ulead Photo Express. The figures were 'cut' with a Lasso selection tool as close as possible to the figures. Once pasted onto the background image, a cloning tool was used to blend in the edge of the crop. The closer you can trim the first picture, the easier it is to edit it in. I also played about with the contrast and brightness of the figures before they were pasted to try and get the light levels more alike. Steve

I've been making some composite photos using some pictures I've taken at last years events, and overlaying them onto old warbird pics. The B-17 is a genuine B-17F, called 'C Cup' for the Memphis Belle film in 1989. This aircraft is now at Boeing's Museum of Flight in Seattle. The jeep and myself were taken at a small village event in November 05. The next is I believe, a Dutch B-25, taken at the Flying Legends Airshow 05. Dad, Lynne and myself were taken at Hartlepool, Feb 06 at our first event of the year. The last is the same group picture, but overlaid onto 'The Fighter Collection' P-47 'No Guts No Glory' at Legends 04. All the pictures were converted to B&W, focus softened and then a slight sepia shade added. Steve

Any photos you can send me of anything that can be used on the site? Thanks Steve

Here's the Preston Hall entry form as a downloadable PDF file..... http://www.carrhome.fsnet.co.uk/Preston_Hall.pdf Steve

I have a blank entry form somewhere for Preston. I'll try and find it. most of our bunch are probably only going to be there on Sunday. I might do two days, it probably depends if dad is coming up for the whole weekend. Hartlepool - I might find out more after our next meeting in April The Cramlington event is organised via the NE MV Club and I know nothing more than Phil Webb's phone number as a contact. Steve

For those who have repainted their vehicles and changed the markings or remarked it in it's original markings, did you base the numbers on chassis numbers and records, or photographs of the original vehicle? While my Jeep is an M201, due to my interest in the 100th BG, it was repainted into a 100th Airbase Jeep. After searching through my own 100th records and those of the 100th BG Foundation, I could only find one Jeep which had more than one photo of it. Even then, there wasn't complete coverage. Every other 100th Jeep pictured, only had one photo taken of it. Three pictures were found in the end of Jeep # 2078036, and this was the sole reason for copying this Jeep, and by associating the personel in the pictures to their Squadron, I made the assumption that the vehicle was also from that squadron to get the bumper markings. These are the three pictures I found. I'm interested in the last picture for what looks like a wind deflector?? fastened to the side of the screen. So has anyone else got original photos they based their restorations on, or any original wartime photos of their actual vehicle? Steve

All the local events I drive my jeep to, up to a radius of about 120 miles or so. After that, we tow it, and either camp at the event site, or find a local camp site and drive the jeep to the event from there. We clock up around 2000 miles a year, mostly shows, but sometimes just out for fun. Out of season down time is low as our last event of 05 was in mid November, and our first of 06 was mid February. During this time, I try and drive the jeep once every couple of weeks and run it a short while once a week, just to keep it's joints working! I always make sure after a winter run out to hose off any salt before putting it away. A similar situation arose for the engineers at RAF Hendon. They were visiting Duxford where 'The Fighter Collection' were rebuilding a Fury for them. Looking at the other Fighter Collection aircraft, the Hendon guys asked how all these airworthy aircraft were kept so clean and new looking. The TFC guys replied "it's because we use them all the time". It is easier to preserve and maintain a mechanical item by careful use, rather than leave it standing. Steve

From what I've heard, they drive on the flat of the nut, not the corners, so even worn rounded nuts can be removed. Still like to hear from someone who has tried them first hand. Steve

Has anyone had any experience of "Metrinch" spanners and sockets? the type that are supposed to fit metric and imperial and all things between. If so, what are your thoughts on them? Steve

I got caught with my B-17 at RAF Coltishall in 2003. I've only been there three times in my life, and only once with the B-17. I think it is towards the end of the day, the sun is in the West casting long shadows, and I think the outer wing panels have been removed from the B-17 as I start to dismantle it. I used the Google measurement tool on the trailer width, length and B-17 length, and they all match spot on! I found my house too and realised I left the wheelie bin on the end of the drive!! Steve

Haven't got a clue!!! I'll have a look next time it stops raining! I've always just taken the circuit breaker key out to immobilise it. Steve

I renewed the Tax on my jeep today, and got it for nowt! Steve

I've had my jeep almost a year now, and whlie looking for a screw I dropped when cleaning the horn/steering column contacts, I saw this item on the rear of the sloping part of the front left wheel arch. Can anyone tell me what it is? Steve PS - replaced my first FREE Tax Disc today, what a great feeling getting that little circle of paper for nothing!

Is anyone going to the 493rd BG Reunion/Open Day on June 11th? There's a hangar dance on the Saturday evening followed by the main event. See the event website here http://www.493bgdebach.co.uk/daevents.htm The event is held on the remains of the old 8th Air Force base, Debach Airfield, near Woodbridge. Several of the buildings on the technical site survive, in addition to the Control Tower, which now houses a growing museum. On event day, there are several militaria stalls, some fullsize flying displays, a large collection of vehicles and armour ( around 80 in 2005 ), and a display arena for driving the vehicles, not just static displays, and my team flying the large model warbirds ( http://www.usaaf.org ). If you are going to be there, come and say hello. I'll be at the end of the active runway most of the weekend. Steve

There were many cases of 'Supposed' Enemy operated bombers, but most were put down to stragglers from other formations seeking protection from other groups. The gunners didn't recognise the aircraft codes as belonging to their usual groups, so they "Had to be Enemy". The 8th even tested a "Marking of the Day" applied to aircraft each mission, but this soon proved to be impractical. Crews were however briefed to keep a watch out for aircraft acting suspiciously. The late Roger Freeman, THE authority on the 8th AF said that he found no evidence of German operated B-17's and B-24 mixing with allied bomber stream, mainly due to the chance of being shot down by there own fighters. There wasn't time and it just wasn't practical for German fighter pilots to make note of "Friendly" codes carried by one B-17 out of 1000. There are one or two tales of "Enemy Operated" Bombers reported by allied crews, but nothing that is documented or that can be proved. The German fighter tactics were to fly head on, fire probably no more than a one second burst, and dive away. They only had a 2 second window of fire in a head on attack before they would have to take action to avoid a collision. They would then climb parallel to the formation, out of range, and repeat. As ammo became low, they would bring up the rear of a formation, picking off stragglers. With these tactics, it would be impossible to look out for one "Friendly" bomber. A familiar tactic was to use one of their own aircraft to shadow a formation, just out of range, radioing course and speed to assist the German fighter controllers. This was used to great effect following the bomber stream after one of the Russia Shuttle missions, and after the bombers landed in Russia, the Germans launched a bombing raid on the airfield, destroying more bombers on the ground than they could ever hope to in the air. They did use captured aircraft for attack evaluation with their own fighters, and also for agent dropping or other duties in allied controlled airspace, where a familiar silouette over allied territory wouldn't arouse suspicion. Again using their own aircraft, the Germans attempted to drop many different weapons on the bomber stream, including time-fused bombs, nets and steel cable. None were particularly effective due to aiming difficulties. Steve

Yeh, but at least they used up the left over bombs in Vietnam, so the money wasn't totally wasted! Steve

I'm not starting this with "I may be stupid but...", because I don't think I am (?), instead... I may be less well read than others, but....... What did the Germans do with all the flying equipment which arrived with captured fliers?? There must have been loads of gear such as parachutes & harnesses, bail out oxygen bottles and masks, heavy winter flying clothing and boots, survival rations and equipment, perhaps maps. What happened to it all? The crash damaged airframes were all recycled by the Luftwaffe Scrap Commandos, unless they were repairable for evaluation, 'though a lack of unbent US propellors kept many captured US aircraft grounded. Steve

Groups and Units that made up the 100th Bomb Group. You can see from the following list that each airbase was far more than just bombers. For every man in the air, there were at least 10 on the ground working to keep him there. 1776th Ordnance Company 18th Weather Detachment 869th Chemical Company 216th Finance Section 592nd Postal Unit 1285th Military Police 2110th Fire Fighting Platoon 1141st Quartermaster Company 83rd Service Group 456th Sub-Depot 412th Air Service Group 838th Air Engineering Squadron 662nd Air Material Squadron American Red Cross Royal Air Force Detachment Steve

As far as the 8th Army Air Force was concerned, each airbase in the UK accommodated around 2500 to 3000 personnel, of which, only a small number were actually fliers. Each bomber had a crew of ten ( or 11 with Radar Equipped Bombers ). Four were officers, the others enlisted men, all at the rank of Sergeant. It was learned that the Luftwaffe Guards in POW Camps had little respect for any rank lower than Sergeant, so that became the standard rank for enlisted men. There was also a ground crew of five, 'though ground crews often looked after more than one bomber. A Bombardment Squadron started out made up of 12 Bombers. Later in the war, as manufacturing peaked mid '44 at 16 B-17's completed per day, this number increased to 18 planes per Squadron, causing some overcrowding on bases with the 'Frying Pan' type dispersals. The 'Spectacle' Hardstands could easily accomodate two bombers. A Bombardment Group initially started with three Bombardment Squadrons, but this was soon increased to four. This explains the out of sequence Squadron numbering..... For example, the 100th BG had the 349th, 350th, 351st & 418th Bombardment Squadrons. Three Bomb Groups were linked as a Combat Wing. These groupings were usually geographical, the centre base being the Wing HQ. Four Combat Wings were grouped, together with a Fighter Wing, as an Air Division. ( A Fighter Wing was comprised of Five Fighter Groups, Fighter Groups were comprised of three Fighter Squadrons ). Three Air Divisions made up the 8th Air Force. Each division had asymbol, 1st AD = Triangle, 2nd AD = Circle, 3rd AD = Square. These symbols were placed on the vertical tail of the bombers for identification. Each Bomb Group had a Letter which was placed in the symbol. Each Squadron had a two letter, or Letter/Number ID, which was painted on the fuselage side..... and each aircraft had an ID letter, also on the fuselage side. By looking at the letters and symbol, you can identify the aircraft, squadron, group and division it belongs to. In a minute, when I find the right book, I'll give you a breakdown of Units on a typical airbase. The 8th Air Force held a record ( and maybe still does ) as the largest single organisation in the world, with a compliment at it's peak of 1,500,000 personnel. Steve

Have you thought of selling the truck, and changing sides to Germany. I'm sure their friends allowed them to carry side arms! Steve

What kind of holster would you need to carry a telegraph pole??????? "Is that a telegraph pole in your pocket or are you just........no, won't go there!" Steve

I noticed a huge orange one in the sky last summer, but it didn't last long!! Steve ps I'm going to be looking through all my old photos now for the spirits of dead dust!?!

I understand why you are leaving the horse at home, and not taking it to France. If the French see it, they may claim it is a Military Vehicle, and scrap it!!! Steve

Lynne and I did most of the Normandy museums and surrounding area in a week last year, and that was driving around in the jeep. If you have modern wheels to get around, you'll have no trouble. Steve