Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 92:
Description
This collection consists of 17 original vintage black and white snapshot photographs documenting a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) unit during World War II, dating approximately 1941 to 1944. The images provide a candid record of field operations, personnel, and aircraft. Several photographs depict the Bell P-39 Airacobra, characterized by its mid-engine configuration and tricycle landing gear. One significant photograph shows the nose section of a fighter aircraft with a painted presentation inscription that reads: The NEW YORK CENTRAL System GIFT OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE RAILWAY. This identifies the plane as a presentation aircraft funded by employees of the New York Central Railroad through war bond drives.Personnel are documented wearing period-correct flight and utility gear, including Herringbone Twill (HBT) one-piece work suits, flight coveralls, and summer-weight khaki uniforms with side caps. One close-up portrait features a pilot wearing an A-11 pattern leather flight helmet and AN-6530 pattern flight goggles. The environment shown includes rows of pyramidal tents, fuel drums, and unpaved grass airfields, consistent with a forward operating base or stateside training field. Background aircraft include twin-engine transports resembling the C-47. Most photographs feature the decorative deckle-edge (serrated) borders common to 1940s-era developing.
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