Warplanes of the USA: Georgia, Pooler, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

Pooler, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Ave., 31322.  Off Hwy I-95 and US Hwy 80.

(Author Photo, 15 Mar 2019)

Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet (Serial No.).

(Jud McCranie Photos)

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress (Serial No. 339049), “City of Savannah”.

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is restoring its B-17 in honour of the Flying Fortress named “City of Savannah” on 3 Dec 1944. The aircraft, on loan from the National Air and Space Museum, was the 5000th airplane processed through Hunter Army Air Field at Savannah during the Second World War. It was christened prior to its take-off to England to fly combat missions with the 388th Bomb Group, 563rd Squadron of the 8th Air Force.  The crew flew their first combat mission from Knettishall on 15 January 1945. Lt. Kittle and his crew were shot down over Kraslice, Czechoslovakia in a different aircraft on their 13th mission to Plauen, Germany on 5 March 1945. Nine members of the crew became prisoners of war and one crewman was killed in action.  The aircraft, “City of Savannah” flew 44 combat missions in the Second World War.

(Author Photos)

Boeing NTB-47B Stratojet (Serial No. 50-0062), c/n 450077, trainer variant with a 4th seat and the tail turret removed.  This aircraft is on loan from the NMUSAF.

(Jud McCranie Photo)

(Author Photos)

Consolidated B-24J Liberator (Serial No. 42-51457), c/n 2988, “Fightin’ Sam”, nose section.

(Author Photo)

Consolidated B-24 Liberator, upper twin .50-cal turret.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Christopher A. Ebdon Photo)

(Michael Barera Photos)

(Martin McGuire Photo)

Consolidated B-24J Liberator (Serial No. 44-48781), WQ-E, Ford, previously "Louisiana Belle II", repainted as "Rupert The Roo II", a bomber that flew in a desert sand paint scheme in the Mediterranean theatre during the Second World War. 44-48781 was on display at Parkdale AFB, Louisiana. It will be part of the World War Two aerial warfare showcase. It is being restored and will go on display in 2026.

(Author Photo)

McDonnell GAM 20C Quail Aerial Decoy Missile.

(Author Photos)

Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7 (Wk. Nr. 5975), 6./JG 5, "Yellow 4", shot down 10 May 1942, Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Savannah, Georgia. Constructed as a Bf-109E-7.Built by Wiener Neustadter Flugzeugwerke (WNF),(WNF) Vienna, Austria.40. To the Museum in May 2003. Restored as a Bf-109G-2. Rear fuselage from an E-7 while cockpit and centre section area is from an unknown G-2.

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(USAAF Photo, ca 1946)

(Jim Hoagland Photos)

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Serial No. T-2-500).  (Not found during a visit on 15 March 2019).

(Author Photos)

McDonnell F-4C Phantom II (Serial No. 64-0815), GA, c/n 1143.  On loan from the NMUSAF.

(Author Photos)

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F Fresco (Serial No. 46), North Vietnamese Air Force colours.

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed cockpit.

(Jim Hoagland Photo)

(Author Photos)

North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang (Serial No. 44-14061), PE-B, 328th FS, 352nd FG, 8th AF, USAAF, replica.

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