Identify These WWII Planes

"PatBateman" (PatBateman) 05/26/2014 at 13:55 • Filed to: Old Planelopnik

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So some vintage WWII planes flew over my house in formation a few hours ago, and I'm trying to identify them. I'm pretty sure the bomber is a B-24 Liberator, but I have no clue what the others are. More description after the jump.

The smaller planes (fighters or light bombers?) were white with red tails. They were seen just Southwest of Houston. I can't find any local air shows that had the planes, nor any local groups that house planes like this.

Thoughts?

Axial > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 13:57

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Looks like a P-51, notice the bulge between the wings.

mr_gofast > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 13:58

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could it be this plane?

mr_gofast > Axial 05/26/2014 at 14:01

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red tails were the p51C's i believe - tuskeegee airman

PatBateman > Axial 05/26/2014 at 14:04

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Hmmm. Could be.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:06

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B24 Liberator?

Bandit > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:12

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Looks like a mustang to me.

Greasemonkey > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/26/2014 at 14:13

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2 engines, B25

Axial > mr_gofast 05/26/2014 at 14:13

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I couldn't make out the colours in the photo, but red tails does usually indicate Tuskegee.

The smaller planes flying escort to the Mitchell don't look like P-51s, though. At least, not at this resolution. They look more like 109s, which they are almost certainly not.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Greasemonkey 05/26/2014 at 14:17

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Ah! I couldn't make it out well enough, That's what I thought it was originally. Thanks for the assist! :)

Jayhawk Jake > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:18

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That's not a bomber. Beech C-45 Expeditor

The rest I honestly can't tell from the picture. Looks like some P-51s and some T-6 texans

Jayhawk Jake > Greasemonkey 05/26/2014 at 14:20

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No. Vertical fins are different and the proportions are off. I'm fairly confident it's a Beech Expeditor

Greasemonkey > Bandit 05/26/2014 at 14:20

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Nope, Accord

Bandit > Greasemonkey 05/26/2014 at 14:21

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Do you even Lambo bro?

Greasemonkey > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:21

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Greasemonkey > Bandit 05/26/2014 at 14:24

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Do you even LamBRO?

My hovercraft is full of eels > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:24

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That's too small for a Liberator.

My guess is a Lockheed Ventura.

Jayhawk Jake > Jayhawk Jake 05/26/2014 at 14:25

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It might also be a Lockheed Ventura or Harpoon

?274

What color was it?

Grindintosecond > Jayhawk Jake 05/26/2014 at 14:26

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Resolution is to low when zoomed in but start looking at wingtips for round vs. Square. Square is the p51. Taper wing to round tip is p40. Curved trailing edge to round tip p47. There are some me109's out there on the circuit but usually the french built with allison engines.

Just some tips. i cant ID this pic from the phone.

Jayhawk Jake > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:28

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As an aside, the Commemorative Air Force is based near Houston so there's a good chance these were from them

Greasemonkey > Bandit 05/26/2014 at 14:28

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55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:28

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It could be the Collings Foundation planes...I know they fly all over the country, letting people take rides and tours in them. In fact, we flew in the B-17 a while back. They've got a B-24, B-17, P-51 Mustang, B-25, and some other stuff. They were just over here (California) this past week. Maybe they're in Texas this week...

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm

Jayhawk Jake > Grindintosecond 05/26/2014 at 14:30

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T6 and SNJ have square tips though. It comes down to tail shape. One of these is definitely a P-51, the rest I just can't tell. I think they are Texans, but without a better picture I can't be sure

Grindintosecond > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:30

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that just might be a lockheed ventura. I think i see a middle turret.

bubblestheturtle > Greasemonkey 05/26/2014 at 14:47

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Twin tail, but wrong shape for a B-25.

TurboBricker > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 14:55

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And the bomber actually looks like a Mitchell B-25. Did it have two engines or four?

PatBateman > mr_gofast 05/26/2014 at 15:14

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Maybe... I saw them fly by the window in the living room, but my attention was on the bomber.

PatBateman > TurboBricker 05/26/2014 at 15:28

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ACTUALLY, that's probably what it was. I'm about to check, but I think there's one housed near NASA south of Houston.

PatBateman > Greasemonkey 05/26/2014 at 15:29

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I'm pretty sure it's a Lambo, dude.

coqui70 > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 15:33

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The Commemorative Air Force was at Hooks airport in Tomball, TX (Northwest of Houston) over the weekend: http://www.chron.com/default/articl…

Makoyouidiot > Greasemonkey 05/26/2014 at 18:31

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Body shape looks more like a Lockheed Hudson to me.

PatBateman > coqui70 05/26/2014 at 18:53

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Yeah, I called around to some air groups before having to flee due to a potential tornado bearing down on my house (seriously). They all said that it was probably from one of the CAF groups around Texas.

coqui70 > PatBateman 05/26/2014 at 21:13

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Holy crap, hunker down looks like we have a whole week of this weather ... although I'll take the rain!

PatBateman > coqui70 05/26/2014 at 21:15

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The rain is bueno. The Tornado Warnings with the circulation heading directly for my house and locking down my daughters' elementary school is not so bueno.

Although my yard is very happy right now.

DarthTurducken > PatBateman 05/27/2014 at 12:03

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They're from West Houston Airport near Bear Creek (where I live), CAF Houston Wing . The big one is a C-60A Lodestar. They do this every Memorial Day. They also do an airshow in late April where the B-17 from Tomball usually shows up.