Us Official Photographs

USAAF airmen over battle front

The daily communiquees from the various battle fronts over the world invariably tell of the accomplishments of the USAAF. Subsequent news stories have developed tales of the deeds of individual airmen and air crews. But little publicity has been afforded to the men who actually keep the planes in the air--the maintenance forces who disassemble clean, repair, test and reassemble USAAF planes on a regular scheduled routine. All of these men are experts in their various technical phases of the work in which they are engaged. These photos show but a few of the operations necessary to "keep 'em flying". All these pictures were made at a USAAF depot in Australia. Pvt. Vernon E. Palmer, Troy, Ohio, repairs a Sperry flight indicator in the instrument repair shop. GHQ-SWA-SO-45-6974 May 19, 1943 Pvt. Vernon E. Palmer of Troy, Ohio, (4th Air Depot Repair Squadron), repairing a Sperry flight indicator in the Instrument Repair Shop, B-3 Hangar at (Gerbutt Field, Townsville, Q'land, Australia.) All repair work of this nature is done in this shop. (19S-146E) Photographer: T/5 Joel Horowitz. NOV 10 1943 AUTHORITY NO. 4