Unsatisfactory finish on P-61’s discussed by Material Laboratory (WF), March, 1945

A conference was held at Mat. Lab. (WF), between February 23 and 27, 1945, to discuss the unsatisfactory condition of the Jet No. 622 finish on P-61 aircraft being received at overseas bases. It was decided that the problem was probably due to non-conformance to requirements and the use of unapproved enamel. Tests had shown that the enamel finish was definitely improved by use over a zinc chromate primer.

Mat. Lab. recommended that the Procurement Section (WF) should provide Northrop Aircraft with the latest list of approved specs, and that Northrop be requested to use a coat of zinc chromate primer before applying two coats of Jet No. 622 Lacquer to the P-61. They also recommended that the materials being used by Northrop be checked for conformance to spec, requirements.

Douglas A-26B-35-DL, 41-39456, aircraft E3-K of the 732nd BS, 453rd BG, Ninth Air Force. The A-26 had a very protracted development and did not start replacing the A-20s until lute 1944, despite the 1941 serial number. (March AFB Museum)

Large number of AAF aircraft seen on Iwo Jima on March 6,1945, includes twenty P-51s, four P-61sof the 548th NFS, two C-47s and one C-46, plus one Navy TBF, Mount Suribachi is prominent in the background. The P-61s are in gloss black, the P-51s arc in natural metal and the transports camouflaged. (USAF)

Curtiss C-46D-I0-CU, 44-77658, aircraft N5-D of the 313rd TCG, Ninth Air Force. It was seen at strip Y-32, Ophnven, Belgium, on March 24, 1945. It had just made an emergency landing after being hit by two 88mm shells while dropping US Army paratroopers over the Rhine at Wesel, Germany, during Operation VARSITY. (William L. Swisher)