LaGuardia Airport - September 6, 1942

These shots were taken by my grandfather when he was 25. It looked like a beautiful September day (not unlike another September day of recent times). It's hard to imagine but when my grandparents were at LGA this day, it was the 'dark' days of WW2 when no one really knew exactly what the outcome would be. It was not yet a year since PH and the invasion of Europe was almost two years away. I wonder what was going through their minds at the time?

I had asked my grandmother when she was alive if she recalled what might have been going on at the airport this day? She didn't recall. But I figured out that the 6th was a Sunday in '42 and she said that explained it. "Sunday was family day. Back then there were no stores open except for gas stations and the bakery in the morning. After church we took a ride like everyone else and listened to the radio shows in the car before dinner. LaGuardia was one of the places your grandfather liked to go like a lot of people." How times have changed. People actually went to the airport to watch planes! If you look at old aerial photos of LGA, there was an observation "board walk" of sorts that was on top of the passenger embarking gateways.

My grandmother is facing the camera. Behind the DC-3 and the B-24's is the Hellgate and Triboro bridges.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../lga090642.jpg
ZOOM IN
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../lga9642zm.jpg

AA DC-3 (Note what looks like a Goose or Widgeon departing in the background)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...aft/dc3lga.jpg

I would feel confident saying that these P-47's were from the 56th FG, and probably a detachment from Mitchel Field. (Anybody please feel free to provide input if you can.)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...p47triolga.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...aft/p47lga.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...p47linelga.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...p47linezm2.jpg

Enjoy, :)

Peter

Holy crap those are great!!!! Thanks for posting! :borat:

all i can say is...

WOW!!

Jesus. This is the early Spotting Review I've ever seen. Simply amazing.

That last photo looks as though you're facing east toward College Point. So differnet from the current skyline we see from there.

Thank you so much for sharing.

HOLY CRAP! :borat: :shock:

Those are truly amazing shots. Is there anyway on your end to zoom in with the scanner to see what Flagship the DC3 is? I know its a slight chance, but theres a chance it could be the same one that was at LGA this past week....

Those are incredible!!!! Thanks for sharing!!

I'm speechless! Thanks for posting those!

amazing pics!! :D.. that dc3 looks like a toy in that pic!!..

WOW! Those are awesome. You traveled back in time!?!? lol

Thanks for sharing!

Nice find Pete, thanks for posting.

They are great photos and great part of history :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AA 777

HOLY CRAP! :borat: :shock:

Those are truly amazing shots. Is there anyway on your end to zoom in with the scanner to see what Flagship the DC3 is? I know its a slight chance, but theres a chance it could be the same one that was at LGA this past week....

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I zoomed in and the tail number is NC17340. Also on the tail is "U.S. Mail Air Express"
You might just make it out, but on the co-pilot's window there is a AA flag flying right above it.

Pete

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ch2tdriver

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AA 777

HOLY CRAP! :borat: :shock:

Those are truly amazing shots. Is there anyway on your end to zoom in with the scanner to see what Flagship the DC3 is? I know its a slight chance, but theres a chance it could be the same one that was at LGA this past week....

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I zoomed in and the tail number is NC17340. Also on the tail is "U.S. Mail Air Express"
You might just make it out, but on the co-pilot's window there is a AA flag flying right above it.

Pete

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Thanks for checking Pete. The DC3 that the Flagship Detroit flies around is NC17334. Pretty close! Again Awesome shots!

Here's what else I could find out about her - NC17340 s/n 2140

From DC3history.org:

June 1, 1939, marked a milestone in Douglas commercial production with the delivery of the 200th DC-3 (NC17340, American Airlines "Flagship Oklahoma City").

131D 2140 B. May 23, 1939, As American Airlines NC17340 f/s "City of Oklahoma City." To Ozark Dec. 1953. not registered (12/95)

Here she is in the 70's....I wonder what became of her?
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Douglas-DC-3A/0732091/M/

FYI New Book w. great pictures

"Images of Aviation"
LAGUARDIA AIRPORT

@ $20.00
In the Local History Section of Bookstores

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JHNA57

FYI New Book w. great pictures

"Images of Aviation"
LAGUARDIA AIRPORT

@ $20.00
In the Local History Section of Bookstores

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$12.58 +shipping @
http://www.amazon.com/LaGuardia-Airp...6439132&sr=8-1