Photos

The Birth Pangs of Portland Air Base – Part IV: First Air Defense Exercise in 1941

This picture of the PAB parking ramp is from after May, 1941 when the 55th Pursuit Group and fighter planes first arrived at Portland. It shows a mix of three Republic P-43 Lancer and two Curtiss P-36 Hawk fighter aircraft of the 55th Pursuit Group, the first flying unit based at Portland AAB. Two fighter squadrons (37th and 38th Pursuit Squadrons) flew the P-43 and another (54th Pursuit Squadron) a mix of P-43 and P-36 fighters as P-43 production worked to meet demand. The men on the ramp in various formations are perhaps drilling and marching in preparation for a military parade. As war neared in late 1941, the 55th Pursuit Group’s fighters were painted in what became the standard US Army Air Corps/Army Air Force camouflage of olive drab on the upper surfaces with a neutral gray undersurface. (Photo courtesy of the City of Portland Auditor’s Office Archives)

PHOTO BY: Archive Photo
VIRIN: 211127-Z-F3895-0002.JPG
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This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.