Planes of the 324th Fighter Group

A formation of P-40's from the 324th FG with Mt. Vesuvius in the background.
The plane in the foreground bears the 324th Group Insignia. Numbered 01, here it was piloted by Bruce Biddlecome, Group Opperations Officer. # 02 was piloted by Lester Krause, Commander of the 314th FS. # 40 by Ed Sanders 315th FS Commander, and # 32 by Joe Goldberger, Asst. Group Opperations Officer.

Aircraft Used

1942 - 1944 Curtis P-40 Warhawk
Engines: One Packard Merlin V-1650-1engine 1300 HP
Wingspan: 37Ft. 4in / Length: 33Ft. 4in. / Height: 10Ft. 4in.
Maximum Speed: 364 MPH / Ceiling: 34,500 Ft. / Range: 375 Miles
Armament: 6 -50 caliber Machine Guns / 700 LBS Bombs
Crew: 1
Year: 1941

1944 - 1945 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Engines: One Pratt and Whitney R-2800-59 Double Wasp 18 Cylinder Radial, air cooled
Wingspan: 40 Ft. 9 in. / Length: 36Ft. 2 in. / Height: 14Ft. 2in.
Maxium Speed: 428 MPH / Ceiling: 42,000 Ft. / Range: 475 Miles
Armament: 8 Machine Guns / 2,500 LBS Bombs
Crew: 1
Year: 1943

North American Mitchell B-25
Engines: Two Wright R-2600-92 Cyclone 14 Cylinder air cooled Radials, 1,700HP each
Wingspan: 67Ft. 11in. / Length: 52Ft. 11in. / Height: 16Ft. 4in. / Weight: 35,000LBS
Maxium Speed: 272 MPH / Ceiling: 24,200 Ft. / Range: 1,350 Miles
Armament: 12 Machine Guns / 3,000 LBS Bombs
Crew: 5

Numbered ID

Planes numbered 10-39 were assigned to the 314th FS.
Numbers 40-69, to the 315th FS, and 70-99 to the 316thFS.



Above: P-40's from the 316th FS on the fireing line.

Below: An example of a P-47 showing the markings of the 316th FS




Below: A Partial view of the 324th Fighter Group's B-25



Interior view of P-47 Cockpit



Back to "Tales of the 316th"