The 36th Pursuit Group was constituted on December 22nd, 1939 and activated on February 1st, 1940.
Initially based at Langley Field, Virginia and equipped with the P-36, the group moved to Losey Field,
Puerto Rico in January of 1941 and re-equipped with the P-39 and P-40. The 36th flew air defense and
antisubmarine patrols in the Caribbean area and Panama Canal zone before returning to the USA in
May-June 1943, where they converted to the P-47 and began training to go to war in Europe.

Hawks As Far As The Eye Can See

This photo shows the entire 36th Pursuit Group at Langley Field in the Summer of 1940.
Heading up the line, with tri-colored nose flashes, are ships #1,2,3 and 4 of the group
headquarters flight, followed by ships of the 22nd Pursuit Squadron, with red flashes.


Ethell Collection via Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

A closer look at the group C.O.'s ship...


Ethell Collection via Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

...and ships #2 and #3 of the HQ flight.


Ethell Collection via Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Beyond ship #4 of the HQ flight are several ships from the 22nd Pursuit Squadron, lined up in
numerical order except ship #10. Also note that ship #14 has no group designator on the tail.


Ethell Collection via Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

These next few photos show P-36As of the 22nd Pursuit Squadron, probably at Langley.

This first shot shows ship #20, assigned to 'A' flight leader. In the background is one
of the YP-37s assigned to the group. See more P-37s, including some from the 36th, HERE.


Museum of Flight (James C. Stewart Collection) - Larger Image

Another view, showing the other side of ship #20.


Museum of Flight (James C. Stewart Collection) - Larger Image


Museum of Flight (James C. Stewart Collection) - Larger Image

This last shot shows a few wrench-turners putting the shadow of ship #12 to good use.


Museum of Flight (James C. Stewart Collection) - Larger Image


Museum of Flight (James C. Stewart Collection) - Larger Image

When the 36th reached Puerto Rico, they soon re-equipped with the P-40.
Here's a P-40C from the 22nd Pursuit Squadron about to land at Losey Field.

See more P-40s of the 36th Pursuit Group HERE...


From: P-40 in Action No.205 by Richard S. Dann (San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives) - Larger Image

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