98th Fighter Squadron || 303rd Fighter Squadron || 304th Fighter Squadron || 440th Fighter Squadron

Three P-40Ns from the 337th FG, led by the group commander, in Florida skies.
The 337th was headquartered at Sarasota Field, Florida for most of its lifetime and
served as an RTU (replacement training unit), also participating frequently in
various 'wargames' associated with the AAFTC (Army Air Forces Tactical Center)
which was headquartered at Orlando Army Air Base, Florida.



Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Here's a bit of a closer look at the ships in the above photo...

I mentioned above that the 337th was headquarted at Sarasota Field... the 98th and 303rd
Fighter Squadrons operated from Sarasota while the 304th and 440th operated from Pinellas
Field, Florida. The 'J' and 'H' codes were used by the 98th and 303rd Fighter Squadrons,
respectively, and also, I think, by the 304th and 440th... though I am not entirely certain
of this at the moment. In any event, the ship coded 'H73' is from the 303rd Fighter Squadron,
while the ship coded 'J29' is from the 98th Fighter Squadron... and it's apparently the
'C-flight' leader's mount, judging by the stripe on the rear fuselage.



Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A slightly different view...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

And a third view...


From: 'The P-40 Warhawk' by Turner Publishing for the P-40 Warhawk Pilots Association, 1991 - Larger Image

And here's a look at the other side of the group CO's ship.
Note that there's another P-40 far off in the distance, at the bottom of the image.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Another view of the CO's ship after a bit of paint has been removed. The 'H1' code
indicates that this ship was 'on the books' with the 98th Fighter Squadron.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Two unidentified airmen, a pilot and wrench-turner, pose with the Group CO's ship.
Hawks of the 303rd Fighter Squadron can be seen in the background.
See more photos of 337th FG P-40s from the Michael Drake collection HERE.


Michael Drake collection via Florida Memory.com - Larger Image

An earlier ship flown by the 337th's CO... 'tis a long-tail P-40K, serial 42-9985.
While the later P-40N was assigned to the 303rd Fighter Squadron for administrative
purposes, this ship was assigned to the 98th, as evidenced by the 'J1' code.


Source of original image: Air Force Historical Research Agency - Larger Image

In this shot, 42-9985 bears no command markings: not sure when it was taken.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Lt. James Vurgaropulos about to climb into the cockpit of 42-9985, mid 1943. 'Vurgie',
as he was known, went on to serve with the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group in the
CBI, flying 50 missions during which he bagged 2 Japs, 1 probable, 2 damaged, and 1 ground
kill. He was killed in action on June 29th, 1944 during a strafing attack near Changsha.


Acropolis of America Facebook Page - Larger Image

This is probably the same P-40K, selling war bonds in the streets of Sarasota.
I've been told that the location is the intersection of Main Street and Pineapple Avenue.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


A platform was set up next to the Hawk so folks could take a look inside and, if
they bought a war bond, they could also have their photo taken sitting in the cockpit.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


And here's one such photo, showing a lovely lass in the pilot's seat...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

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