88th Fighter Squadron || 89th Fighter Squadron || 90th Fighter Squadron

Phantom Skull

An unidentifed P-40N-1 of the 88th Fighter Squadron.


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

Some Strong Stuff

According to contributor Mark Joyce, Bob Gale's P-40N-1, 'Dikam Death', was named after
"some rather nasty alcohol produced by a distillery in Assam".


Bob Gale via Mark Joyce - Larger Image

Additional info from Mark:

"I've attached some photos for your website. They are from Bob Gale, who flew 160 missions in the P-40
with the 88th FS, 80th FG. These are photos of his P-40N-1, named "Dikam Death". I know the second photo
was taken at Shingbwiyang, Burma, in June 1944. Bob flew an additional 22 missions in the P-47 but preferred
the P-40 for the ground-support missions the squadron flew, due to the P-40s better maneuverability in the
mountainous terrain. In fact, he was a flight commander when the transition occurred and was the last in
his squadron to give up the P-40, just so he could keep flying the old bird as long as possible.
I'm fortunate and honored to call Bob a good friend."

Bob Gale via Mark Joyce - Larger Image

Creased Skull

These next four photos were taken at Myitkyina Airdrome in June of 1944.
The 88th FS maintained a detachment at this airfield from May to August of that year,
presumably in support of the 'Siege of Myitkyina' and construction of the Ledo Road.


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image

The Gang's All Here!

A fine shot of Bob Gale's 'Dikam Death', with a group of 88th FS Hawk drivers.
This series of photos was taken in July of 1944 by Bernard Hoffman while he was covering
the 'Siege of Myitkyina' and the construction of the Ledo Road for LIFE magazine. The
location shown here is either Myitkyina Airdrome, or Shingbwiyang airfield, both in Burma.
Your webmaster is leaning a bit toward the latter...


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image

Man, some of 'em were just young kids, weren't they? This fella is sitting on the
leading edge of the wing, second from the right, looking at his hands, in the photo above.


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image

Rolling skulls...


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image

Another shot of our young hero, whose identity escapes me for the time being.


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image

And another look at the whole gang... an interesting detail which is also visible,
albeit barely, in the first two shots of 'Dikam Death' on this page; there appears to
be a white stripe on the bottom of the cowling... a flight leader marking perhaps?


LIFE Photo Collection via Google Arts & Culture (Bernard Hoffman photo) - Larger Image

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