Foster Field, formerly known as Victoria Field, was home to an Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School
that trained fighter pilots in aerial gunnery. Many pilots returning from overseas were trained as gunnery
instructors at Foster, and among the chief types flown at this AAFAFS was the P-40.

Waiting For the Word...

Aircrew relax near the flightline before their next hop. At least four aircraft types are visible here...
A couple of PT-19s, what looks to be a BT-13, two AT-6s, and... oh look... a P-40!!!


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

A closer look at the Hawk...


Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection)

AVG Wanna-Be...

Marked with a sharksmouth very similar in style to those carried by the AVG, this P-40, serial 39-280,
had previously served with the 42nd PS, 54th PG, and the 77th PS, 20th PG before that. After her time
at Foster she moved on to Randolph Field, Texas where she soldiered on until being written off after
a landing accident on September 10th, 1944. She was scrapped at Randolph Field on August 31st, 1946.


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


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


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Remember, kid... stay above five feet
and don't do nuthin' dumb...

Two P-40Ks head up this line of five Hawks with their cadet pilots, one of whom is
receiving some final words of wisdom prior to a hop. The last three ships in line are
Merlin-powered, possibly a P-40L and two P-40Fs. The photo is dated July 24th, 1943.


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

Merlin Hawk

P-40F 41-13785 from the 98th SEFTS in Texas skies.

This ship was involved in a ground accident at Foster Field on April 17th, 1943, but
apparently suffered relatively minor damage, as she was patched up and returned to service.
She was finally sent off to Ponca City, Oklahoma for scrapping on April 26th, 1945.


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

Close Shave

Apparently nobody was killed during this 'oopsie' involving two P-40Fs from the 2539th Base
Unit at Foster Field, leading to my conclusion that the guy in ship #65 was one lucky SOB...


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

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