African vehicles

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by motto

The truck behind is more difficult. Possibly British?

David,
I would say it is a Bedford OY 3 tonner

[Lang]

David,

I would say they are American aircraft. The dress of the men is certainly more American than British.

Lang

[Keith Webb]

That looks like a Merlin engined version of the P40 too without the carby intake on top.

[motto (RIP)]

You're right Lang, the personnel look to be more American than British with their long trousers and some appear to be wearing baseball caps.
During the course of the operation P40s from the US Army 33rd fighter group were flown into Morocco from USN escort carriers.
Assuming Keith is correct.
Would the Us Army Air Corp have been operating Merlin powered P40s?
It would seem unlikely.

David

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by motto

You're right Lang, the personnel look to be more American than British with their long trousers and some appear to be wearing baseball caps.
During the course of the operation P40s from the US Army 33rd fighter group were flown into Morocco from USN escort carriers.
Assuming Keith is correct.
Would the Us Army Air Corp have been operating Merlin powered P40s?
It would seem unlikely.

David

Hi David,
From July 1942 to mid 1943, elements of the US 57th Fighter Group were attached to the British and Commonwealth's Desert Air Force P40 units. Maybe the tail fin flash is to denote this alliance?

This would also explain why a British Bedford lorry was on the airfield

[motto (RIP)]

I think you've made the connection Richard. The aircraft flown in off the carrier/s were 75 P40Ls which were indeed Merlin powered.
And the 57 FG pilots had been operating as part of the Desert Airforce before the Torch Operation.

David

[Lang]

Dave,

I have just found an old movie. The fighters were not US or UK but French. you will note the tail markings are a bit different to the usual British ones.

The aircraft were transferred in Morocco from the 33 Fighter Group USAAF to GC11/5, a French squadron associated with the WW1 French/American Lafayette Escadrille. The American ground crews stayed with them for some time until the French crews were trained up.

More Packard Merlin p-40's were operated by the Americans than anyone else so that engine does not denote ownership.

Lang