Volunteer & Funny Photo

I’m happy to announce that a new volunteer has offered to help with this free VPB-104 website. He’s already started work by editing this post I began for him. -John

C.O. at Welcome Sign

Lt Cdr Whitney Wright, Commanding Officer of VPB-104 from November 1944 to May 1945, is pictured here at Clark Field, Philippine Islands, leaning on a dose of wartime good humor outside a staff tent.

The text of the sign reads as follows:

Patronize Fleet Air Wing 17

We offer

• Deluxe hotel service * Excellent cuisine
• Soft beds * valet service * The best Acorn
• and Casu Service * Gas oil bomb and
• ammunition * first aid
• Free aerial excursion to China, Formosa,
• Ryukus * See the Japanese Empire in
• cherry blossom time at our expense
• Expert briefing of free daily travel folders
• If you don’t like our SERVICE we will provide excellent
• alibis from our inexhaustible supply prepared by experts.
• If you like it tell us and the higher Commands
• Warning Take shower before using swimming pool

The Management.

Aircraft 81 Request

We received this from Dave Calhoun, seeking more info about his great uncle Robert Miller, crew on aircraft #81 second tour (bottom photo):

Here are photos of Whitney Wright’s crews from first tour and second tour. Also a profile of his first tour aircraft. These were provided by the nephew of Tom Dempster who was on his crew in the first tour. I’m still trying to find a full photo of aircraft #869 used in the 2nd tour.

Update: Dave says aircraft #38869 was lost 5/13/45, 2 miles off Lingayen Peninsula, PI. Apparently not Wright’s crew. It had an APS-15 radar in the belly turret.

Please contact us if you have any information to share.

#81 Markings

#81 Crew Tour 1

#81 Crew Tour 2