maintenance

A building for repairing aircraft in China during WWII.

A Chinese mechanic working on a locally cast piston for a jeep.

A B-24 under maintenance by 396th Air Service Squadron during WWII, in China.

An instrument testing table in a tent in China, used by the 396th Air Service Squadron. During WWII.

"This is a photo of John Marlatt Jr.one of the great sheet metal mechanics that was a part of the 396th Squadon. My thanks to his son Larry for this great photo."

Aircraft mechanics George Butsika, John Aspinwall, Clayton E. Nash, pose next to a B-25G of the 491st Bomb Squadron at Yangkai AB, China, shortly after the squadron arrived in January 1944. M/Sgt Aspinwall was the maintenance Line Chief, responsible for all 491st aircraft maintenance.

There were no hangars at Yangkai AB, nor any airbase in China. This required all aircraft maintenance to be performed in the open, regardless of weather conditions. These 491st Bomb Squadron mechanics are changing engines on squadron aircraft #444, "Shark Mouth", in the spring of 1944. Frenchy Beaudetter, George Butsika, John Burns, John Aspinwall, Karl Hammett, Frank Bert, Frank Bates...

All of the 491st Bomb Squadron maintenance personnel at Yangkai AB, China, in early 1944, shortly after they had transferred from Chakulia, India. Frank bates notes.. McArdle hadn't gone home. Rear, 5th from left 'Frank Bates'. In the middle of the front row, with his trademark pipe in his mouth, is Capt William Devries. He was the Engineering Officer from...

A B-25 gets work, most likely at Yangkai. During WWII.

George Butsika working under wing of B-25. Yangkai, May 1944.