maintenance

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.

Personnel of 491 Bombardment Group about June 1943, Chaukulia, India. Notice the open engine cowling. During WWII.

"Autos and trucks were practically non extant in the civilian population in China.This pic show one of the trucks that did exist.Whenever one of the trucks broke down it was repaired on the spot by whatever means necessary. All the trucks were converted to charcoal burners because of the shortage of gasoline. On steep grades someone would run along side...

118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron maintenance personnel at Liuchow [Liuzhou]. Major Edward O. McComas far left, and John Carpenter far right.

An American GI repairs a transport truck of the 14th Air Force in China, working in rough conditions on flooded ground.

GI repair something at the front of a transport truck, possibly replacing an engine. During WWII in the CBI.