Strana 46
B-25J-20, 44-29509, Capt. Link Piazzo, 17
th
RS, 71
st
RG, 5
th
AF, Lingayen, Philippines, 1945
B-25J-10, 43-28150, 1/Lt. Chauncy Kershaw, 48
th
BS, 41
st
BG, 7
th
AF,
Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945
The aircraft named “My Buck” belonged
to the 17
th
RS (Reconnaissance Squadron)
which was nicknamed “Reckoners”. It was
a heavy reconnaissance squadron of the 71
st
Reconnaissance Group which was activated on
March 2, 1942, and conducted anti-submarine
patrols on the US West Coast until September
of that year. From April 2, 1943, the group was
in process of rearming to B-25s and moved
to New Guinea in January 1944. Although it
was a reconnaissance squadron, the pilots
also routinely conducted bombing and attack
missions in support of ground troops. Even
during long-range reconnaissance flights, their
Mitchells were fully armed so they could attack
ground targets they found enroute. The unit
moved to the Philippines in November 1944 and
flew reconnaissance missions over Luzon from
there. On April 27, 1946, the unit was deactivated.
The “My Buck” ship looks quite new considering
the numerous mission symbols painted on her
fuselage. Also, the border of the Olive Drab
and Neutral Grey colors is unusually shaped.
It is possible, therefore, that she received a new
paint job at the unit for some reason.
The 41
st
BG was activated on January 15, 1941,
with pilots training on B-18 Bolo and A-29
Hudson aircraft. Later, the group was equipped
with Mitchells and patrolled the US West
Coast during 1942 and 1943. In October 1943,
it moved to the Hawaiian Islands, where it was
assigned to the 7
th
Air Force. After completing
the final phase of training, the unit then moved
to the Gilbert Islands and conducted attacks
on enemy positions and installations on the
Marshall Islands. After February 1944, it moved
several times, primarily conducting attacks on
enemy vessels. After a break on Hawaii, where
crews trained rocket firing, the 41
st
BG moved
to Okinawa. This ship originally served with
a glass-nose and bore the name “Per”. She
retained this name even after conversion to
solid-nose version, the renaming to “Ruff’n
Reddy” did not occur until August 1945 when this
aircraft was assigned to 1/Lt. Chauncy Kershaw.
The pilot himself was the author of both the
drawing and the name. While still named “Per”
, the aircraft had fuselage machine guns fitted
but no longer has them in the pictures where it
carries the girl’s drawing.
KITS 03/2026
INFO Eduard46
March 2026