![TBM-3 Avenger of Marine Torpedo Squadron 242 at Motoyama #2 airstrip, Iwo Jima preparing for Anti-Submarine Patrol, Feb-Mar 1945 [Colorized by WW2DB]](/images/ai/20230224/50f916456e870.jpg)
Show Original Black and White Photograph | Show WW2DB Colorized Version
| Caption | TBM-3 Avenger of Marine Torpedo Squadron 242 at Motoyama #2 airstrip, Iwo Jima preparing for Anti-Submarine Patrol, Feb-Mar 1945 [Colorized by WW2DB] ww2dbase | ||||
| Colorization Note | This photograph was originally a black and white photograph; the colorized version presented here was a derivative work by WW2DB. The colors used in this version were speculative, and could be significantly different from the real colors. Processed using Adobe Photoshop Image Processor, with default neural filter, selecting "None" as the profile. View the original black and white photograph at its own permanent page. | ||||
| Photographer | Unknown | ||||
| Source | ww2dbaseUnited States National Archives via D. Sheley | ||||
| More on... |
| ||||
| Photo Size | 2,124 x 1,658 pixels | ||||
| Photos at Same Place | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, Japan | ||||
| Added By | David Stubblebine | ||||
| Colorized Date | 24 Feb 2023 | ||||
| Licensing | Public Domain. According to the US National Archives, as of 21 Jul 2010: Please contact us regarding any inaccuracies with the above information. Thank you. |
Did you enjoy this photograph or find this photograph helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Share this photograph with your friends: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
Visitor Submitted Comments
2. 
David Stubblebine says:
4 Sep 2019 09:36:46 PM
Jeffrey Kasper (above):
Marine Torpedo-Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242) has a 55-page squadron history on file at the United States National Archives and also available at the subscription website Fold3.com at https://www.fold3.com/browse/251/hsEUS91acnjZp0ZtnytKsR4YJMgqmTpNF. The squadron history deals mostly with the squadron’s last year from Jul 1944 to Jul 1945 but has some information about the squadron’s first year from Jul 1943 to Jul 1944.
David Stubblebine says:4 Sep 2019 09:36:46 PM
Jeffrey Kasper (above):
Marine Torpedo-Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242) has a 55-page squadron history on file at the United States National Archives and also available at the subscription website Fold3.com at https://www.fold3.com/browse/251/hsEUS91acnjZp0ZtnytKsR4YJMgqmTpNF. The squadron history deals mostly with the squadron’s last year from Jul 1944 to Jul 1945 but has some information about the squadron’s first year from Jul 1943 to Jul 1944.
3. David Stubblebine says:
25 Jun 2023 04:39:09 PM
This is a much more interesting photo than I thought it was when I posted it ten years ago.
First, note how the wing is not quite in-line with the wing root. This photo was taken as the wings were being unfolded from the folded position to the flying position, just moments before the wings locked into the flying position.
Next, note the wartime procedures that allowed for the engine to be running, men standing on each wing, and no wheel-chocks (not to mention the men close to the wings being folded out). This would likely result in someone doing push-ups during peace-time.
Next, note the tail wheel. This is a solid rubber castor usually seen on Avengers assigned to aircraft carriers. Avengers assigned to shore stations normally had small pneumatic tires as their rear wheels. The reason was that hard tarmacs were hard on the solid castors causing them to disintegrate sooner and pneumatic tires blew out during hard carrier landings making them impractical.
Lastly, note the barely visible tail of a PB4Y-1 Liberator patrol bomber at the extreme right edge of the photo. Navy Liberators differed from the Army’s B-24 Liberators in that they often had no tail guns.
David Stubblebine says:25 Jun 2023 04:39:09 PM
This is a much more interesting photo than I thought it was when I posted it ten years ago.
First, note how the wing is not quite in-line with the wing root. This photo was taken as the wings were being unfolded from the folded position to the flying position, just moments before the wings locked into the flying position.
Next, note the wartime procedures that allowed for the engine to be running, men standing on each wing, and no wheel-chocks (not to mention the men close to the wings being folded out). This would likely result in someone doing push-ups during peace-time.
Next, note the tail wheel. This is a solid rubber castor usually seen on Avengers assigned to aircraft carriers. Avengers assigned to shore stations normally had small pneumatic tires as their rear wheels. The reason was that hard tarmacs were hard on the solid castors causing them to disintegrate sooner and pneumatic tires blew out during hard carrier landings making them impractical.
Lastly, note the barely visible tail of a PB4Y-1 Liberator patrol bomber at the extreme right edge of the photo. Navy Liberators differed from the Army’s B-24 Liberators in that they often had no tail guns.
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
Change View
Desktop ViewSearch WW2DB
Modern Day Location
| WW2-Era Place Name | Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, Japan |
| Lat/Long | 24.7847, 141.3242 |
Random Photograph
Current Site Statistics
- » 1,150 biographies
- » 337 events
- » 43,917 timeline entries
- » 1,241 ships
- » 350 aircraft models
- » 207 vehicle models
- » 375 weapon models
- » 123 historical documents
- » 260 facilities
- » 470 book reviews
- » 28,548 photos
- » 432 maps
Famous WW2 Quote
"The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 Feb 1945
4 Sep 2019 11:11:16 AM
My father was in this unit at the time of this picture. Looking for any and all info about the history of the unit.