Some of William Vandivert's 'Panama Cargo Trip' photos appear to have been taken in Texas. This seems to be Howard Field, the then new base in the Canal Zone where 38-301 was based in 1942. It was assigned to the 108th Observation Squadron, mainly for anti-submarine patrols. Photo by: William Vandivert / Life

'Panama Cargo Trip'. An early C-47 (no suffix) with cargo doors. Joe Baugher's site notes: 'USAAF May 1, 1942. Operated by Braniff Sep 11, 1942. Panama May 1, 1943. USA Dec 20, 1943.' Airframe still current as N728G in the 2020s. Photo by: William Vandivert / Life

'Panama Cargo Trip'. The aircraft does not wear a regular tail number and seems to be DC-3 c/n 2166, NC21767 of American Airlines on temporary military duty. This theory is supported by the right side passenger door, as specified by AA. Photo by: William Vandivert / Life

'Panama Cargo Trip'. The only reasonable explanation for tail number 2182 would seem to be that this is construction number 2182, a DC-3 of Braniff, NC21776, which is not on record as having been requisitioned. The aircraft wears the same logo as 1242 and 42-68687. Photo by: William Vandivert / Life

'Panama Cargo Trip' - photo possibly taken in the Canal Zone. This is DC-3 NC21773 of Braniff, commandeered on 17 September 1942. It wears the same emblem as 2182 and DC-2 1242. Braniff operated military flights to the Panama Canal Zone during the war. Photo by: William Vandivert / Life

A Fairey Albacore I of No 820 Sqn during the Allied landings in North Africa, presumably seen taking off from the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable. British forces were in the Eastern Task Force which landed at Algiers. On 17 November, an Albacore of No 820 sank the submarine U-333. The aircrew were unware that the U-boat had already surrendered. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Training over North Carolina. USAAF A-20s flew their first combat mission in Algeria one month later. Photo by: Dmitri Kessel / Life

In exercises like this one, US ground commanders had discovered that the humble Piper Cub was quite useful in the field. The army air force didn't like it and changed the O-59 designation for an observation aircraft to L-4 for liaison to stress that such 'puddle jumpers' would better stay behind the frontline. Photo by: Dmitri Kessel / Life

War games over North Carolina - this P-43 and P-40 probably play the enemy. The P-43 was only ordered as a stop-gap when the US Army decided to go for the P-47 Thunderbolt, and never played an important role. Photo by: Dmitri Kessel / Life

The P-43 Lancer only saw combat in China, although a few examples were supplied to the RAAF as photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The batch including 41-31488 were ordered for supply to China but this airframe stayed in America to see service with the 19th Observation Squadron, 66th Observation Group at Morris Field, Charlotte, North Carolina in 1942. It is seen here chased by a P-40 during 'ground air support maneuvers'. Photo by: Dmitri Kessel / Life

Stuka left behind in the German withdrawal from North Africa during World War II. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland