Naval Air StationPort Lyautey, Morocco

The following photographs are from the personal collection of Jerry (Gerald J.) Zimmerman who served at NAS Port Lyautey between 8/2/47 to 4/15/48. Copies of these photographs may be obtained in a larger format by contacting Jerry at Jerdadzim@cs.com. Former shipmates of Jerry may also contact him at the same e-mail address.

Naval Air Station B-29 Photographs

A detailed account of this historical event can be read in Jerry's letters. Briefly, the landing of this B-29 was considered a test to learn if such a large plane could land and take off on the Base's rather short landing strips and on runways not built or designed to withstand the load of such a plane. The good news was that the plane landed and took off safely. That experiment provided information and data for the future rebuilding and building of new US Airbases in Morocco.

First B-29 to Land at NAS Port Lyautey
November 19th, 1947

B-29 crew members and NAS Port Lyautey Officers discuss the successful landing.

The B-29 at rest on the apron on the East side of the Main Hangar.

A NAS Aviation Mechanic files and smoothes a nicked propeller blade.

Looking trough the B-29's only way from its mid and tail gunner's positions to the cockpit of the huge plane. The narrow passage way compelled one to lay flat on the stomach and, then, pull and slide your body forward. Crew members had to be quite slim!

Looking down and through the B-29's opened bomb bay doors.

The departure of the B-29 was watched by many…from the field, Jeeps, the main Hanger's roof, and from the French Barracks seen on top of the hill.