During World War II, both Corvallis and Salem airports became important military aviation facilities in Oregon. They served different purposes: Corvallis Army Airfield was associated with bomber training, while Salem’s McNary Field was used for fighter training and other Army Air Forces operations. There was never any runway or airfield at Camp Adair or at Adair Airforce Station. Camp Adair did have spotter planes.

L-4 Grasshoppers

The L-4 Grasshopper was a single engine 2 seat spotter plan helping infantry and artillery find the enamy.

Corvallis Army Airfield

North American B-25 Mitchell

A twin-engine medium bomber used for tactical bombing and reconnaissance-related training.

Bell P-39 Airacobra

A single-engine fighter used by Army Air Forces units during 1943.

Corvallis Army Airfield was constructed during World War II for Army Air Forces training. Records associated with the 70th Observation Group and its successor reconnaissance organization list the P-39 Airacobra, B-25 Mitchell and L-5 Sentinel among their aircraft during this period. However, I have not verified that every one of these types was regularly stationed at Corvallis itself.

Salem’s McNary Field

Republic P-43 Lancer

P-43 fighters operated from Salem during the Army’s regional air-defense exercises in 1941.

North American P-51 Mustang

A famous American fighter associated with the later combat service of the 354th Fighter Group.

Salem’s McNary Field was taken over by the Army in spring 1942. In June 1943, the 356th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Group arrived for training. Salem also saw P-43 Lancer fighters during prewar air-defense exercises in October 1941. The 354th Fighter Group later became famous for its P-51 Mustang operations in Europe, but that does not mean the Mustangs were the aircraft it flew at Salem.