Established in 1917, Mitchel Field served for almost 50 years as an Air Force base. It was eventually closed in 1961. It’s now the home of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College, Hofstra University, and Lockheed.
Also read: Five Times Long Island Made Aviation History!
Below we present some great old pictures of Mitchel Field when it was a working airfield.
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USW33-000339-ZC (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchel Field, New York. Positions with the Thompson machine gun are practiced by members of the air base squadron. This lesson is known as "dry firing." The men get the feel of the gun before they go on the firing line to use real ammunition. 1942?
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USW33-000361-ZC (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchel Field, New York. Air Corps technicians must be expert in the handling of infantry weapons. Members of an airbase squadron learning to wage hand-to-hand combat with bayonets under the tutelage of Captain Clifford W. Vedder, squadron commander. 1942?
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USW33-000368-ZC (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchel Field, New York. On the rifle range members of the airbase squadron learn to fire the snubnose Thompson sub-machine gun. The highest degree of proficiency in the use of these firearms is attained in the intensive training program. 1942?
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USW33-022638-C (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York. Camouflaged troops repel attack on half track carrying an x-ray portable field unit in a simulated battle test. The unit is set up in battlefront areas in a specially constructed dark-room tent. 1943.
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USE6-D-004174 (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchell Field. An American knight of the air mans the upper gun of one of our new bombers. He, his gun and his plane are typical of the personnel and equipment that have gained world respect for the American Air Force. 1942 Apr.
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USE6-D-004174 (b&w film neg.)LC-USE6-D-004186 (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchell Field. Eagle poised for flight. An American pursuit pilot buckles on his parachute just before the takeoff. 1942 Apr.
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USE6-D-004193 (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchell Field. Eagle ready for battle. An American pursuit pilot in combat gear is all set to climb into his plane. His flying equipment includes a combined oxygen mask and throat-type microphone, headphones, parachute and Mae West life jacket. 1942 Apr.
Photo: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No known restrictions on images made by the U.S. government. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. [LC-USE6-D-004282 (b&w film neg.)]
Mitchell Field. An airdrome tractor and its capable crew have no difficulty moving the largest aircraft. 1942 Apr.
Photo: United States Department of Agriculture / Public domain.
Aerial view of Mitchel Field - New York.1968.
Photo: This image or file is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain in the United States.
2d Fighter Squadron (All Weather) Northrop P-61B on ramp Mitchel AFB 1948 Shown areP-61B 43-8233 and P-61B 43-8290. Taken October 1948.
