Photo Help - P-51B QP*L 4th FG, 334th FS

[Vraciu]

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,160301.msg1886938.html#msg1886938

This Mustang was created using only a partial photo.  Guppy do you still have it?  Are we still convinced it is QP*L?

[lyric1]

VF-T?

http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/336_grovefmweb_a.pdf

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/20639

[Vraciu]

The plot thickens.


Says it went to 334th FS.    QP*?




But look at this...

http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/336_corbettrjweb_a.pdf

[Vraciu]

I think I am going to skin it as this one:

http://www.forcedlandingcollection.se/USAAF/USAAF059-440522-mustang.html

One hell of an interesting story.  Nicholas Megura (15.58 victories) was flying this airplane when he was attacked by friendlies.

"His combat career ended on 23 May 1944. The Group intercepted 30-plus enemy aircraft which were also engaged by several P-38s. Megura, while attacking three Me-109s, had his fuselage raked by gunfire from a P-38 that mistook him for a 109. His coolant system was damaged, causing him to consider bailing out. However, he could not open his canopy and began nursing his stricken plane toward Denmark. He then daringly nursed it even further toward Sweden, where he belly-landed at Kalmar Aerodrome and was immediately interned.

"On 28 June he arrived back at Debden, but due to diplomatic relations he was no longer permitted to fly combat, so he was assigned administrative duties."







The other option is "Meg" (QP*M).

[Guppy35]

I'll find the image.  The point of doing that bird was to have a match to the later 4th D model with the 1945 swept back red nose.  Megura's bird is May 44 not 45.

One of the fun things in scenarios is being able to use appropriately marked planes.  Since B/C and D Mustangs operated together, to be able to fly a B/C with a D in similar squadron markings helps the immersion.  Nothing worse to me than flying a D-Day striped June 44 bird in a 1945 time frame, or early 44 time frame as it doesn't fit.

[Vraciu]

I understand why it was done and am aware of the date of QP-F based on the associated combat report (23 May 1944).  However, without a legit photo of a swoop nose combat B/C from this squadron then I have to skin something for which proof exists.   That thins the herd of swoop nose Malcolm Hood B/C Mustangs to about zero. 

Thanks in advance for the assistance.   

[Guppy35]

I understand why it was done and am aware of the date of QP-F based on the associated combat report (23 May 1944).  However, without a legit photo of a swoop nose combat B/C from this squadron then I have to skin something for which proof exists.   That thins the herd of swoop nose Malcolm Hood B/C Mustangs to about zero. 

Thanks in advance for the assistance.   

Not to worry.  I'll get you the image to back it up

[Guppy35]

Photobucket down. Will have the photos posted as soon as it's up again.  Later research determined that it was in fact QP-K not L.  43-24762 Last B model flying with the 334th.

You can see her in some vintage film from Debden on Critical Past.

[lyric1]

Photobucket down. Will have the photos posted as soon as it's up again.  Later research determined that it was in fact QP-K not L.  43-24762 Last B model flying with the 334th.

You can see her in some vintage film from Debden on Critical Past.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675034696_P-51-aircraft_insignia-on-jacket_officer-dividing-money_pilot-in-cockpit-of-plane

[Guppy35]

OK this was the first image we found when trying to find a B/C model with the later nose markings.  Obviously we couldn't make out the individual letter.  Digging through all the 4th books I had, I came up with L.   Obviously that was not accurate but it was what we had at the time.



The Critical Past film was found later and ID'd that kite as QP-K.  There were very few left in 45, but this was one of them


Black ID bands, Red rudder and red outlined letters.


Clearly QP-K

[Devil 505]

What's the serial on QP-K?

[lyric1]

What's the serial on QP-K?

Its back a few posts.


"Photobucket down. Will have the photos posted as soon as it's up again.  Later research determined that it was in fact QP-K not L.  43-24762 Last B model flying with the 334th.

You can see her in some vintage film from Debden on Critical Past."

[Devil 505]

Oops I missed it.