Author Topic: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"  (Read 24464 times)

Offline Megalodon

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4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« on: August 10, 2011, 11:28:50 AM »
4th FS 3rd Air Commando Group P-51D/20-NA 44-63272 "Bad Angel"
Profile

almost correct with the bar in need of an adjustment and the serial# needing changing to 7/16"

While I was looking up Lyric's "Jumpin Jacques" I kept running into a plane with a lesser known pilot ace story, at least by me, worthy of a skin or two.There is allredy a 82nd FG 38G skin.

I think this would be a better 3rd ACG representation. I would like to request this Gentleman's plane/s.. A great story and a ace, hero to boot. If this has been asked for allready or has allready been done, the search is working, excuse my ignorance. This is what I have so far.

Lt Louis Edward Curdes  "Bad Angel"   He was One of a Kind!



"Louis E. Curdes was born on November 2, 1919, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In December 1942, after 2 ½ years studying at Purdue University, he enlisted into the Army Air Force. All of his training was in California, completing Advanced at Luke Field. He arrived in Europe in March 1943 and on April 17th was assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, 15th Air Force, flying P-38s. On April 29th, he downed three Me-109s (plus one damaged) on his first mission and knocked down two more 109s on May 19th. The nose of his P-38 now carried the markings for five “kills”, making him an Ace in a little more than his first month of combat. He continued to increase the tally; on June 24 he brought down an Italian Mc.202 over Golfo Aranci, Sardinia, and damaged a Me-109 on July 30 at Pratice di Mare, Italy. In August, he was awarded his first Distinguished Flying Cross.

Curdes P-38G...


On August 27th, he shot down another 109, but saw a P-38 pilot under attack. As he went to help, he engaged and destroyed another Me 109. However his aircraft suffered serious damage and he crash-landed on the Italian coast approximately ten miles south of Salerno.

« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 12:28:15 PM by Megalodon »
Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline Megalodon

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 11:38:22 AM »
He was captured, escaped, recaptured and escaped again and returned to his unit on May 27, 1944 and was sent back to Fort Wayne for leave. For his mission on August 27th, he was awarded thirteenth and fourteenth oak-leaf cluster to his Air Medal and the Purple Heart. <family corespondence> http://www.82ndfightergroup.com/95misc%20-%20Louis%20E%20Curdes.htm

While back in the United States, he volunteered for another combat tour and was re-assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Air Commando Group flying P-51s in the Pacific Theatre.

After five months in the States, Curdes left for the Pacific Theatre arriving November 19. 1944. The mission of the 3rd Air Commando Group was to attack Japanese airfields and installations in the Philippines, support ground forces on Luzon, provide escort for missions to Formosa and the China coast, make raids on airfields and railways on Formosa, and furnish cover for convoys. Also transport personnel, drop supplies to ground troops and guerrilla forces, evacuate casualties from front-line strips, adjust artillery fire, and fly courier and mail routes.

On February 7, 1945, he shot down a Ki-46 “Dinah” while flying a P-51D thirty miles SW of Formosa. This feat made him one of three aces to have shot down enemy aircraft of all three Axis Powers.
February 10th was a day that truly set 1LT Curdes apart from all other Airmen. Curdes led a flight of four P-51s from a field at Mangaldan in Central Luzon to perform reconnaissance of the southern tip of Formosa. Their mission was to locate a small temporary airfield being used by the Japanese. Finding nothing there, they continued on to the northernmost of the Bataan Islands. Curdes and his wingman, Lt. Schmidtke flew over the northern half and the two other P-51s flown by Lieutenants. Scalley and La Croix took the southern half.

Suddenly Scalley called out that they were attacking a small field on Bataan Island and Curdes and Schmidtke joined them. La Croix’s aircraft was hit and he had to bail out. Curdes saw La Croix’s parachute open as his Mustang went into the water. La Croix climbed into a little rubber dingy that was part of the parachute pack. Curdes ordered Sculley back to base in order to get another flight out to provide cover for La Croix. Also Sculley was to see if a rescue PBY amphibian aircraft stationed at Linguyan was available. He told Schmidtke to climb to 15,000 feet and broadcast a “Mayday” and to provide cover for Curdes. Curdes would stay low to make sure that the Japanese didn’t try anything. Curdes made another strafing run on the airfield

When he pulled up, he saw a twin engine aircraft heading for Japanese held territory. Although it looked like a C-47, he wasn’t sure that it wasn’t a Japanese copy of a DC-2. He closed in and saw the American insignia on the aircraft. He attempted to contact the pilot of the aircraft using various VHF frequencies, but received no reply. The aircraft now went into its final approach glide to land on the strip below. Curdes dove in front of the aircraft three times to try and spoil the C-47s landing, but the pilot continued to try and land. Curdes fired a burst of machine gun fire across the nose of the aircraft, but the transport pilot ignored it. Finally Curdes decided that he would force the transport to ditch into the ocean.


Closing to within approximately twenty yards, he shot out the right engine, then the left. The plane hit the water and came to a stop with 50 yards from La Croix’s raft. Two large rubber dingies inflated and twelve personnel including two women climbed in. Curdes flew above the rafts and dropped a note that said “For God’s sake, keep away from shore. Japs there.” After seeing that they were safe, Curdes returned to flying protective cover. La Croix paddled over to the two dingies and tied them together.

The pilot of the transport became lost in bad weather, his radio had gone out and his fuel gauge read empty when he had sighted the landing field on Bataan. La Croix explained the situation to them.

Curdes continued to fly cover until four more Mustangs arrived to replace him and Schmidtke. A PBY came out at dawn the next morning to rescue La Croix and the others. After Curdes returned to base, he was in for a shock when he saw the names of the survivors of the transport. One of the nurses aboard that plane was the very same nurse that he had a date with the night before!


Curdes gave a start and a shout when he glanced at the names of the survivors. One of the nurses was the "date" he had been with the night
before at Lingayen.

"Jeepers," he exclaimed, "seven 109's and one Macci in North Africa, one Jap, and one Yank in the Pacific -- and to top it, I have to go out and shoot down the girl friend."  <A Yank for Good Measure> http://hs.novi.k12.mi.us/ww2/Burk_yank.pdf

A few week's later, Captain Louis E. Curdes of the 4th Fighter Squadron. Third Air Commando Group was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for shooting down a C-47.

General George Kenney, Commander of the Fifth Air Force awarded Curdes with his second Distinguished Flying Cross. On Curdes P-51 the “Bad Angel”, he now added a Japanese flag indicating the downing of the “Dinah” and an American Flag for the transport.

Lou Curdes returned back to the US in July 1945 and was discharged in September of 1946. Curdes’ post-WWII Summary of Military Occupations may best sum up his wartime experience.
Upon discharge, he joined the local Air National Guard unit at Baer Field and remained with them until 1948. He then returned to active duty serving in various assignments and participating in the Berlin Airlift. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on November 1, 1963.

« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 01:17:03 PM by Megalodon »
Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline Megalodon

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 11:39:24 AM »
Perhaps the best tribute to the life and service of Louis Curdes came after his death in 1995.

Senator Richard Lugar:..
"Indiana Senator Richard Lugar read the following on the floor of the Senate: “Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the outstanding life and service of Louis E. Curdes. Mr. Curdes, who recently passed away at his home in Fort Wayne, IN, served his country with honor, and was a recognized hero of World War II.
Mr. Curdes demonstrated his skill and valor during his first 2 weeks as a fighter pilot in World War II, when he shot down a total of five German planes to become a flying ace. Several months later, when his plane was damaged in fighting, he was forced down in Italy and spent months in war prisons, until his eventual escape and walk to freedom.
Late in the war, Louis Curdes saw action in the South Pacific. He shot down aircraft from Japan and Italy, as well as Germany. Two of the Italian aircraft he shot down are displayed at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
In 1963, Mr. Curdes retired as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. He earned numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medals. Upon his retirement, he began Curdes Builders Co., and devoted his life to his family and work in Fort Wayne, IN. Mr. President, it is with great respect that I call to my colleagues' attention the contributions Louis Curdes made to his country. He is truly an example and inspiration for all who follow him.”
Quotes:
“FIGTHER PILOT, TWIN ENGINE, AND SINGLE ENGINE: Operated P-38 and P-51 fighter aircraft to obtain air superiority over enemy in order to free other combat units to carry out their missions. Was responsible for efficient maintenance and operation of aircraft. Was proficient in pilotage and dead reckoning navigation, radio operation, instrument flying, fixed aerial gunnery, meteorology and general and local flying regulations. Completed 105 combat missions in the European Theater, Mediteranian Theater and Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operation with the 12th, 15th and 5th Air Forces. Has 394 combat hours, total flight time 856 hours. Shot down 27 August 1943 by German Fighter aircraft. Escaped after capture, recaptured, escaped again, spent 81/2 months evading before rejoining own outfit. Rejoined “outfit” 27 May 1944.”

"Louis Curdes joined the Army Reserves on March 12, 1942. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt, and rated a pilot on December 3, 1942 at Luke Field, Arizona. He joined the 329th FG, but transferred to the 82nd FG, 95th FS, where he saw action over North Africa, Sardinia and Italy flying P-38Gs. On April 29, 1943 he shot down three German Me-109s and damaged a fourth near Cap Bon, Tunisia. Two more Me-109s fell to his guns near Villacidro, Sardinia on May 19. On June 24 he brought down an Italian Mc.202 over Golfo Aranci, Sardinia. Another Me-109 was damaged on July 30 at Pratice di Mare, Italy. His last two victories in the Mediterranean Theater were two Me-109s over Benevento, Italy. During that action he was forced down and taken prisoner. He escaped from the POW camp on September 8, 1943 and managed to survive behind German lines until crossing into Allied territory on May 24, 1944. He requested combat duty in the Pacific, and joined the 4th FS (Commando), 3rd FG (Commando) in August 1944. On February 7, 1945 he shot down a Dinah while flying a P-51D thirty miles SW of Formosa. This feat made him one of three aces to have shot down enemy aircraft of all three Axis Powers. On February 10, 1945 he shot-up an American C-47 which was attempting to land on a Japanese held airstrip in the Batan Islands, Philippines; a chain of small islands north of Luzon. The aircraft force landed and thirteen crew and passengers were rescued. One of the passengers was a nurse that he later married. An American flag was added to the German, Italian and Japanese flags painted on his P-51D. After the war he transferred to the Air Force. He was promoted to Maj on September 1, 1951, and retired from the Air Force as a LtCol in October 1963."



What Say You,

 :salute


« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 02:02:50 PM by Megalodon »
Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline Guppy35

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2011, 01:26:37 PM »
Definitely a man worth remembering.   
Dan/CorkyJr
8th FS "Headhunters

Offline lyric1

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2011, 04:09:12 PM »
Nice Job.  :aok

Offline Megalodon

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2011, 11:40:35 PM »
Additionally, I tried to edit this video in under the profile yesterday but I got busy and ran out of time  :bhead

A great video of CC Buckwheat and Lt Curdes.

Here's a shot of the nose .....Red!


Taken from this video
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675033349_P-51-plane_Swastika_Japanese-flag_American-flag_fuselage

Many profiles have this plane with a yellow nose two stripes on the fuselage most have the stripes on the wing in the wrong place.
A correct,in game, flying version would be fantastic and another 1st.

The profile in this thread used to be a yellow nose but the gentleman replaced it.

Pima Air museum has a very well done restoration except the nose  :uhoh
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36377


He was from Indiana!,
 :salute
« Last Edit: August 12, 2011, 02:06:29 AM by Megalodon »
Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline oboe

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2011, 06:47:55 AM »
Awesome writeup, Meg, and a heckuva combat career.    I didn't quite follow your suggestions about the flaw in the profile though.

Offline Megalodon

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2011, 12:45:10 PM »
Awesome writeup, Meg, and a heckuva combat career.    I didn't quite follow your suggestions about the flaw in the profile though.
I am no expert by any means but I think the star and bar are supposed to be touching. The bars need to be just a touch longer no blue between the star and bar where they touch. I believe Fencer was explaining this to some one a while back..... I could be wrong.

Thank you, you do very nice work Ob.

I was looking at your Daddy's Girl and Katydid <to lesser extent> the way your showing some of the panels as different shades.... It's very real looking.
You can see much of that in this plane.

 :salute

Red Nose-4th....IndianaNative,
Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline oboe

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2011, 08:34:29 PM »
Megalodon,

Here's a first draft of Bad Angel's scheme on my nat metal 51 base - she's been thrown together pretty quickly.  You did such a nice writeup and put together the information so well I wanted to see what she'd look like.   Missing some minor details and plenty of finishing work left but you get the idea.



I have a few more schemes I want to look at before I decide which ones to start working up for submission.   I like the blue tail on this one though, and it is a PTO bird with a real interesting pilot's story.  I'm not sure if the swastika killmarks would get by HTC though - might have to change those to white outline Iron Crosses.


Offline Devil 505

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2011, 10:33:57 PM »
Very nice Oboe.

While I'm not the biggest fan of PTO ponies. I make an exception for Bad Angel. That victory board is too unique.
Kommando Nowotny

FlyKommando.com

Offline Megalodon

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2011, 11:17:35 AM »
WOW.. Great looking skin Oboe, thank you for your time.

Lt Curdes unique story and tally board give this plane a pass to the main arena far as I am concerned  ;)

For me its more of the story behind the pilot that intrigues me not just a fancy skin and here is a great story.

Of course its up to you.

Thank You Again,

Megalodon
 :salute

Edit: I believe it is customary to replace the swastika with the Iron Cross and would be fine with me
« Last Edit: August 16, 2011, 11:32:29 AM by Megalodon »
Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline Liberator

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2011, 04:38:31 PM »
Wow, that is an amazing combat career that he had, and the skin looks nice. I'd love to see that skin in the game.

Offline Megalodon

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2012, 10:54:05 AM »
Hey Oboe,


Just wondering how the skin is coming along, will you be submitting it soon?

Thanx,

Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520

Offline Soulyss

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Re: 4th FS 3rd ACG P-51D "Bad Angel"
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2012, 11:17:18 AM »
Hey Oboe,


Just wondering how the skin is coming along, will you be submitting it soon?

Thanx,



Just a heads up I think Oboe is out of town on a business trip that he's expecting to last 4 weeks or so and he's not sure how much access he'll have to the BBS while he's gone.  This thread may get buried before he sees it so you may want to shoot him a PM.

80th FS "Headhunters"
I blame mir.

Offline Megalodon

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Okay..Add 2 Country's at once, Australia and France next plane update Add ...CAC Boomerang and the Dewoitine D.520