44-14171
44-14171 was usually flown by Captain Michael Alba, who ended his combat tour on 12 December 1944.
On a training flight 31 December 1944, piloted by 2nd Lt Richard L. Engel, it caught fire and crashed in the North Sea, off Bradwell-on-Sea (South of Colchester, Essex). Richard Engel had been able to bail out at an altitude of about 500 feet, but he was killed.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 70th Replacement Depot 339th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 338th Fighter Squadron 505th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19130045 and O-760219
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters (55th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-512407
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bures / RAF Wormingford / RFC Wormingford / USAAF Station 159 / Wormingford Landing Ground
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Bradwell Bay, Essex, United Kingdom | 31 December 1944 | Caught fire on a training flight; crashed in the sea, off Bradwell Bay |