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

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

Lieutenant-Colonel Elwyn G. Righetti of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group stands beside his P-51 Mustang, "Katydid". Print signed 'Best of everything your big loud Elwyn', 1944-1945.
  • 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

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 11452

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 11452 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database