43-6865 Smoky Joe

media-34400.jpeg UPL 34400 "A P-51 Mustang (KI-Q, serial number 43-6865, "War Weary") of the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group."

Roger Freeman Collection FRE 5437

Object Number - UPL 34400 - "A P-51 Mustang (KI-Q, serial number 43-6865, "War Weary") of the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group." Roger Freeman Collection FRE 5437

This aircraft was initially assigned to 486FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Trasnferred to 496FTG, 8AF USAAF.



Transferred from the 496th Fighter Training Group sometime during the month of November 1944 when the Fighter Training Groups were disbanded and the training of new combat pilots was accomplished by the main line Fighter Groups.



The aircraft shows up on the 20th Fighter Group Monthly Inventory List on 6 December 1944 and remained with this Group until it was transferred to the 434th Fighter Squadron/479th Fighter Group on 9 April 1945.



For about 2 weeks at the end of March 1945 the aircraft was on Detached Service with the 56th Fighter Group.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

People

Pilots of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, in front of P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named "Sweetie" at Bodney air base in March 1944. Left to right, top row: Lieutenant Woodrow W. Anderson, Lieutenant Stanley G. Miles, Lieutenant Frank A. Cutler, Lieutenant Martin E. Corcoran, Lieutenant Donald Y. Whinnem. Left to right, middle row: Lieutenant-Colonel Luther H. Richmond, Captain Stephen W. Andrew, Lieutenant Thomas W. Colby, Lieutenant Henry J. Miklajyck, Captain Edward
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 486th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-666924
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 486th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661790
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 486th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-418811
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Places

Aerial photograph of Bodney airfield, looking south east, the barrack sites are in the top centre of the image, 8 June 1945. Photograph taken by No. 542 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/369. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Royal Air Force Bodney

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

West Wittering, UK 6 December 1944 Transferred to 55FS, 20FG, 8AF USAAF. War Weary.

Assigned

Wattisham, Ipswich IP7 7JY, UK 9 April 1945 Transferred to 435FS, 479FG, 8AF USAAF. Converted to 2 seat configuration.

Crashed

Wattisham, Ipswich IP7 7JY, UK 22 September 1945 Landing Accident Wattisham (Sta 377) Cat 2 damage Lt John W Kidwell, 22-Sep-45. P-51B 43-6865WW - 435FS 479FG 8AF

Assigned

Bodney, Thetford IP26 5BX, UK Assigned to 486FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF.

Assigned

Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber DN19, UK Transferred to 496FTG, 8AF USAAF.

Manufactured

Long Beach, CA, USA Built at North American.

Delivered

Beale AFB, CA, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Correspondence with researcher Ted Damick.

43-6865: Gallery (3 items)