43-6865 Smoky Joe
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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
Places
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
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search/
American Fighters Over Europe: Colors & Markings of Usaaf Fighters in WwII
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/usafserials.html
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_2.html