43-6870
Object Number - UPL 23923 - Capt Charles E Beck, [ Los Angeles, CA] , 361st Fighter Squadron. Seen here is P-51B 43-6870, a war-weary hack, looking rather forlorn following an...
This particular P-51 gave good service, having been delivered on 2-Feb-44 and serving with the 354FS, 355th FG, 8AF before going to the 496th FTG and serving with both the squadrons [554/555FTS] in that unit. Later as a war weary hack for the 361FS, 356FG, 8AF. Suffered an engine failure shortly after take-off, with pilot Capt Charles E Beck on 28-May-45.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg.webp?itok=Cj8CR9kY)
- 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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 360th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-711916
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-822214
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-711097
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 357th Fighter Group 364th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-822305
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
![P-51 Mustangs of the 355th Fighter Group break formation, ready for landing, over the ground support vehicles and control tower of Steeple Morden Airfield. Image signed on reverse with the approval of station censor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '355 FG Steeple Morden, Control Tower, read crew + P41 [sic] group peeling off for landing.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377141.jpg.webp?itok=zxxvSLfB)
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Assigned |
Steeple Morden, Royston SG8, UK | 2 February 1944 | Assigned to 354FS, 355th FG, 8AF. |
|
Crashed |
Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber DN19, UK | 13 August 1944 | Taxiing Accident Goxhill/Sta 345 Cat 3 damage Lt William S Lyons, 13-Aug-44. P-51B 43-6870 - 555FTS 496FTG 8AF |
|
Crashed |
Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber DN19, UK | 6 September 1944 | Belly Landing due to Mechanical Failure Goxhill/Sta 345 Cat 3 damage Lt Stephen Wasylyk, 6-Sep-44. P-51B 43-6870W - 554FTS 496FTG 8AF |
|
Crashed |
Martlesham Heath, Martlesham, Ipswich, UK | 28 February 1945 | Taxiing Accident Martlesham Heath/Sta 369 Cat 3 damage Lt George A Taylor, 28-Feb-45. P-51B7 43-6870W - 394SrS 356FG 8AF |
|
Crashed |
Martlesham Heath, Martlesham, Ipswich, UK | 28 May 1945 | Suffered an engine failure shortly after take-off, with pilot Capt Charles E Beck on 28-May-45. Cat 4 damage. |
|
Manufactured |
Inglewood, CA, USA | Built at North American. | |
|
Delivered |
California, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
|
Other Transferred |
Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber DN19, UK | Transferred to 554FTS, 496FTG, 8AF. | |
|
Other Transferred |
Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber DN19, UK | Transferred to 555FTS, 496FTG, 8AF. | |
|
Other Transferred |
Martlesham Heath, Martlesham, Ipswich, UK | Transferred to 361FS, 356FG, 8AF. |
