43-12433

media-7554.jpeg UPL 7554 North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang, S/N 43-12433. This aircraft was originally sent to the RAF under the Lend-Lease program as a Mustang III s/n FX905, but was returned to the USAAF on December 30,1943 with no RAF service recorded.
Her first USAAF assignment was with the 362nd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. Then was transferred to the 368th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group.
Declared 'War Weary' and sent to the 351st FS, 353rd FG as the squadron's "hack" aircraft. She was written off after being belly-landed by Lt. James Lamb on March 20,1945 at Raydon.

www.littlefriends.co.uk / flickr.com

Object Number - UPL 7554 - North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang, S/N 43-12433. This aircraft was originally sent to the RAF under the Lend-Lease program as a Mustang III s/n...

Initially to RAF on 24 August 1943 as FX905. Returned to AAF service on 30 December 1943 and received at Warton 31 December. Issued to 354th FG 356th FS on 27 January where it became "Mackie 3rd/Miss Pea Ridge" AJ-M Pilot Lt Mack Tyner. Acquired codes AJ-W with Lt. Robert D Welden. Transferred to 357th FG 362nd FS on unknown date as G4-L - assigned pilot currently unknown. Transferred to 359th FG 368th FS on 10th July and flew its first combat mission with them on 12 July. Coded CV-C. Suffered Cat A battle damage to elevator and wing on 13 August. Classified as war weary on 29 September. Transferred to 353rd FG on 28 January 1945 where it became YJ-1. Had taxiing accident on 27 February with Lt. Francis O'Neil. Category 4 belly landing due to engine failure on 20 March with Lt. James W Lamb. Subsequently repaired then converted to two-seater [piggy back] as YJ-4. Written off on 11 August 1945 with Lt. William J Maguire being killed in the crash.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Joseph Milton Ashenmacher

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16060772 / O-811833
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

James W Lamb

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 352nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-826691
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot, Pilot

James W Lamb

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20707682 at enlistment, then O-799791
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

William J Maguire

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-790281
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Mack Tyner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-744805
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Places

Aerial photograph of Warton airfield looking north, the Ribble Estuary is on the left, 22 June 1949. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/255. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Warton

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: BAD-2

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

27 January 1943 Issued to 354th Fighter Group, 356th Fighter Squadron on 27/01/43 where it became "Mackie III/Miss Pea Ridge". Coded AJ-M, Pilot Lt Mack Tyner.

Assigned

10 July 1943 Transferred to 359th Fighter Group, 368th Fighter Squadron on 10/07/43 and flew its first combat mission with them on 12 July. Coded CV-C.

Other

Damaged

13 August 1943 Suffered Cat A battle damage to elevator and wing on 13/08/43.

Delivered

United Kingdom 24 August 1943 Delivered to the RAF under the Lend-Lease program as a Mustang III s/n FX905, 24/08/43 , no RAF service before returning to USAAF.

Other

Re-classified

29 September 1943 Re-classified as war weary on 29/09/43.

Other

Transferred

Warton, Carnforth, Lancashire, UK 31 December 1943 Returned to USAAF service on 30/12/43 and received at Warton 31/12/43.

Assigned

28 January 1945 Transferred to 353rd Fighter Squadron on 28/01/45 where it became coded YJ-1.

Other

Damaged

27 February 1945 Suffered taxiing accident on 27/02/45, pilot Lt Francis O'Neil.

Crashed

Raydon, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7, UK 20 March 1945 Damaged[category 4] in belly landing, due to engine failure on 20/03/45, Raydon, pilot Lt James W Lamb.

Crashed

11 August 1945 Written off on 11/08/45 with pilot Lt William J Maguire being killed in the crash.

Other

Changed codes

Acquired codes AJ-W with pilot Lt Robert D Welden, 354th Fighter Group, 356th Fighter Squadron. Date unknown.

Assigned

Transferred to 357th Fighter Group, 362nd Fighter Squadron on unknown date as G4-L, assigned pilot currently unknown.

Other

Airframe modified

Repaired then converted to two-seater [piggy back] as YJ-4. Date unknown.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to unit associations
Sources

359th Fighter Group, 1943-1945 facebook page.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to unit associations, person associations and place associations
Sources

359th Fighter Group, 1943-1945 facebook page.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to description and events
Sources

359th Fighter Group, 1943-1945 facebook page.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesCreated entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, description, events, unit associations and person associations
Sources

www.littlefriends.co.uk

43-12433: Gallery (3 items)