43-6319

Two 56th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts serial number 41-6319 HV-M and 42-7943 UN-K of the 61st Fighter Squadron and of the 63rd Fighter Squadron respectively, collided in mid-air on the 5 February 1944.

FRE 12118 FRE 12118 Two 56th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts, serial numbers 41-6319 a P-47C of the 61st Fighter Squadron and 42-7943, a P-47D of the 63rd Fighter Squadron, collided in mid-air on the 5 February 1944. They were piloted by Lieutenants Roger A Phillips and Richard J Albert, both of whom were killed in the accident. Two men, one in uniform and one in civilian clothes, inspect the remains of one of the colliding P-47 Thunderbolts. Official caption on image: "33SG-4G19-8-P47-Air Collision." Handwritten caption on reverse: '56th FG. 5 Feb '44. 61st and 63rd. P-47 42-6319 and 42-7943. Lt Phillips & Albert.' NOTE incorrect serial number of 41-6319. Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 12118 - Two 56th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts, serial numbers 41-6319 a P-47C of the 61st Fighter Squadron and 42-7943, a P-47D of the 63rd Fighter...

Assigned to 38FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. War Weary became a 55FG OTU A/C.

Connections

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Units served with

38th Fighter Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Fighter

55th Fighter Group

Unit Hierarchy: Group
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Fighter

People

Alvin Beauford Cooter

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron 351st Fighter Squadron
Service Numbers: 18177190 / O-2056908
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Andrew J Ryan

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
Service Numbers: O-2067572
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.

Wormingford

Site type: Airfield
Known as: Bures / RAF Wormingford / RFC Wormingford / USAAF Station 159 / Wormingford Landing Ground

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Crashed	Wormingford, Colchester CO6 3SD, UK	25 April 1945	Landing Accident Wormingford/Sta 159 Cat 3 damage 2Lt Alvin B Cooter, 25-Apr-45. P-51B 43-6319W - OT 55FG 8AF
Crashed	Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Edinburgh EH12 9DN, UK	9 June 1945	Take Off Accident Engine Failure RAF Turnhouse, Scotland Cat 3 damage Lt Andrew J Ryan, 9-Jun-45. P-51B 43-6319 - 38FS 55FG 8AF
Delivered	Beale AFB, CA, USA		Delivered to USAAF.
Assigned	Wormingford, Colchester CO6 3SD, UK		Assigned to 38FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF.