Wreck
 

Can anyone identify this wreck, is it a FW-190 or a P-47?

Location is 1km n/east of Cagny, Normandy. Cagny is 5km east of Caen and the wreck was in situ for 18/7/44

Re: Wreck
 

My first guess is that it is not a Fw 190, as the wing tip appears to be more rounded, so if the choice is between those two types, I would chose a P-47. However, I wouldn't bet very much on my answer.

Best regards,

Artie Bob

Re: Wreck
 

It's difficult to make out, but the propeller seems to have a large spinner which would rule out a P-47. Just a thought - is this the wing-section of a twin-engined aircraft ?

Re: Wreck
 

This is the field with the wreckage

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Looks like the cockpit and wingtip of a 109 - definitely NOT a 47 or 190 wingtip (or a 51)

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It is a fighter crashed in Normandy. Rounded wingtip - does not look like Spitfire nor Messerschmitt - Typhoon or Thunderbolt. Angle between prop blades indicates there were 4 attached to the hub - excludes any German type. Engine looks like radial - see coolant flaps - P-47. I would say that the ammo bays are visible as well as barrel covers in the leading edge. I am wondering if it is not 42-26407 C4-V of 365 FG lost on 11 July.
Beatiful shot with those wrecks behind (I cannot see them on aerial shot), any chance for a better scan?

Re: Wreck
 

Not that this helps but, there is a knocked out (sagging barrel) King Tiger in the background.

It's tough to say what the wreckage is. Is it upside down or right side up?

It may be a P-47, the engine mount (aft arrow) looks to be in about the right place for bulkhead position, etc.
A FW-190 would have a thicker nose ring (forward arrow) with the oil tank and armoured ring up front.
If it was a FW-190 you would see gun/mounts just aft and above the engine. They don't seem to exist.

Regards,
Mike

Re: Wreck
 

On closer inspection, one of the 'prop blades' could in fact be a picket for a barbed-wire fence in the background.....

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Pardon?
It is a ring to attach cowling to it.
Men, this cannot be abything else but a Thunderbolt!

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Franek,

Thank you for pointing out what I just said! It's probably a P-47!

Not sure where you got your quotes from me (Revi16) from???

Not what I posted.

Regards,

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The reason I am posting here is because of the 2 tanks in the background. It is a famous incident where a Sherman rammed a Tiger II in the rear. The Gaurds Officer (Gorman) was decorated for it. There are a number of photos of the 2 tanks but the exact location is not quite fixed. I just was curious about the 'plane and wondered if it could add anything to what we already know. It is a touchy subject with those in love with German super-Panzers that a Sherman could do this. The present 'excuse' is that the TII accidently REVERSED into the Sherman at the very moment a German pak fired at the Sherman. This round then penetrated the TII and destroyed it. Thus German super tank was destroyed by German super pak. Obviously no Allied weapon could hurt such a magnificent machine.

Re: Wreck
 

Hi Franek,

While my guess is as good as anyone else's as to the identity of the wreck, the incident about the M4 ramming the King Tiger is, IMO, much more interesting! :)

Regards

Dave

Re: Wreck
 

They are not in the aerial shot. The photo was taken at around 12 midday and the tanks did not get there till about an hour later. Sorry.

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Some more pics. Much better than those funny 'wingy' things anyway!

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The wingtip certainly appears to be that of a P-47, and inboard is what appears to be the ammunition compartment.

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Mkenny,

I've just had a chance to look at the image and judging by the cowl flaps and the four bladded prop, I'd have to say it's most likely a P-47.

Stephen

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From the french booklet Historica N°87:

Lt Gorman from the Irish Guard collide the Tiger2 from the 503 Abt on the 18th of July 44. The German crew escape and the Sherman crew do the same. As the fight was not finished Gorman wanted to find a firefly, what he did. He then took the control from the firefly a shooted a tiger 1 also there, then he shoot the Tiger2 and his own Sherman from 700m until he saw saw them burning. Mr Gorman was present on 18 Jully 1999 for the inauguration of a memorial about this event. On 18th Jully 2004, Saumur Museum brough his running Tiger2 and a sherman for a "then and now" celebration on exactly the same emplacement 60 years after, ie: on the road between Cagny and Emiéville.