Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

Nice shot of a shot down P-40F from (probably) the 57th FG on German E-Bay. Can anyone identify?

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

More likely 325FG or Joker Squadron (likely the former as I can't recall to many losses to Joker before broken up). As to the serial number never found it during my research.

Regards

Buz

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

The 325th FG did not have many losses during the North African campaign. One possible candidate is F/O Howard Cook who was shot down by E/A and picked up later by the British. This happened on April 17,1943.

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

IIRC, the 325th FG all had yellow surrounds to their national insignia as they were flown off the Wasp into French NA? This one does not have that and there's no evidence of painting out. That might leave another FG as the answer.

Also, the rear view mirror is unusual. Maybe there's a photo, somewhere, in whatever FG photos?

I may be way off in these thoughts.

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

Looking at pictures of Desert P-40s, I think this airplane belongs to the 33rd FG. The American Flag by the cockpit and the lack of code letters looks exactly like the P-40Fs being launched from the USS Chenango on Nov 10,1942. See pictures in MAW3 on pgs 84-85.

One point of difference. The P40s launched form the USS Chenango had a yellow thin ring on the national insignia. The airplane in the photograph has no such ring. Obviously, the yellow ring around the insignia was removed at some date during the campaign. Or this is replacement airplane that has had the American Flag painted on?

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

John........WASP was sunk in Sept. 1942 in the S. Pacific but had delivered Spitfires for Malta earlier in the year.
There were 3 carriers ferrying P-40Fs to N. Africa. In Nov. CHENANGO with 33FG ( in desert camo and serials in 41-14 block), they had yellow borders to wing and fuselage insignia as per "Torch" directive; HMS ARCHER also Nov. with replacements mainly to 33FG in desert colours , most with yellow outlines ( serials 41-14 etc); and RANGER in Jan. 1943 with 325FG these were both desert and OD / NG colours but no yellow borders as this was post-"TORCH" ( a few may have had them added in NW Africa). serials 41-19 etc. The OD had Medium Green patches added in production.
Apparently there were a few P-40Ls mixed in these batches. At least 1 photo shows P-40Ls on Ranger in Jan. 1943 in both camo schemes, thay have serials 42-105 + and only 4 wing guns. The US flag was usually under the left wing also.
Nick

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

There is another picture of this aircraft sowing the opposite side with the last numbers of is serial showing .......502. Ibelive the site that shows ti is Luftwaffe archive will check and get back if different..

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

RANGER's log shows a second ferrying to N. Africa ( Feb. 1943).....
Jan. 6 loaded P-40Fs at Norfolk Navy Yard
Jan. 8 sailed.
Jan. 19 P-40s landed Casablanca
Returned USA arrived Jan. 30.
Feb.13 sailed Norfolk for Morocco with P-40s ( I think these were the P-40L replacements for 33FG). There is a photo of them on board, in both camo schemes and plain insignia.
Feb. 25 landed planes Casablanca.
March 10 returned to USA .
.........Could be F-10 41-14502 or L-5 42-10502 ?
Nick

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

Thanks to all for their great input

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

Morning, I have to admit to an error the last three numbers are 504 NOT 502 SORRY error due to missing glasses.....bu its definetly the same aircraft

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

Kaiyan...........could still be the P-40F-10 or L-5 blocks listed above; if the 504 is on the fin on the right side it's the last 3 numbers of the serial. Looks like it's neither of these though ( 41-14504 or 42-10504 ) as both of these were condemned on 8 July 1944). P-40Ls had a radio mast as standard but the 4 guns are the best guide ( that's from the L-5 block, also lengthened fuselage). Can you post a link to the photo?
John .....that's a normal mirror fitting for these early P-40s, offset slightly to port.
Nick

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

Hello,
Do the numbers at the left lower of the photo edge have any reference to the crash or date picture was taken ?

"43-11-6"

Alex

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

If you could remind me how to post pics here i will post a copy of the pic ...my head seems to have hoe in it where data falls out...

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

pic i hope

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

[quote=Buckeye30;226018]John........WASP was sunk in Sept. 1942 in the S. Pacific but had delivered Spitfires for Malta earlier in the year.
There were 3 carriers ferrying P-40Fs to N. Africa. In Nov. CHENANGO with 33FG ( in desert camo and serials in 41-14 block), they had yellow borders to wing and fuselage insignia as per "Torch" directive; HMS ARCHER also Nov. with replacements mainly to 33FG in desert colours , most with yellow outlines ( serials 41-14 etc); and RANGER in Jan. 1943 with 325FG these were both desert and OD / NG colours but no yellow borders as this was post-"TORCH" ( a few may have had them added in NW Africa). serials 41-19 etc. The OD had Medium Green patches added in production.
Apparently there were a few P-40Ls mixed in these batches. At least 1 photo shows P-40Ls on Ranger in Jan. 1943 in both camo schemes, thay have serials 42-105 + and only 4 wing guns. The US flag was usually under the left wing also.
Nick[/QUOT

OK, OK, I sure mixed my memories up!

I used to work with a guy who was asst. ship's carpenter on the Wasp and a plank owner. He had some interesting stories, especially about its sinking. I can share if anyone is interested.

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

I think the plane in question is a P-40L, 59FS, 33rd FG with s/n 42-10504. If you look at the picture you can see two MG opening, which would make this a P-40L. There is a color picture of 42-10511 with the exact markings (google it).
According to http://raf-112-squadron.org/33rdfghonor_roll.html, 42-10504 was launched on 25 Feb 1943 and was assigned to the 59FS.

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

I seem to remember a discussion on the "old" LEMB of paper work catching up with events where an aircraft was written off the books when the paperwork caught up with real like that might explain the '44 date..... just a thought.

Re: Shot Down P-40F-57FG?
 

I think they wrote-off batches as you suggest; there were 37 P-40L-5s "Condemned Inventory" in this block 42-10480 to 42-10699 on July 8 1944. They were classed as " unsuitable for repair", Cat.E in the RAF.
Others in this series went to the RAF and French.
John.........Would like to hear something about WASP especially the ferrying Spitfires to Malta in 1942 ( if he was aboard then).
Thanks Nick