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-   -   Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial? (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=47513)

Leendert 2nd March 2017 14:27

Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
AAIR mentions a US Embassy UC-43 Traveler crash on 19 Dec 1946 (France).

Serial listed is "8871".
Accident-report.com says 43-8871 for this accident, but Joe Baugher gives a Baltimore V, RAF FW714 for this one.

Also USN BuNo 8871 was an F6F-3 Hellcat, it appears.

There has been a NC8871, but this was a Beech Travel Air 2000.

Who can link "8871" with a US military or civil registration?

Any info welcome, thanks.

Regards,

Leendert

Frank Olynyk 2nd March 2017 17:30

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Well, it won't be USN. All aircraft in the first BUNO series started with the letter A. A8871 was an O3U-1. The second BUNO was four digits long, but ended at 7303, when the third series was started. The third series was five digits long, and went to the current six digits when that overflowed. All BUNOs in the third series less than 10000 start with a zero. BUNO 08871 was an F6F-3 Hellcat. Neither of these aircraft would fit your situation.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Revi16 2nd March 2017 19:16

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Perhaps the information provided to AAIR has a typo or mistake?

I've searched numerous word items on the Beech17 site looking for a match and can't come up with anything that answers your question. Word items searched, 1946-12, 8871, 871, France, YC-43, Embassy, Statts, Dulloums. http://beech17.net/

Additionally, this webpage indicates 8 occupants. http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=119124
This may just be more errors, but it would be tough to fit 8 occupants in a UC-43. If 8 occupants IS accurate, perhaps the aircraft was a UC-64 or something else?

Leendert 2nd March 2017 21:22

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
I had seen the ASN record where it says Toulouse and 8 injured, like you wrote Ravi.

Some British newspapers a few days later surprisingly speak of a French military airplane that had crashed near Toulouse with 9 injured....
The French had Beech C-45 Expeditors.

Will look further, but unfortunately have no experience with French newspaper archives for details.

Regards,

Leendert

Leendert 8th March 2017 14:07

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Received additional info.

UC-43 was attached to US Embassy in London. Was on its way from Orly to London.
Crashed (out of gas) "in bombed out field while attempting emergency landing". Partially burned. Time: 1730Z.

Pilot: Capt. Statts; passenger: Sgt. A.J. Joghson - no injuries.

Location given as 7 kms N. of Dulloums. Considering route, this may be Doullens instead.

So, not Toulouse and/or 8 injured....

There was a (later) Lt Col John H. Statts, perhaps the Capt. Statts above.

Serial 8871 in report still a mystery, may also refer to (a) Station 8871.

Regards,

Leendert

Alex Smart 10th March 2017 22:28

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Hello,

"FAA Aircraft 1939-1945" has the following -
FT509 - ( 44-67763 - c/n 6871 ) - Rtd USN as Bu 32900 - became NC248/N248E.
However Joe Baugher has in his site that FT509 was c/n 6771.
So perhaps he has a typo and maybe it is 6871 ?
And in turn the original number 8871 may have also been an error for 6871 ?
Anyone have details of NC248 or as later N248E ?

My two pence worth
Alex

Revi16 11th March 2017 01:09

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
6871 - http://beech17.net/?page_id=1239

Alex Smart 11th March 2017 14:10

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Hello Revi,
Thank you for the reply and the link.
I am still of the opinion that it was an a/c of British parentage though.
The start of the number "66" may well be in place of the first two alphabetical letters . This is seen several times in MACR reports specially with USAAF Spitfire losses when the serial number is given as 66 the followed by three numbers.
Just a thought, could have been an ex RAF or RN a/c returned to US service in Europe and not given a US serial number at the time of accident.
Alex

Leendert 11th March 2017 16:21

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Thanks for the follow ups. Possibility of ex-RAF has crossed my mind as well.
FAA flew the type as well.

Have contacted another source and will keep you posted.

Regards,

Leendert

PS ASN entry is edited now. This of course reopens the question what French military plane crashed near Toulouse with 8/9 injured. Date on or around 22 Dec 1946.

Alex Smart 12th March 2017 23:04

Re: Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?
 
Hello,
As a follow up.

As it was only a minor accident the a/c would have possibly been repaired and returned to service perhaps ?
But reported as partially burned and written off, but was out of gas ?

Also is it known how many others were sent over to Europe if any apart from those of RAF and RN ?
8th and 9th AAF's for example.

The Baltimore V mentioned earlier was SOC in April 46, so was it taken to Germany for scrapping ? If so it may have been found to have been serviceable enough for Embassy use ?

Alex


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