P-51 service history?
 

Hi Folks,
See through red paint in high resolution pic reveals the -so far- unknown S/N of Charles L. White's famous, 15 USAAF, 332nd FG, 301st FS P-51D-15-NA #42, "Cramer's Dream". It was: 44-15472

Question: WHEN was 44-15472 assigned to 332nd FG, 301st FS??? The approximate date would reveal which prev. 301st FS plane (loss) was also marked #42 before it. Since battle numbers of 332nd FG are poorly recorded, it would be a big help in reconstructing their numbering system.
(Same pic revealed that 332nd FG, 301st FS P-51C-7-NT 'MARCIA DEAR', S/N: 42-103565, lost on March 23, 1945 was #49.)

Thanks,
Gabor

Re: P-51 service history?
 

Gabor:
44-15472's IARc does not shed any exact date that the aircraft began flying combat missions. An approximate date that the aircraft may have been assigned to the Group, but not the Squadron, was 18 November 1944, having left the US on 25 October 1944. The aircraft received battle damage on 16 March 1945 and was salvaged on 21 August 1945. I do not have this aircraft being assigned to any specific Squadron just to the 332nd. Hope that this helps just a little bit. Ted51

Re: P-51 service history?
 

Thank you so much, it was a great help indeed! But at least we know that 44-15472 was "Cramer's Dream" #42 of 301st FS!
Cheers,
Gabor

Re: P-51 service history?
 

Gabor:
As a follow up...these can all be confirmed by either MACR, Accident Repot, or materials from the US National Archives as 332nd aircraft.

P-51D-5NT
44-11192, 11208, 11211, 11221, 11231,11232, 11240, 11245, 11247, 11248, 11249, 11250, and 11251

P-51D-5/15NA
44-13481, 14448, 14465, 14469, 14470, 14501, 15087, 15121, 15144, 15296, 15332, 15441, 15443, 15445, 15447, 15458, 15461, 15472, 15569, 15637, 15648, 15690, 15710, and 15713

P-51D-20NA
44-63470, 63478, 63486, 63488, 63498, 63508, 63509, 63515, 63518, 63526, 63532, 63533, 63553, 63606, 63628, 63645, 63654, 63655, 63663, 63672, 63707, 63807, 63824, 63838, 63853, 63872, 63877, and 64027

I hope that this helps but it might cause more confusion or angst. The vast majority of these serials are only identified as being deployed to the Group. Ted51

Re: P-51 service history?
 

Ted51,
Thank you very much, excellent material!
Gabor