370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Hi all. I am trying to find photos of the above unit's P-38s. In particular if anyone can confirm that the 402nd had a solid black dot on the outer rudders as unit identifier and if the letter on the inside of the rudder was the individual AC code or the Squadron code. I have a photo of a crashed 402nd FS Lightning showing a large letter E on the inside rudder. The problem is that the FS's code was E6, so not sure if it was the individual AC code or the unit code.

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

It's the individual a/c letter.

Sources:
The 370th Fighter Group in World War II by Jay Jones
American Eagles: P-38 Units of the 8th and 9th Air Forces by Roger Freeman

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Danny,

Same source same reply. E6 with the (black/white) dot.
In Belgium?

Dreamt I was this young boy!

ClinA-78 (at 370th FG home)

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Yes, in Belgium. It is an MIA case. AC was there till 1948.

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Unfortunately the book doesn't give serial numbers in the photo captions. That being said, I doubt there's a picture of 42-68186 (I certainly couldn't find one) as there's not a picture of Lt. Calvacca; the only mention of him in the book is in regards to his loss 17 December 44. (To make things worse, the Lt.'s name is twice spelled Calvacca and once spelled Calvecca.)

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Just curious--how have you determined this was 42-68186? The 402nd Fighter Squadron lost five P-38's on this date. Four were lost in fights with FW 190's near Simmerath and one collided with a 406th Fighter Group P-47 near Steffeln.

Kent

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

In the Appendix of Jones' book he lists all of the losses with date, pilot, serial, and MACR number.

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

MACR 10977

1Lt. James V, Calvacca - O-792802

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Perhaps my earlier post wasn't clear, I meant how has it been determined the picture is actually the remains of 42-68186? I have the MACR's from NARA II and also Jones' book so Calvacca being in 42-68186 isn't in doubt. Based on the picture, no serial is visible so is there a second picture showing either outside of the or the nose?

Kent

Re: 370th Fighter Group, 402nd Fighter Squadron Question
 

Sorry, had a typo-- should have said in last line outside of the fin or the nose.

Kent