Re: Mustang I
 

Hello,

We Have the following:

The Mustang had proved itself to be ideally suited to low-level reconnaissance and ground strafing sorties., but its pilots were still very concerned with being recognised when approaching enemy target (German airfield and ground defence flak having been recognised as the toughest opposition that the Allied aircraft had met). Therefore, in May 1943* the two Sky painted code letters which identified the squadron(s) to which the aircraft belonged were painted out leaving just a single letter, which was the aircraft call-letter for instance R for Roger.

See:
Camouflage & Markings R.A.F. Fighter Command 1936-1945 - North American Mustang Fighters.
Goulding,James & Robert Jones.
London: Ducimus Books,1970-1971.
pp.34 & 36.

* The code letters were re-intsated during March 1944.

So, if Oesau is in the photograph, the date must be between April 1943 and May 1944.

Col.

Re: Mustang I
 

It looks like Heuser is correct. From the RAF Command Web page we have the following:

"F/Lt Gordon W.H. (H.H.??) a RCAF pilot who evaded capture the 02/06/1943 he was on Mustang I 400 Sqn AG661 code X Shot down by 11./JG 2 and belly landed SW of Glos-la-Ferrière at 17:05"

Re: Mustang I
 

AG 661 was considered Cat E on 2 June 1943. The a/c had two prior accidents on 15 July 1942 and 16 October 1942. Both accidents were with P/O H E Hanton (RCAF) who was flying with 400Sq. I trust that this helps a bit. Ted51

Re: Mustang I
 

Hello,
This photo apeares in the LEMB Forum along with a second one which shows her raised on her u/c.
Note the weaponry, three in each wing and two that fire through the prop.
Indeed this was if I recall, then said to be AG661, manufacturer's serial number 73-3413. One of the first contract of Mustangs under the Lend-Lease sceme.
Pilot F/Lt. W. H.Gordon evaded.
Alex

Re: Mustang I
 

On June 2, 1943 Ofw Herbert Gumprecht of 11./JG 2 claimed two P-51:

1702 hrs south of Epinay-sur-Odon and
1705 hrs southwest of Glos-la-Ferrière.

Sources:
OKL Fighter Claims 1943 (Tony Wood),
Jagdfliegerverbände Teil 10/IV, pages 433 and 444.

Regards
Leo

Re: Mustang I
 

Hello,

Go to: http://rcafassociation.ca/heritage/search-awards/ enter J5695 in Search Keyword box.

Col.

Re: Mustang I
 

Good evening all:
AG 661 was lost on 2 June 1943 when W H Gordon evaded capture. the aircraft history card lists this as Cat E. Prior to this the aircraft had 2 accidents on 15 July 1942 and 16 October 1942 both with He Hanton (RCAF). the aircraft apparently was with 400Sq for it's entire combat deployment. I trust that this adds just a bit more to the 'rest of the story. Ted51

Re: Mustang I
 

Here is a "zoomed" street view showing the church tower.

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.8497...7i13312!8i6656

I think the plane was in the field to the left of the road D656.

The street view is at location 48.8497953,0.592431 looking NNE along the road and then zoomed toward the horizon. If you move closer to the church along the road, the trees eventually block the view of the church tower. You can see the "notched" roof line to the right of the tower, both in the original photo and in the Google Street View.

Re: Mustang I
 

Please correct me if I am wrong ...I have always assumed the aircraft on its wheels was aircraft V OF THE SAME SQUADRON my belief comes from the attached pic and the condition of the undercarrage one leg has fairing attached and one does not same as in your pic of which I have a copy

Re: Mustang I
 

Hello,
AG661 was coded "X"
These latest photo's show aircraft with code "V".
So not the same aircraft.
However the photo of the a/c on wheels could show the a/c on wheels in the LEMB taken after the outer section of wing is removed.
Or
That both "X" and "V" suffered the same fate re landing and German recovery treatment ?
Also the handwriting, to me looks to be not the same hand.

Alex