THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
Hello,
Last week, a P-38 fin was auctioned in France. In fact, this nice piece (which I missed by inch...) was found near former A-78, so Florennes airfield in Belgium. No background story about it but it may come from either a 429th FS (474th FG) or 485th FS (370th FG) crash-landed P-38 - with pilot unhurt - as a material loss. Both units were stationned at A-78. The serial, albeit uncompleted, may be of interest as it could be "42-67916", aka the 'famous' "California Cutie" previously flown with 55th FS (20th FG) ? Perhaps likely as 8th AF P-38 were shifted to 9th AF unit when converted to P-51 (mid'44). It seems there is any entry of P-38 loss whose serial ends with "7916" so mystery remains. Moreover I am wondering if "(My) California Cutie" is a common nickname ? By such a pure coincidence, there is - at least - "My California Cutie" (7F*O) flown by Lt. Stan Ordway (485th FS) from A-78... Interestingly, this ship was damaged in December 1944. However pictures show it unpainted (no olive drab color) and without serial... There are others yellow numbers on the fin I managed to picture before this relic flew away from its nest...It is a shame this piece was not displayed in our "Spitfire Museum" at Florennes airbase. Money wins over History. Anyway, enjoy. ClinA-78 |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
I believe "My California Cutie" of the 485th FS was a P-38J-20, 7F-O 44-23520.
Kent |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
Hi-rez download 42-67916 http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/2791
|
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
ClinA---------must be 55FS / 20FG 42-67916 as it still has the 55th white triangle marking with a gap left for the serial typical in the 55th. This was a J-10-LO in OD / NG.
The 485 / 370 P-38J ( NMF) was "My California Cutie / Mary" co-incidentally their squadron marking was a triangle on the tail. Spinner was red-blue and had red-white checkered nose ( squadron colour was red). By the time the 370th. moved to Florennes ( 26 Sept.) the 20FG had been flying P-51s for 2 months. Their last P-38 mission was 21 July and first all-P-51 mission was 24 July. The only P-38 serial ending -7916 was 42-67916 , camouflaged; the first (known) unpainted P-38 was 42-68008 in this block. Nick |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
Thanks for watching.
So how this 55th FS ship ended near A-78? We may not rule out 429 or 485 FS. Asked naively, is it possible to track down the military service of this particular s/n ? Perhaps the clue may lay in the other number visible on the fin? ClinA-78 |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
ClinA78,
may I say that, unfortunately, your sentence "Money wins over History" is very good; It is sad to see that money spoils .. Gilles |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
Opposite side, just for fun.
ClinA-78 |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
I think the "P" number on the tail is the batch number from the factory more common on P-51B/Cs rudders, eg. P32, P34, P40. These are the P-38Js transferred from the 20FG to Ninth AF when the Eighth groups changed to Mustangs.
From 55FS........... 42-67204 ( to 474FG) 42-67486 " 42-67649 " 42-67656 " 42-68153 " 43-28700 ( to 367FG) 42-67742 ( to 370FG) From 77FS........... 42-67819 ( to 367FG) From 79FS........... 42-104095 (to 474FG) 42-67206 " 42-67502 " 42-67511 " 42-67515 " 42-67672 " 43-28725 " 42-104086 ( to 370FG) The ex. Eighth AF P-38Hs went to the Fighter Training Group and Twelfth AF; most of their Js went to Ninth and Fifteenth. Nick |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
Thanks Nick,
How and where ended "California Cutie" remain unanswered. ClinA-78 |
Re: THE P-38 "California Cutie" fin?
Not much info on the aircraft history card, only shows movements within the USA.
http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/e...psviydmjyw.jpg |
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