Lt-Col Ed McComas claims ( 118th TRS )
 

Good night for all!
I am new on Far East subject, but am very interested about the REC-TAC men of the USAAF in the Pacific.
I actually found all DATES of claims submitted by Col Ed McComas, the top REC-TAC pilot of Pacific.
Could someone help me to identify the Japanese types he claimed? I do know that on the 23th December 1944 he shot down 5 Nakajima Ki 43 Oscar, but do not know more about his other claims.
Thanks for all help in this way.
Sincerely yours

Adriano

Re: Lt-Col Ed McComas claims ( 118th TRS )
 

Good afternoon Adriano

I have the following information

16 October 1944 : 1 ki-44 over Hong Kong + 1 dam

To 19 December : 1 more ki-44 + 3 ki-43

21 December : 1 ki-44 + 1 ki-43 over Hong Kong

23 December : 5 ki-43 ( 4 strafed while taking off or just airborne )-own

p-51 dam

24 December : 1 ki-43 Hong Kong

Hope this helps

Kind Regards

gian paolo

Re: Lt-Col Ed McComas claims ( 118th TRS )
 

Oct 16, 1944, Tojo + Tojo dam, 1135-1545, Hong Kong
Oct 20, 1944, Tojo prob, 1340-1635, Kowloon docks (Hong Kong)
Nov 20, 1944, Tojo, 0850, canton
Dec 5, 1944, 2 Oscar, N of Kiukiang
Dec 19, 1944, 2 Oscar, Kaitak A/F
Dec 21, 1944, Tojo + Oscar, 1525, Hong Kong
Dec 23, 1944, Oscar, 1222, Wuchang A/D
Dec 23, 1944, 4 Oscars, 1222, Ehr Tao Kow A/F
Dec 24, 1944, Oscar, 1545, Hong Kong

Obviously all five Oscars on Dec 23 were not at 1222, but that is the only time given. All of the above from the Mission Reports.

Frank.

Re: Lt-Col Ed McComas claims ( 118th TRS )
 

A tip of the virtual hat to Frank Olynyk for all the digging he has done over the years to straighten out the victories attributed to American pilots! I've relied on his work in revising my history of the AVG Flying Tigers.

Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

Coming in September: Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers, 1941-1942

Re: Lt-Col Ed McComas claims ( 118th TRS )
 

Gian Paolo ( Grazie tanti! ), Frank Olynyk and Old Pilot, thanks a lot for your help and kind comments.
Yes Dan Ford, I am indeed aware of men like Sir Olynyk, Martin Middlebrook, Roy Coniers Nesbit and others. Thankfully a new breed of Historians ( with majuscule H ) is following the steps of these pioneers. We ( readers and enthusiasts ) all them a lot!
Thank you Frank for sharing your information with us on the forum and contributing to preserve History.
Sincerely yours ( with admiration for your work )
Adriano

Re: Lt-Col Ed McComas claims ( 118th TRS )
 

While doing research for a painting of the mission Edward McComas shot down the five Oscars I was able to get a copy of the original combat report. I posted a copy of it on my website at, http://www.cwissig.com/MODEL%20List_...18%20story.htm

I go t to meet and talk to a lot of the members of the 118th.