20FG P38J10 42-67477 Code?

[PJWIGHT]

Hello

First USAAF request

This aircraft flying from Kingscliffe overshot Somerton Airfield on the Isle of Wight and crashed in Ruffins Copse on the 31 Dec 1943.
Pilot: Capt Richard C Garrett OK
Can anyone give me the code letters for this plane.
Colours I believe are overall Olive drab, grey underside, yellow spinners and engine nacelle fronts, white band on nose behind gunports. Any corrections?

Thanks

Pete

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

20th Fighter Group , 77th Fighter Squadron. Squadron letters were "LC" followed by the aircraft letter, as yet unknown.

There seems to be no info either on the aircraft's serial number or if the aircraft was salvaged.
Baugher's website has for 42-67477 only W/O at North Wood, England, date unknown.

Alex

[PJWIGHT]

Thanks

Ruffins Copse and Somerton airfield are at Northwood (one word), Isle of Wight, hence this would have been the date and incident in which the aircraft was written off.

Pete

[Buckeye30]

Pete
coloured cowling fronts were only introduced in March-April 1944 along with other VIII fighter groups; the "droop-snoot" simulation markings on the nose also. The squadron ID white disc on tails from Dec. 1943.
477 is not listed on Peter's "Little Friends" site so letter u/k.
Garrett was in Red Flight of the 77th; this was Mission no. 3 covering bombers to Bordeaux. From the 20FG Memorial book..........
"......The long haul left a number of the boys very short of fuel as they came home. 4 landed at Exeter, 7 at Ford in S. England, 3 at Herrington and 2 on the Isle of Wight. Lt. Garrett really sweated out the ride across the channel and actually used his last ounce of gas over the south coast of the Isle of Wight , and crashed in a cabbage patch on the island. He's OK though and should be home tomorrow. "
Nick