Part from P-51B of P-51D?

[RSwank]

According to Joe Baugher's site:

44-13411 (4th FG, 334th FS) in midair collision over Zuider Zee, Holland Nov 20, 1944. MACR 10535. Wreckage recovered 1970; Zuid-Flevoland

and

44-13615 (4th FG, 334th FS) in midair collison over Zuider Zee, Holland Nov 20, 1944. MACR 10536. Parts recovered 1978; Veluwemeer.

Did they collide with each other? Both are model: North American P-51D-5-NA

[Cees Steijger]

Originally Posted by RSwank

According to Joe Baugher's site:

44-13411 (4th FG, 334th FS) in midair collision over Zuider Zee, Holland Nov 20, 1944. MACR 10535. Wreckage recovered 1970; Zuid-Flevoland

and

44-13615 (4th FG, 334th FS) in midair collison over Zuider Zee, Holland Nov 20, 1944. MACR 10536. Parts recovered 1978; Veluwemeer.

Did they collide with each other? Both are model: North American P-51D-5-NA

Yes they did. This incident is well documented. Actually, currently writing the book 'Frankie' about 44-13411 - pilot Werner MIA, never found. What makes this part found in the lake nearby the crash site of 44-13411 so interesting is that it is from a B-model....According to the Dutch crash register only one P-51B ever crashed in the lake. That was 43-12485 of 354FG/353FS. But that one crashed some 60 kilometers north of the location where the part was found. Was the P-51D-5NA variant different and did it have the hand pump installed? --Cees

[SteveB]

In the version of the P-51D/K parts catalogue that I have the hydraulic hand pump and associated parts are clearly listed and illustrated...the pump assembly is 106/109-580241. Two parts "Angle assembly - hydraulic hand pump mounting RH & LH" are listed 106-58737 and -1.

Steve

[Cees Steijger]

Originally Posted by SteveB

In the version of the P-51D/K parts catalogue that I have the hydraulic hand pump and associated parts are clearly listed and illustrated...the pump assembly is 106/109-580241. Two parts "Angle assembly - hydraulic hand pump mounting RH & LH" are listed 106-58737 and -1.

Steve

Yes I saw that too. But the part nr. 102-58607 is not mentioned. Actually I read numerous publications that state the P-51D had no hand pump...for instance here: https://books.google.nl/books?id=MsP...0P-51D&f=false

It seems a hard nut to crack...