FB355 "Mustang", "PK-K"

[keith A]

Was this aircraft camouflaged or bare metal when it was lost on 18 August 1944?

[Buckeye30]

These Mk.IIIs were camouflaged , Dark Green-Ocean Grey, white spinners & nose band with Sky tail band. There's a photo of FB353 PK-H as such in Nov. 44.
Also a paragraph on this action in the OSPREY "Polish aces" book.


Regards
Nick

[Revi16]

I think he may be referring to instances like this,


https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gall...f/p-51-309sqn/


https://www.gettyimages.dk/photos/raf-andrews-field

PK*H
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ce/65...3cf18bd77f.jpg

[Buckeye30]

You can date them by the insignia; the revised (red-white-blue Type "C") upper wing cocardes were ordered Jan. 1945. There is a line-up of 315 Mk.IIIs, camouflaged in Feb.45. I'd say the unpainted ones were very late- or post-war. FX876 was lost in August 45.
I'm pretty sure FB355 was in the Day Fighter Scheme in Aug. 44, the same block as FB353.
Regards
Nick

[Franek Grabowski]

It has been claimed by few pilots that FB355 was natural metal but there is no evidence for that. The aircraft belonged to a non standard batch, but I personally strongly doubt about it being silver. Anyway, as for now no photo nor any other evidence surfaced.

[AndyMa]

Can it be confirmed that the serial of PK-H is clearly visible as FB353 in the photos?
This aircraft seems to have had no known service with 315 Sqn.

[Franek Grabowski]

Yes, it can, it was transferred from No 316 Sqn in the late 1944, before 315 moved to Peterhead. Then to No 65 Sqn I think.