P-51 B 42-106748

[RossGmann]

Hi Guy

I know this has got a bit of age on it but if you are still interested Re you inquiry on P-51B 42-106748
Some interesting information is to be found on; http://forum.keypublishing.com/archi...p?t-38886.html

Hi all

via a French contact (aviation historian involved in the finding of St. Exupéry's F-5 Lightning) I have received information on a P-51B that was found by divers near Toulon, southern France (French Riviera), during the search for said Recon Lightning:

Investigation has revealed the identity of the aircraft as P-51B-15-NA 42-106748 by the "Radio-Call" plate in the cockpit.

I therefore was able to add the details:

42-106748; P-51B-15-NA; 52nd FG 2nd FS; QP-?; lost 13 August 1944 on ops - ditched (out of fuel)

I then received the following two photos:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../MUSTANG52.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../MUSTANG41.jpg

From them my conclusions are:

The position / state of the propeller blades clearly shows that the forced landing on the water (ditching) has been effected without engine-power - further to that the landing was relatively smooth and under pilot's control - therefore the forward fuselage stayed relatively intact. The tail most probably broke off during the impact on the water, a common occurrence with P-51's when landing on water. Another clue for the controlled landing is that the fuselage sits upright on the seabed. The open hatch, i.e. missing cockpit enclosure glazing also clearly shows that the pilot had jettisoned the canopy before attempting his emergency landing.

I am currently working on further details to tell the whole story of the last flight of this Mustang.

There currently are no plans to raise the aircraft - this may well change in the near future when funding, preservation and exhibition room are secured.

I hope you liked this P-51 trivia as I did.
Comments are appreciated.

Cordially
Martin

Kind regards

Ross