Late war NMF 65 sqn Mustang operations over Norway?

[Kjetil Aakra]

In Sperbund's book (Brennpunkt "Westküste") it is mentioned that both 19. and 65. Sqd. had converted to Mustang Mk IVs which were called Silver Mustangs or Silver Birds for obvious reasons. This was in late March 1945. There is one ophoto there of YT-Q KM148 (flown by Johnny W. Foster). I also have a couple of photos of QV-F KH818 (unknown date) which is also "silver".

So silver Mustangs were obviously used over Norway in the last few months of the war.

Regards,

Kjetil

[Franek Grabowski]

Problem of colours and markings of RAF Mustangs is a subject of several misconceptions and errors. I would suggest to avoid old Ducimus booklet as it is more misleading rather than helpful.
Concerning silver Mustangs, all teardrop aircraft (Mk IVAs) but a short batch of Mk IVs were delivered in NM/silver. Few of them received camouflage but this was exceptional. I have no definite proof but I believe Mk IVs ultimately lost their camouflages unless previously destroyed.
Most if not all Mk IIIs were delivered in camouflage and most of them retained it until struck of charge. A few aircraft lost camouflage and saw service during the last month of war. I do not have a complete list of serials yet but of those identified, neither flew over Norway without a paint.

[SteveB]

I agree with Franek that although the Ducimus book is the best we have had for many years it is important not to rely totally on its contents these days.

65Sqdn flew its first op with MkIIIs and IVs on 8 March 1945 and its first op with all MkIVs on 17 March. 19Sqdn flew its first op with MkIIIs and IVs on 3 April and did not fly its first full op with all MkIVs until 26 April. The photos taken at Peterhead which appear in Roger Freeman’s “Mustang at War” were taken on 20 April 1945 and they clearly show NMF MkIVs in both sqdns but not many serials are identifiable.

Although the official records are not always accurate they show that KM148 was not issued to 65Sqdn until 10 May 1945 after the sqdn had returned South to Bentwaters. The 65Sqdn CO normally flew ‘Q’ but I think Johnnie Foster’s YT*Q at Peterhead was KH788 (probably also NMF but no photographic evidence).

Kyrre


I have tried Googling on "Brennpunkt Westküste"
and on Kristian Nyerrod and not had much luck (in English!!) I guess I can't get the correct Norwegian spelling . Can you provide any more info on these books please including details of booksellers. I am very interested to hear that there is a book by Nyerrod he flew Mustang IIIs with 122Sqdn Jan to May 1944 and was transferred to 65Sqdn in May as a flight commander until beginning of August 1944.

Good stuff!!!!

Steve

[atckyrre]

Steve.

Not 100% sure if the books are still available but if they are you should be able to find them both on
http://www.automobilia.no/english/
I know that Nyerrøds book "En av de mange" (One out of many) should be found there at least.

This is a very very very good bookshop in Oslo. Admittedly rather pricey but the owner is in the know about just about any war- or tech book published.

Apart from that I did find the Brennpunktbookfor sale in the webshop of our Norwegian dive mag
http://shop.dykking.no/catalog/produ...products_id=28

You can also get it from the Amazon afiliate bokkilden
http://www.bokkilden.no/ProductDetai...alogName=Books

While we're at it I can't praise enough the book Flyalarm. Loads of pics and just republished. It covers the complete aerial war history over Norway and is VERY thorough. It's our bible. Once again in Norwegian though.
http://www.bokkilden.no/ProductDetai...alogName=Books

Here's the Norwegian book about the Black Friday. Very very good book with lots of nice pictures
http://www.bokkilden.no/SearchResult...n&filtertype=0

Let me know if you don't have success in finding Nyerrøds book. Vee hav our vays you know.

Kyrre

[SteveB]

Kyrre

Thanks very much for the very complete response - I will investigate!

Steve

[Alex Smart]

Hello ,

I offered info from a book i had that held information that i thought was relevant.

Sorry the information within it was old, out of date and inaccurate.

But then, so is the book.

Alex

[Terry McGrady]

Franek ,
The Spinner is the US version of Sky . The simple explanation is that it was painted in the US and did not get repainted before transfer to MAAF.
Cheers
Terry

[Franek Grabowski]

Terry
The spinner should be red and probably is. Bad point on my side though. Lack of Sky stripe is more important and the aircraft does not look like anything painted at Dallas.
Cheers