P-51 Mustang, 357th FG / 364th FS - Serial number problem

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

I am looking at the serial number of a P-51 nicknamed "Pregnant Polecat" (357th Fighter Group / 364th Fighter Squadron) and there is something which questions me. “Pregnant Polecat” wears, on most profiles or publications, the serial number 43-6878. For April 28, 1944, the Missing Air Crew Report states Capt. Davis (regular pilot of “Pregnant Polecat”) was flying the serial number 43-6867.

On JoeBaugher’s webpage http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_2.html the serial number 43-6878is given for a fighter which belongs to 23rd Fighter Group/ 76th Fighter Squadron lost in China!

Merle Olmsted, on the webpage https://www.cebudanderson.com/pistolpackinmama.htm gives the serial number 43-6867 for “Pregnant Polecat”.

Who can help me to shed some light on that?

All the best,
Frederic

[Ted51abcdk]

Frederic:
Here is what the IARc and the MACRs have:

43-6867 MACR 4411 was lost with Glendon V Davis of 364th FS/357th FG on
28 April 1944 (Escape and Evasion Report 1635)
43-6878 MACR 7269 was lost with Lewis M Holcomb of the 76th FS/26th FG
on 6 August 1944

I have always had 43-6867 identified as 'Pregnant Polecat'. Hope that this helps a bit. Ted51

[edwest2]

Interesting.


http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/20969

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour Ted51 and Edwest2,

Thanks for these answers.

Edwest2, on the same website, one finds it there too (take a look at the picture’s caption). Very curious…

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/13738

Best regards,
Frederic

[Peter Randall]

Not really curious, just a lack of research! The entry for 43-6878 on the AAM site was taken from the book "Aces of the 357th Fighter Group" by Chris Bucholtz. That particular publication contains a number of errors and should be disregarded. Ted51 has given the correct data.

[Henofred]

Hello Peter,

It was also my personal opinion, the one given by Ted51 is correct. Now, from what I saw on the Web, many people will have to resume their model-kits!

Best regards,
Frederic

[Peter Randall]

I have edited the AAM site re 43-6867, added a couple of photos of Pregnant Polecat, removed their reference to the incorrect serial on that paticular entry and emailed their admin to remove the incorrect entry of 43-6878. Hopefully it will now not cause further confusion.
Peter

[Henofred]

Hello Peter,

Great, thank you for this initiative.

Best regards,
Frederic