P-38 crash in Drvar, Bosnia, in September 1944.

[vathra]

Originally Posted by Rainer

Found a M2 with ASN 1294465 listed in MACR 8271 (43-28663 lost near Belgrade on 2 September 1944), but the other serials don't match and the pilot of this P-38 evaded.

Close, but it is 1294655 not 1294465.

[vathra]

Originally Posted by kaki3152

The problem also lies in the fact that some combat losses were not reported on a MACR, for some reason or another. The French only flew reconnaissance P-38s.

I'm also pretty sure the a/c is American and a P-38 based on (1) gun s/n and (2) Allison engine.

Kaki,

were there other users of P-38?

Also, is it possible that someone flew from Britain or even Soviet held territory?

[Rainer]

Sorry for the typo in my post. 1294655 is mentioned in MACR 8271.

[vathra]

Originally Posted by Rainer

Sorry for the typo in my post. 1294655 is mentioned in MACR 8271.

Rainer,
it is not typo in your post, those serial numbers are different.
These cases are not related at all.

[RSwank]

There is MACR 7192 for Lt Micheli, 1st FG P-38 44-23147. He was last seen over the Adriatic. July 13, 1944. He is still MIA, but what is of interest are the various serial numbers on his plane.

Engines were: A-047741 and A-047203.
Guns were: 120594 for the 20 mm.
50 Cals were: 1190385, 1190428, 1190821, and 734993

Note for our Unknown, the engine serial number A-047489 is right between the two above.
The 20mm is not real "close" at 120206 but seems to be in the same range.
The 50 Cal from our Unknown were: 1190382, 1190815, 1294465. Two of them are very close to Micheli's.

[vathra]

That is great find, RSwank.
Since in both cases it was new plane, it seems that original engines and MGs were installed.

That could mean that missing plane should have serial number very close to 44-23147.

[RSwank]

That is what I am thinking. Here is Joe Baughers page for these:

http://cgibin.rcn.com/jeremy.k/cgi-b...23147&content=

I started checking numbers on some of the other losses in that range. The 1190xxx pattern is clear in many of them. Also the engine serial numbers of form A-047xxx becomes apparent.

Note that Joe has many gaps in this list. I suspect our plane is "in the gaps".

[RSwank]

I received info that Lt Fay Robert Valley was lost April 6, 1944. MACR was 3700 for 42-67070. The MACR is not on fold3.com, so I can't check any serial numbers.

[vathra]

Originally Posted by RSwank

I received info that Lt Fay Robert Valley was lost April 6, 1944. MACR was 3700 for 42-67070. The MACR is not on fold3.com, so I can't check any serial numbers.

I don't think it is his plane, unknown allegedly crashed in September.
I have seen mistake by 2 monhts, but 5 is too much, it is different season.

[RSwank]

Also, if the serial number for Valley is correct, it is not in the group of serial numbers we suspect contains the plane.