SKYBLAZERS P-80 serial numbers and fates

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good evening to all members.

Am trying to determine the fates and serial numbers of the P-80 C Shooting Stars from the famous SKYBLAZERS Aerobatic Team.

I thought I would find the serial numbers easily on Joe Baugher's site, but got no joy there....

I managed to find different serial numbers and codes for the machines flown by the SKYBLAZERS, so I assume they must have changed some of their machines.

Can someone (possibly from the USA) who may have more DATA help me in finding the whereabouts/fates of those machines? I am particularly interested on the machine of serial number 53-663, coded FT-663.

FT-663 (53-663) Crew Chief Sgt. R. W. Camm and Pilot, Lt. C. A. Patillo.
FT-697 (58-697)
FT-626 (58-626)
FT-683 (58-683)> http://miprofiles.unblog.fr/2015/01/31/shooting-star/

However, this link (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c8/17...c10f528709.jpg) do give us the following serials:

FT-644 (Captain Harry K Evans) - Leader
FT-663 (Cuthbert “Bill” Patillo) – right wingman
FT-697 (Lawrence “Dag” Damewood) - solo
FT-669 (Lt Charles “Buck” Patillo) – left wingman

https://aerobaticteams.net/en/resour...r-Gallery.html

Adriano

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Adriano

Not much of an answer, but first of all the aircraft were all F-80B.
The 22FBS/36FBG were assigned a lot of aircraft in the 45-86xx range. Also please note the s/n you
quote are all wrong.
No P-80B/F-80B was assigned anything later than Fiscal Year 1945 serials.
Not even the P-80C/F-80C reached nowhere further than Fiscal Year 1949.

From the sites you list and photos shown there are four certain aircraft
45-8663
45-8669
45-8683
45-8687
I would say that the painting of the four aircraft is pretty much inaccurate.
45-8644 is very doubtful
45-8697 is possible, but I have serious doubts.

The 22FBS/36FBG switched to F-84E in late 1950 but I suppose the F-80B may have stayed for
some time longer.
Nothing much to say on their history but the one you are interested in
45-8663 went to 3530th PTG in 1952 and Wyoming ANG 187th FIS in 1954.
No further details

Cheers
Stig

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Stig,

My deepest gratitude for you pointing me to the correct serial numbers range. Your help was most welcomed.

However this is quite strange since on a photo I acquired of 45-8663 the serial number on the rudder is clearly seen as 53-663 and the codes on the fuselage are FT-663. This image was taken in August 1950 in Europe, hence my interest on that particular machine and its fate.

Maybe I have seen the 8 as a 3? I shall have another look on the image and zoom it. Maybe indeed it was my mistake, but from memory the image is pretty clear and gave no doubts. I shall return to you very soon.

Again MY GRATITUDE for your help with the serials and all the other DATA.

Adriano

[Stig Jarlevik]

No worries Adriano

From a certain angle, I guess also depending how the rudder is pointing, the digit 8 can be seen as a digit 3,
since the far end of the digit gets slightly hidden.
I have only one photo of 45-8663 myself and the 8 can indeed be taken as a 3 if one is not careful and check
the known s/n ranges.

If you also read through what you say with regard to "53-663" and the fact the photo was taken in Aug 1950,
there is no way a Fiscal Year 1953 aircraft can photographed in 1950.

Cheers
Stig

[RSwank]

This link (search for Sky) lists four P-80 planes:

http://www.forgottenjets.warbirdsres...o_45-8717.html


45-8623
45-8663
45-8669
45-8683