Hi
 
I am looking for information on a 353rd FG Mustang. The only details i have is that it was a P-51C with the 350th FS and was coded LH - M. The serial number was 42-103302. If anybody knows of the history of this aircraft while with the 353rd FG please can you let me know.
 
Any information is greatly appreciated.
 
Regards
 
Chris.

CA - www.littlefriends.co.uk 
Only C model in Group. Probably Hack / Trainer.
LH- M assigned to Lt. Vern Rafferty , Capt. Harry Haynes
Mike
            
 

Hi Mike
 
Thanks for the info, but where on the site is the pilots listed with the aircraft? When i put in the serial number all i get is the type, serial number and sqdn details. There is no pilot details or a name shown for the aircraft.
 
Regards
 
Chris.

Chris - That is all the info on this A/C. I scrolled through the Sq. to see who was assigned LH - M.
There is a contact on the site , Peter Randall , that you can try for more info.
Mike

Hi Mike
 
Ok, thanks for that. I will get in touch and see what he has to say.
 
Regards
 
Chris.

All that I can add to this one is:

42-103302 departed the US on 25 March 1944 and served with the 339th FG 504th FS as 5Q-N.  I have no details of any pilot assignment.  As far as I can see, it was transferred to the 353rd FG 350th FS at about 11th February 1945, meaning that it would almost certainly have been a "Clobber College" a/c with so much time on the airframe.  It was involved in a taxiing accident, post-war on 30 June 1945 with Eugene B Dugar at the controls and finally salvaged on 21 September 1945, still with 350th FS.

The reason no pilot is shown alongside the details is because I don't know the answer!  My site is very much about trying to identify airframes with the assigned pilots so where there is information missing, it's just because that information is not currently available, or at least not to me.  Fortunately, I do get people contact me giving information and the lists are constantly being updated as more information comes to light.

As a point of interest, when you want to research on a serial number or a pilot, try using the search facility on the index page and not the one on the unit page.  The unit one just searches the unit but the index searches the whole thing!

Sorry I can't add more than this.

Peter

US 8th Air Force Little Friends Site
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk
Also hosting the Official Site of the
Fighting Scouts of the 8th Air Force

Hi Peter
 
Thanks for the information, it is all very helpful. I had only just come off the AAIR website where i found the details of the accident in June 1945. I didn't know the rest though.
 
Once again many thanks.
 
Regards
 
Chris.