Re:Identity of P-38F/G 27th FS
Hello Terrence,
Your reply is welcome.
And opens the conversation on "Dear John" again.
As you must be aware the details you have given on 41-7547 (above post) are not as far as I am aware available on line ( Joe Baughers site does not list deails on this a/c).
The book that I quoted "An Escort of P-38's" page 92.
shows: "Dear John"
US Army P-38F
Air Corps Ser; 41-7547
With the names:
Newbury,Brendon,Abbott Emery and Coute.
The book only gives the photo sorce as "Ilfrey".
Sadly does not give details of where the photo was taken.
The photo of the other P-38 with similar scoreboard shows the number which to me reads "7163" but I would accept that the 6 and 3 both may be another faded number. However the number 7163 would I think make it Air Force Serial number 42-12729, the a/c in this photo has caption that it is a 1st FG, 27th FS a/c. The Air Force Serial is visible and perhaps could be enlarged and confirmed by someone cleverer than me. Photo sorce is given as "USAF".
Of note the Joe baugher site does give us "Dear John" as being 41-7544.
"41-7544 Lockheed P-38F-1-LO Lightning
1st FG 27th FS "Dear John" HV-X lost 10 Feb 10, 1944. Pilot was killed when he was caught in bomb
explosion during a dive bombing run near Rome. MACR 2214
".
From MACR; Pilot 2Lt. Thomas I. Collier, KIA 10th February 1944, 71st FS.
All for now
Alex