Mustang Assembly, Speke Airport, Liverpool

[Dave Smith]

AG585 was allocated to No 41 OTU at RAF Hawarden only about 15 miles from Speke. She crashed hit birds and crashed, killing the pilot on 28 Feb 43.

FD448 (note 20mm cannon) went to No 168 Sqdn and was reported missing on 14 April 44.

RAF Venturas can be seen outside the hangar in the original print of Mustangs being worked on.

The shot in front of the tower and terminal building is well known, over here at least. The entire art deco building has been restored and is now a very smart Marriott Hotel. An entirely new runway, and much later a terminal, was built just to the south-east of the old airport in the 1960s.

By the way, not trying to rival Jack Cook here, just want to put back something into this amazing forum!

[tulsaboy]

These are great, Dave!

kevin

[51fixer]

If this is the assembly point of the aircraft does the last photo of the P-51D's show that the aircraft were destined for specific outfits as they have squadron and individual markings as well as the tail and spinner painted.
Was this already delivered and back for maint?
Aircraft in the background sit without props and the engine/nose covered but at least one has CY on the side?
Interesting!
Rich

[Dave Smith]

Sorry, I should have posted the last pic separately. or at least explained it properly. Many P-51s were sent to Speke after the war ended for dismantling and return to the USA by sea. Hence the markings.

[Swiss Mustangs]

Hi

the last photo is captioned wrongly - i.e. the official caption is wrong ..... these a/c did not return to the Z.I. but went into storage in the UK and later were transferred to Germany for issue to units of the Occupation AF

need proof ?

the 2nd a/c in line (F-6K 44-12826) was delivered to the Swiss AF in 1948 while the nearest a/c (F-6K 44-12527) was active at Neubiberg AB near Munich in Summer 1948 as part of the 86th CG (Composite Group); the third a/c (F-6K 44-12813) also was active in Germany postwar - the a/c seen at Speke are in the markings of the 69th TRG - QL = 22nd TRS, YC = 10th TRS -

cordially
Martin

Last edited by Swiss Mustangs on Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

[51fixer]

Sorry, I should have posted the last pic separately. or at least explained it properly. Many P-51s were sent to Speke after the war ended for dismantling and return to the USA by sea. Hence the markings.

That Splains it.
Great pics.
Rich

[Dave Smith]

Swiss Mustangs, thanks for that info. The official caption is definitely misleading.

[Swiss Mustangs]

and a slightly sharper version of the photo you posted, Dave



Martin

[Dave Smith]

Thanks for that Martin!

[Mgawa]

Great pics.