Cavalier data plate identification needed

[fahnach]

Does anyone know to what F-51 component the attached data plate belongs to? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

http://www.photobucket.com/fanach

[Marco Lavagnino]

Dear Fahnach:
the plate is quite interesting, was trying to ID the contents and managed to define some letters & numbers, among the most concrete there is a line saying: "WEIGHT FILLED 130 LBS", and then another one "C?8 WTTY 1285 FULL CA". The plate evidently refers to some type of liquid deposit, what could weight filled 130 lbs in an F-51D? Oil Tank?

The plate is supposed to belong to Cavalier F-51D Mustang II FAS 404, shot down over Honduran territory JUL 17, 1969, right? by the way, nice picture of the pilot that actually shot down the Mustang, late Col. Soto Henríquez in the background.

Marco

[51fixer]

I wonder if it could be either Oil Cooler or Radiator.
Otherwise I was wondering about a High Pressure Air Bottle.
Rich

[flyboyj]

the pilot that actually shot down the Mustang, late Col. Soto Henríquez in the background.

Marco

My former neighbor Col. Mike Alba (USAF Ret) instructed Col. Soto during the 1950s. He spoke about him during our many conversations. Sorry to hear about his passing.

[zorro7]

Flyboyj:

Good Day!

Very interesting news!

Col Alba was prob talking about Cpt Jose Enrique Soto Cano (JESC) and his days as AF liason officer c. 1948-1950s. FAH P-63s & P-38s time frame. If you have more details about him plz let us know.

Tks in advance.

[flyboyj]

Flyboyj:

Good Day!

Very interesting news!

Col Alba was prob talking about Cpt Jose Enrique Soto Cano (JESC) and his days as AF liason officer c. 1948-1950s. FAH P-63s & P-38s time frame. If you have more details about him plz let us know.

Tks in advance.

Hi Zorro!

That he was and at the time he told me they were flying P-38's. His ex wife was my neighbor (Palmdale, Ca.) and he used to stay with her when he visited. The last time I spoke to him was 13 years ago, I recently learned he passed away in 2007 at the age of 90! Ironically he knew people that my parents knew when he was assigned to Venezuela later in the 1950s (my father was raised there and my family briefly lived there in the 1950s before I was born). A great person to talk to and a true inspiration!

http://www.ipioneerpress.com/news/The_L ... nter.shtml

[fahnach]

The plate is supposed to belong to Cavalier F-51D Mustang II FAS 404, shot down over Honduran territory JUL 17, 1969, right? by the way, nice picture of the pilot that actually shot down the Mustang, late Col. Soto Henríquez in the background. Marco

That is correct Marco, however, among the hundreds of fragments that we recovered, none has lead to the positive identification of the Cavalier, which as you have correctly indicated, was FAS 404. Unfortunately, nobody has so far been able to determine the aircraft’s serial or construction numbers.

In May 2004, a group of close friends invited Lt. Col. Soto to the crash site, where he gave us a very interesting and emotional narrative of the July 17, 1969 event. As you know, “Sotillo”, who you personally met and interviewed, passed away in June, 2006.

Thanks for your comments.

Saludos,

[fahnach]

My former neighbor Col. Mike Alba (USAF Ret) instructed Col. Soto during the 1950s. He spoke about him during our many conversations. Sorry to hear about his passing.

Flyboyj,
A few minutes ago I spoke with Col. (retired) Enrique Soto Cano who was also very sad to learn about Lt. Col. Alba’s passing, as they had been close friends. Both held the rank of Captain during “Mike” Alba’s assignment as Air Attaché (USMilgroup - USAF Mission to Honduras) in the early 50s. It is my understanding that he was an outstanding pilot and flight instructor, and consequently was able to fly in Honduran PT-17s, P-63s and P-38s.

Col. Soto still recalls the name of Captain Alba’s first wife, Dorothy (or Dottie perhaps). Thanks for sharing the very interesting details about Col. Alba’s distinguished military service and life.

Regards,

[flyboyj]

Hi fahnach;

You're correct about his ex wife "Dottie". She did many favors for my ex wife and I, I even built her a model of the P-51 Mike flew in WW2 that had her name on it. I don't know her status but her, her daughter and grandchilderen still lived in Palmdale Ca. the last I heard.

Here's another pic of Mike, may he rest in peace!

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/attach ... ba_925.jpg

[fahnach]

flyboyj,

Thank you very much for the info. Let me find a photo of then Captain Alba with then Captain Soto Cano and other Honduran pilots, in front of a FAH P-38L, which I will later post in this thread.

Cheers,

[flyboyj]

Thanks - would like to see it!

[Mike Bates]

I would like to see that picture also!

Mike

[fahnach]

flyboyj, Mike:

Standing, left to right: Lt. Col. Hernán Acosta Mejía (FAH Commander, who lost his life on P-38L, FAH 501 on May 1955), Capt. Michael 'Mike' Alba (USAF), Capt. Armando Escalón; keeling on the wing just behind the prop blade is Capt. José E. Soto Cano, and inside the cockpit is Capt. Salomón Ciliézar.
Aircraft: P-38L, 44-53097, FAH 503, currently located at the Museum of Flight, WA.

Please notice the two WWII era quonset huts used by the USAF Mission to Honduras (which are currently at the exact same location). Also, a C-47 operated by the Mission (notice the unusually large serial number on the tail).
Lt. Col. Acosta is handing over a recognition of the Honduran government to Capt. Alba for his outstanding contribution to the FAH (date unknown).

Saludos,

Photo credits: USAF, now part of FAH Collection.


http://photobucket.com/fahnach

[Mike Bates]

Thanks for the info but the link doesn't bring up the picture.

Mike

[zorro7]

FlyboyJ:

Good day!!

We'll be glad to assist with the P-38 picture in 24 Hrs. In the meantime, we found another one in our archives of the same era. c. 1950s. Fm left to right: Cpt Mario E. Chinchilla, Lt. Omar Ramirez Quesada (RIP), Unid, Cpt. Mike Alba (RIP), Cpt Hernan Acosta Mejia, (RIP) & Cpt Jose Enrique Soto Cano (JESC). Cpt Alba conducting some type of instrument, (radio) training. Foto FAH Archives via S/Mike.