Pranged Stangs - They made it home... barely

[Scott Rose]

This thread is devoted to, well, pranged stangs. The P-51 was an amazingly tough bird and brought it's pilots home time after time with severe damage. If you have pictures of pranged or bent Mustangs, this is the thread for you. (These initial pics are courtesy of the Jack Cook Collection, Thanks Jack!)











If you have any details of these aircraft feel free to share!

[Scott Rose]

Round 2...




I'm not holding out hope, but what are the odds of the pilot surviving this?


Captain Bill Kruger's P-51D Mustang wreck "Yumpin Yiminy" of the 348th FG

[Mark Allen M]

"The tail section of a P-51 Mustang aircraft, WZ-Y (serial number 44-63187) 78th FG, 84th FS, piloted by Captain Earl Stier. Whilst on a strafing mission over Luneburg airfield (3rd February 1945), the P-51 was struck by anti-aircraft fire. Stier succeeded in returning his stricken Mustang the 450 miles to Duxford." Photos: Roger Freeman Collection

"78th FG, 84th FS: On 3rd February 1945 Lt Stier, from West Bend, Wisconsin, was involved in supporting a mission to Berlin and then went down to strafe Luneburg airfield. After shooting up two enemy aircraft he flew his crippled and almost tail-less Mustang 450 miles across enemy territory and the North Sea, and landed safely back at Duxford in an exhibition of flying skill which won him the praise of other pilots. “Just after setting the second plane on fire,” Lt. Stier said, “I felt a jar which shook the stick from my hand. My wing scraped a tree, but I managed to pull up. I looked back and saw the main spar of the tail sticking up with jagged pieces of metal behind it.” The Lt could not see the full damage from his seat. Practically the entire rudder had been blown off by a direct hit from a 20 mm shell. He prepared to bail out, but heard the voice of another pilot reassuring him over the radio. In reply to his question about damage, the other pilot said, “Get home! Get home!” The two hour and fifteen minute flight to England was a series of corkscrews through the air, with the plane trying to fall off on the left wing, and Lt. Stier battling to keep it on an even keel. When he arrived over Duxford, his squadron commander gave him a choice of bailing out or attempting a landing. He elected to fly the plane. By his decision, he saved a valuable fighter which is now flying over Germany again."


78th FG, 84th FS On 3rd February 1945 Lt Stier, from West Bend, Wisconsin, was involved in supporting a mission to Berlin and then went down to strafe Luneburg airfield by Central Repository for Aviation Photos, on Flickr

FRE_005617 by Central Repository for Aviation Photos, on Flickr

Below what the rest of the Mustang looked like.

media-26172 by Central Repository for Aviation Photos, on Flickr

[Flat 12x2]

[Flat 12x2]

Round 2...

Anybody else look at the large hole with (Japanese?) aircraft hulks in it behind the Mustang & think 'I wonder if that was just back filled in, & is still there today?'

[Flat 12x2]

[Flat 12x2]

[Scott Rose]

P-51 Mustang/44-13525 of the 354th FG being scrapped.

[Invader26]

Nice pictures.

Interesting to many with toned down national markings. I wonder if anyone has a reference for this? Lots of B-24's etc have the same.

[Wyvernfan]

Round 2...

Interesting photos. Any idea where this one was taken as it looks like Bassingbourn?!



Rob

[Flat 12x2]

Round 2...

Interesting photos. Any idea where this one was taken as it looks like Bassingbourn?!



Rob

I think I have seen the pic. before with the info being Honnington, the backgound 'C' type hangers being correct, but Bassingbourne would also be the same! The 358th FS were based at Steeple Morden, Bassingbourne being next door, 1 mile away, you would think it would be more likely.

Edit - guessing at the S/N , eventually narrowed it down on http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_2.html to 43-6845 (355th FG, 358th FS) crash landed at Honington, England Jul 18, 1944

Last edited by Flat 12x2 on Sun Nov 12, 2017 7:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Flat 12x2]

P-51D Mustang 44-13686 “Rugged Rebel” 5E-N, pilot LtCol Allison Brooks of the 1st Scouting Force, 17 October 1944

[CraigQ]

Round 2...



I'm not holding out hope, but what are the odds of the pilot surviving this?

He did not, Capt. Richard M. Durbin Nov 9 1944 landing accident @ Little Walden

[Scott Rose]

Round 2...



I'm not holding out hope, but what are the odds of the pilot surviving this?

He did not, Capt. Richard M. Durbin Nov 9 1944 landing accident @ Little Walden

It's one reason why my father is my personal hero. He never saw combat but he did put his life on the line for 20 years including 119 catapult launches in A-3 Skywarriors.

[Wyvernfan]

Thanks for the extra info. By the way it’s BASSINGBOURN - with no E



Rob

Round 2...

Interesting photos. Any idea where this one was taken as it looks like Bassingbourn?!



Rob

I think I have seen the pic. before with the info being Honnington, the backgound 'C' type hangers being correct, but Bassingbourne would also be the same! The 358th FS were based at Steeple Morden, Bassingbourne being next door, 1 mile away, you would think it would be more likely.

Edit - guessing at the S/N , eventually narrowed it down on http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_2.html to 43-6845 (355th FG, 358th FS) crash landed at Honington, England Jul 18, 1944