78th FG 84th FS P-51B "Hack Attack"

[Shay]

The P-51B, WZ-P, s/n 42-106886, in the forground was used initially as a trainer for the 84th FS, but later flew combat.

Anyone have any info on this Mustang while it was with the 84th?

This picture has to have been taken after Jan 45.(besides the lack of snow) Prior to the 78th FG this P-51 was with the 339th FG 504th FS.

Thanks

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Swiss Mustangs]

salvaged 21st September 1945

been with the 339th FG 504th FS - first as 5Q-O "Swede" assigned to Capt. Duane S. Larson, and later 5Q-O "Punkie" assigned to 1/Lt. Robert Vernon F. Blizzard - it suffered a crash landing (ran out of gas) on 10th January 1945 but was rebuilt and subsequently issued to the 78th FG


two photos while with the 339th FG 504th FS:






with the 78th FG 74th FS it flew missions from 14th February 1945 (1st mission) to 11th April 1945 (last mission)

details:

pilot / callsign / date / FO / remarks

Zboinski / Surtax ?? / 450214 / 1622a / ERTN dropped combat tanks
Goldsworthy / Shampoo 37 / 450224 / 1658a
DeAnda / Shampoo 55 / 450226 / 1665a / DNTO engine cutting out
Garback / Shampoo 41 / 450227 / 1670a / DNTO engine cutting out
Symons / Shampoo 74 / 450309 / 1721a / DNTO malfunction of tank shackles
Lutz / Shampoo 44 / 450311 / 1738a / [Spare]
Spaulding / Shampoo 48 / 450314 / 1752a
Moores / Shampoo 65 / 450315 / 1761a

it then went to maintenance:

450317 [right wing tank; tail modification]- EngRpt B-0163/0641

next missions

Spaulding / Shampoo 48 / 450322 / 1810a
Ryan / Shampoo 72 / 450324 / 1828a2 / ERTN coolant

then maintenance again:

450326 [convert to 2 seater] - EngRpt B-0163/0641

next missions:

Smith, E F / Shampoo 43 / 450330 / 1863a
Calvin / Shampoo 77 / 450331 / 1874a
Clemons / Shampoo 79 / 450404 / 1896a
Behm / Shampoo 33 / 450407 / 1914a
Bendorf / Shampoo 46 / 450408 / 1918a
Smith, E F / Shampoo 43 / 450410 / 1936a
Clemons / Shampoo 79 / 450411 / 1944a

to close - a better view of 42-106886 WZ-P and a small in-flight-shot of same a/c





HTH
Martin

[Shay]

Thanks Martin!!

I missed your reply some how. Just a couple of questions though. What do the acronyms ERTN DNTO stand for? What do the "FO" numbers represent?

Any idea why the callsign after 450224 was "Shampoo"? It the trailing numbers were particular to each pilot. I'm just curious now if "Shampoo" was the name of this aircraft and if it was painted on the aircraft in typical 78th FG style?

It would be interesting to see how 886's 2 seat conversion turned out. If the went back to the greenhouse canopy or did some variant with the Malcom Hood.

Thanks

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Chicoartist]

ERTN - "Early Return"

DNTO - "Did Not Take Off"

FO - 8th Air Force "Field Order", the sequentially numbered and very detailed mission order of battle, with rendevous timing and TOTs (Time Over Target), for each and every 8th AF operation. There were usually part A or B, etc.

The FO was sent via teletype to the Air Divisions, who broke them down into "fragments" of concern and distributed them to the Combat Wings, who in turn broke them down further and sent them to their groups. Ops officers at group/squadron level then got the ball rolling by coordinating with maintenance, intel and WX, and prepared the crew briefings from there.

Roger Freeman's wonderful series of 8th AF books, especially his MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR MANUAL, describe the mission processes in great detail. There's also two films called "Target for Today" and "Ramrod to Emden" that were put out by 8th AF during the war that outline typical bomber and fighter missions from the decision by the 8th AF CC on down to flying the missions ... PM me and I'll tell you how to get high-quality DVD copies.

Wade

[Shay]

Thanks Wade

That has to be the most definative explanation for "Field Order"

Also I'm guessing "EngRpt" is ---- Engine Replacement. Is that correct? Any significance to "B-0163/0641"?

I did find where "Shampoo" was the callsign for all of "A" Group and not the name (if any) of this aircraft.


Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Shay]

Has anyone here seen the Tailfin extension modification done on other B/C models? This is the first for me that I can think of.

I had always thought the tailfin mod was for the early D's due to the loss of side area in the fuse.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Dan Johnson II]

Has anyone here seen the Tailfin extension modification done on other B/C models? This is the first for me that I can think of.

I had always thought the tailfin mod was for the early D's due to the loss of side area in the fuse.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Done on many B/C models. Lots of photos of that addition. Look for Jack's photo of Don Beerbower's OD B model. It has it.