interesting pics (Philippines), 345th BG relic & F-51D

[gregv]

hello all

found these pics on a gent from the Philippines flickr account while doing some unrelated research (funny how that happens to me at work...); first up is the nose gear from the 345th BG 499 BS "Sag Harbor Express" crash site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/likauken/348602185/


and then a nice pic (not sure how old) of a preserved PAF F-51D:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/likauken/3 ... 8/sizes/o/


With all due respect to those who perished in the B-25, I find anything to do with the 345th BG totally fascinating; I blame Hickey's "Warpath Across The Pacific". Not sure about the ethics of disturbing a war grave, though, but I have to admit to knowing nothing about the crash site, i.e. whether most of the wreckage was cleared sometime shortly after the event or not. At any rate, no disrespect or offense intended to the living or dead.

greg v.

[Django]

I have that book. It was a great resource when I was building a model of "Show Me" 20+ years ago...

That Mustang looks great. Looks like an 80s shot to me.

found this on the Mustang


1944 North American P-51D Mustang SN 4473733 "Shark Of Zamba"

Steve

[jet1]

that mustang....i'd say "not turned in to beer cans...yet would be more accurate...

[gale_dono]

that mustang....i'd say "not turned in to beer cans...yet would be more accurate...

So the PAF shouldn't have preserved it at all then?

[gregv]

That Mustang looks great. Looks like an 80s shot to me.

I just noticed there is a date stamp on the Mustang pic of 97-7-26; found this on the 'net:

"Another survivor, # 3733 coded '001' and nicknamed "Shark of Zambales". It is belived that this is former 44-73733 as seen in the b/w photo above, carrying code '301'."

There was no picture as referenced, but I did find it here (almost at the bottom):

http://www.swissmustangs.ch/20214/20376 ... on*id*val*


And looks like a more recent picture of her here:

http://www.asia-image.com/modules.php?n ... -41&pos=21

No listing in the registry.

greg v.

[gale_dono]

Baugher has "73733 may be the plane on display at Philippine AF Museum painted as 44-74627." Not concrete, but better than nothing. 44-73733 is/was a P-51D-25-NA, 44-74627 would be a P-51D-30-NA.

e: He also has this "74627 reported in 1990 as being on display at Basa AB, Philippines. Traded to the Taiwanese FA in 1955 for a flyable F-5A. Now in a Museum in Taiwan and repainted in Taiwanese markings." I kinda doubt this, as the "P-51D" I've seen on airliners.net that's in Taiwan looks more like a replica than a real aircraft.

Accident reports show 2 with the same serial # both crashed one May 16, 1945 and the other May 25, 1949 in the Philippines

http://accident-report.com/Serials/1944k.htm

44-73733 P-51D 46, 05, 16 PHILIPPINES
44-73733 F-51D 49, 05, 25 PHILIPPINES


Steve