Estate sale find...

[RyanShort1]

So on Friday before work I stopped at a local estate sale and found some pictures. I probably paid too much for these, but I couldn't resist. There were more, but I think these were the best and I couldn't afford more anyway.

Here's the first shot.


Caption on back reads Ramsey and Cleary

There are more pictures to come, and if you know anything about any of the pictures I post on this thread, I'd like to hear about it!

Ryan

[Joe Scheil]

Believe the plane is 55th FG "My Lil' Honey" a P-51D-20NA and was CY-E USAAF serial 44-63567.

The plane was lost to flak 20.2.45 near Crailsheim, the pilot bailing out.

Lt Charles L Michaelson 343rd FS was POW

[Mgawa]

Very good image!

[Oscar Duck]

Hey that insignia looks toned down when compared to bare metal. It's not white!

[RyanShort1]

Next shot...



Ryan

[Starduster77]

Can't read the name on the canopy.Bernard Howes from the 343 FS 55FG flew a "My Lil Honey" CY-C was the codes on the side.
Howes was an ace with 5 air victories and 2 ground.
POW 3-3-45 in CY-C 411370 "My Lil' Honey".
Your photo the prop is not of a P-51K so may not be the same P-51?
Anyway cool photo!!
Thanks for sharing.
Rick

[Starduster77]

Forgot to add that there is no Ramsey or Cleary in the 343 FS.
Going by the book Fighter Units & Pilots of the 8th AF.
There was a Edward Geary?
Rick

[RyanShort1]

Caption on that last one reads:

P-51 out of gas

Ramsey on wing.

I didn't realize it, but I actually have the negative to the shot taped behind it!

Ryan

[Starduster77]

Went to this sight .
http://www.55th.org/
There was a T/Sgt. Richard M. Cleary.
Rick

[Django]

Great finds!!

[shabbyabbey]

Ryan,

Was tipped off by a forumite that you had been buying 55th FG photos at an estate sale...you lucky man!

I will help out where I can, but the Bernie Howes P-51 has been ID'd already by another, so can't add too much more there. Whilst T/Sgt Dick Cleary was ground crew for the 343rd, the two gentlemen in the photos look like Officers to me. I checked the records for the 97th Service Group and the 55th HQ Sqd, but no matches on those names. Are the other shots you have of 55th P-51's? Maybe the Bernie Howes P-51 is a red herring and these may have been taken at another airfield, other than Wormingford (??)

Shabby
http://www.55th.org
http://www.station131.co.uk

[RyanShort1]

I actually think it's probably another airfield - see below. Don't know where yet, but more pictures may help further. I'm just doing a few at a time as I'm really busy with some other things going on.


Caption reads: Scene at our field at Dreux, France

Ryan

[Nightdriver]

The C47s belong to the 99th Troop Carrier Squadron, 441st Troop Carrier Group. The 441st Troop Carrier Group were based at Dreux/A41 from November 1944 to August 1945. Hope this information is of help.

[Taylor Stevenson]

The quick and accurate responses to these photos in terms of their backgrounds is truly amazing! Gotta love WIX. Welcome to the community, Nightdriver! Great photos Ryan!

[shabbyabbey]

Just to add...been looking through my records and believe that the 55th FG P-51 photo was taken on, or about the 06th Feb '45. Bernie Howes forced landed on the continent on the 06th, after his P-51 was hit by flak and started losing coolant. Lt. Moore escorted him down. Can't find any other records of Bernie force landing in France. So best guess is the 06th....

Shabby
http://www.55th.org
http://www.station131.co.uk