How about some Unusual markings

[Dan Johnson II]

Didn't Curdes shoot and cripple a C-47 that was heading the wrong way forcing it to land before it got to enemy territory? And did his Crew Chief tell him 'ever ting otay spanky'

Don't know where, but would assume either Africa or Italy, but POOPSIE is a chow hound, a weary stripped out and used on crew R&R missions/'grocery' trips, the 345th famous TONDELEO became CHOW HOUND when her combat days were over.

Harriet L. is an F-5 photo recon version of the P-38 so those are camera mission markers.
Same story with the F9F-2P.

The elephants on the pig boat are most likely sucessful DUMBO rescue missions.

Don't know who the little cutie is relaxing on the supervisors desk (she really was cute!), but it's an interesting insight into how the paperwork went down the line with the airplane until it rolled out the door without having to bundle up and move the ships paperwork every hour or so. When the airplane went out the door, more than likely the desk/cart was rolled back to the far end of the line for the next one coming.

Frank Danovski must have been a heck of a shot to get 13 kills with a covered windscreen and canopy, and Red Green would be very proud of all the duct tape. 'keep your stick on the ice'

Actually "Poopsie" is a B25C from the 445th BS, 321st BG, 12th AF. That appears to be her crew, lead by Lt. Robert Keyser in the photo. Very much a combat bird.

[mustangdriver]

On 10 February 1945, three aircraft in his flight were circling over a fourth member who had ditched his P-51 in the ocean near Batan in the Philippines. While circling the downed pilot's raft, he noticed an American C-47 attempting to land at an airstrip on the Japanese held island. In order to prevent the capture of the lost aircraft, passengers and crew, he shot down the C-47. All 12 Americans on board the C-47 were rescued. The C-47 ditched in the ocean, and a PBY picked them up. The whole time Curdes flew cover in the P-51. When they all landed safe at their base, he found out the C-47 was carrying a load of nurses, one of which he went on to marry.

[Mark Allen M]

.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

I think ditching would be better odds than being handed over to the Japanese.

[Mark Allen M]

.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[JDK]

There are many directions we could go in a conversation on this subject and very interesting indeed.

Why not do a bit of internet digging yourself? It's not Chris' tale, he's just posted one of the many versions out there.

Then you could tell us if you reckon the story can be checked to hold water.

Regards,

[Mark Allen M]

.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[JDK]

And with your infinite wisdom I couldn't hold a candle to your narration of the story.

[Mark Allen M]

.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[JDK]

Ok, Ok. I'm not researching it - don't have time - but what is interesting at a quick glance is a couple of the usual tests. There's plenty of references online (I don't have refs that cover this kind of thing; not my area.) which is good, but the majority aren't authoritative* referenced sources, but second-hand accounts. However they are consistent in the reporting of the main details and the more 'elaborateable' elements.

There's no doubt 'it' happened, as Mark's raised, the questions are around the detail; how accurate the shooting and location of the shooting (ditching next to the downed Mustang pilot) and the nurse to wife bit, too documented to be untrue.

If I were keen to nail it down it, I'd be in touch with a regular WIX poster who has a P-51D under his care recently painted into these markings; because he'll have researched it, and recently. Calling James in Pima.

regards,

*I'd want to see a USAAF, NMUSAF, US Govt or academic institution's account. There may well be, and or published, but I didn't dig far (quick Google) nor do I have those kind of books.