Crash-landing - US Army Air Force | Gallery

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#1

Crash-landing

The crash-landing seen here occurred on 20 June 1944 when Maj. Bill Routt suffered a systems failure. The P-51 had only been with the squadron since 10 June.The “D” model P-51 was only just entering service around the time of D-Day and those that were available mostly claimed by the senior officers. Modellers note the full D-Day markings, a rare sight on P-51D’s

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/us-army-air-force/32897/crash-landing
#2

s/n 44-13569 coded 5Q-B was unallocated to any particular pilot which means it was probably part of a spare aircraft pool. Routt had crashed P-51B s/n 42-106838 on 29 May 44 but seems to have been allocated P-51D s/n 44-13392 as a replacment. He was allocated 2 more P-51D’s over ensuing months, both crashed by other pilots. Altogether he was allocated 5 P-51’s. All were coded 5Q-A and named FABASCA (Fast As a Bullet And Slick as a Cat’s Ass).

#3