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More info I pulled from fubar's link re: Lloyd Waterman. It shows aircraft types and serial numbers. This shows he was flying a P-51B when he was shot down.His name is mentioned in Little Friends – US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command – US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command but with info that is known. If you're bored (for those unaware of this site) open the 4th Fighter Group section and sort by aircraft
....find all the P-51s that served with the 335th FS and cross reference the serial numbers using this site (for those unaware of this site)...Joe Baugher's Home Page I'm not that bored yet. There's 10 pages of P-51D/Ks
No. He was neither in Korea or the PTO. Came home after release from Luft 3 and went to architecture school after discharge.
Kind of general info but maybe something new to you...New guy here. I'm trying to find information on my uncle, 2nd Lt Lloyd Waterman. Specifically the planes he flew. He initially joined up through the Eagle Squadron, I believe in the third group to be formed, the 133 Squadron (but could have been the second group, the 121). So he initially flew either Hurricanes or Spitfires. I know he switched to the P47 when they were absorbed into the USAAF because there is a fair amount of documentation about a crash landing he was involved in (apparently not that uncommon in P-47s early on) where he was injured, but eventually able to return to service. I have not been able to find any information about specific planes he was in to that point, however.
He flew P-51s after his return. He was shot down (flak) in May '44 and served out the war in Luft 3, a german POW camp. There is documentation that he went down in a P-51B called Yippee Joe that was usually flown by Major Pierce McKennon. However I have two pictures, attached. One in front of what must have been his usual plane since he girlfriend and future wife was Gere. Another showing him in front of a row of planes in the distance. These are the only wartime photos we have of him with planes, and I've found nothing else online so far.
My question here, if anyone can address it...what can you tell about the plane pictured in the closeup photo with such a limited perspective? I'd love to pin down exactly what he was flying.View attachment 573058View attachment 573059
It was staring at us the whole time. The badge marking on the side of Gere's Guy is from the 80th Fighter Squadron known as the "Headhunters", a nod to the indigenous people in the south pacific. Cross-checked with the badge on the 80th FS page. The motto "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" means,
Fortune favors the Confident
Have you checked this site? https://www.facebook.com/pg/335FighterSquadron/posts/
Kind of general info but maybe something new to you...
Home Page
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/335_watermanlwweb_a.pdf
Missing Air Crew Report - 04686 - 42-106911 - 05/09/1944
Lloyd Waterman – Flat Spins and Milk Runs
Sounds like my friend Jim Goodson (eagle/336FS) probably knew him as they were there both at the same. Jimmy was shot down shortly afterwards and sent to Luftstalag 3 as well. Who knows...?
All of the 4th was based at Debden so probablyI was wondering about that too. Thank you. Very helpful.
Checking it out now. Awesome.
Just getting started on all this, so had discovered some of this stuff on my own but some is new. Info is very much appreciated. I bet they did know each other. Small world, as always.
Hello,It was staring at us the whole time. The badge marking on the side of Gere's Guy is from the 80th Fighter Squadron known as the "Headhunters", a nod to the indigenous people in the south pacific. Cross-checked with the badge on the 80th FS page. The motto "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" means,
Fortune favors the Confident
Is it possible that the white stripe is actually a lifting strap or something non-paint related laying over top of the cowling?