P-51D Diablo Normandy?

[von hahn]

Hello.

I'm trying to find any ifo about this aircraft, a P-51D-15 serial 44-15611.

What I have found is that the photo was apparently taken in Normandy in June 1944. I am not sure I believe this as surely that was too early for D-15s?

Any info would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[Peter Gunn]

Sorry I have no info for you but I wanted to say that the picture is awesome!

What a great shot. I assume the guy with that grin is the pilot.

 

[von hahn]

Sorry I have no info for you but I wanted to say that the picture is awesome!

What a great shot. I assume the guy with that grin is the pilot.

It is a really great shot. Lovely nose to art, interesting setting.

 

[mjfur]

1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910)

15611 352nd FG, 486th FS, 8th AF; code PZ-H. "Cile VI - Luck of the Irish" , 352nd FG, 486th FS, 8th AF; code PZ-H. "Diablo" Artwork - Devil sticking fork into Hitler

In your photo the letter/marking behind his head does not look like a Z. If it were the P, the Z should be visible. The aircraft also doesn't have a Blue Nose typical of the 352nd FG, which also carried a letter on the vertical stab/rudder. Rudder would also be Yellow for 486th FS.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pao-sg2E0wU/UqgWrd7jx-I/AAAAAAAAAHM/v98b5A28Bi0/s1600/P-51D+Blue+nose+Bastards+Poster.jpg

The nose (if red) would be typical for a 4th FG aircraft, which also carried a horizontal stripe on the vertical stab/rudder. Which has been removed in your photo.
QP*Z , the P being next to the stripe. Images of 4FG aircraft

 

[fubar57]

No invasion stripes

 

[Snautzer01]

No invasion stripes

See wheel wells

 

[SaparotRob]

I think there's invasion stripes visible under the wing. I do see things, though.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

There are definitely invasion stripes there.

 

[GrauGeist]

There are invasion stripes, they look a bit off due to the flaps causing a bit of distortion.

You can also see a portion of the strips behind the insignia on the fuselage: white by his shoulder, then the black stripe and then the top radius of the insignia.

 

[von hahn]

So what period do you think this aircraft was photographed in? I think June 44 would be impossibly early?

I have subsequently read that the photo was apparently taken at Azeville A-7 airfield in Normandy.

 

[Snautzer01]

guys open eyes see post 6

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

guys open eyes see post 6

View attachment 659148

Yes, we are all saying these are invasion stripes. See posts 7, 8, and 9…

 

[mjfur]

Based on my paint/marking observations in Post #4 and the 363rd FG being based at Azeville A-7 airfield.
Azeville | American Air Museum in Britain

https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/alg/alg-a-7

Is it possible we are looking at a 363rd FG, 380th FS, (A9) P-51? The marking behind the mans head looks more like a 9 than a P or Z.

https://ww2db.com/images/air_mustang41.jpg

Edit:

Azeville Airfield - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Azeville Airfield - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

44-13805 A9- "Diablo" J.B. Tipton, P-5lD A9- 44- I3805 "Diablo" 363rd Fighter Group in WWII - PDF Free Download

 

[Snautzer01]

Yes, we are all saying these are invasion stripes. See posts 7, 8, and 9…

As i was in post 6 clear as day. And repeating as it was not clear then.

 

[Crimea_River]

The Wiki page says the code was A8, not A9, but I think that A9 is correct.

This pic is from the PDF linked by Mjfur above:

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

As i was in post 6 clear as day. And repeating as it was not clear then.

How was it not clear? Why do we need to open our eyes? We were all agreeing with you, and not a single person was doing otherwise.

 

[nuuumannn]

C'mon Chris, you gotta let ev'ryone have their say...

 

[pbehn]

D-Day stripes are not a black and white issue, there are many grey areas, or not, as the case maybe?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

C'mon Chris, you gotta let ev'ryone have their say...

No issues here at all. Just trying to understand it.

 

[drgondog]

No D-15s in theatre ETO until Sept/Oct 44