[303rd-Talk] WWII Planes

[Rose & Herb Shanker]

Jack - I met a Pilot while on Flak leave in Sept. '44 (in
Scotland) who had been switched from P38's to P51's. He praised the 51 very 
highly but missed that 2nd engine. And, you are correct re: guns on P51 (6) 
and P47 (8).  Herb Shanker
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jprencher at aol.com>
To: <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2007 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] WWII Planes



Rex & Others

A few comments and my (opinions about WW2) fighters P51s, P47S AND p38S.

All of them were very good birds. They all had strong points and weak 
points. With drop tanks all of them could fly to most all our targets and 
return to England. NONE of them could fly WITH US all the way to most of our 
targets and back to England WITH US. Keep in mind they cruzed a healthy 100 
MPH or so faster than we did. Once they got into a fight they dropped their 
drop tanks. Then they could fight about 15 minutes and then had to head home 
for fuel
Usually our first group of fighter escorts would join our string of bombers 
about the enemy coast in and go with us about half way to the target. There 
they would leave us and another group who had taken off maybe a couple of 
hours later would join us and go to the target with us. There the 2nd group 
would leave us and a 3rd group who might have taken off 4 hours or so later 
would join us and escourt us back to near England
We were always very happy to see them no matter what kind of birds they 
were. My opinion from here on. The P51D and K was the best single engine 
propeller driven bird in the war. The radiator for engine cooling was 
probably its weak point. A BB gun could have shot one down IF they had had 
one up there and it made a little hole in the radiator. A P47 was a big 
strong heavy bird with a BIG aircooled engine. I suspect it used more fuel 
than a P51 and had better very high altiude performance due to its turbo 
charger. As I best remember it had 2 more guns than a P51.
Some of the P38 groups were switched over to P51s. I suspect most of these 
pilots would rather flew the P38 in combat. It had 2 engines and except for 
take off was still a pretty fair bird on one engine. The pilot sat between 
them so they were good armour plate for the pilot. Being tri-cycle gear they 
were easy to land and take off. BUT. They used twice as much fuel and took 
twice as many engine mechanics to keep them flying SO they were a supply and 
manpower problem.
This is long enough. So long for now. Best Wishes.
Jack

s
-----Original Message-----
From: rex pearce <r.pearce763 at ntlworld.com>
To: 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
Sent: Mon, 28 May 2007 1:25 am
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] WWII Planes



Morning Spec,
Thanks for kind remarks. I am always ready to put
down the "Saving Private Ryan" syndrome.
D-Day as everyone of our generation well knows,
was a joint operation involving all the allies, to a greater or lesser 
degree.
Rex.
----- Original Message ----- From: <IBSPEC at aol.com>
To: <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2007 1:18 AM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] WWII Planes

> thanks rex, you have been great news source from uk standpoint
>
>
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