P-51 Crash Landing at Deenethorpe, 03 Nov 44

Posted:
By: Jim
On: 02/24/2005

There's a picture of a crashed-landed P-51D for sale on E-Bay (www.ebay.com, Item #6513853412). The seller contends this photo depicts an 8th Air Force North American P-51 Mustang after it suffered a crash landing at the 401st Bomb Group's airfield at Deenethorpe on 03 Nov 44. The photograph shows a Mustang sitting on a runway with the left main landing gear collapsed and wingtip & propeller damage. Though it's difficult to tell from the photo, it appears to be cold, rainy day with low ceilings (standard English day, right?). The aircraft is supposedly a former 364th Fighter Group P-51 that had been transferred to the 1st Scouting Force in the fall of 1944.

Can anyone vouch for the authenticity of these facts? Can anyone remember anything about the incident? Thanks.

Re: P-51 Crash Landing at Deenethorpe, 03 Nov 44

Posted:
By: Ed Logan
On: 03/02/2005

Jim, I was a mech 612th and as I remember,after our B17s took off,the P51 aircraft began their take off.
As I remember,two P51s began their take off run on runway 5. The P51 on the left was half way down the runway when it blew the left tire and collapsed the left gear. (they must have been pulling 55 inches of MP on take off)
I do not remember any P51 haveing a crash landing on a mission return.
I remember the P51s were temperaly transford to our 401st O/C their runways were being repaired.

Ed Login 612th BS

Re: P-51 Crash Landing at Deenethorpe, 03 Nov 44

Posted:
By: Jim
On: 03/07/2005

Thanks, Ed. Your description of the event certainly matches what I observed in the picture. You have a memory like a steel trap. Thanks for the information.