OT WWII Aircraft History

[O-1Driver]

Guys,

I thought I would share with you some additional information about my 1943 L-4B that we recently uncovered. My plane AAF serial # 43-1285 was damaged in a crash landing 12/10/1944 three miles NE of Camp Chafee Arkansas. At the time it was assigned to the 428th Field Artillery Battalion, 4th AF. The aircraft was trucked to Camp Chafee where it was deemed not economical to repair and sold as surplus Feb. 1945.

We continue to research the aircraft and will eventually figure out where it was from March 1943 when it first entered service at Camp Roberts, Calif, untill it crashed December 1944.

The attached accident summary indicates "CRLEF" crash landing engine failure and the W means weather related. I have requested the full 20 page accident report.

I love researching the history on these old warbirds.

O-1View attachment 28619View attachment 28618

 

[flyer01]

Camp Chafee Arkansas is in Fort Smith, AR. Fort Smith is on the border of AR and OK.

Rooster Cogburn may have hit the engine with he's 45. LOL


View attachment 28620


Cool stuff Steve. Thanks.

flyer01

 

[O-1Driver]

Thanks Mike,

Look at all of these aircraft types that were in accidents from 12/08 to 12/11. A P-40N was wrecked the day after my aircraft and there were Four B-17s damaged in that 4 day period. These are stateside accidents only and do not include overseas operational losses. In many cases the name of the pilot is listed.

Here are some of the codes: TAC (taxi accident), GAC (ground accident), LAC (landing accident), MACB (mid air collision with bird). The P-40N was a night landing accident.

The one I love is TAC loss of control while taxing. How the heck do you lose control of a P-63 King Cobra with a nose gear while taxing.

SteveView attachment 28621

 

[HouseHobbit]

This very interesting to see..

I didn't realize I was not the only one who wrecks so much..

Thanks for the info, it is really fun to see what you have dug up..
BRAVO..
:salute: :salute: :salute:

 

[hairyspin]

...I didn't realize I was not the only one who wrecks so much..

Yes, these Hobbits get around a bit. Possibly one in that King Cobra too - bet he was smoking!

 

[HouseHobbit]

Yes, these Hobbits get around a bit. Possibly one in that King Cobra too - bet he was smoking!

Yea, but they can't prove it now..

And the P-63 ran into the officers club... ON IT's OWN..

That's my story and I am sticking to it..

Anyone seen my Pipe, was here a minute ago..

 

[O-1Driver]

Yes, these Hobbits get around a bit. Possibly one in that King Cobra too - bet he was smoking!

I have the full report and it seems the pilot was barefoot and his feet were too large, jamming the rudder pedal causing loss of control of the P-63.

O-1

 

[flyer01]

I have the full report and it seems the pilot was barefoot and his feet were too large, jamming the rudder pedal causing loss of control of the P-63.

O-1

ooooooooohhhhhhhhh my!

 

[popsaka]

Thanks Mike,

Look at all of these aircraft types that were in accidents from 12/08 to 12/11. A P-40N was wrecked the day after my aircraft and there were Four B-17s damaged in that 4 day period. These are stateside accidents only and do not include overseas operational losses. In many cases the name of the pilot is listed.

Here are some of the codes: TAC (taxi accident), GAC (ground accident), LAC (landing accident), MACB (mid air collision with bird). The P-40N was a night landing accident.

The one I love is TAC loss of control while taxing. How the heck do you lose control of a P-63 King Cobra with a nose gear while taxing.


Stev

Wasn't the nose wheel free castering like on the p38 and (I'm not sure) the p39??

 

[popsaka]

I have the full report and it seems the pilot was barefoot and his feet were too large, jamming the rudder pedal causing loss of control of the P-63.

O-1

Hobbits always fly barefoot though, don't they?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^