Crash site of 1/Lt Ridley's P-51

Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:12 am

Dear all,

this it let you know that an aviation archaeology group called Prazsky letecky archiv (Prague Air Archive) have found wrecks of 1/Lt Ridley's P-51, who was shot down by flak near Prague on April 18, 1945.

1/Lt Ridley served in the 362nd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group.

The guys also unveiled a commemorative table at the crash site in May. Please see a couple of pictures at http://plarchiv.eu/nalezy/nalez%2021.htm.

Regards, Filip

Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:30 pm

Thx for posting that ... very interesting indeed!

Wade

Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:49 pm

Many thanks !

@Martin (Swiss Mustangs)

Same range dial as found at Al Koenig's crashsite (Eastman Kodak !)

Regards,

Paul

Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:52 pm

so was that in Switzerland?

Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:20 am

Luxembourg...

Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:48 pm

Hi Filip,

Being in touch with Tom Ridley for quite some time and others of the 357th FG I forwarded this to him and he's very grateful !
Do you know if there's an English translation of this?

Regards,

Paul

Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:20 pm

Gun Sight Navy Type Mk 18 (virtually identical to the early K-14)

Paul - I will send you some photos tomorrow.....

groeten & tot ziens !
Martin

Sun Aug 26, 2007 2:17 pm

Thanks Martin,

I informed Tom Ridley and Joe Shea from the 357th in the meantime !

Grüsse,

Paul

Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:51 am

Dear Paul,

many thanks for forwarding this notice to Mr. Ridley. I hope the summary is included in the relevant post in the blog. Unfortunately, there is no English version of the entire page concerning this crash.

BTW, on April 17, 1945 (this is what I refer to in the post) three other pilots of the 357th FG were lost to flak over the Ruzyne airdrome and made POW:
1/Lt Irwing E. Snedeker
2/Lt Robert W. Muller
2/Lt James C. Monahan

Two locations are known.

Regards, Filip

Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:29 am

any film in the gun camera??? a long shot that it's still able to be developed..... but you never know!!

Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:44 am

Some years back Tom Ridley visited the museum and I understand he got some parts of his old plane !

http://www.museum119.cz/tour/room_I_2.htm

Paul

Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:14 am

Paul Patist wrote:Some years back Tom Ridley visited the museum and I understand he got some parts of his old plane !
http://www.museum119.cz/tour/room_I_2.htm
Paul

That's true, Paul, I mentioned this in the blog:-)

Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:10 am

Filip,

Overlooked that part, sorry....

Martin,

Waiting to see the pics !

Regards,

Paul (just became a grandfather for the 2nd time today !

)

Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:22 am

Don't worry, Paul and congratulation!

P. S. Do you keep contact with other pilots of the 357th FG? I am wondering whether the other pilots I mentioned are members of the veteran's association.

Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:49 pm

Filip,

Thanks !

I'm in contact with others but not the ones you mention here..
You might ask Joe Shea at p51jshea(at)aol.com

Good luck,

Paul