Warbird Information Exchange

I am researching a P-47 that was recovered at Dobodura, Papua/New Guinea.

I do have a document listing many of the IARC codes but mainly the most common and the ones below aren't listed

I wonder if anyone can help with these codes:

station code "LEFT " I believe it to be 5th Air Force, not certain if it would mean a particular location.

the last entry in the parent unit column is "con miss" I assume the "con" is condemned but the obvious meaning for "miss'... missing, doesn't make sense since the P-47 was abandoned at Dobodura
The date is listed as 9/18/44

Any help from the knowledgeable folks on WIX would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chuck Cravens,

Hi Chuck,

I finally found my code book last week, and it is still sitting on my desk; LEFT was the location code for Brisbane, Australia.

Your guess is as good as mine on "con miss" - there's nothing on my list explaining it.

Cheers,



Dana

Thanks Dana!

That's very helpful. If you are interested you can see photos of the project plane at http://www.projects.aircorpsaviation.com/

best regards,
Chuck

Chuck,
Left is the 5th in Brisbane, as is SUMAC. TEAK is Port Moresby. I've always believed CON MISS was consigned Missing, but Condemned Missing would work just as well. Always interesting to cross check the operating squadrons unit history for the CON MISS date. Often you will find the airplane didn't come back, but the squadron didn't lose any pilots. Which basically means the pilot/crew force landed or bailed out and(eventually) returned to duty. Also CON MISS is the entry of the time period, for example if it crashes on take off it is CON ACC, but if he goes down in the jungle 5 miles from the field it may be CON MISS and not updated when the truth becomes known. Lt Hawthorne of the 475th was lost in the circuit at Dobodura and was initially posted MIA, simply because the jungle was thick, there was no easy access and the clerks had to complete their paperwork. I believe in took them several weeks to reach the crashsite. Today it's a six minute drive.
I was asked by a friend who contracts to JPAC to research two P-47s that "were" at Dobodura post war and seemed to have consecutive AAF numbers, both are now being restored in different overseas countries. I suspect you may be on the same quest???

_________________
"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS

Thanks 43-2195!

I suspect that we may very well be researching the same two consecutive serial numbers. We have and will be restoring one ending in 609 if that sheds any light. One of my problems is that I don't know the squadron or group information other than she was with the 5th Air Force. I suspect 348th FG 342nd Squadron but can't confirm yet.

Chuck

Chuck,
I'd have to check my records, but most of the P-47 components lying around popendetta airfield are ex 58 FG. I believe they were there after the 348th moved out. Operating out of No.10 strip. Without prying too much, are you associated with Air Corps Aviation? I heard they had the US P-47 project and the other was in Oz. As a Fifth researcher, I am suspicious that the two P-47s recovered from the same location would have consecutive AAF Serial Numbers, but I am keeping an open mind.

Keith

_________________
"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS

Hi Keith,

Yes I am the historical researcher for AirCorps Aviation. I was thinking that the 58th was another possibility. I have my suspicions as to the consecutive serials numbers as well. I did order the Individual Aircraft History cards for both . Both were sent to the 5th at least. I had hoped one would have been sent to another theater or Air Force , that would have cleared up things . Are these the same two you are looking into?

Hi Keith,

Yes I am the historical researcher for AirCorps Aviation. I was thinking that the 58th was another possibility. I have my suspicions as to the consecutive serials numbers as well. I did order the Individual Aircraft History cards for both . Both were sent to the 5th at least. I had hoped one would have been sent to another theater or Air Force , that would have cleared up things . Are these the same two you are looking into? My email is: chuckc@aircorpsaviation.com I perhaps we can correspond that way.

Thanks, Chuck