Warbird Information Exchange

This is one of the best quality photos of a period Mustang I've seen in a while. Almost looks like a recent reenactment.


F-6A 'Jeanie' s/n 43-6174 67th TRG, 107th TRS, 1944 flown by Capt. McAllister
Photo: Selfridge AFB Museum

A bit of History below.
And a lot of History in the link below.
https://usafunithistory.com/PDF/0100/10 ... R%20SQ.pdf

The four Squadrons of the 67th Recon Group (12th Observation - later Reconnaissance Squadron; 107th Observation - later Reconnaissance Squadron; 109th Observation - later Reconnaissance Squadron and 153rd Observation - later Reconnaissance Squadron) were the oldest in the American air force, dating back to 1917. Although formally with the Eighth Air Force, the Group flew Spitfires and Bostons (Havocs) with the RAF and trained on detachment at various stations until they were assigned to the Ninth Air Force for combat operations in November 1943. At this point they moved from Membury to Middle Wallop, Hampshire, and flew adapted Mustangs in reconnaissance missions over northern France. One of their objectives was to collect information about enemy coastal defenses in preparation for Operation Neptune.

Constituted as 67th Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1 Sep 1941. Flew antisubmarine patrols along the east coast of the US after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Began training in Jan 1942 for duty overseas. Moved to the European theater, Aug-Oct 1942. Assigned first to Eighth and later (Oct 1943) to Ninth AF. Re-designated 67th Reconnaissance Group in May 1943,67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Nov 1943, and 67th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Trained in England for more than a year before beginning operations in Dec 1943. Used P-38's, P-51's (F-6's), and F-5's to fly artillery-adjust-adjustment, weather-reconnaissance, bomb-damage assessment, photographic-reconnaissance, and visual-reconnaissance missions. Received a DUC for operations along the coast of France, 15 Feb-20 Mar 1944, when the group flew at low altitude in the face of intense flak to obtain photographs that aided the invasion of the Continent. Flew weather missions, made visual reconnaissance for ground forces, and photographed enemy positions to sup port the Normandy campaign and later to assist First Army and other Allied forces in the drive to Germany. Took part in the offensive against the Siegfried Line, Sep- Dec 1944, and in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1 44-Jan 1945. From Jan to May 1945, photographed dams on the Ror River in preparation for the ground offensive to cross the river, and aided the Allied assault across the Rhine and into Germany. Returned to the US, Jul-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.

Commanders (with date of appointment)
Unkn: Sep-Nov 1941
Lt Col Oliver H Stout: c. 21 Nov 1941
Col Frederick R Anderson: c. 4 May 1942
Col George W Peck: 6 Dec 1943
Lt Col Richard S Leghorn: 11 May 1945-unkn

Main Bases
Esler Field, La: 1 Sep 1941
Charleston, SC: Dec 1941
Esler Field, La: Jan-Aug 1942
Membury, England: Sep 1942
Middle Wallop, England: Dec 1943
Le Molay, France: Jul 1944
Toussus le Noble, France: Aug 1944
Gosselies, Belgium: Sep 1944
Vogelsang, Germany: Mar 1945
Limburg an der Lahn, Germany: c. 2 Apr 1945
Eschwege, Germany: c.10 Apr-Jul 1945
Drew Field, Fla: c. 21 Sep 1945
MacDill Field, Fla: Dec 1945;

Component Units
12th: 1942-44
15th: 1944
30th: 1944-45
33rd: 1944, 1945
107th: 1941-1945
109th: 1941-1945
113th: 1941-42
153rd: 1941-44
161st: 1945

Assigned To
September 1941-October 1943: Eighth Air Force
October 1943 onwards: IX Tactical Air Command; Ninth Air Force


Recon mission over France with a few B-24's below.


Recon view of the Mulberry harbour at Normandy.


Normandy, France, May 1944

The 107th Observation Squadron, Michigan National Guard, one of 29 National Guard observation squadrons, was ordered into active Federal service on October 15, 1940. Along with 4,000 other National Guard Air Corps personnel, the men of the 107th expanded the rapidly-growing U.S. Army Air Forces. After taking part in antisubmarine patrols, the redesignated 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron deployed to England in August 1942. They flew L-4, L-5, A-20 and Spitfire aircraft, before being equipped with the F-6A, the reconnaissance version of the P-51 Mustang. In December 1943, the 107th became the first operational photographic reconnaissance squadron in Northern Europe. In preparation for the Allied invasion, the squadron flew missions over the French coast and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its efforts. Assigned to support the First U.S. Army during the Normandy Campaign, the 107th was the first reconnaissance unit to operate from French soil. The 107th achieved an illustrious record during World War II, a record which is proudly maintained by the 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard.

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“PMURT KCUF”

Are the oleo strut covers home made or a North American item?

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45-47=-2

It even has that little door on the left side of the windscreen.

Being a Recon unit they know a thing or two about taking pictures.

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Better is the enemy of Good.

since the hydraulics have bled down (ie flaps are down) shouldn't the main claim shell doors also be down ?

Mark, Incredible picture of a rare airplane (a P-51A-10) in ETO service with the USAAF. I have often wondered how they were gathered for that part of the battle.... the finish on the aircraft, it’s unique details (oleo covers especially) and everything is mesmerizing.

Wolf, I am not sure the clamshells would ever be down in the A except for servicing. Wartime shots of the A tend to show flaps up or down clamshells closed. A bad check valve or fitting could show a droopy door....but the flaps have to be selected up to have subsequently bled down....the picture is good, but not good enough to the flap position. My guess is it’s down.

In the D operators on shutdown have generally gotten in the habit of releasing the pressure on the hydraulic system by pulling the “T” handle. That was not a thing back then and if you saw the flaps and clamshells down it was generally maintenance. Normally the clamshells should be up when the hydraulic system has pressure. Flaps are generally raised after landing, but it’s unclear what combat “normal” was for these special photobirds....perhaps it helped guys getting at the cameras?

It wasn't common in WWII to always pull the hydraulic release handle after shutting down, as it is today, and you'll find many wartime photos of D/K-models too with the clam shell doors up when parked, or only partially fallen (also a sign of the hydraulic release not being pulled). If the release isn't pulled, and the hydraulic system is tight, it will take quite a while before the doors will finally begin creeping open, and over time they will typically stop falling open about halfway down. The circular hydraulic release handle for dumping the pressure in the P-51A/A-36 type aircraft is located on the left side of the instrument panel, and the release for the P-51B/C and D/K is located at the right of the fuel selector, near the floor. In the photo, the pilot would have put the flaps full down, as was standard, as it is part of ensuring you're able to easily egress off the trailing edge of the wing, as you're to avoid stepping on the flaps.

They are a NAA item, Mike.



Thanks for sharing this great image, Mark

Laurent