Warbird Information Exchange

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

_________________
*** Blog on strafing missions also in ENGLISH now - http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php ***

Thx for posting that ... very interesting indeed!

Wade

_________________
Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Wade.Meyers.Studios

Many thanks !

@Martin (Swiss Mustangs)

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

Regards,

Paul

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

so was that in Switzerland?

Luxembourg...

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

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

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

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

_________________
Flying is easy: just learn how to throw yourself at the ground and miss

Thanks Martin,

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

Grüsse,


Paul

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

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

_________________
*** Blog on strafing missions also in ENGLISH now - http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php ***

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

_________________
tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

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

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

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

_________________
*** Blog on strafing missions also in ENGLISH now - http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php ***

Filip,

Overlooked that part, sorry....


Martin,

Waiting to see the pics !


Regards,

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

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

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.

_________________
*** Blog on strafing missions also in ENGLISH now - http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php ***

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

_________________
Associate member of the Awon
http://www.awon.org/
__________________

Aero Part Identify Board
http://www.iphpbb.com/board/fs-81805422nx79380.html

"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)