P-38 Ploesti Bombing in Aftermath of Tidalwave

Does anyone has any photos and details on the Ploesti P-38 Bombings on the aftermath of Tidalwave sometimes in October -November 1943 ? The P-38 were used 3 months after Tidalwave from an Air Base in Italy which has ended with the loss of over 50% of the P-38's used for that purpose and led to continous bombings with B-24's and B-17's from high altitude equipped with Radar sights and guidance.

Just WOAU ! the pic with the flying lightning is AWSOME ! Was it above Romania ?

This post has been edited by D13-th_Mytzu on December 11, 2004 09:35 am

No it was taken over Italy I guess.

Regards
Alex

There wasn't another mission in 1943. The raid you are probably referring to is that of the 1st and 82nd Fighter Groups on 10 June 1944, when 23 P-38s were lost (about a quarter of the attacking force).

As usual, please post the sources of the photos.

Alex., I would like to know particularly the source of the photo showing P-38 Lucky Lady and any story related to it.

Col. Dénes

Alex., I would like to know particularly the source of the photo showing P-38 Lucky Lady and any story related to it.

Col. Dénes

From the info I have available from Confederate Air Force friend , it was operatimg from Italy Air to Air and Air to Ground. I was used also against the Oil facilities at Ploesti 8 months or later after the Tidal Wave.....I dont have any additional info for the time being

Al

Appologise the error, the ops with P-38 started 8 months after the Tidalwave

Alex

The Yellow spinners of the P-38 "Lucky Lady" from the picture post it by Alex could be from other operation theater and not MTO.
There was a P-38 " Lucky Lady" in 82thg FG flown by Col.Litton on 10 june'44 but with red spinners and the plane was lost on 4 august'44 on Focsani airfield attack and Litton (wounded) was taken POW.

Possibly, I rely only on the info I've got from my sources....therefore I can't tell other details about the Lucky Lady and its pilot destiny

Alex

This post has been edited by alexkdl on December 13, 2004 12:07 pm

That's exactly why I've asked the question.
I wanted to find out if the airplane in the photo is indeed Col. Litton's personal mount, lost on Aug. 4, 1944.

Col. Dénes

Denes, as I told you earlier on, the photos posted by me on here ,are obtained from various sources I am in contact with in the US , Warbirds Ass.Pilots, Confederate AF pilots,USAF memorial sites , resources friends etc etc ...Its virtually impossible for me to keep tracking on each photo and aircrew history and the stuff I submit on here is posted in order revive the era and enable hear echos from the other side......the echos I pass further to the US and the rest is assured provided I get reliable echos......

I follow B-24, P-38,P-51, B-17 and B-26 ,USN Aviation , Luftwaffe and Soviet WWII topics...therefore I am unable to dance at few parties at once.....please have understanding when sometimes I simply can not provide feedback or track records on specific events .

Alex

Here is the picture with Litton P-38 "Lucky Lady" ( from the book Adorimini )


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A detailed article about 10 june '44 low level mission was published in romanian aviation magazine " Aeromagazin" ( in 2 issues) by author Dan Melinte.

Here is the front cover of one of this magazines with a picture of the fight over Popesti- Leordeni airfield between IAR 81 C (6thFG) and P-38 Lightning of 71sq.


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The article must be great, too bad this number of the magazine is not for sale anymore

Can you tell me what is the rate of turn of the IAR81's I wonder on how IAR will from time to time shot down P-51's and P-38's ...where the GI's asleep, tired, hungry,poorely trained or just rockies or had technical problems with their machines ? As far as I understand both P-51 and P-38 rate of turn is tighter than those of all IAR series.....

Alex