KITS 11/2020

F-6K-15, 75th FS, 23rd FG, 14th AF, Luliang Airfield, China, 1945

After the American Volunteer Group flying P-40s in combat over the Chinese territory, known as The Flying Tigers, was disbanded, most of its pilots

joined 75th FS ranks. Same as its sister 118th TRS, also under 23rd FG command, 75th FS, equipped with P-51Ds engaged in ground units’ close support,

attacks on the traffic centers, warehouses, troops gathering points, airports, and other ground targets. To verify the results of such combat missions

23rd FG squadrons were equipped with several reconnaissance F-6. It was always a few aircraft only. Reconnaissance F-6K christened Pack’s Hack flying

with this unit had the rear part of the fuselage including the tail surfaces painted black same as all the airplanes of the 75th FS and simplified unit

marking sprayed on both sides of the fuselage under the canopy just in black paint directly on the metal surface.

F-6D-15, 44-15417, flown by Lt. Edwin H. Pearle, 2nd FS, 2nd

ACG, Cox´s Bazar, India, Spring 1945

2nd Air Commando Group, equipped with P-51, C-47 and L-5 aircraft relocated from the United States to India during the fall 1944 and its main task

was support of the ground units operating on the territory of China and Burma, including the resupplying the units with armament and equipment.

Part of this group were two fighter squadrons - 1st FS and 2nd FS. Each one was equipped with 22 P-51D fighters and three reconnaissance F-6. Both

2nd ACG squadrons were mainly busy with ground units’ support but in the spring 1945 pilots of the both squadrons organized several extremely

long distance attacks against the Japanese air bases during which they claimed 60 enemy aircraft destroyed and 40 probably destroyed or damaged.

Lt. Pearle contributed with one damaged bomber to this score.

2nd FS recognition marking was a propeller spinner with natural metal tip and base in black paint. Rebel Gal, same as several other airplanes from

this unit, carried the unit marking on the fuselage nose in the form of an eagle carrying machine gun in his claws. The fuselage and wings sported 2nd

ACG markings in the form of lightnings.

F-6D-10, 44-14659, 111th TRS, 68th TRG, 12th AF, Fürth,

Germany, July 1945

111th Observation Squadron, part of the Texas Air National Guard, was after the attack on Pearl Harbor dispatched to the Mexican border where it

was guarding the border. As soon as February 1942 it was ordered under 68th OG command and started preparations for the service in Europe. In 1942

the unit with its P-39s relocated to the Great Britain as a part of the preparations for the invasion to Algiers. In 1943 the unit was renamed to 111th TRS,

equipped with F-6A and B aircraft and participated in the Operation Husky (invasion of Sicily), Operation Dragoon (invasion of the Southern France)

and further campaigns of the ground forces through the Southern Europe. After the end of the War the unit returned into the ranks of the Texas Air

National Guard. It is still active nowadays equipped with MQ-1B Predator.

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eduard

INFO Eduard - November 2020