Here's pictures of a friend of mine who's name is Robert Neumann and who I visit frequently here in my town and who was a P-38 Pilot in the 474th FG 430th FS of the 9th AF in 1945.
"Keep Em Flying"
Mike

whats up with the funny finish on the photos?

Is Gentle Annie his ship or did the 20thFG CO drop in?

M

The pictures are copies of the originals I believe, in two cases and the originals weren't that good, do you have a problem with them? The pilot stated that they inherited Col. Rau's plane when the 20th FG transitioned to P-51's and yes he did fly it.

if I had a problem with them I would say so. Was just asking why they looked a bit odd.

Interesting on the units getting handme downs, did the same thing happen with P47s n the ninth?

M

Listen! I have no idea about any P-47's I only know what I was told by my friend and I wasn't in the 9th AF in WW II and there when my friend was there serving, were you, my interest is in the 5th AF? Also what's the idea of coming on so confrontational to me in your first email to me I thought this site was for AAF enthusiasts to contribute and share and make friends and enjoy the hobby but I don't know if you realize it or not but you gave me the impression in your email replies to me that you're this 9th AF site's "I'm going to set everyone straight on the 9th AF in WW II Expert" and you're going to criticize and or correct everyone that writes into this site because you're the last word on the history of the 9th AF in WW II.

Did one get out on the wrong side of bed?
I was interested in the subject of the a/c possibly being in the 20thFG and was also wondering if the same thing happened with other grps a/c when they converted to different types in the 9th, and as this is the 9th AF section I thought it was appropriate (maybe someone else can answer that Q for me?).
My 1st POST was not meant to be taken in a confrontational way btw,was just asking a question.

(taking cover in the air raid shelter)

M

Matt, virtually all the 8AF combat P-38Js, including 42-69166 above, were transferred out to the 9AF and 15AF at the end of September 1944. Those P-38Js no longer fit for combat operations went to join the others with the 496th Fighter Training Group's 554th Fighter Training Squadron at Goxhill.

Early in 1944 the 8AF exchanged a number of P-47 groups wholesale for 9AF P-51 groups, along with the exchange of individual aircraft, as the P-51 was more suited to the 8AF bomber escort role.
After this date the majority of replacement fighters arriving to the 8AF were P-51s, and as the remaining P-47s became war-weary they were transferred within the 8AF in a number of roles, including Air Sea Rescue, bomber formation assembly observation, target towing and other second-line tasks.

TTFN,
PB

My friend, Robert Neumann, who's pictured here, passed away at the age of 88 2 weeks ago.