Pacific Wrecks Forum

Got this photo recently which clearly identifies this C-47 as serial #41-18628. I have not been able to find anything on this incident.

I was wondering if this may be the 374TCG C-47 "Liliane" identified officially as serial #41-18682 shot down near Tsili Tsili on 15 August 1943.
See the following link.

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/c ... 18682.html

Firstly you will note that the serials are the same except that the last two numbers are switched. Was this a typo in the MACR?

Also the tail section is largely intact but the tail fabric appears to be burnt away. This may indicate that the aircraft was on fire before it landed as mentioned in the "Liliane" shoot down.

USAAF insignia is just visible through flames and is a type two. Type three insignia where introduced at the end of July 1943, only two weeks before "liliane's crash. So may still have had the type two insignia.

Would like feedback from anyone who can confirm or refute this theory.
Any information welcome.

Regards Mark

Sorry first link broken. Try this one:
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/c ... 18682.html
Mark

Just found some info on this site but dates (18th) and fate (MIA) are conflicting for 41-18682.

So which is true if any?

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_3.html

18682 (c/n 6088) to USAAF Dec 05, 1942 - 5th AF, Australia Jan 15, 1943. MIA Aug 18, 1943.

18628 (c/n 4789) to USAAF Oct 6, 1942 - 5th AF, Australia Jul 06, 1943, operated as ‘VHCDO’.
Condemned Aug 12, 1943 (Accident)

Mark