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5th Fighter Squadron - Squadron Profile.

5th Fighter Squadron

Founded :
Country : US
Fate :

5th Fighter Squadron

Aces for : 5th Fighter Squadron
A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name.
NameVictoriesInfo
Robert A Karr6.00The signature of Robert A Karr features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Aircraft for : 5th Fighter Squadron
A list of all aircraft known to have been flown by 5th Fighter Squadron. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
SquadronInfo

Mustang




Click the name above to see prints featuring Mustang aircraft.

Manufacturer : North American

Mustang

The ubiquitous North American P-51 Mustang, which many consider to be the best all-around fighter of WW II, owes its origins to the British Air Ministry. Following Britains entry into WW II in 1939, the RAF was interested in purchasing additional fighter aircraft from American sources, particularly the Curtiss P-40. Curtiss, which was busy, was unable to guarantee timely delivery so the British approached North American Aviation as a possible second source for the P-40. North American chose to propose its own fighter design which would use the same Allison engine as the P-40. Utilizing new laminar flow wings, the North American fighter was expected to have performance better than the P-40. Developed in record time the new aircraft was designated as a Mustang I by the Brits, whereas the USAAF ordered two for evaluation which were designated XP-51 Apaches. Intrigued with the possibility of using this aircraft also as a dive bomber, North American proposed this to the USAAF which decided to order 500 of the P-51 aircraft to be modified for dive bombing use. Designated as the A-36 Invader, this version of the Mustang utilized dive flaps, and bomb racks under each wing. Some reinforcing of the structural members was also required because of the G-forces to be encountered in dive bombing. A-36s entered combat service with the USAAF prior to any P-51s. In early 1943 the 86th and 27th Fighter Bomber Groups of the 12th Air Force began flying A-36s out of Northern Africa. Despite some early problems with instability caused by the dive flaps, the A-36 was effective in light bombing and strafing roles. It was not, however, capable of dog fighting with German fighters, especially at higher altitudes. Despite these drawbacks one USAAF pilot, Captain Michael T. Russo, who served with the 16th Bomb Squadron of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group, was credited with five confirmed aerial victories in the A-36, thereby becoming the first mustang ace.
Signatures for : 5th Fighter Squadron
A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
NameInfo


Lieutenant Colonel Robert A Karr
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert A Karr
19 / 5 / 2008Ace : 6.00 Victories
Lieutenant Colonel Robert A Karr

Robert Karr was born on January 11, 1924, in Waterloo, Iowa. Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on July 31, 1942, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on February 8, 1943, receiving his commission as a 2d Lt and pilot wings at Spence Field, Georgia, on November 3, 1943. After completing P-47 Thunderbolt training and serving with the 536th Fighter Squadron of the 87th Fighter Group, Lt Karr was assigned as a P-51C Mustang pilot with the 5th Fighter Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group in North Africa and Italy from May 1944 to June 1945. Operating out of Madna Airfield in Italy, he got his first victory when he downed an Me109 near Udine on 9th June, adding two more a few weeks later. On 17th July, leading a flight of P51Ds, he shot down three more Me109s in a day near Blata, Poland. A P51 Ace with 6 victories plus 2 more damaged in the air to his credit, he retired from the service in 1976.

Citation for the Silver Star :

For gallantry in action as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft. On 17 December 1944, Capt Karr led a squadron formation as escort to heavy bombers attacking strategic enemy oil installations in Biata, Poland. Approaching the target a large formation of enemy fighters was sighted and, despite the superiority in numbers of the hostile force Capt Karr immediately led his squadron in attack. In the ensuing aerial battle, displaying outstanding aggressiveness, leadership and combat proficiency, Capt Karr destroyed three enemy aircraft, while his squadron accounted for three more destroyed and the remainder of the enemy formation was driven from the area. Through his highly effective protective cover, the bombers were thus enabled to complete a highly successful mission unmolested. By his conspicuous gallantry, aggressive leadership and intense devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout sixty-eight (68) successful missions against the enemy and six enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial flight, Capt Karr has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

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