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Donald Cummings |
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Name : Donald Cummings Born : 17th January 1919 Died : November 2012 Air Victories : 6.50 |
Joining the USAAF in 1941, Don Cummings saw action in England, Africa and Italy, taking part in the Battle of Anzio. Flying first with the 12th Air Force and then posted to the 8th Air Force in England, flying with the 39th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group out of Wormingford. Don Cummings flew a total of 150 combat missions and on 25th February, 1945, became one of only two fighter Aces to shoot down two Me262 jet fighters on a single mission. He then served in occupied Germany after the war ended. |
Artwork signed by this Pilot or Aircrew |
![]() ![]() Clipped Signature - Donald Cummings | ![]() ![]() Running the Gauntlet by Robert Taylor. (AP) | ![]() ![]() Opening Sky by Robert Taylor. (AP) |
![]() ![]() Return to Duxford by Robert Taylor | ![]() ![]() Mustangs on the Prowl by Robert Taylor. | ![]() ![]() Teamwork by Nicolas Trudgian. |
![]() ![]() Jet Hunters by Robert Taylor. (AP) | ![]() ![]() Eagles on the Rampage by Robert Taylor. | ![]() ![]() Struggle for Supremacy by Robert Taylor. |
Known Victory Claims : | |||||||
Date | Rank | Squadron | Claimed | Location | Time | Aircraft Flown | Notes |
25/02/1945 | Flying P-51 Mustang | ||||||
25/02/1945 | Flying P-51 Mustang | ||||||
| Aircraft for : Donald Cummings | ||
| A list of all aircraft associated with Donald Cummings. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
| Aircraft | Info | |
Mustang ![]()
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. | |
| Squadrons for : Donald Cummings | ||
| A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Donald Cummings. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name. | ||
| Squadron | Info | |
38th Fighter Squadron Country : US Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 38th Fighter Squadron | 38th Fighter Squadron Full profile not yet available. | |
39th Fighter Squadron Country : US Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 39th Fighter Squadron | 39th Fighter Squadron Full profile not yet available. | |
55th Fighter Group Country : US Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 55th Fighter Group | 55th Fighter Group Full profile not yet available. | |
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