Tuskegee P-51B Paint Scheme Research

AustinHancock51 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:48 pm

Hello all! Just doing some more research for my fighter fund and am hoping for a little help. The Pilot I am researching is Flight Officer Leland H. Pennington. He was shot down on April 21st, 1945 over Zadar (now Croatia.) He was based with the 301st Fighter Squadron out of Ramatelli, Italy. His P-51B was as follows...

Serial # - 42-106603
MACR #- 14022

I have found this image that is an example of how a P-51B with the 301st would have been painted (http://www.balad.afcent.af.mil/shared/m ... 13-010.jpg). I would like to see if I can find the actual markings from Pennington's P-51. What would be the best way to start? Thanks everyone!

- Austin Hancock

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:08 am

I assume you've checked Joe Baughers s/n site and found there is no 42106603 listed, there's a hole in that block of P-51B-10-NA from 106601 to 106609. There is a listing for a 4210663 which was surveyed @ Pinellas AF on 6/6/43 but that's in Florida, not Italy.
Have you checked with the Tuskegee Airmens Association? I didn't find a Pennington listed with the 331st lists I checked quickly.
Today the 331st is operating F-22's
Good luck with your interesting searches

**** I did locate this info just a minute ago @ www. littlefriends.co.uk They list a P-51B 42-106603 as attached to the 376th Sq (call sign Gaylord) and coded E9 * X but lists no assigned pilot.
If you GOOGLE just P-51B s/n 42-106603 that will zero in a bit closer on that s/n.

AustinHancock51 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:41 pm

Thanks for the info! I had come across the E9-X markings earlier on in my research and I'm assuming that was the markings it wore before she was assigned to the 301st. Is there any paperwork or records in DC that would give me anything more detailed about her time with the 301st? Such as formation assignments, mission info, etc? Thanks!

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:18 pm

www.afhra.af.mil will put you into Maxwel AFB Historical Records from there it's between you, them, and your Debit Card.
Happy sleuthing-

AustinHancock51 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:40 pm

The Inspector wrote:

http://www.afhra.af.mil will put you into Maxwel AFB Historical Records from there it's between you, them, and your Debit Card.
Happy sleuthing-

Aha, thank you very much! I will look into this route for sure...

- Austin Hancock

jasonp51d · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:28 am

Austin,

Littlefriends http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/361stfg.php?action=list_records&sort_order=ASC&order_by=serialNo has 42-106603 serving with the 376th Fighter Squadron of the 361st Fighter Group - showing as E9-X.

The majority of P-51B's had been swapped for D's by November 1944. So possible the a/c was transferred after use with the 361st FG.

Will check if I have any photos or records to confirm.

Good luck

Jason
www.361fg.com

AustinHancock51 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:57 pm

jasonp51d wrote:

Austin,

Littlefriends http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/361stfg.php?action=list_records&sort_order=ASC&order_by=serialNo has 42-106603 serving with the 376th Fighter Squadron of the 361st Fighter Group - showing as E9-X.

The majority of P-51B's had been swapped for D's by November 1944. So possible the a/c was transferred after use with the 361st FG.

Will check if I have any photos or records to confirm.

Good luck

Jason
http://www.361fg.com

Thanks a ton Jason! That would help out a lot

- Austin Hancock

AustinHancock51 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:14 pm

I just sent off an e-mail to the AF Historical Research Agency as well, so we'll see what comes up! Thank again all...

- Austin H.

AustinHancock51 · **Posted:** Wed May 25, 2011 9:39 pm

Well, I just received the records I requested from Maxwell AFB and found that Pennington's P-51 had a name! "Lucy Gal", named after his wife. I still cannot find the fuselage number however, trying to figure that out next. Hopefully there are documents somewhere out there that list this!

- Austin H.

Warbird Information Exchange

Tuskegee P-51B Paint Scheme Research

Who is online