When the Going gets Tough? ...

[Mark Allen M]

... the Tough post photos of Mustangs in flight! ...

Part 1


North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang 44-13857 (374th FS, 361st FG) shot down by AAA 8 mi E of Orleans, France Aug 13, 1944. MACR 8123. Pilot bailed out, fate unknown.


North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang 44-13537 (374th FS, 361st FG) 'Sweet Thing IV', a P-51 Mustang piloted by Captain Roy Webb Jr.


North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang 44-13357 (361st FG, 374th FS, 8th AF, "Tika IV/Sailor Girl Shirl") lost in accident near Little Walden, UK Nov 16, 1944.


North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang 44-13704 (3745h FS, 361st FG, 8th AF, "Ferocious Frankie") crashed during wheels up belly landing on takeoff at RAF Great Little Walden, Essex, England Nov 9, 1944. Pilot survived.


North American P-51B 42-106702 (368FS, 359FG) based at East Wretham (Norfolk) and piloted by Lt Robert V Beaupre. Detached service with 3rd Gunnery & Tow Target Flight. Returned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Crashed on take-off in P-51D 44-14509 East Wretham/Sta 133 Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). 6-Jan-45


North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang 44-14368 (370th FS, 359th FG, 8th AF) in taxiing accident at RAF East Wretham, Norfolk, England Feb 3, 1945. Pilot survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.


Can't make out much about this Mustang other than it was escorting B-24's of the 484th BG, 15th AF out of Italy.


Mustangs of the 503rd FS 339th FG.

[JohnTerrell]

Can't make out much about this Mustang other than it was escorting B-24's of the 484th BG, 15th AF out of Italy.

That would be "Gloria", of the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, 15th Air Force ("Tuskegee Airmen"). This aircraft had previously served with the 52nd FG, hence the thick yellow band around the rear fuselage with black border stripes, over-painted at the top with the extended sloping demarcation of red paint and a thin black border line of its own.

Here is a photo from the other side of the aircraft: https://www.timesonline.com/storyimage/ ... g?MaxW=600
Quote with the picture: "Crew chiefs of the 100th Fighter Squadron pose with squadron commander Capt. Andrew D. Turner, standing third from left." Second from left is of course 332nd FG Commander Col. (later General) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.

Love all of those early P-51D-5-NA's without the dorsal fin fillets!

[wolf]

P-51D-10-NA Mustang 44-14368 was NOT badly damaged - propeller damaged when the pilot struck the right wing of 44-14427.

[Mark Allen M]

Part 2


North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang (E2-S, serial number 44-13926) of the 375th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group.


North American P-51D-15-NA sn 44-15240 coded J53.




Essex early 1945. Unnamed P-51D Mustang B7-O serial no. 44-13344. One of a number of formation photographs taken in spring 1945


North American P-51D 78th FG




P-51K 44-12097 Mustang over Japan 1945

[junkman9096]

Part 2


North American P-51D-15-NA sn 44-15240 coded J53.

336th AAF Base Unit Sarasota, FL

[wolf]

[ffuries]

Wonder what the story is with this bird, seems awfully high (Assuming that is cloud cover) and having its gear fully down.

Attachments

[junkman9096]

I'm still stuck at home so let me add one:


Squadron CO's plane, 15th TRS 10th TRG Pope AFB early 1948

[Chris Brame]

Note the different a/c codes; FC was the F-6 buzz number prefix and FF was for P-51s (but both are F-6s). Were all Mustangs re-coded FF at some point?

[junkman9096]

Note the different a/c codes; FC was the F-6 buzz number prefix and FF was for P-51s (but both are F-6s). Were all Mustangs re-coded FF at some point?

I believe this was part and parcel of the revision of the aircraft designators that took place around the establishment of the USAF. FC was used for photo recon Mustangs when they were designated F-6's. The new designation was RF-51, thus putting it into the fighter category (FF). Markings in transition.

[junkman9096]

Another thing I noted was that it had the big old USAF on the starboard wing, re-positioned antenna mount on the underside, "US Air Force" on the tail where 029 had none of these. Off hand I'd think it was just out of depot maintenance and the CO grabbed it. Nose cone/stripes/fuel tanks/fin tip in Royal Blue.

[shrike]

Wonder what the story is with this bird, seems awfully high (Assuming that is cloud cover) and having its gear fully down.

Showing off, or playing with the camera ship? You'll notice about half of them have at least a notch of flaps out to maintain formation

[wolf]

Meanwhile, in sunny Italy
.
.