Little Horse On The Market

[Trey Carroll]

Wow, this is a beautiful Mustang (redundant?)

http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/N51PE%2 ... 0Specs.htm

T

[Elroy13]

I guess thats the Mustang that you had to call to inquire about it...they werent showing the picture for the past week or so...

[Chicoartist]

Ken Dahlberg, the original pilot, could afford it ... he got into electronics after the war and eventually founded The Miracle Ear company. Not too shabby!

Wade

[sdennison]

http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/images/ ... el_lrg.jpg

OK. So the gunsight...put your chin on the pad and what? Can someone explain the operation of this sight?

Thanks.

[mlenoch]

It is not a chin pad. It is to keep you from hurting your head when you bend over to pick up the cigarette butt on the cockpit floor. (Smoking in the cockpit was OK back then).
VL

[51fixer]

It is not a chin pad. It is to keep you from hurting your head when you bend over to pick up the cigarette butt on the cockpit floor. (Smoking in the cockpit was OK back then).
VL

Biggest adjustment when Jim got Princess Elizabeth was when bending forward to release control lock you must turn head to side. Otherwise the round distance adjustment knob on the earlier gunsite will impact forehead.
Rich

[sdennison]

That is so true. My Pop told me that when he first got to India and was instructed to get the "feel" of the P47 in full armor, he took it up to 15K and did a loop, had Gloc and was able to recover with plenty of altitude. So shaken as a 20 year old kid, climbed back to 10K and smoked a pack of cigarettes!

Somehow, the thought of a vapor ridden, gas leaking, TBolt and a cigarette lighter scare me. Dad taught me all I know but not all he knew...

[Jack Cook]

Ken Dahlberg, the original pilot, could afford it ...

Shame on you Wade.
The only pilot of "Little Horse" was Lt Chuck Koenig. It was renamed
"La Petit Chavel" after the 354th FG moved to the France after DDay.
Have you ever heard the story of the renaming of this a/c and Sullivan's?

[Jack Cook]

After D-Day the 354th FG moved to France from their base in England. Koenig decided that, in a attempt to show friendship and respect to the French people, repaint the name on his P-51 in the French language. With the help of a local who provided the translation, Koenig rechristened his a/c " Le Petite Cheval" which made the locals very happy. Another member of the 353rd FS, Lt Woodfin Sullivan, thought this was a great idea and decided to do the same to his Mustang. He sought out Koenig's assistance who found this to be a perfect opportunity for a practical joke. In due course "Kiss of Death" was repainted to what Sullivan thought was the French equivilent. But after days of laughter and pointing at his airplane Sullivan grew suspicious and found out the new name on the P-51 was actually "Kiss My Ass". Sullivan decided he liked the new name and kept on.
So the name on the new FT*K should be "Le Petite Cheval

found out the new name on the P-51 was actually "Kiss My Ass". Sullivan decided he liked the new name and kept on.

I'm always impressed with stories recounted like this, puts a human face on the WW2 aircraft and the actual men, excellent stuff Jack, thanks for sharing it

found out the new name on the P-51 was actually "Kiss My Ass". Sullivan decided he liked the new name and kept on.

I'm always impressed with stories recounted like this, puts a human face on the WW2 aircraft and the actual men, excellent stuff Jack, thanks for sharing it

I'm always impressed with stories recounted like this, puts a human face on the WW2 aircraft and the actual men, excellent stuff Jack, thanks for sharing it

I'm always seeking out stories like this, puts a real human face on WW2 , thanks for sharing it Jack

[happymeal]

Is there any picture out there of Le Petit Cheval ?

[Chicoartist]

Ken Dahlberg is too rich!

Thanks for the correction, Jack!

Wade