Museum Mustang Markings

Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:34 am

Specifically, the NASM "Willit Run?" and NMUSAF's "Sunny #". Are these accurate schemes? Are there any wartime photos of these schemes? Lastly, if they are accurate schemes, are the serials in question the original airplanes that wore those schemes?

Surely someone at WIX knows this one. I'm sure not watching Cash Cab for the answer ...

Ken

Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:43 am

THere was a thread on here not long ago about the NASM will it Run. I think it is an accurate paint scheme, but not the real aircraft. THe NMUSAF P-51 was painted to represent that aircraft. Our P-51D came from the West Virginia ANG in 1957, the aircraft on display was the last Mustang assigned to a USAF tactical unit. It is painted as the P-51D flown by Col. C.L. Sluder, commander of the 325th Fighter Group in Italy in 1944. The name of this aircraft, Shimmy IV, is derived from the names of his daughter, Sharon, and his wife, Zimmy.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:24 pm

The Bf-109G-6 is painted as White 2, 7/JG27. IIRC during restoration the true Werk number was unknown, but has been discovered post restoration.

I believe now the consensus is Wnr. 160756 Yellow 4, 3./JG4.

Regards,
Mike

Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:56 pm

I know I've seen a wartime picture of Willit Run? in one of my books.

(Pause while I run and grab a few)

Got it! a B/W image in the old Arco-Aircam Aviation Series "North American P-51D Mustang in USAAF-USAF Service"

Captioned:
"'Willit Run?' taxying in at Raydon, Suffolk, after returning from a mission over Europe. 353rd FG, 351st FS, 8th AF."

Sorry no photo hosting service for me, so can't post a pic :oops: