P-51's ...

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:57 pm

"Snoopers", as seen fitted with 20-mm cannons (second to last photo in first post), is a P-51 (no letter designator), rather than an A-36 (or P-51A for that matter). The P-51's (P-51-1-NA and P-51-2-NA) operated with the 111th and 154th TRS, and were stationed alongside the A-36 squadrons. If I recall correctly, the P-51-NA's, of 150 in total, were manufactured as RAF Mustang Mk.Ia's, but were retained and redesignated for the USAAF.

Quite a few P-51's in the 111th TRS had the same "Snoopers" artwork on the port-side cowling, as the artwork was the Squadron's insignia rather than a piece of personal artwork. Kermit Weeks has his P-51A currently under restoration at Cal Pacific Aeromotive, and the plan, according to Weeks, is to complete it as one of those 111th TRS P-51-NA's, with the aim of depicting 1st Lt. Dean R. Gilmore's mount, which, along with other P-51-NA's in the Squadron, also had the "Snoopers" artwork.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7813

airnutz · **Posted:** Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:45 pm

JohnTerrell wrote:

.....and the plan, according to Weeks, is to complete it as one of those 111th TRS P-51-NA's, with the aim of depicting 1st Lt. Dean R. Gilmore's mount, which, along with other P-51-NA's in the Squadron, also had the "Snoopers" artwork.

Well bless Kermit Weeks! What a wonderful bit of news, Karen will be tickled!

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7813

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7813

Elwyn · **Posted:** Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:51 pm

I've never seen exhaust covers like in the ninth photo in group one.

Mudge · **Posted:** Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:35 am

I think "OS D" should be "GI Jive".
It's the GI Jive
Man alive.
You start with a bugeler
blowin' reveille over your bunk
when you arrive.
Man, that's the GI Jive.

Sorry....got carried away. :roll:

Mudge the geezer

Dave Smith · **Posted:** Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:12 am

Great work Mark, much appreciated! Like you, I keep thinking I've seen 'em all and then you come up with quite a few that are new to me.

DH82EH · **Posted:** Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:58 am

Those exhaust covers caught my eye as well. What's up with those? It looks like the machine in the background has them as well.

Thanks Mark! If you keep posting, I'll keep checkin' em out. Much appreciated.

Mudge, thanks for the little dance (jive dance, in my mind..... :rock:

)

Andy Scott

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:35 am

What a surprise seeing 'Wid Bill' Crumps picture. Bill was a very active aviator around the Western Washington area into the early 90's and very invoved in aerobatics (I'm not sure if he's still around) and he flew the opening act @ the Paine Field Air Fair for many, many years in a CESSNA 150 AEROBAT. During combat he (says) he frequently flew with a coyote in the airplane.

51fixer · **Posted:** Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:33 pm

Elwyn wrote:

I've never seen exhaust covers like in the ninth photo in group one.

My guess is locally made ground cover for the exhaust openings.
There isn't any blistering or changes to the paint as would be expected from heat so they aren't used while its running.

Django · **Posted:** Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:23 pm

Wow, great photos. There can never be enough P-51 photos...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7813

Warbird Information Exchange

P-51's ...

Who is online