P-51D Contrary Mary

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:08 am

P-51D WZ+I s/n 44-14251
L/C Roy B. Caviness 78th FG Duxford 1945

Shay · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:44 am

Great shot Jack.

Got anymore 84th pictures? Refreshing to see somthing other than Big Beautiful Doll.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Swiss Mustangs · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:58 am

I ain't Jack.... but I can help nonetheless.... :twisted:

44-63191 WZ-U "Lucky Baby"

and

43-6593 WZ-S - this time a real OTU 'hack' - in a pathetic position....

Martin

b29flteng · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:19 am

I've always thought it was funny looking at the elderly woman leaning on the horz. stab. and imagining the thoughs in her head at the time, "What a bore coming to this open house and looking at airplanes".

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:40 am

I'm sure the a poster of this photo in a OSHA office somewhere :shock:

Shay · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:00 pm

Nice, I don't think I've ever seen "Lucky Baby" before or "Contrary Mary" for that matter.

The only other 84th's I can recall seeing before are "Sherman Was Right" and "Achtung Indianer!"

That's a precarious pose for that "B". It's interesting to note the she's not sporting the 78th famous Checkers on her nose.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:35 pm

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3333

Thanks Jack.

There is a whole series of those shots, taken soon after VE Day with all 3 squadrons lined up on the grass at DX. They're published in the old 'Aircam' P-51D book.

There is also a series of shots around of Landers' 472218 (I've got copies somewhere) in one of the DX revetments, again taken after VE Day. Funny how the artists always get it wrong, as there are numerous paintings of 'Big Beautiful Doll' in combat, although in fact the full markings, including checkered wingtips, weren't applied until post VE Day IIRC.

Shay · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:16 pm

That's a whole lot of checkers there Jack!!

And atleast 2 squadrons, is this a possible postwar picture?

Also regarding "Contrary Mary" I thought the 84th's tail feathers were black? What's with the Checkered Rudder and altered nose?

Is this also postwar?

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:31 pm

Quote:

I thought the 84th's tail feathers were black?

Are you going to say no to Col Caviness :shock:

Soon to be seen on a restored P-51D

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3333

Shay wrote:

And atleast 2 squadrons, is this a possible postwar picture?

Mike wrote:

There is a whole series of those shots, taken soon after VE Day with all 3 squadrons lined up on the grass at DX. They're published in the old 'Aircam' P-51D book.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3333

Shay wrote:

Also regarding "Contrary Mary" I thought the 84th's tail feathers were black? What's with the Checkered Rudder and altered nose?

Is this also postwar?

Yes. Roy Caviness took over as CO from Landers in July 1945. So the aircraft would almost certainly have had the large 'Buzz Numbers' under the wings which were applied postwar. I wonder if they'll replicate them on the restored example! :lol:

Oscar Duck · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:18 pm

the old chick was out hunting for a 'toy boy' I guess...

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