Lowell Brueland's P-51 "Grim Reaper"

Writing up some of the profile notes for Lowell K. Brueland (355FS, 354FG 9AF 12.5 kills +2 in Korea), and have got confused.

What was the serial number of the P-51D GQ*U "Grim Reaper" that he flew in WWII and is it the same or a different airplane which has been restored to flying condition out on the West Coast?

I have 44-63701 (record) and 44-63702 (flying now). Is this someone's typo somewhere or what? E.g. on MustangsMustangs.com the pix are titled 44-63701 and the serial number on the fin clearly reads "463702"

Anyone got a book they can refer to?

What other ships? I see a set of decals for a model of a P-47D-28-RE, 44-20514 GQ-U "Wee Speck" also flown by the man himself - any more '47s or '51s listed? Distinct underachievement in the personal reference section.

Rob / Kansan

[Swiss Mustangs]

Rob

44-13536 flew as GQ-U "Grim Reaper" 440731 to 440909
44-63702 flew as GQ-U "Wee Speck" from early 1945 through VE-Day and beyond

Martin

Rob

44-13536 flew as GQ-U "Grim Reaper" 440731 to 440909
44-63702 flew as GQ-U "Wee Speck" from early 1945 through VE-Day and beyond

Martin

Thanks Martin, glad you're here.

What do you make of this?

http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/su ... 3701.shtml

I read somewhere that 44-63702 was "Grim Reaper" and "Wee Speck" at different times. And they restored 44-63702 as "Grim Reaper" If they were all trying to confuse me they succeeded!! Have no 9AF source material at all.

Rob

[Swiss Mustangs]

Rob

I understand your confusion

44-63701 was one of the early P-51D-20-NA's delivered to the Swedish AF in late April 1945 - fresh from depot, i.e. this ship never had been assigned to any frontline unit. - In Sweden this ship flew as Fv26015 - it was sold in 1952 to the Dominican Republic where it served as FAD-1904 before being sold to the US in 1984. (same info as on Curtis' site).

44-63702 was assigned to the 354th FG 355th FS and flew as GQ-U "Wee Speck" during the closing stages of WW 2 in Europe. This a/c served beyond VE-Day and eventually was SOC/SALV on 14th June 1946 in Germany.

All my photos of '702 show her with the name "Wee Speck", but I will check my files again, since I also remember reading that the a/c once carried the nickname "Grim Reaper" - most probably this only is a confusion with Brueland's earlier a/c (before the brief conversion to P-47D's) - 44-13536.

Your confusion is that the survivor's serial is almost identical to the historical ship.

Martin

Rob

I understand your confusion

Your confusion is that the survivor's serial is almost identical to the historical ship.

Martin

Thanks Martin. That means we ae talking about two different machines (with consecutive AAF serials ) and I am "not" going crazy.

[Edit - later]
I should have read this more closely

44-63701 N26PW Repainted as 44-63702 "Grim Reaper" of 9th AF Flown by Capt Lowell K. Brueland

Rob

Rob

I understand your confusion

All my photos of '702 show her with the name "Wee Speck", but I will check my files again, since I also remember reading that the a/c once carried the nickname "Grim Reaper" - most probably this only is a confusion with Brueland's earlier a/c (before the brief conversion to P-47D's) - 44-13536.

Your confusion is that the survivor's serial is almost identical to the historical ship.
Martin

Martin - which ship is this? 44-63702 or 44-13536? from what you've said I suspect this is '536 but you know more than me.

I can't read the stencil behind his head.



Rob / Kansan

[Jack Cook]

Here's one I have of Brueland.

Here's one I have of Brueland

Cool!

Muchas Gracias!

Rob / Kansan

[Swiss Mustangs]

Rob

here are some more of "Wee Speck" & Brueland:







your picture of "Grim Reaper needs some more thoughts before I come up with an answer

Martin

[Jack Cook]

Hey
Martin,
Do you have a good one of Gil Talbot's "Peggy" GQ*P?
He was the 355th FS CO.

[Swiss Mustangs]

Jack

don't I wish

- this ship became J-2064 in Swiss AF service and is one of the few that have eluded me so far.....

So if anyone has a photo of 44-63666 GQ-P "Peggy" (port side) / "Deacon" (starboard side) - I'd be highly interested in it !

Martin

[Jack Cook]

I have 2 heh-heh-heh!