This P-51D-25-NA was built in 1944 and served in the USAAF but did not see combat. From 1951 to 1958, it served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, before joining the civilian registry. For a time, it carried the colours of “Old Crow”, the Mustang flown by American ace Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson. In 2012,…Continue reading P-51 Mustang “The Shark”
This Mustang was built as an F-6K-15-NT (s/n 44-12852) but was later restored as a P-51D and given the markings of the aircraft flown by Lt Col Thomas L. Hayes Jr. of the 357th Fighter Group. After the war, the aircraft flew in the 1946 Cleveland Air Races but crash-landed due to engine failure. It…Continue reading More Mustang survivors: “Frenesi”
This P-51C-10-NT Mustang is serial number 43-25147. Built in 1943, its wartime service is unclear but it served with the Israeli air force after World War II, before joining the Israeli civilian registry. It is painted in the colours and markings of “Princess Elizabeth”, the P-51B flown by Lt William Whisner, a future 5.5-victory ace…Continue reading P-51C “Princess Elizabeth”
This is the Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 (c/n 5289) flown by Petty Officer First Class Takeshi Hirano during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Flying from the Akagi, Hirano was part of the first wave. At 08:10 he was shot down by AA fire from the USS Helm and Fort Kamehameha near Hickam. His…Continue reading PO1c Tekeshi Hirano’s A6M2 Model 21
And now for another preserved Mustang: P-51B-1-NA s/n 43-24837 registered N515ZB and painted as “Berlin Express” flown by ace Bill Overstreet of the 357th Fighter Group, who became famous for flying under the Eiffel tower while successfully shooting down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 in 1944. “Berlin Express” flew across the Atlantic this year to take part…Continue reading P-51B “Berlin Express”
This profile was commissioned as part of a series on the Flying Horsemen aerobatic team. It is a P-51D-25-NA which previously flew with registrations N5077K, N711UP and N71TF. It was restored in 2005 and received the colours of Lt. Col. William Bailey’s “Double Trouble Two” of the 352nd Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group.
I’m adding a new category called “Work notes” to the website, comprising of notes I’ve taken while creating my profile templates. I’m hoping this might be of interest to viewers, and you should feel free to comment or make corrections if you believe I am mistaken on any topic. This first work note is about…Continue reading P-51D/K Mustang canopy variations
The Spitfire F.21 was the last Spitfire version to serve in World War II. Considered as an interim version, it led to the ultimate Spitfire marks: the F.22 and F.24. These profiles were created for the book “Squadrons! No.7: The Supermarine Spitfire F.21” by Phil Listemann.
I recently learned of the passing of Stephen C. Ananian, who flew with the 339th Fighter Group during World War II. Stephen was born on Christmas Day 1922 and joined the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor. He was deployed to the UK with the 339th FG and was shot down on his first mission,…Continue reading In Memoriam Stephen Ananian †
Here are four views of T-6G s/n 42-85886 “Ready for Duty”, registered F-AZBL. I don’t often get to make complete four-views of aircraft, so this was interesting !