After a landing accident in Arizona in July 2017, Spitfire Mk Vb JG891 was shipped to England and flew again on July 6. She is currently decorated as JK879, a No 249 Squadron aircraft flown from Malta by Flt Sgt John G. “Jack” Hughes (RCAF).

“February” is a P-51D-30-NA which was accepted by the USAAF in May 1945 as s/n 44-74391 and served in the US until 1958. It then served with the Guatemalan AF until 1972 when it returned to the US civilian market. It was restored in 2001 and registered as NX351MX.

It carries the markings of the P-51D “February” flown by James L. Brooks, a Mustang ace of the 31st Fighter Group in World War II.

A more complete history of this warbird can be found on Mustangs Mustangs.

More information on the Shark’s history on Mustangs Mustangs and Flying Legends.

Updated on 30 Dec 2017: H/T to Huw H. for pointing out the incorrect canopy type!

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 later served in the Dominican air force until returning to the US in 1984. For more information on this beautiful warbird, visit the Mustangs Mustangs or Flying Legends websites.

It is said that Whisner never chose this name and nose art for his assigned aircraft. Instead, it was selected by John C. Meyer, the CO of the 352nd Fighter Group, who wanted to impress Princess Elizabeth when she came to visit the unit at Bodney and singled out Whisner’s aircraft as it was the only one not yet decorated or named. Whisner was reportedly less than happy with the name and media attention that resulted from this event.

A complete history of this beautiful warbird can be found on the Crazy Horse Aviation Photography website.

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 in Flying Legends.

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.