Martin Kyburz
03/19/2002 01:07
This is P-51D-5-NA 44-13396 that initially served with 363rd FG 381st FS 9th AAF, nicknamed 'One Long Hop' and coded B3-?; being the assigned a/c of Lt. Charles E. Shea; Shea then transferred to 354th FG 355th FS 9th AAF and took the a/c with him, when the 363rd FG was reformed into an reconnaissance unit. The a/c retained the nickname 'One Long Hop', but the code changed to GQ-G. When the 354th FG converted to P-47's late in 1944, some a/c were taken over by the 9th WRS (Weather Reconnaissance Squadron), attached to the 354th FG.
The picture in question shows the third identity of this a/c while being with the 9th WRS, coded 8O-K, (O- for Oscar, not number zero !) nicknamed 'Mary Alice'.
MustangsMustangs
03/31/2002 12:00
Excellent work Martin!