Out on a mission?

Flight Journal, Feb 2003 by Post, Roger

CLASSICS

From time to time, someone calls us who has photographs that were taken during WW If by a dad, uncle, brother, etc. "Would these photos be of interest to you?" they ask. "And how!" is usually our answer; then we calm down and ask them to send us samples. Sometimes the photos are too blurry or scratched to use; some have faded away to nothing, or the Composition is so cluttered that the photo is useless. But once in a while, we receive it great one.

This past summer, the last scenario happened when Brenda Chaput called to say that she had some color slides her late uncle had left her. She was the only one in the next generation of her family who was interested in aviation, and her uncle-a WW II veteranwanted her to have them. Lucky Brenda! This great Mustang shot is one of several color slides he had in his possession.

We know that this is a P-51D5-NA from the 374FS 361FG, but we don't know who the pilot is and why he is wearing an officer's hat instead of a flying helmet. Chances are, this was not a mission to Germany; perhaps it was a training flight over England. When we checked the record books, there were three Mustangs listed with B7 M; pilots E.B. Murdy and J.C. Mitenbuler were listed for two of the P-51, but no one was listed for 44-13626. If you have any information, please send it to flightjournal@airange.com. We're interested in your comments.

-Roger Post

Original WW II colorPholo courtesy of Brenda Chaput