Anatomy of a Mustang

Air Classics, Dec 2000

THIS NEW PIECE OF ART OFFERS A LOOK AT THE INNER WORKINGS OF A FAMOUS FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

When Mustang owner Vlado Lenoch and artist Hans Jenssen got together to create an inner view of the P-51 D Mustang, neither realized that it would take a couple of years to create the art that graces these pages. Vlado wanted to show in great detail just what it takes to comprise a Mustang and a tremendous amount of research went into the project. The art depicts P-51D-10-NA USAAF s/n 44-14237, coding HOW, flown by Captain William T. Whisner in the ETO. Born during 1923 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Whisper would go on to receive his wings on 16 February 1943 at Napier Field, Alabama, and was transferred to the 352nd Fighter Group a few days later,

Achieving his first victory in a Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, Whisner was soon flying the Mustang following his transition to the fighter. He went on to achieve a WWII total of 15.5 victories - all against Luftwaffe fighters along with two probables.

Whisper also saw combat during the Korean War, shooting down 5.5 MiG 15s and damaging six more while flying with the 334th and 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadrons. A career USAF officer, Whisper retired to Alexandria, Louisiana, but the valiant fighter ace died following an allergic reaction to a yellow jacket sting on 21 July 1989. Vlado Lenoch has painted his Mustang to honor the ace and a photograph can be found in our Reno coverage. AC