Korean Mustang

Air Classics, Jun 2002 by Allen, Leonard

I was surprised to find a Korean War F-51D painted up as a copy of an old friend in the March issue's centerspread. It's the Mustang with the buzz number FF-197. I was the alternate crew chief on the original which was flown by our wing commander, Colonel Ramsey. When the assigned crew chief was away, I filled in and did the honors. Colonel Ramsey was the wing commander of the 131st FighterBomber Wing which was made up of the 110th, 170th, and the 192nd. The squadron colors were red for the 110th, yellow for the 170th, and dark blue for the 192nd. Since Col. Ramsey was Wing Commander, he wanted his plane to carry all three colors. The Mustang was assigned to the 192nd and our squadron painter, Roy Taylor, did the honors. I don't know whose idea it was for the design, but Roy told me it was his idea approved by the Colonel. Roy was quite proud of the plane as he did a very good job. He was a car painter in civilian life.

The paint scheme came from Signal Publications No. 45 which had the colors wrong. The book painting has the dark blue portions painted black, as does the aircraft in your centerfold. One other possible mistake in the publication concerns the drop tanks. When we were on active duty, there were no special tanks for that plane we used any that were available. The tanks could have been painted after I was discharged.

I would like to thank you for the "Forgotten Racers" series. I grew up during that time and loved the Movietone News at the theater when they showed the races. I have many books on the subject, some old, some new, and I also have 1/48th scale models of all I can find. I have been unable to find one for the Wedell-Williams racers.

Leonard Allen

POB 517

Railroad Flat, CA

95248