Salem Representive images for Oboe

[Guppy35]

Kidd Hofer's P51B 42-106924 QP-L was one of a few, if not the only 4th FG natural metal P51B to be given OD camo wings and fuselage spine.

The suggestion is that it was done as camo as the 4th Mustangs might have been based on the continent after the invasion.  As it's the only silver 4th B that I've seen with that camo, it also might have been the Kidd's idea.  His CO Deacon Hively had the only camo painted D model in the 4th as he thought it was helpful.  The Kidd may have thought the same.

Either way, it started out as a natural metal B.  It did not have the Salem Rep art originally and it didn't have a Malcom Hood to start either.  It later carried full invasion stripes.  It was not the plane that the Kidd was killed in.

Lots of images to follow with info before each.

Dan/Slack

Color art of the boxing mule.  This was the nose art on his Jug but shows the colors of the mule so I included it as there aren't color shots of Salem Rep


Early photo of the P51 pre nose art and pre Malcom hood.  You can see the OD camo on the wing and the rough edges to it as well as the black band going through the OD.  Note the "KIDD" on the wheel door.  This was only on the one door.


Probably the earliest photo of the nose art on a pre-Malcom hood image of Salem Rep.


QP-L in the hanger getting a Malcom hood.  Note the OD camo on the fuselage spine.  Also note that all these photos are pre-D-Day, in May of 44


The Kidd with his German shepard on the wing of Salem Rep.  Another view of the rough camo on the wing and the black band.


The Kidd on the roll in May 44.  Note the white sidewalls on Salem Rep and also note the hard to see, but clearly there, red ID band on the vertical tail.  Both he and Deacon Hively had this on their B models.


A good close up of the Kidd in the cockpit of Salem Rep, showing the nose art.


And finally a profile from the Osprey book on 8th AF Mustang aces showing Salem Rep.  

[airmess]

very nice pictures.

airmess

[oboe]

Great stuff, thanks Guppy!

Might be a while before I get to it; found some problems in the brace of 47D-11s that I recently did.

I should know better by now - ALWAYS check the panel layer against the control surface movement very early in development!

[nopoop]

Sometimes the damn things move from skin to skin also

[Rafe35]

I got a list that Kidd Hofer's Aerial Victories:

10/08/43 - Me 109 - P-47D QP*M
02/06/44 - Me 109 - P-47D QP*M
03/16/44 - Me 110 - P-51B QP*L
03/18/44 - Me 109 (2) - P-51B QP*J
03/23/44 - FW 190/Me 109 - P-51B QP*L
04/01/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*L
04/04/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*L
04/11/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*A
05/01/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*S
05/12/44 - Me 109 (0.5) - P-51B QP*W
05/21/44 - Bu 131 (0.5) - P-51B QP*H
05/22/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*L
05/24/44 - FW 190 (2) - P-51B QP*L
05/28/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*L
06/21/44 - Me 109 - P-51B QP*X

Kidd was flying North American P-51B QP*X which he was killed while flying it on July 2 1944 and also his plane wearing D-Day Mark.

Rafe35

[Rafe35]

Here the P-51B that he was killed on it:

North American P-51B Mustang - QP*X

[Mister Fork]

What happened? Shot down? Didn't return?