Looking at your first book on the 355th I see two photos of Kinnard's last 51D that show the rocket rails. Of the photos I've seen elsewhere of ETO birds with the zero length rails, the under wing squadron codes are also there, which I've always understood meant post VE Day. I imagine Kinnard's bird must be a D-25 like your Dad's was at the end or just after it ended? Looking through other Mustang unit histories of the 8th, they sure don't seem to show any indication they used the rockets operationally. I do believe the D-25s got to Iwo after June of 45 too.The 370th FG history shows a bunch of photos of a postwar line up of their Mustangs and no rocket rails are in evidence. Being 364th FG happy this is what I've found there. Babs in Arms, captioned as May 45 with rocket rails showing.(Image removed from quote.)And then John Lowell's bird without any indication of them in what is a postwar underside view.(Image removed from quote.)I'll be curious to what you find in your 355th FG stuff. What I would speculate is the ETO Groups got updated with rocket rails with the assumption they might go to the PTO and need them. But who knows? The wait for your updated 355th history is getting harder too!
Wow, you guys need help.
It's a K14. There is a light reflection blurr from the closed cockpit persplex. You can see the shape of the over sized kidney shaped bumper attatched to it's face.
