This is a P-51B-15-NA Mustang (S/N 43-24877) of the 325th FG, 318th FS, 15th AF. Nicknamed "Penrod" and coded #69, it was flown by six-victory ace and Squadron Commander Captain Roy Burton Hogg out of Lesina, Italy in the Summer of 1944. Captain Hogg joined the 325th in March 1943 and scored his victories in three different aircraft types (two in P-40s, two in P-47s, and two in this Mustang), a rare achievement. The name appears to be a reference to a popular comic character dating to 1914.
This aircraft would later be flown by Lieutenat Harold Kick with the markings "Chinese Laundry" on the left cowling, and "It's a Dog" on the right. It was one of the last three P-51Bs in the group. Lieutenant Kick said of the airplane:
"The 325th began receiving the bubble canopy Mustangs in October 1944. Most pilots wanted to fly them. When I had enough missions to be able to choose a plane. I chose #69. If it was good enough for Capt Hogg our Squadron C.O., it must be a good plane. I flew over 40 missions in #69 and never had any problems. the plane was maintained beautifully. I still regret that such a beautiful and expensive plane was cut up for junk. Today it would be worth $1,000,000.00."
This skin was originally created by Rogerdee.
I really went after the seams on this one, doing my best to hide them. I only had a couple that I gave up on with about 85% success. I'll try those again another day.
Sorry for the sreenshot quality. Perhaps my lighting is slightly different from what I've been using...but they're just not quite as crisp as I would like.
