P-39N (Q model in AH) flown by Shuford "Big Al" Alexander of the 350th FG, 346th FS. Elmas Airbase, Sardinia. 1944.
The 350th FG was the last unit in the USAAF outside of the PTO to use the P-39, finally converting to P-47's in the late summer of 1944. The unit concentrated on armed reconnaissance and ground attack missions, though some defensive patrols were conducted. A Distinguished Unit Citation was awarded to the 350th for actions on April 6, 1944, where it's pilots conducted 75 sorties over 10 missions into heavily defended territory in Italy. They destroyed 3 bridges, 2 air warning/observation posts, 2 trucks, a barracks and inflicted many German casualties. Most impressively, they downed 5 Luftwaffe fighters.
Alexander, however, did not score any air victories in his flying career. His claim to fame came in October 1944, when he was shot down over Italy in a P-47. He evaded capture for 30 days before being picked up, only to escape a week later with a group of British POW's. Together, they covered over 500 miles of ground on foot evading capture, eventually making it back to Allied lines in February 1945.
Alexander's P-39 features the standard OD green over Neutral Gray camouflage with yellow MTO markings on the wings and tail with a red prop spinner. The name "Millie" is painted on the starboard nose in large block letters with a painting of Bugs Bunny leaning on the 'M". I also added the name and Bugs to the port side, but this is pure artistic license.
