Thanks to all of you who helped me out on it...
This is Lieutenant Karl K. Dittmer's P-51D Mustang, "DOPEY OKIE" of the 352nd FG, 487th FS. It is another of Mus51's orphans. I redid the entire skin although I kept a small section of his metal work in it as a gesture of appreciation. In working on his skins I've learned a LOT about the subject. I would have liked to see what he would do using the current engine.
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Karl Dittmer was born on January 1, 1923, in El Reno, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on April 6, 1942, and was commissioned a 2nd Lt and awarded his pilot wings on April 22, 1943. After completing B-17 Flying Fortress training, he served as a B-17 aircraft commander with the 549th Bomb Squadron of the 385th Bomb Group in England from January to November 1944, followed by service as a P-51 Mustang pilot with the 487th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group from September 1944 to February 1945. During his time with the 352nd Fighter Group, he was credited with the destruction of one enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
He had an amazing career including service in Korea flying F-86s (three victories, five damaged) and Vietnam in O-1 Bird Dogs. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1969 and passed away in 2003.
