P-51D Mustang 44-14789 "Missouri Armada" flown by Capt. John "Johnny" B. England.John Brooke England was born in 1923 at Caruthersville, Missouri. His service number was O-739263 and he joined the 362nd FS of the 357th FG in April 1943 as a 1/Lt meaning that he was part of the original cadre that left the ZI in November 1943 for the UK. He was promoted to Captain and then to Major. He took command of the 362nd FS on 25 August 1944. He served two tours with the 357th FG for a total of 108 operational missions giving a total of 460 hours combat flying time. He was the second highest scorer in the 357th with a total of 17.5 victories. England finished his second tour and rotated home on 26 January 1945. He remained in the service after the war and was killed in an F-86 crash in November 1954 in France. Alexandria Air Force base in Louisiana was renamed England Air Force Base in his honor. The aircraft was later assigned to Lt. Oscar Ridley, who renamed it "Sad Sack". The a/c was lost on 18 april 1945, with Lt Ridley evading capture. Repaint for the Shockwave WWII Mustang by Jan Kees Blom, based on the paintkit by John Terrell.
By jankees (2008-04-06 00:31:00)
By jankees (2008-04-06 00:31:00)
