P-51D 44-15459 "American Beauty" was assigned to Captain John Voll, of the 308th FS/31st FG, based in Italy. Lt. John Voll completed flying training in January 1944 and was assigned to the 31st Fighter Group, then stationed in Italy. This war-hardened unit began operations during ?Torch,? the invasion of North Africa, and continued to operate in the Mediterranean Theater until the end of the war. Voll, a 21-year-old rookie, quickly mastered the P-51 and by July 1944 scored his 5th victory to become an ace. Four months later, he left the theater with 21 confirmed victories, 3 probables, and 4 damaged enemy aircraft in his log. Captain Voll?s final victories came in ?American Beauty,? a P-51D, on 16 November 1944. Beginning the day as lead on an escort mission to Munich, he was forced to abort due to an electrical problem. As he returned alone, he spotted a single Ju-88 over Udine, Italy, and gave chase. He was jumped by 12 German fighters and in a frantic 5-minute battle, Voll shot down the Ju-88, an Me-109, and two FW-190?s. That day, Voll became the leading ace in Fifteenth Air Force. Repaint for the Shockwave WWII Mustang by Jan Kees Blom, based on paintkit by John Terrell.
by jankees (2008-01-20 02:55:08)
by jankees (2008-01-20 02:55:08)
