This is a repaint only for the WWII Fighters P-51D. This Mustang was first delivered to the USAAF as 44-36807, and was assigned to the 8th Air Force. After the war it went to FA Uraguaya where it served as FAU 272, and then to FA Boliviana as FAB 506. In 1977 the aircraft was recovered from Bolivia and shipped to Canada where it operated until 1985 when it was sold to Ed Stringfellow/Mid South Lumber Company of Birmingham, Alabama, and flew up until 2000 as Tiger Lilly. In 2001 Jon Vesely purchased the aircraft and it was shipped to Midwest Aero Restorations, Illinois, where it began an in-depth restoration at the skilled hands of Mike Vadeboncoeur and his crew. Amazingly restored to factory specifications throughout, the aircraft was finished in the markings of "Daddy's Girl", a Mustang originally flown durring WWII by Ray Wetmore, a 22+ kill ace of the 359th Fighter Group. In the summer of 2004 the aircraft made its first post-restoration flight, and won the Reserve Grand Champion Warbird-WWII award at EAA Oshkosh, the same year. Since 2004 the aircraft has been owned and operated by Charles Somers, and based in California.
Originally uploaded by Bomber_12th (2007-10-26 13:43:25)
Originally uploaded by Bomber_12th (2007-10-26 13:43:25)
