StormILM
Charter Member
P-51D Pilot Story from my family(also thanks to Jan Kees Blom)
I want to say special thank you to Jan Kees Blom for making the repaints of P-51D "Barbara" for both the A2A and now Warbirdsim P-51D's. Some time ago, if I recall correctly, one of my friends tried to help me locate someone who could repaint the A2A FS9 P-51D in the colors of the plane my late cousin flew during the War. I eventually was placed in contact with Jan and he went above and beyond and making a small dream come true for me in remembrance of my late cousin and his service and sacrifice. Today I saw where Jan recreated the repaint for the Warbirdsim model as well. I don't own that model yet but at least for those who do, they can fly these colors/markings in this beautiful aircraft. So if I may, I would like to share a short story of my late cousin and the story behind the P-51D Barbara. My late cousin. Lieutenant Sellers S. Hardee was assigned the the 355FG, 357th FS at Steeple Morden, England between 1944-45. For most of his time there he was a junior officer who flew wingman to the more senior pilots and aces in the group/squadron, including Capt. Fred Haviland Jr. When Capt. Haviland rotated back stateside, my cousin was assigned Capt. Haviland's Mustang, named Barbara. Over the course of time, my cousin became an experienced and successful fighter pilot in performance during his missions. On February 9, 1945, following a B-17 escort mission his squadron strafed the Kothen, Mensdorf, Burg, and Brandenburg airdromes. In one pass, my cousin destroyed one JU-188, JU-88, JU-52, and Me-109 on the ground. On February 23 following conclusion of another B-17 escort mission, he claimed one more Me-109 destroyed on a strafing run.
This is from the official record narrative of his crash/loss:
One February 24, 1945, Lt. Hardee was flying P-51D-10 #44-14402 "Barbara" on a return from a B-17 escort mission over Germany. He was flying #2 of Yellow Flight as they crossed over into England on return to Steeple Morden. At this time, the flight leader began to notice Lt' Hardee losing altitude and speed. Lt. Hardee then began a shallow dive of 20 degrees on a straight course while making no calls on the radio indicating any trouble. Other members of the flight noticed nothing unusual about Lt. Hardee's aircraft. He continued to lose altitude until at 50 ft agl he jettisoned the canopy just before impacting the ground and then coming to a rest. Lt. Hardee suffered severe head injuries from his head hitting the gunsight on impact. He was taken to the 65th General Hospital but died of his injuries on March 10, 1945. The official investigation indicated that the engine of Lt. Hardee's A/C suffered a mechanical failure that caused fuel starvation and subsequent loss of power. His fuel tanks were found to still have a significant level fuel in them.
He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal(5th Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Purple Heart. He is at rest in the American Cemetery at Cambridge-Madingly, England.
His photo:
View attachment 49356View attachment 49355
I want to say special thank you to Jan Kees Blom for making the repaints of P-51D "Barbara" for both the A2A and now Warbirdsim P-51D's. Some time ago, if I recall correctly, one of my friends tried to help me locate someone who could repaint the A2A FS9 P-51D in the colors of the plane my late cousin flew during the War. I eventually was placed in contact with Jan and he went above and beyond and making a small dream come true for me in remembrance of my late cousin and his service and sacrifice. Today I saw where Jan recreated the repaint for the Warbirdsim model as well. I don't own that model yet but at least for those who do, they can fly these colors/markings in this beautiful aircraft. So if I may, I would like to share a short story of my late cousin and the story behind the P-51D Barbara. My late cousin. Lieutenant Sellers S. Hardee was assigned the the 355FG, 357th FS at Steeple Morden, England between 1944-45. For most of his time there he was a junior officer who flew wingman to the more senior pilots and aces in the group/squadron, including Capt. Fred Haviland Jr. When Capt. Haviland rotated back stateside, my cousin was assigned Capt. Haviland's Mustang, named Barbara. Over the course of time, my cousin became an experienced and successful fighter pilot in performance during his missions. On February 9, 1945, following a B-17 escort mission his squadron strafed the Kothen, Mensdorf, Burg, and Brandenburg airdromes. In one pass, my cousin destroyed one JU-188, JU-88, JU-52, and Me-109 on the ground. On February 23 following conclusion of another B-17 escort mission, he claimed one more Me-109 destroyed on a strafing run.
This is from the official record narrative of his crash/loss:
One February 24, 1945, Lt. Hardee was flying P-51D-10 #44-14402 "Barbara" on a return from a B-17 escort mission over Germany. He was flying #2 of Yellow Flight as they crossed over into England on return to Steeple Morden. At this time, the flight leader began to notice Lt' Hardee losing altitude and speed. Lt. Hardee then began a shallow dive of 20 degrees on a straight course while making no calls on the radio indicating any trouble. Other members of the flight noticed nothing unusual about Lt. Hardee's aircraft. He continued to lose altitude until at 50 ft agl he jettisoned the canopy just before impacting the ground and then coming to a rest. Lt. Hardee suffered severe head injuries from his head hitting the gunsight on impact. He was taken to the 65th General Hospital but died of his injuries on March 10, 1945. The official investigation indicated that the engine of Lt. Hardee's A/C suffered a mechanical failure that caused fuel starvation and subsequent loss of power. His fuel tanks were found to still have a significant level fuel in them.
He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal(5th Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Purple Heart. He is at rest in the American Cemetery at Cambridge-Madingly, England.
His photo:
View attachment 49356View attachment 49355
