F-51 Mustangs FF-197 and FF-822 of the 192nd FBS
Hello Bomber_12th!
In your postings you state the following:
March 14th, 2013, 20:04:
„1952 - F-51D-20-NA 44-72197 “FF-197” (192nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Keflavik AB, Iceland)“
March 23rd, 2013, 17:08:
„Although it won't be done before then, I do want to do FF-822, as you have posted the image of above, John. That aircraft served within the same Squadron as FF-197 (included in Mustang Tales), with the same tri-colors but in a different scheme, both operating in Iceland.“
I would like to correct that both of these particular aircraft (FF-197 and FF-822) did not serve at Keflavik AB in Iceland, although they most likely did serve with the 192nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron while in the USA. Of corse this fact is only relevant in connection to the historic service record of the aircraft in question and does not affect any „physical“ details of the aircraft.
All of the 25 F-51 Mustangs serving with the IDF in Iceland were painted in distinctive arctic-red markings on upper and lower wing ends, on all three tail airfoils and the aft end of the fuselage, before their transfer from USA to Iceland. This is confirmed by the serial number list of the IDF-Mustangs which actually served with the IDF in Iceland and by all known photographs showing the IDF-Mustangs actually located in Iceland.
The 44-72197 / FF-197 and 44-73822 / FF-822 Mustangs are not on the serial number list of the 25 IDF-Mustangs which actually served with the IDF in Iceland.
Images of “FF-197” show the aircraft without the distinctive arctic-red markings which was applied to all the 25 IDF-Mustangs which actually served with the IDF in Iceland before their transfer from the USA to Iceland. Images of “FF-822” show the aircraft with a blend of original 192nd FBS stripes on the aft fuselage and canopy frame and the arctic-red markings of the IDF. No photographs are known to exist which show “FF-197” and “FF-822” actually stationed in Iceland. All known photographs of “FF-197” and “FF-822” are obviously taken in other countries than in Iceland.
I am in possession of a documentation by Col. Robert W. Gruenhagen, the flight chief, line chief and quality control inspector for the F-51 Mustangs squadron stationed at Keflavik-airbase, Iceland in 1952-53. Col. R. W. Gruenhagen is the author of the well known book „MUSTANG - The Story Of The P-51 Fighter“ which incorporates many photographs from his stay in Keflavik, Iceland. According to Col. Gruenhagen the following Mustangs served at Keflavik AB in Iceland. The aircraft were assigned to the 192 Ftr Bmr Sqdn. (TAC) with support crews made up from three squadrons of the 146 Ftr Bmr Wg, the 178th, 186th and 190th.
Serial:
44-72708
44-73788
44-74482
44-74880
44-74845
44-74717
44-73769
44-74586
44-74963
44-72843
44-74377
44-74522
44-84769
44-74382
44-73996
44-73826
44-74870
44-73409
44-74317
44-74811
44-84834
44-74975
44-74959
44-74368
45-11364
The transfer of the IDF-Mustangs from USA to Iceland is also well documented by Jeffrey L. Ethell (1947-1997) in his well known book „P-51 Mustang, A Documentary History“. Jeffrey was the son of Major Ervin „Erv“ C. Ethell (1920-2003) which commanded the IDF-Mustangs during the first half of their seven month service time in Iceland before being replaced by F-94Cs.