44-13779
'Two unnamed pilots pose alongside the last Mustang (P-51D 44-13779) assigned to Col Don Blakeslee when Commanding 0fficer of the 4th Fighter Group.'
By the time this photo was taken, Colonel Blakeslee had rotated home and 44-13779 had been reassigned to Second Lieutenant (Previously Flight Officer) Olin A Kiser. The extended red nose band (24") appeared in early December 1944 and lasted until about 1st January 1945 when it was swept down under the nose to a point which ended and centered at the wing leading edge. As can be seen, 335th Fighter Squadron aircraft had white rudders with a thin red outline. This embellishment dated from about 10th October 1944.
Higher quality image of UPL 15468 sent to the AAM by Pyker (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/user/803)
Caption from p.103 of '4th Fighter Group - Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz provided by Apollo11 (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/user/4351)
Additional details provided by Pyker.
This was the last Mustang assigned to Col. Donald Blakeslee, Commanding Officer of the the 4th Fighter Group.
As Blakeslee rotated home in November 1944, the aircraft was reassigned to Lt. Kiser having been repaired.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885264
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot, Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-125356
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-762408
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Delivered |
15 June 1944 | Aircraft delivered. | |
Other Gained |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 30 June 1944 | Gained by 4th Fighter Group and assigned to Col. Blakeslee.. |
Other Early return |
8 August 1944 | Early return from mission due to problem with right drop tank. | |
Crashed |
RAF Harrowbeer, Dartmoor National Park, Yelverton, Devon PL20, UK | 1 November 1944 | Crashed - belly landed by Col Blakeslee at RAF Harrowbeer. Cat 3 damage. |
Other Accident |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 29 November 1944 | Taxiing accident [ground crew]. Cat 3 damage. |
Crashed |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 20 March 1945 | Crashed - belly landed by Lt. Herman S Rasmussen due to engine failure. Cat 3 damage. |
Other Salvaged |
21 September 1945 | Salvage date per individual aircraft record card. |
Revisions
Updated markings description, added association of pilot and squadron. Added correct production block number. Detailed aircraft biography.
Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz.