42-103793 Dimples II Santone Sweetheart
Object Number - UPL 57795 - P-51C 42-103793 IV-G "Dimples II". Lt Cuzner with his ground crew. Crew names still need to be completed but so far we have (L-R) Sgt. William E Wall...
Assigned to 369FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of Lt Harry F Cuzner. Re-assigned to Lt James R Parsons. Transferred to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Crashed fatally carrying out mock strafing attack during gunnery practice, flew into tree, ripping of a wing and exploding. Pilot Lt Merle G Aunspaugh Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Polebrook. 2-Mar-45.
Connections
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Units served with
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17131024 / O-2059710
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 496th Fighter Training Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16080701 / O-687236
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-679929
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38167127
- Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
- Role/Job: Armourer
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Polebrook, Peterborough PE8, UK | 2 March 1945 | Crashed fatally carrying out mock strafing attack during gunnery practice, flew into tree, ripping of a wing and exploding. Pilot Lt Merle G Aunspaugh Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Polebrook. 2-Mar-45. |
|
Manufactured |
Inglewood, CA, USA | Built at North American Aviation. | |
|
Delivered |
California, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
|
Assigned |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK | Assigned to 369FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. | |
|
Other Transferred |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK | Transferred to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. |