I need some education.

batjac Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:49 pm

I’m having a difficult time figuring out the symbols painted on this P-51B

I need some education. P51-b-mustang-nose-art-atlanta-peach

I understand the one and a half swastikas, the train, the trucks, and the dive-bomb symbols painted on the side. What I don’t know is what the five goose-stepping guys and the five brooms are. Can anyone tell me what those mean?

The Uneducated Mark

Marleysky Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:17 pm

Did a quick google search, found that same picture at glocktalk.com
Followed a link to this:
I know that some of the American aircraft in the ETO used the image of a broom to denote a fighter sweep and a top hat and cane for an escort mission. In the Pacific, at least some units used a rubber duck to mark aircraft destroyed on the ground.

https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/world-war-2-aircraft-tallies.531/

**RknRusty** Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:43 pm

Is that a black circle painted in front of the trucks? I'm guessing it's not a cannon slug hole.

batjac Fri Jun 03, 2016 2:03 am

RknRusty wrote:

Is that a black circle painted in front of the trucks? I'm guessing it's not a cannon slug hole.

The slight light reflection at the back of the hole makes me think it's a maintenance or access opening.

The DaVinci Mark

KariFS Fri Jun 03, 2016 4:15 am

batjac wrote:
The slight light reflection at the back of the hole makes me think it's a maintenance or access opening.

Maybe it's an opening for canopy lock release system? I don't see any levers, handles or other means to open the canopy.

Could be that the goose-stepping guys could mean missions against infantry. The victory marks look like this plane was used mostly for ground attacks.

OVERLORD Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:46 am

I found the symbols explained on this forum:

http://www.crash-aerien.news/forum/ww2-t20465-4140.html

"NA P-51B "MUSTANG" #43-7027 with code GQ-? named Georgia Peach piloted by Lt. William B. King belonging to the 354 Fighter Group, 355 Squadron of the 9th Air Force. (...)

- the brooms -sweeps- are combat missions or unplanned dog fights over enemy territory.
- 22 bomber escorting missions, 1 derstroyed locomotive and 2 attacks on DCA armed convois.
- The silhouets indicate attacks on ground troop concentrations.
The black circle in the centre is the exit hole for the signal flare that could be shot by a pistol from the cockpit."

The 9th Air Force was based in England and the 354th FG was based in Lashenden. The picture dates from june 1944 or later because the plane carries the invasion stripes on the wing. The picture was taken at the airfield of Criqueville en Bessin where the 354th FG was assigned to from 22 june until 13 August 1944. Criqueville en Bessin is the village near Pointe du Hoc.

I found also this picture of the 43-7027

http://www.usaaf-noseart.co.uk/plane.php?plane=georgia-peach35537027#.V1FssBJf2Uk

OVERLORD Fri Jun 03, 2016 7:16 am

William B King and his plane on film. For the plane détails, check out the last minute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYQ7EtprFnQ

and in this movie at 1 min 57 "To der Fuhurer mit Love" signed WBK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxQYWhZopQw

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