eBay: North American P-51 Mustang

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P-51D-10-NA 44-14523 USAAF 385th FS/364th FG as 5E-x. 1945 USAAF 434th FS/479th FG as L2-K. "The Yakima Chief" piloted by Lt. Harold Stotts of Yakima WA. The 434th FS, 479th FG, 8th AF; was based at Wattisham Station, England during 1944/45. The 434th FS was commanded by Maj. Robin Olds and the 479th FG was commanded by Lt. Col. Kyle L. Riddle, Riddles Raiders. The 479th was the last group to enter the war in the ETO on 14 May 1944. These photos were posted in a Facebook group by Roderick Martinez, the son of Cpl. Ramon Martinez of Copeland, KS, the Armorer of "The Yakima Chief".

Image #1 L>R Crew Chief, Oakley; Pilot, Lt. Harold Stotts, and Armorer Cpl. Ramon Martinez. Cpl. Martinez was 1 of only 3 Mexican Americans in the 479th FG.

Image #2 L>R Cpl. Martinez and his best friend, Crew Chief, Sgt. Bill Davis.

Image #3 Wing Armorer's of the 434th FS with Cpl. Martinez on the left.

Image #4 Maintenance being performed on "The Yakima Chief" with Clp. Martinez kneeling under the wing.
 

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  • Our father Corporal Ramon Martinez of Copeland KS wing armorer with the 434th FS, 479th FG Wat...jpg
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  • L to R wing armorer Corporal Ramon Martinez of Copeland KS and his best friend crew chief Sgt....jpg
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  • P-51D-10-NA 44-14523 USAAF 385th FS364th FG as 5E-x. 1945 USAAF 434th FS479th FG as L2-K..jpg
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  • THE YAKIMA CHIEF, P51D L to R crew chief Oakley, Lt. Harold Stotts of Yakima WA, our father Co...jpg
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  • Wing armorer's with 434th FS, 479th FG Wattisham England Air Field 19441945..jpg
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F-51D-25, 44-73888, 39th FIS 18th FBG Seoul City AB (K-16) Korea 1951. Can anyone shed some light on the "cut open" tank under the wing? I have reached out to the 39th FS folks and have no response....yet! It is probably being used as a 'travel pod' but why wouldn't a 'door' be made for it? It has the squadron stenciled on it....and it may be painted 1/2 blue and 1/2 white, the squadron colors. I put it up on my facebook group and folks there are scratching their head too.
 
Reap:
The 'cut open' tank as you say, was likely used to transport none combat related gear. I know of one instance where a Spitifre used a similar tank to transport Beer! I think I like the beer transport configuration the best!
 
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