Pic of a Particular P51 requested.

[Jim68]

G'day gents, newbie requiring some help for a model. In particular an image of a P51 named "Marian". It belonged to the 36thFS and was shot down. It's pilot " Lt.Griffon" was captured and taken POW. He was shot down near Prague. Plenty of pics and info about it previous life as "Jersey Bounce III". But I have yet to find a pic anywhere on the web or in a book. I know it may be a long shot, but if anyone had an image of this aircraft as "Marian" it would be greatly appreciated by me. I am trying to locate specifically the nose art. This would enable my friend Rian to finish his model. Once again, thankyou. Cheers Jim in West Oz.

 

[kiwimac]

I'll see what I can find out for you, Jim

Kiwimac

 

[kiwimac]

Jim,

Is that the 36th Pursuit that was stationed in Mareeba, Australia at one time? They did not fly the European front but were pacific-war only/ As well they did not receive the P-51 (F-51) until 1946.

Can you clarify for me?

Kiwimac

 

[lesofprimus]

Here is a listing of the 36th Fighter Squadron...

Selfridge Field, MI, 2 Oct 1930; Langley Field, VA, 13 Jun 1932; Mitchel Field, NY, 15 Nov 1940–26 Jan 1942; Brisbane, Australia, 6 Mar 1942; Lowood, Australia, 13 Mar 1943; Townsville, Australia, 4 Apr 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 26 Apr 1942; Townsville, Australia, 30 Jun 1942; Milne Bay, New Guinea, 18 Sep 1942; Mareeba, Australia, 22 Feb 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 22 May 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 22 Dec 1943; Finschhafen, New Guinea, 9 Jan 1944; Nadzab, New Guinea, 14 Mar 1944; Owi, Schouten Islands, 17 Jun 1944; Morotai, 19 Sep 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 5 Nov 1944 (operated from Morotai, 5–30 Nov 1944); San Jose, Mindoro, 20 Dec 1944; Ie Shima, 6 Aug 1945; Fukuoka, Japan, 24 Nov 1945; Ashiya AB, Japan, 22 May 1946; Itazuke AB, Japan, 6 Sep 1946; Ashiya AB, Japan, 14 Apr 1947; Itazuke AB, Japan, 25 Mar 1949; Tsuiki AB, Japan, 11 Aug 1950; Suwon AB, South Korea, 5 Oct 1950

No ETO or WTO of operations...

 

[lesofprimus]

Try this site... They may have "Marian: here.... I havent looked through all the pics and nose art, but theres alot of em....

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51pics/noseart/noseart1.shtml

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

wow you guys can find anything................

 

[lesofprimus]

I'm 38 and been on the internet since it existed... I'm pretty good at research....

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

do you know of any specailist military search sites, i always have to use google....................

 

[lesofprimus]

No not really, just web rings.... They really are great... Go to

http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/departments.html

and get a start..

 

[kiwimac]

I'm 44 and I have been usng the Internet since the late 1980s, as well I am a qualified librarian so I am moderately good at research.

Kiwimac

 

[kiwimac]

2nd Lt. Benjamin Griffin seems not to have been photographed (at least so far)

Kiwimac

 

[lesofprimus]

I have found one squadron pic with him in it, but he is unidentifiable in it...

I have not been able to get a pic of his plane, but I have a couple emails out to people that might be able to steer me in the right direction...

 

[lesofprimus]

Third plane was a P-51D, # 44-14277, VF-H, Jersey Bounce III. He had this airplane from the beginning of September (9/1/1944) to the end of his tour (3/12/45). Ben Griffin was shot down in this plane while strafing an airdrome near Prague on 4/16/1945.

 

[lesofprimus]

I think i got the pic ur looking 4....


http://www.consolidatedmarkets.com/Vargas1.jpg

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

as well I am a qualified librarian so I am moderately good at research.

what sort of qualifications do you need for that?? i'm not being rude, i'm genuinely interested............

 

[kiwimac]

Lanc,

I studied for 3 years at a tertiary institution. Most large unis / Teacher's Colleges / Polytechnics have some kind of librarian training program.

Take a look around.

Kiwimac