Corporal Bailey of the 357th Fighter Group loads .50 caliber ammunition into the guns of a P-51 Mustang (G4-P, serial number 44-14245) nicknamed "Floogie II". ©IWM
Four P-51 Mustangs of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group fly in formation. ©IWM
Two mechanics crank the handle of a USAAF Bell P-39Q-1-BE Airacobra, at Hamilton Army Airfield, California (USA), in July of 1943. The aircraft "Saga Boy II" (serial number 42-19447) belonged to Lieutenant Colrnol Edward S. Chickering, commander of the 357th Fighter Group. When the Group moved to Great Britain in November 1943, it was reequipped with the North American P-51 Mustang. Wikipedia
Three P-51C’s lined up for a naming ceremony on June 3rd, 1944, at Base Air Depot 2. A P-51C-5-NT Mustang (C5-C, serial number 42-103601) nicknamed “Mazie R” and “Pride of the Yanks” (C5-Z, serial number 42-103502) with a P-51D-5-NA Mustang (GQ-A, serial number 44-13335) nicknamed “Too Bad”. The Republic P-47C Razorback Thunderbolt in the background is coded, LM-A with the serial number 42-28688 from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group.
Assigned to:
"Mazie R" - 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, and assigned to 1st Lieutenant John J. Salsman (2 aerial victories)
"Bat Cave" - 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, and assigned to Captain Charles D. Summer (4.5 aerial victories)
"Too Bad" - 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and assigned to Captain George R. Bickell (2 aerial victories) ©IWM
Major Even MeCall’s P-51D Mustang (G4-C, serial number 44-13316) nicknamed “Nooky Booky II” of the 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group. ©IWM
A P-51K Mustang (G4-_K, serial number 44-11697) nicknamed “Muddy” of the 357th Fighter Group at Steeple Morden. ©IWM
Captain Harvey Mace of the 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group with his P-51B-7-NA Mustang (G4-O, serial number 43-6923) nicknamed “Sweet Helen”. ©IWM
Major Donald H. Bochkay and his P-51B-10-NA Mustang (B6-F, serial number 43-6963) nicknamed “Speedball Alice” of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group. ©IWM
A P-51B-7-NA Mustang (B6-B, serial number 43-6999) nicknamed “Desert Rat” of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group. This aircraft was lost on August 17th, 1944 when Lieutenant Charles O. Campbell was killed in a training accident. The plane suffered a structural failure when the wing detached. ©IWM