The heritage of the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers" traces back to the famed American Volunteer Group. The AVG, started by Brig. Gen. Claire Chennault, provided air defense for China in the early days of WWII. When the United States entered the war in 1941, the AVG was disbanded, reconstituted and then activated as the 23d Fighter Group on July 4, 1942. The 74th was one of the original four squadrons in the 23d to see combat action in the Far East. The 23rd Fighter Group used P40 Warhawks, and later P-51 Mustangs, to cover a large operational area and diverse combat roles. The area of operation extended beyond China into Burma, French Indochina (Vietnam) and Formosa. The mission taskings included counter air campaigns, strafing and bombing Japanese forces and installations, escorting bombers, flying reconnaissance missions and intercepting Japanese bombers. The fighter group excelled in these roles and received the Distinguished Unit Citation for its exceptional performance during the war. This aircraft represents North American P-51B-7 (probably 43-7060) "Tommy's Dad" as flown by Maj. John C. Herbst, CO of the 74th FS/23rd FG, Luliang in January 1945.
North American P-51B Mustang
Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."
~~Corgi's 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.
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North American P-51B Mustang "Tommy's Dad", Maj.John C.Herbst, Co Of The 74th FS/23rd FG, Luliang, January 1945.
