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 P-51 Contrary Mary WZ-I Tail marking
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clsspace

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P-51 Contrary Mary WZ-I Tail marking - 08/28/2008 09:08:12 AM
Any ideas on why the tail is checkered and not red?
Col.J.D.Landers

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Re:P-51 Contrary Mary WZ-I Tail marking - 08/28/2008 09:49:49 AM
Hi There,

Having done research into John Landers, I can say with some degree of confidence that Roy Caviness's 'Contrary Mary' was given the same ground crew....and he was also given the same rank, as the Departing Col. John D Landers.

As result you have the same WZ-I letter designation, the same artist did the nose art, and the checkers ( to wings and tail) where to designate that both (as with Landers 'Big Beautiful Doll' ) were the plane belonged to the Commanding Officers.

Hope that helps

Nate
Col.J.D.Landers

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Re:P-51 Contrary Mary WZ-I Tail marking - 08/28/2008 09:53:24 AM
PS. Red rudders were for 82nd FS...this would have been Black for the 84th. but this time red trim was common on all 78th FG planes. Much of it for decoration.
buckeyeuk

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Re:P-51 Contrary Mary WZ-I Tail marking - 08/28/2008 10:38:13 AM
Nate.....it's a post-war shot for PR purposes, some time after July 1 when Caviness took over; the rudder markings reflected the squadron colours and group checks.
He certainly didn't have 14 victories ( the canopy frame is believed to be yellow).
He brought 414251 with him from the 361st where it was E9--C "Goona" ( the name on his other planes). As you say it's very similar to Landers'.

Nick
clsspace

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Re:P-51 Contrary Mary WZ-I Tail marking - 08/28/2008 11:38:24 AM
Thanks for the info guys.

Here is the caption for the picture (should have listed it to begin with, sorry)

Caption: English People Eagerly Clamber All Over The North American P-51 'Contrary Mary' Of The 78Th Fighter Group During An Air Force Day Show At 8Th Air Force Station F-357 In Duxford, England On 1 August 1945.

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