Hello,

Can anyone help me with specific information and any photographs of the P-51 flown by Steven Bonner of the 23rd FG. I am looking for tail number and call number on the side of the P-51.

Steven Bonner was an Ace with the 23rd FG with 5 victories

Thanks

Dave

Dave -- I was hoping someone would have the answer to your question because I've been curious about this, too. Steve Bonner sent me a photo many years ago of him in his P-51B-7 43-7020, probably in June-July 1944. Unfortunately, it only showed the cockpit of the plane, with his name and five victory flags below the windshield. But he didn't have any other shots of the plane to show its tail number, sharkmouth etc. I do know the plane was painted OD over NG, however.
 
Sorry I don't have more for you.
 
Carl Molesworth

Carl,

Thanks for the help. I have tried all kinds of searches but have not found the information. I may try the American Fighter Aces Association.

Thanks

Dave

Looks like I found the same close up picture in the P-51.

His first kill was in plane #111, a P-40E that the 76th inherited from the AVG.

14th AAF 23rd FG 118th TRS

Here's the photo that was mentioned above
 

 
cordially
Martin

On further research, there exists a photo of Capt. Stephen J. Bonner standing in front of a NMF P-51B-10-NA with sharkmouth - no kill markings visible, serial in the data-block below the cockpit unreadable, no nickname (I copied that photo from an internet site that sells signed photos of WW2 aces..... this P-51B it might not be his personal aircraft, but:
 
P-51B-5-NA 43-7020 was not assigned to the CBI - this aircraft served with the 15th AAF ETO and suffered an accident at San Severo, Italy, on 16th April 1944 while assigned to the 31st FG 309th FS, flown by Lt. John A. Felton - the a/c was written off -
 
the aircraft seen in above photo, however, is P-51B-7-NA 43-7028 - delivered to the AAF 8th February 1944; sent to the 14th AAF, assigned to 23rd FG on 29th May 1944, crashed due to engine failure 21st July 1944 10 miles W of Tsingyung when piloted by Lt. Jack E. Green of the 76th FS;
I therefore strongly believe that Stephen J. Bonner was assigned a new aircraft following that loss and it could well be the NMF ship mentioned earlier.
 
Comments ?
Martin

Thanks for the correction on the serial number, Martin. I will adjust my records accordingly. By the way, Steve Bonner received rotation orders sending him home from China at the end of August 1944, so if he was assigned the NMF Mustang in the photo it wasn't for long.
 
Carl Molesworth