1. #1
    It's a problem wrapped inside an enigma, having to do with a P-51B and/or P-51D Mustang from the 364th Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group. My instincts are telling me that it may be an unintentional screwup on the part of the staff at Little Friends, but I'd like to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion on the subject.

    First, this picture, which shows "Shoo Shoo Baby" as a birdcage P-51B, claiming it to have the serial number: 42-106447



    Second, a picture of what could be the same aircraft in-flight, showing it with a Malcolm hood installed, the call letters and, vaguely, the serial number: 44-13583



    Thirdly, we have a profile by Nick King of a P-51D, "Shoo Shoo Baby", bearing what should be a much earlier serial number: 44-13583



    Curiously, all three images are captioned with the aircraft bearing the code letters C5-I, when it very clearly is C5-L, at least in the second photograph (the error is not seen in the actual database). What seems to have happened here is that this possibly apocryphal D-model profile has been given the serial number that should have appeared on either the first or second photos, the birdcage and Malcolm-hooded P-51Bs, in a simple transposition of serial numbers; my somewhat subpar eyes can barely make out what it should be. So, anyone out there have any thoughts on this matter? The only reason why I'm asking is because it looks like a really interesting aircraft to profile; in fact as it stands it's nearly 99% finished if my theory is correct, which will result in an image based on the second photograph.
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  2. #2
    It's a problem wrapped inside an enigma, having to do with a P-51B and/or P-51D Mustang from the 364th Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group. My instincts are telling me that it may be an unintentional screwup on the part of the staff at Little Friends, but I'd like to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion on the subject.

    First, this picture, which shows "Shoo Shoo Baby" as a birdcage P-51B, claiming it to have the serial number: 42-106447



    Second, a picture of what could be the same aircraft in-flight, showing it with a Malcolm hood installed, the call letters and, vaguely, the serial number: 44-13583



    Thirdly, we have a profile by Nick King of a P-51D, "Shoo Shoo Baby", bearing what should be a much earlier serial number: 44-13583



    Curiously, all three images are captioned with the aircraft bearing the code letters C5-I, when it very clearly is C5-L, at least in the second photograph (the error is not seen in the actual database). What seems to have happened here is that this possibly apocryphal D-model profile has been given the serial number that should have appeared on either the first or second photos, the birdcage and Malcolm-hooded P-51Bs, in a simple transposition of serial numbers; my somewhat subpar eyes can barely make out what it should be. So, anyone out there have any thoughts on this matter? The only reason why I'm asking is because it looks like a really interesting aircraft to profile; in fact as it stands it's nearly 99% finished if my theory is correct, which will result in an image based on the second photograph.
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  3. #3
    I go for Darwins theory.
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  4. #4
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  5. #5
    wh1skea's Avatar Senior Member
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    I make out the 106447 part of 4106447 for 44-106447 on the tail in the second pic, which was infact a P-51B-10-NA.

    The 44-13583 serial is for a P-51D-5-NA.


    (found my USAAF serial info here.)
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  6. #6
    Ah, thanks for that m8. Well, even though it seems that I was wrong, at least the mystery is cleared up.
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  7. #7
    <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by wh1skea:
    I make out the 106447 part of 4106447 for 44-106447 on the tail in the second pic, which was infact a P-51B-10-NA. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Should be 42-106447.

    <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">From your serial info
    (357th FG, 362nd FS) collided with P-51B 43-24766 and crashed near Leiston, England Feb 27, 1945. Pilot killed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

    By the way, it was quite common for there to be several generations of a a/c and it's marking scheme. Many pilots at least kept the same code letters, but several also tried to keep the nose art, too.
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  8. #8
    Phas3e's Avatar Senior Member
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    I had the same thing recently with 'Katydid' Two different Mustangs, very similar markings.
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  9. #9
    wh1skea's Avatar Senior Member
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    <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jarink:
    <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by wh1skea:
    I make out the 106447 part of 4106447 for 44-106447 on the tail in the second pic, which was infact a P-51B-10-NA. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Should be 42-106447. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Oops. Thats what I meant anyways.
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  10. #10
    Essah__'s Avatar Senior Member
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    Darwins theory:

    Evolution
    improvement to fit the development and to suvive

    Suvival of the fittest.

    maybe the mustang
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