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44-74391 N351MX
" February "
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Type: |
P-51D-30NA |
| Serial #: |
44-74391 |
| Registry: |
N351MX |
| Owner: |
Woods Aviation LLC |
| Base: |
Prescott AZ |
| Status: |
Flying |
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History / Previous Identities:
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1945: 23 May - accepted to the USAAF
1945: stored in New Jersey at the 4003rd AAF Base Unit ATC
1947: February - 4121st AAF Base Unit AMC, Kelly AFB Texas
1948: January - 113th FS, Indiana ANG, Stout Field, Indianapolis
1950: October - 156th FS, North Carolina ANG, Charlotte NC
1950: November - 123rd FBW TAC, Goodman AFB Kentucky
1951: December - 146th FBW TAG, George AFB California
1953: January - 21st FBS TAG, George AFB California
1953: May - 124th FBS, CA ANG, George AFB
1955: June - 169th FBS, IL ANG, Greater Peoria Airport
1956: October - storage at McClellan AFB, Sacramento CA
1958: April - dropped from USAF inventory
1958: Purchased from USAF by Guatemalan AF as FAG 351
1972: N38229 (Don Hull)
1978: (Connie Edwards)
2000: (Heber Costello, then Chris Woods)
2001: N351MX (Chris Woods) restoration
2003: February - first flight by Art Vance
2003: 29th March -
Informal gathering of friends and veterans at Chris Wood's hangar to honor Jim Brooks, who flew "February" in the ETO during WWII. Brooks tallied 13.5 air victories with 2 more probable. He was assigned to the 307th FS in the 31st FG of the 15th AF on 30th March 1944. His first kill was 18th May 1944, a Romanian IAR 80 (FW 190 replica), and his last kill was on 29th August 1944, (2) Me109's. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Brooks is a delightful man to talk to and still very sharp and has a great memory of past events. He put his life on the line during WWII for us. Hopefully this beautifully restored P-51 will spark interest and inform many of the gallant service he gives to his country. He is retired now, in his 80's, and still very happy to tell us about his experiences in the war - keeping alive the legacy of a great generation. I know that I speak for many when I say "thank you".
There were also other WWII veterans, a P-51 pilot, a B-17 pilot were among the gathering - thank you to all of them. Thanks to Chris Woods for choosing this paint scheme to honor a man he has known for many years.
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Images of 44-74391 N351MX " February "
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78 pics on file: 49 here, plus 29 more on members page
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Image Credits:
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Curtis Fowles - MustangsMustangs (# 3,6-10,16,19,20-30,36-38,42-44,49-51,57,59-67,72-79)
Steve Williams - Airliners.net (# 36)
unknown - let us know if this is your photo (# 1,62)
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