Established at Hamilton Field, California in December 1942, the 362nd Fighter Squadron was predominately made up of pilots and ground personnel recently out of USAAF training schools. Just a few months later in October 1943, the Squadron was ready for overseas deployment to Europe. The Squadron was equipped with various models of the P-51 Mustang and was committed to combat on 11th February 1944. Assigned to VIII Fighter Command, their mission was to fly as escorts for heavy bombers during combat missions over France. Although P-51Ds were manufactured in bare aluminium many fighter groups chose to paint theirs in the field, with 44-14798 being finished in RAF dark green. ‘Butch Baby’ was the personal mount of Lt. Julian H Bertram and would finish the War unscathed only to be scrapped in June 1945 following a landing accident at its base at Leiston, UK.

Info:  P-51D Mustang #44-14798 "Butch Baby", Julian Bertram