I found this picture of my father among some old pictures. While it has “1947” on the front, it was processed 22 November 1946 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He talked of being at Cocoa Beach.
Anyone recognize unit markings on the nose?
Best guess is 159th FS FANG.
The 159th wasn’t federally recogized until 9 Feb 1947, so I’m not sure they would have any aircraft prior to that date…
Here’s some 159th Mustangs in 1947… Note the differing stripe location and length, and rudder paint…
!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/F-51DsFloridaANGJacksonvillec1947.jpg?t=1293645167)
ca 1948
!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/FLAANGP-51D.jpg?t=1293645610)
I’d tend to agree with you, Hans. My father spoke of having been in the AAF as opposed to the ANG and being from Massachusetts, it doesn’t seem likely he’d have been in the FANG. Also, as I mentioned, the photo was processed 22 NOvember 1946, which predates teh 159th.
Thanks to both of you for checking, tohugh.
Al
Ya, that’s the likely case, since there was no Air National Guard as such until the USAF was made a separate branch in '47…
A number of ANG units were given the lineage and honors of former USAAF units though…