[nmayhew]

Peter,

Very interesting post!

I live a few miles down the road from Staplehurst (village) and I too am interested in the aircraft stationed there.

My interest is from a historic and modelling perspective - if i could find out more info on some of the aircraft stationed there, they will become modelling projects for me (probably 1/32).

As to reference material, do you have the following book?

"Kent Airfields In The Second World War"
Robin J. Brooks
Plublished by Countryside Books
ISBN 1 85306 523 4

There is a chapter on Staplehurst, and 2 very interesting pics:

P-51D "Big Mac" on p250 - crew and nose art clear, but unit codes / serial not shown

P-51B / C (?) (listed as a "D") "Little Chris II" - carrying fuel tanks but with bomb cart being dragged past; again codes and serial not visible.

I hope this is of help?

If you have any more info & pics on these a/c or others based there please do share them...

Let me know what you think.

Kind regards,

Nick