Mustang I

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

We Have the following:

The Mustang had proved itself to be ideally suited to low-level reconnaissance and ground strafing sorties., but its pilots were still very concerned with being recognised when approaching enemy target (German airfield and ground defence flak having been recognised as the toughest opposition that the Allied aircraft had met). Therefore, in May 1943* the two Sky painted code letters which identified the squadron(s) to which the aircraft belonged were painted out leaving just a single letter, which was the aircraft call-letter for instance R for Roger.

See:
Camouflage & Markings R.A.F. Fighter Command 1936-1945 - North American Mustang Fighters.
Goulding,James & Robert Jones.
London: Ducimus Books,1970-1971.
pp.34 & 36.

* The code letters were re-intsated during March 1944.

So, if Oesau is in the photograph, the date must be between April 1943 and May 1944.

Col.