43-12173 Peg O My Heart

A P-51B Mustang (GQ-A, serial number 43-12173) nicknamed "Peg O' My Heart" of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group at Boxted, 15 December 1943. Passed for publication 16 Dec 1943 and 13 Jan 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '354FG. Boxted. 12/43.' Printed caption on reverse: 'The P-51B - World's Fastest Fighter Plane. A new single-engined figher 'plane, the P-51B, is now escorting Flying Fortresses in raids over Germany. A new, improved version of the Mustang which has been used with such s media-400813.jpg FRE 2892 A P-51B Mustang (GQ-A, serial number 43-12173) nicknamed "Peg O' My Heart" of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group at Boxted, 15 December 1943. Passed for publication 16 Dec 1943 and 13 Jan 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '354FG. Boxted. 12/43.' Printed caption on reverse: 'The P-51B - World's Fastest Fighter Plane. A new single-engined figher 'plane, the P-51B, is now escorting Flying Fortresses in raids over Germany. A new, improved version of the Mustang which has been used with such success by the R.A.F., this, the newest aircraft to be used in the European Theatre of Operations, is the longest-range, single-engined fighter plane in the world and one of the fastest. The main differences between it and the Mustang are that it has a Rolls Royce Merlin engine instead of the Allison engine and the addition of auxiliary wing-tanks which increase its range as a high-altitude fighter. Associated Press Photos Show:- Various angle views of the new P-51B and taxi-ing past other ships at a fighter station "somewhere in England". IRV 263255, IRV 263256, IRV 263257, IRV 263258, IRV 263259, IRV 263260. 15-12-43-Y.' On reverse: Associated Press and two US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 2892 - A P-51B Mustang (GQ-A, serial number 43-12173) nicknamed "Peg O' My Heart" of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group at Boxted, 15 December...

P-51B 43-12173 'Peg O' my Heart'

355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force

362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

555th Fighter Training Squadron, 496th Fighter Training Group, 8th Air Force

359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, as P-51B1, marked war weary.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 361st Fighter Group 496th Fighter Training Group 376th Fighter Squadron 555th Fighter Training Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13109750 / O-815978
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-392737
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Group Commander
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 356th Fighter Group 405th Fighter Group 48th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Squadron 494th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-830434
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
A P-51B Mustang (GQ-A, serial number 43-12173) nicknamed "Peg O' My Heart" of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group at Boxted, 15 December 1943. Passed for publication 16 Dec 1943 and 13 Jan 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '354FG. Boxted. 12/43.' Printed caption on reverse: 'The P-51B - World's Fastest Fighter Plane. A new single-engined figher 'plane, the P-51B, is now escorting Flying Fortresses in raids over Germany. A new, improved version of the Mustang which has been used with such s
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group Headquarters (354th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-354270
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot / Deputy Group Commander

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire DN19, UK 27 May 1944 Taxi accident Goxhill/Sta 345, Cat 4 damage, pilot 2nd Lt Robert J Bain, 555th FTS 496th FTG 8th AF.

Crashed

Goxhill, Barrow-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire DN19, UK 19 July 1944 Landing accident Goxhill/Sta 345 Cat 3 damage, pilot 1st Lt Karl M Waldron Jr, 555th FTS, 496th FTG, 8th AF.

Crashed

5 February 1945 Crashed on take off, engine failure, Cat 4 damage, 1-2 miles south of Martlesham Heath, pilot Lt Warren T Edinborough. 359th FS, 356th FG, 8th AF.

Assigned

Assigned to 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force.

Assigned

Assigned to 359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.

Assigned

Assigned to 555th Fighter Training Squadron, 496th Fighter Training Group, 8th Air Force.

Assigned

Assigned to 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes

43-12173: Gallery (14 items)