Few aircraft capture the imagination like the iconic North American P-51 Mustang. Its elegant lines, aggressive stance, and unique sound are so universally recognized that its presence stops even the least-aviation-oriented people in their tracks to appreciate its beauty. Seeing one in person is a special treat; flying one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; owning one is reserved for a select few who serve as temporary caretakers in the long history of these amazing aircraft.
Among one of the most famous fighters of World War II, the P-51 Mustang has its roots in both the United States and Britain. Originally overlooked by the USAAF, the P-51 did not see action with American forces until March 1943. The pairing of the legendary Merlin engine and the P-51 Mustang eventually resulted in the P-51D, which provided the US Army Air Forces with a high-performance, high-altitude, long-range fighter that could escort heavy bomber formations to Berlin and back.
Before the P-51, fighter escorts were unable to escort bombers to the target due to the limited range of the Republic P-47, Lockheed P-38, and Spitfire fighters. The changes significantly reduced the loss rates bomber crews suffered since the daylight bombing campaign began in 1942.
P-51 Mustangs were used in their first long-range escort mission on 13 December 1943 against U-boat pens in the port of Kiel for VIII Fighter Command. With a combat radius of 490 miles, this became the record escort mission to that date. In March 1944, P-51s accompanied bombers to Berlin, 560 miles from its base, and back. By mid-1944, P-51s could reach as far as Polish and Silesian targets. By the end of the war in Europe, the P-51 had a longer combat radius than the Boeing B-17.
American P-51 Mustangs destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft making them the highest-scoring US fighter in the European Theater of Operations. They were used as dive bombers, bomber escorts, ground attackers, interceptors, trainers, transports (with a jump-seat), and for photo reconnaissance.
To say the North American P-51 Mustang was a success would be an understatement. It is considered to be the best piston aircraft of World War II and became one of the world's aviation elites.
One of the highest honors accorded to the Mustang was its rating in 1944 by the Truman Senate War Investigating Committee as “the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence.”
The Rebel is a stunning replica of a P-51D Mustang flown by World War II, 4th Fighter Group veteran, Captain Joseph "Joe" Joiner.
The 336th Fighter Squadron was constituted by the War Department on August 22, 1942. The squadron flew Spitfires until 1943 when American P-47 Thunderbolts became available in sufficient numbers to equip the group. A year later the group was re-equipped with P-51 Mustangs, which became the standard until the end of the war.
The 336th Squadron was credited with the destruction of 358 enemy aircraft. The group was deactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on November 10, 1945, after the war's end.
Joseph "Joe" Joiner was born in Plainview, TX. Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot while watching planes fly overhead from NAS Corpus Christi. After the war broke out, Joe applied to the Navy and Army pilot training programs. The Army accepted him first, and he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He completed the Aviation Cadet Training Program and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1943.
After finishing P-51 Mustang flight training in Florida, Joiner was deployed to the 4th Fighter Group, 336th Squadron in Debden, England. Despite having only 170 hours of combat experience and graduating flight school just nine months prior, he was made a Flight Commander. Joe led his squadron on 20 missions and the entire 4th fighter group consisting of three squadrons on two missions over Europe. During his time in service, Joiner destroyed 4.5 German planes on the ground (one shared with another pilot) and 3.5 in air-to-air combat. His 84th and final mission was on February 20, 1945, during which he destroyed two Focke Wulf FW-190s,
Post-war, Joiner made the decision to pursue a career in the US Air Force. He started flying Mustangs with the USAF Red Devils, the first Air Force demonstration team, based at AFB Las Vegas in 1949. During the Cold War, he flew F-101, F-102, and F-106 "Century Series" jet fighters. When he turned 50, he flew forward air control (FAC) missions in Vietnam using OV-10 Bronco twin turboprops and later Cessna A-37 jets.
Over a 30-year US Air Force career, Joe Joiner amassed a staggering 10,000 hours in fighter planes. By the end of his career, Joiner was ranked Colonel. He is one of the few pilots who flew fighter planes his entire 30-year career.
Colonel Joseph "Joe" Joiner was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, ten air medals, and a Unit Citation.
James William Browning was born on October 21, 1917. He joined the Army Air Corps in Feb 1942 and was given his wings on August 17, 1943. He joined the 363rd Fighter Squadron while it was still training in Nevada. Jim was assigned to Captain ‘Bud’ Anderson’s flight and stayed with it during training and combat. Later, Browning became a flight leader himself and shot down 7 enemy planes: 5 Me109s, 1.5 Me410s, and 0.5 Fw190s. His Fw190 shared claim demonstrated his 'gentleman credentials' when he allowed the pilot to bail out of the stricken aircraft before destroying it.
Jim named his first P-51 ‘Gentleman Jim’ which befitted his character very well. He was a fun-loving guy with a bit of devilishness about him. He was a very determined pilot which helped him gain excellent flying skills. Bud Anderson, speaking of Jim, said, “He could always be depended upon to be there when you needed him. We were great friends.”
After Browning’s first tour ended in August 1944 he went home for a short while and then returned to the 357th in November for a second tour. Sadly, on Feb 9, 1945, Browning was declared Missing in Action when he failed to return from an escort mission. Last seen near Wurges, Germany, Browning's plane was being pursued by Me-262 jet fighters when they collided mid-air and subsequently crashed with Browning on board. Captain Bockay was there also and shot down two German jet fighters but never saw Jim’s plane again. He had two more missions to fly to complete his second tour.
Capt. James William Browning is labeled as one of the heroes of the 357th Fighter Group, 363rd Fighter Squadron. His decorations include three Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart, eight Air Medals, and the French Croix de Guerre.
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