A War Bond purchase by citizens of Santa Barbara, California, after the Japanese submarine shelling of oil storage tanks at Ellwood, CA. This P51 Mustang never left the USA for combat but instead served as a training aircraft only and is believed to have been assigned to 337th Base Unit at Venice AAB, Florida. (My thanks to Pat Peters for this information).

It is likely that this aircraft carried another dedication title on its left side so as to serve for publicity purposes for two communities.

On 24th March 1945, piloted by Lt James W Batten, it was badly damaged in an ground accident when it hit another P51 at Venice AAB in Florida while assigned to the 337th Combat Crew Training School. A year and two months later, it was scrapped at MacDill AAB, Florida.

 

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© Ray Bowden 9 December 2023