P-51D Mustang 1

Airbrush on garage door - 2007

Arguably one of the most famous fighter pilots to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the war, Col. John Landers was also the most experience. He was an ace in both the Pacific and the European theaters (one of only a small group of pilots to achieve this feat), where he saw action in all major combat types. Scoring six victories in the Pacific with the 49th FG while flying P-40's, Landers was posted to a succession of Eighth Air Force fighter units, flying a series of P-38's and P-51's, all of which were named "Big Beautiful Doll". From the 38th FS of the 55th FG, scoring four kills in P-38 Lightnings and flying various P-51 Mustangs, he was promoted to command the 357th FG between October 11 and December 2, 1944, before moving to Duxford to take command of the 78th FG. He scored 14.5 victories, 8.5 of them while serving with the Eighth (4.5 in Mustangs), collecting a further 20 ground victories, including eight during one mission!