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| USAAF 14th AF 23rd FG 75th FS
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Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Dallas, Texas. Constructors Number 103-26139. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-51C-5-NT Mustang serial number 42-103585. Disassembled and shipped overseas to China-Burma India (CBI) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 14th Air Force (14th AF), 23rd Fighter Group (23rd FG), 75th Fighter Squadron (75th FS). Assigned to pilot Lt. Donald Lopez who nicknamed it "Lope's Hope the 3rd" in black capital letters on the left side of the nose. This aircraft flew combat missions in China. After January 1945, when Lopez returned to the United States, this Mustang was flown by other pilots or transfered to another squadron. On March 22, 1945 officially condemned as damaged. Afterwards, written off and abandoned. Restoration This aircraft was restored by AirCorps Aviation (Air Corps Aviation) to flying condition. In 2018, at EAA AirVenture the restored aircraft earned the "Golden Wrench Award" and was dubbed Grand Champion. The restored aircraft is displayed at the Dakota Territory Museum. Memorials Lopez passed away March 3, 2008 at the age of 84. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 59, site 3100. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-51C-5-NT Mustang 42-103585 "103585 served in CBI theatre with 75th FS, 23rd FG, 14th AF. Condemned damaged Mar 22, 1945" Into The Teeth of the Tiger (1997) by Donald S. Lopez AirCorps Aviation - P-51C Lope’s Hope the 3rd AirCrops Aviation - A History Lope's Hope & Lt. Donald S. Lopez FindAGrave - LTC Donald Sewell Lopez, Sr (photos, grave photo) ANC Explorer - Donald S. Lopez (grave photos) Contribute
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