Aircraft History
Built by North American in Inglewood. Constructors Number 122-31006. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-51D-20-NA Mustang serial number 44-63280. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 8th Service Group (8 SrG), 301st Airdrome Squadron (301st ADS) part of the Far East Air Force - Combat Replacement Training Center (FEAF - CRTC) at Nadzab Airfield. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On April 16, 1945 took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 1 on a training mission. While attempting to land at Dagua Airfield, this Mustang suffered a landing accident and was badly damaged. Pilot survived unhurt. Unknown if repaired. Afterwards written off, scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-51D-20-NA Mustang 44-63280
"63280 (301st Service Squadron, 8th Service Group, 5th AF) in landing accident at Dagua Airfield East Sepik, Papua New Guinea May 1, 1945 [sic]. Pilot survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired."
AAIR April 1945 USAAF Overseas Accident Reports P-51D 44-63280 pilot Epperson

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Last Updated
April 15, 2020