The 352 FG
The 352nd Fighter Group were based at Bodney, Norfolk from July 1943 until November 1945 but in the winter months of 1944/1945 detachments moved to bases in Belgium to provide extra air support to ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge and to assist with the airborne assault across the Rhine. The 487th Fighter Squadron was the only Eighth Air Force Squadron to be awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation, usually an award reserved to Groups. The Squadron was given the DUC for destroying 23 enemy aircraft in a single mission on 1 January 1945. Major George Preddy, the highest scoring P-51 Mustang in Eighth Air Force, flew with the 352nd Fighter Group.
George E Preddy Jr.
CO 328th FS 352nd FG 4 kills (P-51D)
Flight leader 487th FS 22.83 kills (3 P-47D + 19.83 P-51B/D).
Wingman/Flt Leader 9th FS 49th FG SWP 2 damaged Zeros (P-40E).
143 combat missions totalling 26.833 kills air + 5 kills strafing.
KIA Dec. 25, 1944 by friendly ground fire.
P-47D s/n 42-8500 HO+P ''Cripes A' Mighty''
P-51B s/n 42-106451 HO+P "Cripes A' Mighty"
P-51D s/n 44-13321 HO+P Cripes A' Mighty 3rd"
P-51D s/n 44-14906 PE+P(bar) "Cripes A' Mighty"
Hasegawa
1/32 from 1972
89 parts [Sprues A-E]
Biggest hassle so far: removing Squadron Green putty from the fuse, on both sides, what was unforeseen was that the Squadron Green was sanded at some point, scratching the surface...
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