Strana 109
P-51B-15-NA, 43-24857, Capt. Robert M. Barkey, 318th FS, 325th FG, 15th AF, Lesina, Italy, June 1944
Robert Barkey, after initial training, was assigned
to a unit called the “Checkertail Clan” (319th FS,
325th FG) flying P-40s in Africa. After retraining
on P-47s in late 1943, he was transferred to
Italy with the unit. Barkey’s first victory came
on February 22, 1944, when he shot down two
Bf 109s, both flown by the aces of the elite German
JG 26. After the unit switched to P-51B Mustangs,
Barkey scored his fifth and final victory on June
6, 1944. He retired with the rank of Major in 1961.
During World War II, he flew 53 combat sorties
and achieved five confirmed victories and one
probable victory. Barkey’s Mustang number
90 bore his wife Dorothy’s name on the left side
of the engine cowling.
BUILT
INFO Eduard
109
October 2024