Strana 57
Mustang Mk.III, s/n FZ111, F/L Mieczysław Gorzula, No. 309 (Polish) Squadron,
RAF Andrews Field, United Kingdom, April-May 1945
P-51B-15-NA, s/n 43-24877, Lt. Harold P. Kick, 325th FS, 318th FG, 15th AF,
Lesina, Italy, November 1944
F/Lt Mieczysław Gorzula was one of the few
British RAF pilots flying Mustang aircraft who
managed to shoot down a Me 262 jet fighter
in aerial combat at the end of World War II.
On April 9, 1945, while escorting Lancaster
bombers heading for Hamburg, he led a blue
section of three Mustangs as commander of
B Flight of No. 309 Squadron. Soon after the
bombers left the target the formation was
attacked by several Me 262s. Gorzula managed
to approach one of them and shoot it down.
His Mustang Mk.III serial number FZ111, which
he regularly flew, bore a drawing of his beloved
Englishwoman Jean on the left side of the nose.
The ace with six victories and 325th FS
commander Roy Burton Hogg was flying Mustang
number 69, named Penrod. Captain Hogg joined
the 325th FS in March 1943 and recorded his
victories with three different types of aircraft
(two with the P-40, two with the P-47 and two
with this Mustang). After the unit was partially
re-equipped with the new D version Mustangs,
Lt. Harold Kick took over the aircraft and renamed
it Chinese Laundry. This inscription adorned the
left side of the engine cowling, with the great It’s
a Dog inscription on the right side. It was one of
the last three P-51Bs left in service with the 15th
AF.
KITS 10/2024
INFO Eduard
57
October 2024