Carol - the story of a P-51 Mustang by John Mollison

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The story behind “Carol”

I have been interviewing WW2 fighter pilots since 1999. I’ve been drawing their planes since 1969*. In my interviews, I try to learn about their character, leadership, personal development and wisdom in addition to the “combat stories.” These men have become mentors, friends...and one day, I’ll get it all collected into a readable, reproducible form.

But in the meantime, this presentation is a small part of the story behind a piece aluminum that came from the wreckage of a WW2 fighter plane. *Drawing dogfights on my schoolwork made it more exciting but didn’t help my marks. The Morane 406 with the crappy clouds is circa 4th grade. “Red” James, a Corsair pilot in WW2 and Korea is holding a framed print of my ‘pretty good’ rendering of his Korean-era F4U-4, 352nd FG ace Don Bryan is horsing around with my kids, a little P-39 I drew in my sketchbook and Col. Bill Creech shows me the Presidential Unit Citation his 528th FS earned.

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The story behind “Carol”

16,700-odd airplanes bearing the moniker “P-51” were built. The very first ones trickled into the United States Air Force in 1942. The last P-51 left military service with the Dominican Air Force in 1984. In between, 30-some air forces around the world used P-51s at one time or another. By any stretch, the P-51 is one of the most famous aircraft, ever. But for common thought, the P-51 is best known for its role in World War Two.

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The story behind “Carol”

Some historians make a case that the P-51 and its long range allowed strategic bombing to prevail and thereby ended the war in Europe against Hitler’s Germany. Others make a case that the P-51 was the greatest fighter plane that ever flew, period. But one fact cannot be argued. The P-51 was a tool. A tool used by people to do a job. *If you’re new to a knowledge of WW2 aircraft, understand that people

get passionate about “their airplanes.” I’ve actually seen Brits weep at the sight of a Spitfire’s gorgeous curves sashaying down the airfield, engine roaring and making one last bounce before slicing into the air...

And would you believe my artwork is on more Luftwaffe planes than any other type?!

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The story behind “Carol”

A Spitfire had a radius of about 200 miles “Extra fuel?” “No tanks.”*

Compared to other airplanes of the day, the Mustang was a solid performer. It was fast - about 440mph. It was well-armed - 4 to 6 machine guns, bombs and rockets.

A P-38 Lightning had a radius of about 500 miles “Extra fuel?” “Tank you.”

A P-51 Mustang had a radius of about 600 miles “Extra fuel?” “Tanks!”

It was easy to fly - once a pilot had a little time under his cap, of course. But many other airplanes were fast, wellarmed and “easy” to fly. However, the crowning glory of the Mustang was its combat radius. This was huge - 600+ miles. Now, fighters could roam Europe, protect extra, expendable gasoline tanks are HEAVY and their function is rather complicated. Fortunately, the Mustang design accommodated “Drop tanks” easily, giving it a large combat radius.

bombers from the Luftwaffe AND have enough fuel to return to base - a very important feature, you know. *Spitfires did use drop tanks, but they were awkward affairs that weren’t commonly used save for Ferry Flights.

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The story behind “Carol”

Digression:

Want to know more “Mustang”?

The map below is a United States Census map circa 2000 that shows the various ancestral influences.. “Light Blue” symbolizes German ancestry and takes up a good 50% of the land area.

Here are four more little bits: 1.P-51s come in 3 flavors*. “A” flavor with an Allison engine. “B/C” flavor that introduced the Rolls-Royce engine and

North American Aviation’s president, (circa 1940) James H. Kindelberger, was German.

“D/K” flavor with a bubble-top canopy.

It just goes to show you - there’s always a little bit of Us in Them. And vice versa.

2. P-51s were one of 4 primary American fighters in WW2 in Europe. The other three were P-38s, P-40s and P-47s.

*Yeah, yeah, I know about the A-36 and the P-51H model. The basic P-51s listed will satisfy most basic conversation around the wine & cheese table at the Country Club. I don’t want to tempt you to be too geeky.

The A-36 was called an “Apache” and almost identical to the P-51A except the Apache had 6 guns to the P-51A’s 4. (yawn). And it was called “Apache”, not Mustang.

P-51A’s, B’s and D’s were built in North American Aviation’s plant in Inglewood, CA. Just outside of Los Angeles.

P-51C’s and K’s were built in North American Aviation’s plant in Dallas

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The story behind “Carol”

• British inspiration • British name • British purchase • British engine

• American entrepreneurship • American engineering • American manufacturing • American improvement

3. P-51s were a cooperative project between the British and the Americans. Both countries played pivotal roles in making the airplane great. 4. P-51s were a product of quick, decisive leadership. The time elapsed between Order to 1st Flight was an astonishing 178 days. That’s like building a 3,500 sq. ft. home in a week.

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The story behind “Carol”

Vertically oriented but also vertically challenged.* Excellent eyesight

But remember - the Mustang wasn’t a

Intelligent and able

magical Unicorn with supernatural

to think abstractly

powers. Without people to build, fly and maintain

Coordinated

them, P-51s were useless. On February 9, 1921, a little person was

Love of

born with all of the natural ability and potential to put the P-51 to good use.

Willing to do

Loyalty

challenging things (even if scared silly)

Raymond Roy Mitchell

*finally - a place for short, little guys! Cramped fighter plane cockpits!

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The story behind “Carol”

Searsbor o, Iowa

Ray grew up a gentle, positive, admittedly insecure kid. But in Searsboro, IA, there wasn’t much else to do than to be gentle, positive and admittedly insecure. THEN...* ...approximately 3,978 miles away, in the American Territory of Hawaii, the Japanese

cean Pacific O

bombed Pearl Harbor.

Ray’s days of being gentle, positive and admittedly insecure were suddenly over. His country was at war and his skills and talents were now needed. His occupation at the time: “laborer.”

*for the love of history, I will not state the date. Every American over the age of 10 should know it.

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The story behind “Carol”

Ray decided to join the Air Corps. Climbing from an Iowa farm to 30,000 feet was a difficult task. About 50% of those who tried, didn’t make the grade.

Ray did.

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The story behind “Carol”

KNOW YOUR 352ND FIGHTER GROUP MARKINGS THE BLUE COLOR WAS ASSIGNED

THE 352ND FIGHTER GROUP

In July of 1944, Ray was a qualified Warrior and ready to take his place on the team.

HAD 3 DIFFERENT FIGHTER SQUADRONS AND EACH HAD

PILOTS HAD SOME SAY IN THE NOSE ART AND

TO THE 352ND FROM VIII FIGHTER COMMAND AS A WAY TO IDENTIFY

THEIR OWN MARKINGS

TAIL LETTERS OF THEIR AIRPLANES.

DIFFERENT GROUPS.

His team was the 352nd Fighter Group. Red was the rudder color of the 328th

When the 352nd exchanged their

squadron’s P-51s

Thunderbolts for Mustangs, they also

Squadron letters: PE

The first blue noses were sort

exchanged their drab paint jobs for something a little more exciting.

of this color. Yellow was the rudder color of the 486th

Blue. Ray was no longer a “Laborer.”

squadron’s P-51s Squadron letters: PZ

Toward the end of Blue was the rudder color of the 487th

He was now, a Bluenoser.

squadron’s P-51s. Squadron letters: HO

1944, the blue got

I’m a New Guy and this isn’t MY airplane. But some day, I’ll get my own and when I do, it’ll have a big M on the tail and I’ll name it...

Before the 352nd transitioned to P-51s in the Spring of 1944, their P-47s were painted “olive drab.” Donald McKibben’s P-47 is shown at left, Charlie Price’s P-51 is shown at right. Notice the “X” on the tail - the letter P was already used by someone else..

a little darker.

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“K” model P-51s had different props than “D” models. That’s it.

The story behind “Carol”

“Lt. R.R. Mitchell” was hand painted in red in a sort of Olde English script

Aerial mast, but no antenna wire. Most 8th AF Mustangs didn’t use the wire.

“M” for Mitchell. The Bar beneath meant there was another “M” somewhere in the Group.

After his tenth mission, Ray got his own P-51. A “K” model, S/N 411229. He named it “Carol.” Why “Carol?” “Oh. Just a girl.”* (laughs)

*Ray’s wonderful wife Helen was standing next to him when he said that.

Since no clear photograph of the nose art is known to exist, I used a painting by artist Troy White as a reference. Ray also blessed this artwork. But really, we don’t know if this script is perfect.

Bomb racks were removable, so I removed them for this profile.

“PE” means 328th Fighter Squadron.

FYI - when I did this profile in 2002, it was a rush job. My skills have certainly improved and I might redo Carol.

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The story behind “Carol”

“Carol” was never really Ray’s girl anyway. It was Air Force policy to assign an airplane to the CREW CHIEF

Edward

not the pilot. When the 328th moved to Asch, Belgium in 1944, Ray was given a box of spark plugs before flying to the new base.

ARMORER: Edwards, Orville

“I wouldn’t have had the slightest clue

CREW CHIEF: Wilson, Larry

s, Mitche ll, Wilson 1944

what to do with them! I hadn’t ever opened the hood let alone change the things!” (laughs) The Ground Crew showed up a day or so

P-51 D/Ks had six .50 calibre

later.

machine guns - 3 in each wing.

Ray gave the spark plugs to Larry.

The Rolls Royce Merlin 69

Every time those guns went off, a

1,490 horsepower at 3,000rpm.

spray of black metal clips and spent

Flying a fighter was one thing,

casings spewed from beneath the

keeping the fighter flying was

wings, littering the ground below.

another. Ray and Larry knew where each other stood.

The story behind “Carol”

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Regardless of Ray’s mechanical (in)ability, Ray and Carol were positively terrifying together. As part of their work, they protected bombers, strafed troops & trains and engaged the Luftwaffe any chance they could. Ray was soberly aware of the ultimate purpose of his job. Sixty years later, Ray went back to Bodney, UK and got to see a restored P-51 ity. etern n e h ...t

buzz his old airfield. For old-time’s sake. The thing just about cut his hair! . orts..

“Can you imagine what that must have

p g gun n i l k r a

sp r, six a e f ing lench c , t r g hea undin

been like for the Germans?!”

wl, po

o ine h ...eng

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The story behind “Carol”

This is an old rendering I did of Luftwaffe ace Erich Hartmann’s Bf 109. Erich flew on the Eastern front and would not have met Ray in combat. However, it’s the only German-marking 109 handy, so I’m including for reference. Nevertheless, a masterfully flown Bf 109 was more than a match for a P-51. The winner in air combat was a mixture of surprise, positional advantage, pilot skill and aircraft capabilities.

Regardless of Ray’s more gentle nature, he was good at his new job.

#1 #3

Ray was in the #4 position of “White Flight” - a group of 4 P-51s of the 328th FS, 352nd FG

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The story behind “Carol”

And he worked with others who were good too - like Ed Heller, a particularly courageous ace who also went on to achieve over 3 victories in the Korean War, too. Ed, Ray...they fit right in with the 352nd as the Group was an A-list team. In fact, the 352nd was, as their official slogan states, “Second to None.”

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The story behind “Carol”

In 10 months of combat, Ray logged 69 combat missions. 59 were in Carol. On April 7, 1945, Ray and Carol flew together for the last time. Ray was going home...

...but Carol stayed behind.

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The story behind “Carol”

Ray exchanged his trigger finger for a green thumb by beginning a lifelong career in wildlife and land conservation. But, blue noses tend to be permanent. One day, about a year after the war, he bumped into a 352nd buddy...

“Great to see you Ray! Did you hear about Carol?” “Uh...no...?”

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The story behind “Carol”

Ok. Step back for a second. *never ever ever ever underestimate

War is a game of numbers - people and things.

the power of an idea, good or bad.

Ray was just one of 16 million Americans who served in WW2. Carol was just one of an estimated 300,000 aircraft built to fight in WW2.

The one with the most replacements win.

Lt. John F. Reiners was a replacement. Harry S. Truman was absolutely correct in dropping The Bomb, by the way.

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The story behind “Carol”

Capt. Robert A. Lewis, co-pilot of the Enola Gay (the B-29 that dropped

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima) was from Ridgefield Park, too.

Lt. John Reiners graduated from Ridgefield Park High School in 1940. City Bank Farmers Trust Company, New York City. He went to Columbia University to learn the money trade. He spent a year working in New York City before signing up to join the Air Force. Bodney Airfield, Norfolk, UK

His occupation was: “Securities Clerk. Then John became... ...a Bluenoser, too.

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The story behind “Carol”

For whatever reason, Reiners didn’t make it to Bodney until February, 1945. By then, “The Numbers” of war were pretty obvious - Hitler was doomed. But there were still dangerous numbers to roll over Germany and Reiners’ commitment was every bit as strong as Mitchell’s. Reiners was a New Guy. Like Ray, he didn’t have his own plane at first. A dozen or so missions later, and some time after April 7, he met Carol.

Some Replacement Pilots renamed their airplanes.

And “Carol” was still

WILSON, LARRY’s

Some didn’t.

airplane.

“Carol” must have ‘fit’ some how because Reiners kept the name.

(Ground Crew didn’t rotate out like combat pilots - many stayed for the entire duration of the war.)

The story behind “Carol”

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On April 19, 1945, a flight of four P-51s of the 328th Fighter Squadron

took off from Bodney air field. John was flying #4 in the formation. The formation was low and Reiners, being the lowest of the 4, hit a tree as he

and Carol were inching into the sky.

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The story behind “Carol”

Eyewitnesses remember seeing Carol snap upward and start a climb. But Carol hadn’t yet achieved the necessary airspeed to maneuver. Man and machine went up, around and back down - it happened so quickly and at such a low altitude, Reiners had no hope of bailing out. The two crashed at the very edge of the

When I heard that boom, I knew exactly

air field.

what had happened. High trees bordered our Ready Hut...when taking off, pilots kept their eyes glued on the plane closest to them...they never looked down at the ground... J.N. White, 487th FS Eyewitness and buddy of Reiners

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The story behind “Carol”

John was killed. He was 22.

He’s the guy in the middle.

The war was over 19 days later.

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The story behind “Carol”

Carol was a complete loss.

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The story behind “Carol”

That’s my friend Bill Espie.

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The story behind “Carol”

This is dedicated to the memory of John F. Reiners and the imagination of all that he could have been.

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Photo and art credits: 352nd Fighter Group Association John Mollison Unknown - please let me know if you know so I can ensure proper credit. The crude sketches, copy and final artwork of Carol is mine - ©John Mollison, blah blah blah.

The story behind “Carol”

The following veterans, historians and enthusiasts made this presentation possible. WW2 pilots and crew Robert “Punchy” Powell Raymond Mitchell James White James Bliedner Historians Bill Espie Marc Hamel Sam Sox Joe Noah Ada Ruiz Todd Gehrke

July, 2009 - The Carol “Recovery Crew” celebrates at a pub in

Armchair Experts & Technical Geeks Eric Molbert Wayne Ballinger Don Littge Steve Cunningham Bruce Eide Grace and Mercy My wife My family Clients, colleagues and vendors

Cambridge, UK. This is the worst conceivable photo I could find of me, Wayne, Eric and Steve. Unfortunately, it’s also the best one, too.

Bah. Don’t even think for a minute that this motley group of gomers can do anything beyond picking up a piece of aluminum from the brilliant and masterful Bill Espie. He did ALL the hard stuff. We just said, “Thanks.”

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The story behind “Carol”

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The story behind “Carol”

TOP SPEED Messerschmitt 262

500mph Spitfire Mk 14 Pilots really liked the P-51. Compared to other airplanes of the day, the Mustang

North American P-51 B

400mph Nakajima Ki-84

was a solid performer. It was fast - about 440mph.

300mph

It was well-armed - 4 to 6 machine guns, bombs and rockets.

200mph

It had a long range - about 1,200 miles with drop tanks. 100mph It did just about everything* well. RANGE 100 miles

500 miles

1,000 miles

*Well, it was relatively easy to shoot down. One

P-51s assigned to the The Seventh Air Force in the Marianna Islands (otherwise known as the

hole in the coolant line and 5-6 minutes later, the

Pineapple Air Force) routinely flew what they called “VLR” (Very Long Range) missions to

engine stopped. Don’t believe me? Wait until I

Japan. Time in cockpit - EIGHT HOURS, with most of it over enemy territory or open ocean.

write about Bill Creech and his experiences!