Moonbeam McSwine 44-14237, Capt. William T “Whiz” Whisner 352nd FG 487th FS
In the Spring of 1944, the Squadron CO of the 487th FS , Lt. Col JC Meyer got word that the next heir to the throne of Great Britain was to visit the base at Bodney, home of the 352hd FG. He thought it would be a nice jester for one of the new Mustangs to display her name and selected Lt. Whisner's HO-W. The name “Princess Elizabeth” was applied to the left nacelle using floral presentation. It was quit feminine with flowers and leaves woven into the name. When first seeing it, Whisner, voiced disgust and displeasure to Lt. Col. Meyer who told him in not so many words that the name would stick. Just days prior to D-Day, Whisner completed his first tour and was posted as being eligible for R&R and thus missed out on the Invasion support missions that were flown. His Mustang “Princess Elizabeth” was assigned to Lt. Robert K. Butler who was shot down on the first mission.
44-14237 Special Project No. 92779-R departed US on 29 July and received by 487th FS on 12 August 1944. It was initially coded HO-D.
A Directive from 8th Fighter Command was received first of September instructing that the rudders of all fighter aircraft were to be painted in red, blue or yellow denoting squadron assignment. The process began at the 352nd during the first week. Photographic evidence shows that this '51 had a medium blue nacelle application and the same shade of medium applied to it's rudder. Later in the month, the Group CO's decided that the since there were several shades of blue being used by the 3 squadrons, a repaint of the nacelle areas with one shade of blue being selected from British Stores be applied. The British color of Deep Sky Blue was selected. Under the Lend Lease Agreement between the USAAC and the Brits, the British were responsible for supplying paints supplies as needed.
The Mustang went into service as HO-W on 11 September anticipating Whisner's return on the 21st. He had been so taken back by the naming of his first '51B and it's subsequent very effeminate presentation, he decide to chose a name that help him regain his masculinity and chose the very voluptuous character “Lil Abner” comic strip character “Moonbeam McSwine. On 2 November, Whisner had his most productive mission by claiming as having destroyed 5 FW-190s and 2 probables. The probables were not further credited. Whisner completed his second tour 2 March 1945. His Mustang was most likely reassigned to Lt Robert G Reed. On June 18 1945 was recorded that she suffered damage due to landing accident at Bodney. Was subsequently salvaged 21 September 1945. The score of 19 crosses represent 15.5 aerial and 3 ground victories.