(Source: US National Archives)
North American P-51D Mustang 44-73656, registration N2151D is, as of writing, being crated-up in Illinois for shipment to France for her new owner, noted air show aviator, Frédéric Akary.
The plane, a long-standing regular on the American air show circuit, is painted in the livery representing the Mustang once flown by the U.S. Army Air Force’s 352nd Fighter Group “ace”, William Whisner. He christened his ride “Moonbeam McSwine” after a curvaceous pinup-style character from the popular Li’l Abner comic strip. The P-51 will be filling the slot vacated by the sale of Akary’s ex-Iraqi Hawker Sea Fury FB.II, and one can expect that the Mustang will be appearing at air shows across Europe with Akary at the controls by the end of this season.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
For the record, the pilot’s name was William Whisner, not Whisker.
Many thanks for pointing out the typo… Autocorrect can be a pain in the backside sometimes!