F-80

[Robbie Stuart]

I didn't want hijack the F-80 restoration thread. This is a picture of one of my fathers WWII squadron mates, & good friend Art Mimler. Art stayed in after the war & retired as a LT Col. He has noted on the picture he sent me that this is a new aircraft from the factory at Van Nuys CA, he has delevered to Alaska.


Robbie

[Swiss Mustangs]

He has noted on the picture he sent me that this is a new aircraft from the factory at Van Nuys CA, he has delevered to Alaska.
Robbie

Thanks for sharing this photo with us, Robbie ..... I hate to tell you this, but it definitely ain't a factory-fresh a/c here.... the buzz-code reads FN-568 - this was applied when the type designation changed from P-80 to F-80.... previous code was PN-568.

I assume that the a/c went through a modification programme (cold weather equipment) before being sent to AK.....

below is a photo of the same ship (45-8568) in formation with three sister-ships.... the earlier buzz-code "PN-568" is readily visible. The red tails, however, suggest that these a/c served up North before...



Cordially
Martin

[Robbie Stuart]

He has noted on the picture he sent me that this is a new aircraft from the factory at Van Nuys CA, he has delevered to Alaska.
Robbie

Thanks for sharing this photo with us, Robbie ..... I hate to tell you this, but it definitely ain't a factory-fresh a/c here.... the buzz-code reads FN-568 - this was applied when the type designation changed from P-80 to F-80.... previous code was PN-568.

I assume that the a/c went through a modification programme (cold weather equipment) before being sent to AK.....

below is a photo of the same ship (45-8568) in formation with three sister-ships.... the earlier buzz-code "PN-568" is readily visible. The red tails, however, suggest that these a/c served up North before...



Cordially
Martin

Thanks for the info & pic Martin. Just goes to show that no matter what the thread is or is about, there is someone on here (WIX) that can share some more information.
Regards
Robbie

[visaliaaviation]

IIRC, this flight appeared in color on an old Air Classics cover. note "Hat in the Ring" emblem visible on top a/c.