Robbie Stuart wrote:
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