KITS 03/2022

RF-51D-25, 44-84837, Lt. Grover J. Isbell, 45th TRS, 67th TRG,

Kimpo AB (K-14), Korea, 1952

This Mustang, christened Little Lynn, proudly carries

more than hundred little camera symbols representing the completed missions during the Korean War. It

was flown by Dallas, Texas native, and a WWII veteran

Lt. Grover Jim Isbell. The Korean War was not the last

conflict he participated in. He also fought in Vietnam

and retired as Major General. His Mustang survived

the Korean War and after the end of hostilities continued to fly with the Arkansas Air National Guard in

154th TRS.

F-51D-30, 44-74629, Col. Dean E. Hess, ROKAF, Seoul City AB (K-16),

Korea, October 1950

In the beginning of the Korean conflict the South Korean air forces were equipped with communication

and training aircraft only. Therefore ten Mustangs

were released for the US stocks and training of selected Korean pilots took place in Japan under the

command of Maj. Hess. Under his leadership the unit

designated Bout One transferred back to the Korean

peninsula from where the sorties were flown first by

the American instructors and then, after their piloting skills improved, by the Korean pilots. Col. Hess

together with LTC Russell L. Blaisdell and S/Sgt Merle

Y. Strang organized an airlift to Jeju island for thou-

sands of Korean orphans fleeing the advancing North

Korean and Chinese soldiers aiming to capture Seoul.

The Mustang flown in combat by Col. Hess carried the

numeral 18 on the fuselage and the nose was decorated with the Korean inscription “I fly with faith”.

F-51D-25, A68-809 (45-11474), W/Cdr Louis T. Spence, CO of No. 77 Squadron RAAF,

Iwakuni, Japan, August 1950

After November 1948 No. 77 Squadron equipped with F-51D Mustang was the only Australian unit incorporated

into the British Commonwealth occupation forces and in

summer 1950 was preparing to return to Australia. After

the outbreak of the war in Korea the unit’s transfer was

canceled and as per General MacArthur’s request attached to 5th AF. No.77 Squadron, led by W/Cdr Lou Spence,

March 2022

flew its first sortie on July 2, 1950 from Iwakuni air base

in Japan. Lou Spence, a WWII veteran with No. 3 Squadron RAAF in North Africa and No. 452 Squadron RAAF

commander in Australia, led the unit until September 9,

1950, when he was killed during the napalm raid on Angang-ni. It remains unclear if the aircraft crashed into

the city due to the enemy fire or pilot’s error.

INFO Eduard

33