Strana 12
marking even after switching to the P-51. During the six months
from April to October 1944, a white ring on the nose and a white
engine cowling were standard for this unit. However, following
the introduction of the 8th AF directive on color dierentiation
of individual squadrons within ghter groups in October 1944, the
355th FG applied these colors unusually not only to the rudders
of its aircraft but also to the place of the original white stripe
on the nose. The only white color remaining as an identication
mark of the 355th FG was the white propeller spinners, and even
that was not always adhered.
The colored stripes on the nose and the rudder were arranged
according to the following scheme: red for the 354th FS, blue for
the 357th FS, and yellow for the 358th FS.
78th FG
The Duxford Eagles
The Duxford Eagles are an integral part of the sister 66th FW.
Their involvement in the 65th FW for less than two weeks in Au-
gust 1943 was only a brief episode in this famous ghter group’s
story.
355th FG
Steeple Morden Strafers
Jednotka byla založena 12. 11. 1942, následné měsíce in-
tenzThe unit was formed on November 12, 1942, and spent
the following months training intensively with P-47 aircraft.
In July 1943, the unit moved to England, and became part of the
8th AF. Two months later, in September 1943, the unit joined the
ghting, initially ying P-47s which were replaced by Mustangs
in April 1944. During the invasion on June 6, 1944, it was one of
the ghter units of the VIII FC that provided direct air support
to the invasion forces. Otherwise, the main daily routine of the
pilots of this unit, as with other groups of the 65th FW with P-51
aircraft, was escorting and sweeping in support of 2nd BD Liber-
ators missions, and, of course, the subsequent free hunting for
ground targets.
Throughout its time in Europe, the unit was based at Steeple
Morden near Royston, southwest of Cambridge. This does not in-
clude the bases in Germany during the occupation duty after the
war ended.
The identication colors of the aircraft of this ghter group
deviated to a certain extent from the standards maintained by
the 65th FW and the entire VIII FC.
The engine cowlings of the 355th FG’s Thunderbolts (as with
some others) had a white front section, and the unit retained this
The P-51B, serial number 43-6520 WR-W ‘Woody’s Maytag’, own by Capt.
Robert E. Woody, displays the initial identication markings of the 355th
FG Mustangs, consisting of a white spinner and a white stripe on the nose.
355th FG,
early
variant
HISTORY
INFO Eduard12
April 2026