Major George E. Preddy, Jr. pulls up after buzzing the 352nd Fighter Group's base at Bodney, Norfolk, in his P-51B Mustang, Cripes A' Mighty, circa mid-June 1944. The 'Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney' converted to the Mustang from the P-47 Thunderbolt in early April 1944, and George became an 'ace' in this Mustang, gaining his 5th overall victory on May 13th.
With a final official score of 26.833 aerial victories (23 1/3 in the Mustang, plus 3 Probables and 4 Damaged, with 5 destroyed on the ground), Preddy remains the most successful P-51 pilot of all time. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross (now Air Force Cross), Distinguished Flying Cross with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Silver Star with OLC, Air Medal with 7 OLCs, Purple Heart, and Belgian Croix de Guerre.
Top Mustang Ace 12 x 18 in., graphite on toned paper
Completed 2020
Collection of Scott Tanis
Major George E. Preddy, Jr. pulls up after buzzing the 352nd Fighter Group's base at Bodney, Norfolk, in his P-51B Mustang, Cripes A' Mighty, circa mid-June 1944. The 'Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney' converted to the Mustang from the P-47 Thunderbolt in early April 1944, and George became an 'ace' in this Mustang, gaining his 5th overall victory on May 13th.
With a final official score of 26.833 aerial victories (23 1/3 in the Mustang, plus 3 Probables and 4 Damaged, with 5 destroyed on the ground), Preddy remains the most successful P-51 pilot of all time. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross (now Air Force Cross), Distinguished Flying Cross with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Silver Star with OLC, Air Medal with 7 OLCs, Purple Heart, and Belgian Croix de Guerre.