[78thFG_Doodle]

Tied with "Hell-ER Bust" as my favorite Mustang. "Upupa Epops" is a WWII veteran that served with the 353rd Fighter Group, 352nd Fighter Squadron. It was flown by Captain Harrison "Bud" Tordoff. Tordoff scored 9 kills flying this Mustang. It was purchased by Paul Allen in 1999 and was restored to it's actual condition from WWII. The Mustang is the most completly restored P-51 in the world. In 2002 Bud Tordoff was reunited with his Mustang in Arlington, Washington at the first home of the Flying Heritage Collection. Bud Tordoff, passed away on July 23rd, 2008. Before he died, I had a chance to meet Bud and talk to him for a few minutes. He was a very nice gentleman and had a great deal of respect for the Mustang. He told me that "I scored 9 kills, in 85 combat missions. And the Mustang always brought me home. I never turned back for any reason and she never let me down." P-51D Mustang "Upupa Epops" is based at Paine Field in Everett, Washington and is part of the Flying Heritage Collection.