The Story of “Bad Angel”: Pima Air and Space Museum

Southern Arizona Guide ^ | 2013 | Pima Air and Space Museum

[6ppc]

On the Saturday following Thanksgiving 2013, Ms. Karen, my 94-year-old father, Bill Gressinger, and I were visiting Pima Air and Space Museum.

We were in Hanger #4 to view the beautifully restored B-29, when I happened to take notice of a P-51 Mustang near the big bomber. It’s name … “Bad Angel”. P-51 Mustang "Bad Angel" in Hanger #4 at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

P-51 Mustang "Bad Angel" in Hanger #4 at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

I was admiring its aerodynamic lines and recalled enough history to know that until the Mustangs came into service, the skies over the Pacific Ocean were dominated by Japanese Zeros.

Then something very strange caught my eye. Proudly displayed on the fuselage of “Bad Angel” were the markings of the pilot’s kills: seven Nazis; one Italian; one Japanese … AND ONE AMERICAN. Huh? “Bad Angel” shot down an American airplane?

[Buffalo Head]

"Comment about the P-51 in the Pacific. In the Pacific, the P-38 owned the Japanese, not the P-51."

No, the Navy's F6F Hellcat owned the Japanese.

[az_gila]

“Comment about the P-51 in the Pacific. In the Pacific, the P-38 owned the Japanese, not the P-51.”
No, the Navy's F6F Hellcat owned the Japanese.

---

The surprise I heard about aircraft in the Pacific war concerned Spitfires - well rather Seafires.

A fellow glider pilot from the UK flew RNFAA Seafires and after VE day his carrier was moved to the Pacific.

Sitting around the campfire one night drinking beer celebrating a birthday he casually mentioned he lost his wingman during an attack on Truk Island on his 21st birthday.

Truly different times back then and they were the Greatest Generation.

[sparklite2]

That’s quite a story. Thanks for posting.

[ops33]

I agree. Only place in the world, that I know of, where the Century Series of fighters are lined in order. Haven’t been to Wright-Pat yet.

[rlmorel]

LOL, I LOVE Wright-Patterson!

Had a funny story, a buddy and I drove out there from the East coast after work and arrived at the museum at 0300 or so, and the museum didn’t open until 10 AM or something like that, so we found an empty parking lot somewhere nearby, and took a nap. (We had driven all night)

We woke up with cars parked all around us, and people in their Sunday best accompanied by kids, looking with distaste at us as skids, surrounded by junk food wrappers and empty soda containers rubbed the sleep out of our eyes...we had unknowingly crashed in a church parking lot!

[rlmorel]

That is pretty much true, though the P-38 did have its success early on (Hellcats didn’t get their first kill in combat until September 1943) while the Japanese still had most of their exceptional pilots available.

But yeah, the Hellcats racked them up after that in greater numbers even though Lamphier and Bong (both P-38 pilots) were neck and neck as the leading aces both in the Pacific and the war overall. Pretty remarkable.

[ops33]

For this AF old fart visiting the AF Museum at Wright Pat is high on my bucket list.

[rlmorel]

Well worth it! (as a Zoomie, you will love it...:)