take a guess at

these 3 Mustangs as to unit ? also does it appear there is a colored band around the cowling or is it silver ?

 

USAAF Mustang Groups in Pacific Theatre of Operations:

• 8th Reconnaissance Group
• 15th Fighter Group, VII Fighter Command
• 21st Fighter Group, VII Fighter Command, 46th, 72nd, 531st Fighter Squadrons
• 506th Fighter Group, VII Fighter Command, 457th, 458th, 462nd Fighter Squadrons
• 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force

 

which one because one of yours is correct but there is a sub squad off of it....

can you tell about the nose band colour ? hint the photo is taken in 1945

 

75th FS, 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force

 

nope Pzjgr. another hint from a different up view. the top of the Mustangs wings have dual wide black stripes like the fuselage

 

is it under the 8th Reconnaissance Group

 

keep checking back, there is one hot shot ace of the group......now I know I have given it away. you do have the right unit in your list of sorts

 

If the "Ace" you're talking about is Capt. Abner M. Aust, Jr. then I may know the answer.

 

sorry terror, but good try

 

Last "Guess"......45 FS, 15th FG

 

don't guess..............and no the unit is not correct, so that leaves......... ?

this should give it away but maybe not. the ace of the group had a 66 on the upper tail as well as # 472505 with some very cool 4 angled (red ?) stipes on the left side that I know of under the canopy

 

I'm gonna wing it and say the 23rd FG.

 

sounds like Robert Moore's plane. Let me look

 

I'll save you some time friend..........nope !

 

You know, I have gained about a kilo of grey hair working on this. Even with the bones you threw me. But a challenge I love.

 

you'll get it soon..........
a notation my old Opa eyes are going bad. it is in truth two angled gold ? stripes below the cockpit but looks like red or black pin-stripes as edging

nice lookin hot rod. by the way the ace pilot has passed away in the 1990's

 

Here it is 82nd TRS, 71st TRG

 

ha ha

you were in suspense were you not... ?

yes you got it man, and whom is the pilot and the date of his unreal defeat of Japanese Tony's with his wingman who shot down 3 himself ?

and good job on the ID

 

This was my first guess but the lack of strip on the tail threw me as well as the TRS unit designation.

Pilot: Major William Shomo
Date: 11 January, 1945 (another date given is Feb, 1945) Shot down 7 Japanese Tony's

 

a wee more bit from Osprey publishing on the 82nd TAC and Shomo

Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the ... - Google Book Search