Ain't Misbehavin

On January 14, 1945 Lt. Jesse Richard Frey of the 362nd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group was flying in his P-51D named Ain't Misbehavin' ,... more

by Jason Breidenbach

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Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

30.000 x 24.000 x 2.000 inches

Title

Ain't Misbehavin

Artist

Jason Breidenbach

Medium

Painting - Acrylic

Description

On January 14, 1945 Lt. Jesse Richard Frey of the 362nd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group was flying in his P-51D named "Ain't Misbehavin' ", after the 1941 musical hit performed by Fats Waller, as wingman to Lt. Herman Delager. Lt. Frey's squadron was returning from a mission which included escorting bombers which were making a run to Derben, Germany. On the return flight, flying east, Lt. Delager spotted a German Messerschmidt BF-109G traveling in the opposite direction as it emerged from a cloud bank. He pulled his aircraft into a steep bank to the left and then radioed Lt. Frey that something had gone wrong with his engine. By this time Lt. Frey had spotted the BF-109G which was by this point flying below his aircraft. Lt. Delager directed Lt. Frey to pursue and destroy the German fighter. Lt. Frey increased power and nosed over into a dive to close with the enemy aircraft. He approached the BF-109G from above and from the rear and a little to the enemy aircraft's left side so that that the converging rounds would most likely impact the cockpit area. Immediately the BF-109G pulled straight up and back entering into a violent snap roll and spin. As Lt. Frey's P-51D approached the crippled German fighter no smoke or debris could be seen, but the aircraft was in a deadly spin, and was pointed straight at the ground. After passing over the BF-109G, Lt. Frey performed a chandelle to the right and rejoined his flight leader to continue the trip home.

Uploaded

August 13th, 2013