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American Beauty -“Forgotten Fifteenth” top-scoring Mustang ace John J. Voll
![Lee Lauderback, who holds the record for most flying hours in a Mustang, soars above the Kissimmee, Florida clouds in Max Chapman’s Cavalier Aircraft new-build wearing the paint scheme of “American Beauty,” the P-51D flown by Lt. John J. Voll, 31st FG top Mustang ace. (Photo by John Dibbs/Facebook.com/theplanepicture)](https://membership.flightjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dibbs_P51D42.30_cc-min.jpg)
During World War Two and ever since, many stories of the USAAF “Mighty Eighth” Air Force, operating from Britain over Europe, have been made available for public consumption. In comparison, relatively little publicity has been afforded to the “Forgotten Fifteenth” Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). The Fifteenth was established as a strategic force on November 1, 1943, from elements of the Twelfth and Ninth Air Forces. At its peak, the Fifteenth...
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All the stories featured in Flight Journal are as unique and varied as the airplanes and warriors who flew them. From popular warbirds like the P-51 Mustang and Me 109 to the Lockheed SR-71 and futuristic hypersonic fighters, we cover the whole spectrum of aviation. We’ve heard from countless readers over the years about how much they enjoy the compelling stories and beautiful photography.
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