This Mustang, redsignated as an F-51D in 1948, had the honour of being the last prop-driven fighter operational with a USAF tactical unit when retired by the 167th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (ANG), Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, WV in January 1957. It was ferried in these colours from Charleston, WV to Patterson Field, OH for preservation at the USAF Museum, being met over Ohio by an F-100 Super Sabre. It seems rather surprising in view of its significance as the last P-51 in service that by 1982 it had been repainted to represent a different aircraft (see my 2024 photo)