This photograph
appears on page 9 of The Eight Ballers. The pilot pictured
is Lt Herbert Thomas who was also the Squadron Engineering Officer.
The location is said to be Fourteen Mile Strip. The aircraft is clearly
F-4 Lightning 41-2130 which was named Malaria Mabel. While
the name Mabel can be read on the nose, the preceding word
does not look like Malaria but seems more like Moochin
but this name has never previously been ascribed to an 8th PRS F-4.
Given that 41-2130 was with the squadron when it first deployed to
New Guinea, it could be speculated that squadron personnel had not
previously experienced the debilitating illness malaria and this might
have prompted a change of name. Other photos of this aircraft show
the name Malaria Mabel painted more prominently on the port
side of the nose.
Photo: Thomas via Bob Rocker
THE LOCKHEED FILE www.adastron.com
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