briantk2003 [2008-05-08 04:39:23 +0000 UTC]
Before the Korean War, there were 150 pilots qualified to fly Mustang in South Korea. President of South Korea, Syngman Rhee wanted to create air asset of 350 airplane centered around F-51 and B-26.[1]
Republic of Korea Air Force received its first ten F-51 from USAF on July 2, 1950, almost one week after the Korean War started.[2] Initially flown by both Korean and American pilots, RoKAF Mustang contribute greatly to the war effort.[3] During the war, RoKAF received 133 Mustang, of which 39 were lost in combat, 29 in accidents while making 8,496 combat sorties. In 1955, RoKAF replaced its Mustang with F-86.
[1] The War for Korea, 1945-1950 p217
[2] Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social and Military History p353-354
[3] Korean Mustang, Combat Aircraft Vol. 7 No. 2
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