'Big Beautiful Doll' was the personal P-51D of Col. John Landers, CO of the Duxford-based 78th FG. Pilot Rob Davies owned and flew the Mustang for more than 10 years. In early 2010 the Doll was sold in Germany.
Rob Davies flying the Doll earlier in the day. Just after the grand Balbo finale, a Skyraider hit the Mustang. Rob managed to parachute to safety. The Doll came down in a field and was destroyed.
Rob Davies' Mustang "Big Beautiful Doll", is based at Woodchurch. She is painted in the markings of the P-51D of Col. John Landers, the CO of Duxford-based 78th FG. Fowlmere was once Duxford's satellite.
This plane started its career in 1951 with the RAAF. After being discharged in 1958, it found its way to Manila, where it crashed in 1973. It was rebuilt using parts of 44-72917, to eventually arrive in the UK in 1985.