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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1943
Captured Italian Airplane Provides Busman's Holiday For 99th Squadron Pilot During Brief Lull In Battle 
[3 images]
First Lt. James T. Wiley of Pittsburgh, Pa., known now by his comrades in the 99th Fighter Squadron as "Little Flower," used a captured Italian plane for a "busman's holiday" when, after the victory in Sicily, all of the fliers in the unit were given two-day leaves. While others sought out the more usual forms of well earned relaxation, he got the Fascist crate into flying shape and enjoyed himself aloft in it—but not before the squadron painter (center picture), Sgt. George B. Hebbs, 23, of 40 Morningside avenue, New York City, had given it a coat of olive drab point and plastered its fuselage and wings with AAF insignia to keep it from being shot down by some alert Allied pilots of anti-aircraft batteries. Lt. Wiley is shown in the cockpit in the left and right pictures. He would like to bring it back home when "it's over, over there," but doubts that will be possible. (Photos by Thomas W. Young, Journal and Guide war correspondent).

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-27 16:09:46 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-27 15:42:04 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-27 15:46:30 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-28 13:22:02 "23, of 40 Morningside avenues, New York City," - Remove the s from avenue so it matches the original. Otherwise looks good to go.