The three photos in this post were taken by United States Army Air Force photographer, Loomis Dean, while aboard a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Whether these pictures were taken during an VLR mission to the Japanese Home Islands, or during a staged photo shoot is not known.

All three photos were taken on the same flight, and what is interesting is that the P-51D Mustangs have no identifying squadron markings, and if there are any plane numbers, you cannot see them due to them being blocked by the wings. In addition, it appears that the twin Uncle Dog antennae have not been installed because the normal antenna has not been moved to the bottom of the fuselage in front of the wheel wells. The twin Uncle Dog antennae were installed in the field on Iwo Jima, and did not become factory installed until Block 30s.

These Mustangs are replacements planes that have arrived on Iwo Jima and no squadron markings have been applied yet or field modifications made.

All of this considered, these photos are most likely the result of a staged photo op.
I still become amazed at the bravery of the combat cameramen!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment, GP! They were frequently in harms way with few means of protecting themselves. A testament to their commitment and bravery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Without them, way too much history would have been lost!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! There is a treasure trove of photographs at our disposal to help us visualize the far away places where they defended the freedoms we enjoy today.
LikeLiked by 1 person