in the car where it was later discovered between the
seats during the restoration. His name and the three
U-2 bases he served at are written inside the hat.
In March 1995, Unit One was sent to the English
RAF-Fairfield Station before being transferred to
serve at Istres Air Force Base in France in January
1996 and later to the Aviano and Sigonella Air Force
Bases in Italy. Mobile One was taken out of service in
October 1999, stripped of its lightbar and radio
equipment and sold through the DRMO in Aviano,
Italy. American serviceman Michael Abela was stationed in England and purchased it. He drove it
across Europe to Calais, France, and hitched a ferry
ride to England. The Mustang was then shipped back
to the States, and approximately a year later it was
purchased by Charles Ricks.
Charles had Mobile One shipped from New York
to his home in Hanford, California, and prepared for
the subsequent restoration. Hours of research were
done before the restoration in 2002 to make sure
everything was accurately reproduced. He even
Issue 2 FOX Mustang Magazine 47