P-51 “Parker 51” art by Merle Olmsted
The Parker 51 is a fountain pen first introduced in 1941. Parker marketed it as “The World’s Most Wanted Pen,” a slogan alluding to restrictions on production of consumer goods for civilian markets in the United States during World War II. Parker’s continual advertising during the war created demand that took several years to fulfil after the end of the conflict. The pen and the ink were both named 51 to mark 1939, the company’s 51st anniversary, during which development for the pen was completed. By giving the pen a number instead of a name, Parker avoided the problem of translating a name into other languages. The pen was not named after the P-51 fighter plane; but Parker took advantage of the coincidence by comparing the pen and the plane in its advertising.
P-51 “Parker 51” 43-6824, G4-F. Crew (L-R), SSgt Bob Hall, Armorer Ernest Huckleberry, Captain Maurice Baker, SSgt Rouse
Story from Merle Olmsted: Jim, this is a photo of P- 51 “Parker 51,” that I had forgotten I had. A couple of months ago I heard from a chap from Parker Pen in the UK, saying that they had sponsored a P-51 in our outfit, and if could I tell them anything about it, or send photos. (The Parker 51 was a popular and widely used pen in those days.) Although I once had a poor photo of the airplane, it has been lost years ago, so I had nothing, but a drawing I had made of the airplane. I told them that Maurice Baker, the pilot, was from Parker, SD, and I suspected that is where the name came from, not from the pen company. (Although Baker likely had a Parker 5l) After I sent them what I had, they sent a beautiful new Parker pen, in a case, very nice of them. While searching for your photos, I came across this one of Baker and his crew and the airplane, which was s/n 43-6824, 362nd code G4-F. The people are (l-r), SSgt Bob Hall, Armorer Ernest Huckleberry, Capt Baker, SSgt Rouse. I have sent it on to the Parker people also. Merle
Model of P-51 “Parker 51”
1944 Parker Pen Ad
