Ted E. Lines was born on 4 May 1921, in Mesa, Arizona, He spent his entire life deeply rooted in the American Southwest, which inspired the distinct Native American artwork on his last P-51 Mustang.

Lines grew up in Arizona and graduated from Mesa Union High School. Before becoming a pilot, Lines entered military service via the Arizona National Guard in 1940.

He deployed as an enlisted soldier to Panama, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He successfully pivoted to leadership by graduating from the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School on 18 August 1942. He spent several months stationed at Camp Hood, Texas, as an artillery officer before transferring to aviation.

After entering USSAF flight school and graduated from rigorous Aviation Cadet Training on 1 October 1943, and officially earning his pilot wings he arrived in England in April 1944 and posted to 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force.

In June he flew intense, continuous support and escort missions during the D-Day Normandy invasion. And on 24 August he downed two Messerschmitt Bf 109s

Then on 10 September he shot down another three Bf 109s and a Ju 88 earning him the Distinguished Service Cross. On 16 September Ted E. Lines was Designated as Flight Commander of "A Flight" due to his exceptional performance. The day after, on 17 September he shot down three Fw 190s And on 29 September followed a promotion to Captain

Captain Ted E. Lines would file his last three victories, all Bf 109s on 24 October 1944, Flying his newly assigned P-51D "Thunder Bird". Captain Lines engaged a formation of Luftwaffe fighters. During the dogfight, he aggressively pursued the enemy down to low altitudes.

His combat report describes the climactic 10th victory: Lines pinned an Bf 109 "right on the deck". The German pilot attempted to bail out at an altitude that was far too low. His parachute deployed but immediately caught against the tail of his own plane, causing both the pilot and the aircraft to crash violently into the ground.

Finally in November he had Completed his combat tour, rotated back to the U.S. Upon leaving RAF Debden, Captain Lines was reassigned to Luke Field, Arizona, where he transitioned into his new role as an advanced aerobatic instructor pilot.

This profile is one of many newly made P-51 Mustangs made during the last three months, more will follow soon.