42-28878 Eileen

A P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number 42-28878) nicknamed "Eileen" of the 78th Fighter Group in flight, flown by First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler. media-401546.jpg FRE 3000 A P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number 42-28878) nicknamed "Eileen" of the 78th Fighter Group in flight, flown by First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler. Roger Freeman Collection

Caption

Object Number - FRE 3000 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number 42-28878) nicknamed "Eileen" of the 78th Fighter Group in flight, flown by First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler.

Connections

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Units served with

People

A P-51 mustang aircraft of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group - based at Duxford. The aircraft (serial number 44-63209) was named "Sherman Was Right" - originally piloted by First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler. The phrase referenced remarks made by General William T. Sherman (who had commanded Union forces during the American Civil War) - "There is many a boy here today who thinks war is all glory but, boys, it is all hell." This aircraft was lost on an escort mission on 3rd March 1945, when being
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700317
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

4 February 1945 Lost while being flown by Kenneth L. Smith.

Revisions

42-28878: Gallery (1 items)