45-49091
Official caption on image: '38(c-208)(261 IBU)(13 Jun 1945-1415) Crash P-47 D 40 RA # 45-49091-50 MI WSW At AAB- Restricted.' Roger Freeman Collection
from accident report
2nd AF / 72nd FW / 261st AAFBU (Combat Crew Training Station-Fighter) / Section D - (Abilene AAF)
Collision (class 3): Wednesday, 13 June 1945 (Pilot error)
Pilot: 2Lt Fenton F Harrison
2nd AF mission: - 261st AAFBU mission: (Low Altitude Gunnery & Formation training)
Collision with a tree or bush on the ground near Brownwood Lake, Texas (50 miles East-Southeast from Abilene AAF) @ 1415 hrs.
Formation was flying through a valley when the pilot noticed he was closing in on a ridge. He attempted to pull-up, but because of the heavier weight of this model P-47, the aircraft was not able to fully clear the ridge.
After the impact, aircraft was found to be still airworthy, so the flight leader led 2Lt Harrison back to base.
Engine cowling, right wing leading edge, horizontal stabilizer, left oil cooler door damaged.
AAF accident report: 45-6-13-8