41-6529 Hi! R.P.M./Eager Beaver/Miss Beth

media-15127.jpeg UPL 15127 Ground crew pose in front of Capt. Ervin 'Dusty' Miller's P-47C Thunderbolt 'Hi! R.P.M.'.

Personal research & 4th fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.

Object Number - UPL 15127 - Ground crew pose in front of Capt. Ervin 'Dusty' Miller's P-47C Thunderbolt 'Hi! R.P.M.'.

This P-47C Thunderbolt was the one-time mount of Captain Ervin 'Dusty' Miller. It's nose art, 'Hi! R.P.M.', commemorated the birth of his son, Robert Paul Miller.

It was later assigned to 1st Lt. Jack Raphael in August 1943 and he continued to fly it until February 1944. He had its name changed to 'Eager Beaver' to reflect his Pacific Northwest heritage. Just in front of the canopy on the port side it also bore the name 'Miss Beth'.

41-6529 was later transferred to the 404th Fighter Group, where it was involved in a fatal take-off accident on 13 April 1944.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-797815
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 388th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2906th Observation Training Group 336th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885138
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-190626 / O-2044897
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Winkton, Christchurch, Dorset BH23, UK 13 April 1944 Crashed Engine Failure Winkton/Sta 414 Cat 5 damage, pilot Lt William Frost Jr KIA, 13-Apr-44. 506FS 404FG 9AF.

Manufactured

Long Island, New York, USA Built at Republic.

Assigned

Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Transferred

Winkton, Christchurch, Dorset BH23, UK Transferred to 506FS, 404FG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz.

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.

41-6529: Gallery (5 items)