42-7944 Speed / Lil Jo
P-47D-1-RE 42-7944 [WR:P] "Speed / Lil Jo", was assigned to 355FG/354FS at Steeple Morden, UK. On 13 November 1943, the aircraft, piloted by LTC Thomas H. Hubbard, Group Headquarters, took off from Bungay and was despatched with other P-47s from the 355FG to provide escort to B-17 bombers returning from a raid on Bremen, Germany. Flying over The Netherlands, the aircraft's engine dropped forward in its frame. With his aircraft off balance and the gas and oil lines broken, pilot Hubbard got away from the bombers and bailed out at 25,000ft over Bergentheim, the Netherlands. He came down in his parachute near Scibulo,
6 km SE of Mariënberg, Overijssel, while his P-47 crashed near Laarbrug, between Vlisteren and Ommen, Overijssel, The Netherlands. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 1449. For the full story of Col. Hubbard's evasion, see http://www.evasioncomete.be/fhubbarth.html
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group Headquarters Squadron (355th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-380248
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Deputy Group Commander / Fighter Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Flixton
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 13 November 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
7731 Ommen, Netherlands | 13 November 1943 | Aircraft's engine dropped forward in its frame. With his P-47 off balance and the gas and oil lines broken, pilot Hubbard got away from the bombers and bailed out at 25,000ft over Bergentheim, the Netherlands. He came down in his parachute near Scibulo, 6 km SE of Mariënberg, Overijssel, and managed to evade capture. His P-47 crashed near Laarbrug, between Vlisteren and Ommen, Overijssel, The Netherlands. |
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-Jul-2015. Added Nickname, Markings and Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Added FTR event per MACR 1449.
MACR 1449 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database