42-8694 Little Texan
media-22631.jpeg
UPL 22631
P-47D 42-8694 OC-R “Little Texan”. The name “Little Texan” was used by Capt James B Smith who hailed from San Antonio, TX. It seems that this P-47 was reassigned to Lt. Alphonse following the loss and evasion of Capt. Smith on 8 June in 42-76168, but it is uncertain if the proposed new name “Gwen” or “Gwendolyn” was applied before Lt Alphonse was himself lost on 14 August.
Assigned to 359FS, 356FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of Capt James B Smith. Re-assigned to Lt Louis G Alphonse. Failed to Return (FTR) target support mission to Arras, France. Straggling behind the formation, A/C was shot down by Bf109 which bounced him from out of the sun. Pilot Lt Robert B Conroy abandoned A/C POW. 14-Jan-44. MACR 1967.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-737694
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13054776 / O-796661
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-524194
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot, Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Arras, France | 14 January 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) target support mission to Arras, France. Straggling behind the formation, A/C was shot down by Bf109 which bounced him from out of the sun. Pilot Lt Robert B Conroy abandoned A/C POW. 14-Jan-44. MACR 1967. |
Manufactured |
Farmingdale, NY 11735, USA | Built at Republic. | |
Delivered |
New York, NY, USA | Delivered to USAAF | |
Assigned |
Martlesham Heath, Martlesham, Ipswich, UK | Assigned to 359FS, 356FG, 8AF USAAF. |