42-75429 Eileen

First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group with his P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number 42-75429) nicknamed "Eileen", May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1/Lt. Frank E. Oiler, 84FS, 1944, May. Source - Frank Oiler.' media-401545.jpg FRE 2999 First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group with his P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number42-75429) nicknamed "Eileen", May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1/Lt. Frank E. Oiler, 84FS, 1944, May. Source - Frank Oiler.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 2999 - First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group with his P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number42-75429) nicknamed...

P-47D 42-75429 was assigned to the 84th Fighter Squadron of the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford. Pilot Frank Oiler gave it the nickname 'Eileen'.



84th FS, 78th FG squadron and aircraft codes: WZ-B; WZ-S



The aircraft was later transferred to the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group, first at Halesworth and then at Boxted.



The aircraft crash landed on 8 November 1944 after engine failure at Boxted. Pilot David L Mauldin survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.

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Units served with

People

First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group with his P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number 42-75429) nicknamed "Eileen", May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1/Lt. Frank E. Oiler, 84FS, 1944, May. Source - Frank Oiler.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-710141
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
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

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

Boxted, Colchester, UK 8 November 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
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Selected featured media

Date
Contributorcmauldin
Changes
Sources

Fixed typo

42-75429: Gallery (3 items)