42-7924

media-15151.jpeg UPL 15151 1st Lt. 'Mike' Sobanski's P-47D Thunderbolt 42-7924 and another 334th Fighter Squadron aircraft - both equipped with 200-gallon external tanks - prepare to take-off at Debden.
The ungainly external tank was referred to as a 'baby' by the crews, and when first employed, the store could not be jettisoned in flight. This was quickly rectified by groundcrews, who modified the tank mounts, but the drag-inducing 200-gallon store was soon replaced by streamlined, pylon-mounted, 75- and 108-gallon tanks.

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

Object Number - UPL 15151 - 1st Lt. 'Mike' Sobanski's P-47D Thunderbolt 42-7924 and another 334th Fighter Squadron aircraft - both equipped with 200-gallon external tanks -...

P-47D-1-RE 42-7984 was assigned to the 4FG/334FS at Debden, UK. On 3-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by F/O Frank D. Gallion, had been relocated to Halesworth, UK as a more forward base for despatch on this mission to escort B-17 bombers attacking at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. When the flight got to the Dutch coast it was attacked by German fighters and shot down. The aircraft and F/O Gallion crashed into the Ijsselmeer and he was Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 1049

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-190742
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885191
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

IJsselmeer, Netherlands 3 November 1943 Shot down by German fighters over Holland while on a mission to escort bombers attacking at Wilhelmshave, Germany. Aircraft crashed into the Ijsselmeer, Holland

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jul-2015. Added FTR event per MACR 1048; Made connections to Place (Halesworth take-off location) and Mission within existing website data; Added Markings andDescription based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 10428 / MACR 1048 / MACR 3149 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-7924: Gallery (3 items)