42-7924
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.
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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
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
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Holton
Missions
- Date: 3 November 1943
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
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.
Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.
MACR 10428 / MACR 1048 / MACR 3149 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database