FRE 2478
IMAGEWar correspondent Gladwin Hill is shown the armament on P-47 Thunderbolt 41-6209 by a ground crewman of the 56th Fighter Group, probably at Kings Cliffe air base where the 56th FG were based from 13 January 1943 to 5 April 1943. MAJ Loren G. "Mac" McCollom sits in the cockpit. Passed for publication 11 Mar 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. "Thunderbolt" Comes To Britain - America's New Fighter 'Plane. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Baring its fangs. A member of the ground staff indicates with both pride and satisifaction the deadly "teeth" of the "Thunderbolt". TET 255703, TET 255704, TET 255705, 11-3-43-T.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO, 'Not To Be Released Before' and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: The Writing 69th
- Role/Job: War Correspondent
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron Headquarters (353rd Fighter Group) Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-393150
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer, Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Kingscliffe, Apethorpe
Revisions
Serial visible in photo. McCollom is unmistakable in the cockpit.
Identified Gladwin Hill from other photos of him in the Roger Freeman Collection e.g. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/11659
Gerry Asher: The serial number is visible in photo, on data stencil adjacent to armorer's head: https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/7736