FRE 202
IMAGEMajor David C. Schilling, an ace P-47 Thunderbolt pilot of the 56th Fighter Group, holds a heavily modified 1911 pistol. The addition of a forward hand-grip and the fact that three magazines have been welding together, likely providing a 21 round capacity, suggest the pistol was possibly modified for full automatic fire. Schilling was Commanding Officer of the 56th FG between 12 August 1944 and 27 January 1945. Roger Freeman's writing on reverse of print: 'Dave Schilling with repeater revolver'. Another print copy has a handwritten caption on the reverse written by ace Hub Zemke: 'Summer 1942. Then Major David C. Schilling CO 62nd Fighter Squadron, Bradley Field Conn., showing off his modification to an Army Colt 45. David was up to some engineering gadget all the time. In this case an extended clip was built for more ammunition capacity. A handle had to be built to hold the weapon as it sprayed ammunition all over the landscape. Many a barrel was burned out.'
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 65th Fighter Wing 56th Fighter Group 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron 63rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-393204
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot; Commanding Officer; Assistant Director Intelligence