P47D-25-RE Squadrons over Brittany in summer 1944

[raf38group]

Hello,

Is it possible to know which USAAF Squadron flew over Brittany with red or orange spinner and probably D-Day markings on its P47D-25-RE during the summer 1944?
I thank you in advance for your help.

Bruno

 

[fubar57]

I've got a P-47 with red/orange stripes on the spinner, and invasion stripes. 361st Fighter Squadron, QI ✪ U s/s 276597

356th Fighter Group, 361st FS P-47 Thunderbolt "Zombie" Martlesham Heath | World War Photos

356th Fighter Group, 361st FS P-47 Thunderbolt "Zombie" Martlesham Heath

www.worldwarphotos.info

 

[fubar57]

PM sent

 

[fubar57]

Also 509th Fighter Squadron.... P-47D Thunderbolt "Fat Cat", Capt. Henry Bakken, 509th FS, 405th FG, 1944 - Bravo Bravo Aviation

 

[raf38group]

Thanks a lot!

 

[mjfur]

It would take quite a bit of guess work based on your description.

P-47's had a very small propeller spinner, seeing red or orange while in flight would be a bit difficult. Some P-47's had red or orange painted engine cowls which would be a bit easier to see from a distance. Which one is it?

If you scroll down there is a list of Fighter Groups/Squadrons and the type of aircraft they were flying. You would then need to back date each Squadron to the summer of 1944 and then filter by paint jobs/squadron markings.

USAAF squadron codes and markings | World War Photos

or these

https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/bat...al-air-command

 

[raf38group]

It would take quite a bit of guess work based on your description.

P-47's had a very small propeller spinner, seeing red or orange while in flight would be a bit difficult. Some P-47's had red or orange painted engine cowls which would be a bit easier to see from a distance. Which one is it?

If you scroll down there is a list of Fighter Groups/Squadrons and the type of aircraft they were flying. You would then need to back date each Squadron to the summer of 1944 and then filter by paint jobs/squadron markings.

USAAF squadron codes and markings | World War Photos

or these

https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/bat...al-air-command

View attachment 811707​

Thanks!

 

[mjfur]

I guess my next question would be how did you narrow it down to one of the 385 "P47D-25-RE" and not any of the other -numbers?

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt variants - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sub-variants

• P-47D-25-RE, based on the XP-47L, but with a 13' 1+7⁄8" Hamilton Standard propeller.[4]​ 385 built.[8]​
• P-47D-26-RA, Evansville equivalent of the D-25-RE, but with a 13' Curtiss Electric propeller.[4]​ 250 built.[8]​
• P-47D-27-RE, with an improved water injection system and drop tank controls as well as a new starter.[4]​ 615 built.[8]​
• P-47D-28-RE, with minor changes to the cockpit and a radio direction finder. The Curtiss Electric propeller of Evansville-built aircraft was now standard for both production lines.[4]​ 750 built.[8]​
• P-47D-28-RA, Evansville equivalent of the D-28-RE. 1,028 built.[8]​
• P-47D-30-RE, with dive brakes and many minor changes.[4]​ 800 built, orders for 130 more were converted to orders for the P-47M-1-RE.[8]​[18]​
• P-47D-30-RA, Evansville equivalent of the D-30-RE. 1,800 built.[8]​
• P-47D-40-RA, with dorsal fin added forward of the vertical stabilizer along with a tail warning radar.[4]​ 665 built.[8​

The -25-RE are just past mid page, http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1a.html

 

[raf38group]

I guess my next question would be how did you narrow it down to one of the 385 "P47D-25-RE" and not any of the other -numbers?

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt variants - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sub-variants

• P-47D-25-RE, based on the XP-47L, but with a 13' 1+7⁄8" Hamilton Standard propeller.[4]​ 385 built.[8]​
• P-47D-26-RA, Evansville equivalent of the D-25-RE, but with a 13' Curtiss Electric propeller.[4]​ 250 built.[8]​
• P-47D-27-RE, with an improved water injection system and drop tank controls as well as a new starter.[4]​ 615 built.[8]​
• P-47D-28-RE, with minor changes to the cockpit and a radio direction finder. The Curtiss Electric propeller of Evansville-built aircraft was now standard for both production lines.[4]​ 750 built.[8]​
• P-47D-28-RA, Evansville equivalent of the D-28-RE. 1,028 built.[8]​
• P-47D-30-RE, with dive brakes and many minor changes.[4]​ 800 built, orders for 130 more were converted to orders for the P-47M-1-RE.[8]​[18]​
• P-47D-30-RA, Evansville equivalent of the D-30-RE. 1,800 built.[8]​
• P-47D-40-RA, with dorsal fin added forward of the vertical stabilizer along with a tail warning radar.[4]​ 665 built.[8​

The -25-RE are just past mid page, http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1a.html

Once again thanks!