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Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS

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rickpeck2
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Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS

Looking for photo's of his P-47 or anything else.
Thank you for your time.
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    cpeterson
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    That is my father-in-law. I will scan in a plane photo later this week and attach it to you. What is your interest in him and his plane?
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    rickpeck2
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    Hi.I have the book on the 371 FG and also a book written by one of the pilots that had your father-in-law
    in it but not much information on him.
    He is the squadrons highest scoring pilot with 3 German planes shot down.After reasearching and not coming up with much I thought I would ask here.
    Also build model planes which I'm always looking for a subject to do so I thought this might be something to do.
    Any photo would help and I do thank you on any you post.
    Regards
    Rick Peck
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    cpeterson
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    I really had to crop the top of this picture out to get it under the 200K max attachment allowance. Sorry, the front view of the plane probably won't help with your model making, unless you want to model one that has smashed up wings. He hit some trees when flying low and the photo shows the damage. If you ever do make a model of it, I would love to see a photo!
     
    He had loads of stories about the war, including shooting down German planes and other aspects of being stationed in Europe, including just taking their planes out to see the countryside (when they weren't supposed to). After the war, he was a mechanic and a roofer. He was a real character. In the early 1970s, he took two of his kids up in a friend's plane, and nearly gave them all heart attacks when he did loops and stalls and other crazy things. We asked him to write down his reminiscences, but he only wrote two pages, then gave up.
     
    Perhaps you could help me with something else: I have another WWII photo of 21 pilots lined up in front of a biplane, all with goggles on their heads. I suspect this is the group he trained with (I think in TX) before he was shipped to Europe. The last names of the pilots are written on the back by my father-in-law. Can you suggest which forum I should post to?

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    rickpeck2
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    Thanks .
    Wow that P-47 is torn up real good.
    As for the group of pilots photo I would put in the 371 FG forum and General Group Type under fighters.
    I'm sure somebody might have the answers or help.
    As for the model ,you are correct in that is not enough for a model plus I don't think I'm good enough to add that much damage to a P-47D model.
    But the serial number is written on the bottom right of the photo.
    Thanks again and don't be afraid to post anything ,question or photo's.
    Rick
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    rickpeck2
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    Going by the serial number which is written on the photo bottom right ,this P-47 was in the 552nd Fighter training Squadron.
    Before the pilot went to a fighter group they went to one of these Fighter training Squadron to learn what to expect in combat so they know what to do for the most part when they get into combat.
    The number is 42-7982 .
    It is an older plane so I don't think this was in the 371FG also..
    Rick
     
           
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    cpeterson
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    Is there any way the 552nd training squadron was near his group? That is, that he "borrowed" one of their planes? I know he often took planes when he wasn't supposed to, I think both in TX and later, in Europe, although I guess I always assumed he took his own plane. I thought he had the tree-hitting incident in Europe, and I vaguely recall him mentioning another accident, although I don't recall details. The second incident may have happened in the U.S. I will check with his son, Ron, who might recall for sure.
     
    Also, he was a very good flyer, and right after his own training, he was a flight instructor in Texas, although I don't know where, then he later requested to go to the ETO. Where was the 552nd trained? Could it be Texas? Could this be a plane from during his time as an instructor?
     
    I would think he would know his own plane and it's # (in terms of recognizing the plane photo as his)--he was a sharp cookie. But do you suppose he just had that photo on accident, thinking it looked like his tree damage, and never noticed the serial number?
     
    I really appreciate you looking up all that info. You are very kind. We really wish he would have left more written information on his experiences.
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    rickpeck2
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    Re:Looking for information on Lt.Estell L. Stobaugh of the 404 FS (permalink)
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    The 552nd FTS was in England,ETO .
    If he went to England as a replacement he would most likely went to the 552 FTS before he was in the 404 FS.
    Sorry I don't know if he was a replacement or not.
    Here is the web sight I found the information.Look for number 42-7982 which is way down towards the bottom.
    http://p-47.database.pagesperso-orange.fr/Database/42-7xxxx.htm
    As for his 'own' plane,he may not have always used his own plane .It would have been reel lucky to use the same plane for all his missions.The plane could have been damaged,extra maintenance or lost with another pilot plus most new pilots didn't get there own plane till latter.
    This photo dose look like the P-47 hit some trees.
    Rick
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