P-47D 42-278? - 39th FS, 35th FG - Capt. Leroy Grossheusch

Hi AJ
I think you are referring to his unpainted P-47D no. 33 which had 6 Jap flags covering part of the serial ; this had 3 black wing bands top and bottom ( added after the invasion of the Philippines in Oct. ) plus fuselage bands. It also had his 2 squadron c/o diagonal light blue fuselage stripes and swept-back blue nose front. The 33 was repeated on the nose band.
The first squadron nos. were usually 10--39 as per pre-war system.
His other silver P-47D ( a D-23--RA 42-27861 ) was no. "10", same commander's bands and nose colour but just a small 10 in front of the fuselage insignia; a photo shows no wing or fuselage bands and the date was probably late 1944. Most likely a new assignment as there were no victory flags marked on. Both aircraft had the red-white-blue rudder stripes also as pre-war style.
There didn't seem to be an order as to the number of black bands as some fighters had 1, 2 or 3 on wings-fuselage, sometimes a combination. Grossheusch's later P-51D had 3 (also no. 10) and rudder stripes.
Hope this is some help
Nick
 
 

AJ
the wing bands should have been applied with those on the fuselage but as you know without a good photo of the upper surfaces you can't be sure; regulations and application were very different .. There is a photo of a P-47D with 2 bands on top left wing, 3 on top right ( maybe one is a replacement).
There are 2 good shots of No. 33 with Leroy, go to
 
www.nostalgicaviation.com/army_air_corps_aces.htm
 
the first shows the serial obscured by his Jap flags, the last 4 digits are stencilled above the groundcrewman's knee but as usual not QUITE legible !  The other shows the 33 repeated on the blue nose.
Hope 2011 is kind to you
All for now
Nick