P-47 #42-27603 (G8-H) - Visitor to A-6 ALG Normandy

Hi,
 
I would be very grateful if you guys could take a look at a post I have on the DDay Historian forum at this location. It shows stills from footage of P-47 #42-27603 (G8-H) on the A-6 ALG in Normandy, apparently having landed with battle damage. As the aircraft belongs to 378th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group, whose home was the A-12 strip, I am assuming that G8-H is only a visitor to A-6.
 
I would be very grateful if anyone can tell me more about this aircraft during the Normandy campaign and in particular if the pilot's name is known. Any reference to her with battle damage similar to what is seen in the footage and stills would be a great addition.
 
Thanks,
 
Pat

I believe the pilot was Andrew J Sunter
 
Scott - Wisconsin

Hi Scott,
 
Thanks for tracking down the pilot's name.
 
While the footage is fascinating in its own right, the name of the pilot is a huge addition to our knowledge base. When I Googled 'Andrew J. Sunter' just now, I got this page on the Accident-Report.com site. Before I dig deeper here, has anyone here ordered any of these accident reports from this site?
I also got a hit on his name leading to this site:
http://p-47.database.pagesperso-orange.fr/Html/Memento.htm
...but it seems to be undergoing an overhaul as searching on the page using Ctrl+F failed to find anything on Andrew J. Sunter.
 
BTW, can anyone here recommend a good book on the P-47 air war in Normandy?
 
Thanks again Scott; I appreciate your time.
 
Pat
 

Sunter was the pilot killed when he bailed out of the  plane on 18 OCT 44.  He may not have been the pilot in June.  The plane was also hit on 31 Aug 44 when it was hit in the propeller.  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4564974700/

More on Sunter.
 
Apparently he was shot down on July 31st. also.  He evaded capture by german soldiers.
 
Scott - Wisconsin
 

Hi Guys,
 
Thanks for the additional information on Andrew J. Sunter.
Is it possible to check who was flying a particular P-47 at any point in time?
I found a book titled 'Fighter Pilot Jazz: Role of the P-47 and Spirited Guys in Winning the Air-Ground War in Normandy, 1944' by Hal Shook on Amazon - can anyone recommend this book as a study of the P-47 role in Normandy?
 
Thanks,
 
Pat

I think that would be impossible.  Are you looking for books about a certain group or about the 9th air force? I personally collect mostly 362nd FG books, as well as other 9th AF books.  I tend to stay away from other air forces, just because there is too much out there. (and Im not rich)
 
I tend to collect pilots autobiography's as well as unit histories.  (too many, if you ask my girlfriend) there is a TON out there, you just have to figure which units you want to research.
 
The unit historys are the best in piecing together the past, at least in my opinion.  The can be quite pricey though! As for "Fighter Pilot Jazz" well, I have that book. I got about halfway through it. I personally did not like that one. I hate to be a book reviewer here.. so I wont review it. Sorry
 
A good book to start with (in my opinion) is "A stormy sky over Normandy" by Remy Chuinard
 
He has been doing research since he was 19, an EXPERT, if there ever was one.
 
http://www.amazon.com/s/r...ormy+sky+over+normandy
 
If you have other questions about a certain book or unit history, feel free to ask on these forums!
 
Good luck
 
Scott - Wisconsin

Thanks Scott,
 
Much appreciated.
 
Pat

Pat -
I can recommend a Good Book -
Hell Hawks by Robert Dorr. It covers the 
365th FG , P-47s , from Normandy to End of War.
Mike

Greetings new to this site-
my
Dad was and is- H2X radar Nav- B-24 445th BG (H) Tibenham air station-
30 mission from 9/11/44 to 3/17/45.
his bomb group was famous for the Kassel Disaster- happily-he wasn't flying that day- or I surely would not be here.
 
Regardless- i'm trying to find a G. Combs-(New Jersey- Gulf war Vet & airline Pilot) who has posted here in past-
 
he was Writing a book- in Autumn- of 2006- I'm trying to find copies for my Dad and siblings.
 
Is it true- the B-24 was the 'box' that the B-17 came in?