Gentlemen,

recently I found this photo of a P-47D-30-RA (44-32984) named "Skippy" from the 514th FS, 406th FG, taken at Münster-Handorf, Germany. It is printed in Osprey's P-47 Aces of the 9th and 15th Air Forces, page 76.



I think the mixed-group markings this T-Bolt carries are quite interesting. Are there any known additional pictures of this aircraft or any other info about it's origin (as the tail color is different from the 406th FG's regulations)?

Regards,
Christian

The P-47D next to it is from the 36 FG 23 FS code is 7U.They had a yellow tail at one time so I'm thinking 36 FG .
But the 23 FS had yellow for the squadron color and in the photo the nose looks darker than the tail?
http://www.keynet.net/~tralston/36thph.htm go there for photo of this Squadron's P-47.
Rick

So "Skippy" might be 23rd FS plane? This would explain why that little piece of the squadron code that is visible beneath the wing looks so much like the lower end of a "7".

The caption in Jerry Scutts' Osprey title - while naturally assuming that the cowling is blue - says that this P-47 is in service with the 514th FS and - because of the extensive tail color - might have belonged to the 36th FG (all-yellow) or 358th FG (all-orange) beforehand. So maybe Scutts just accidentally interchanged his information?? But that leaves the question: Why 514th FS? Is the cowling really blue or just a darker shade of yellow?
On the other hand, because the color on the cowling looks much fresher than that on the tail, there remains a possibility that "Skippy" indeed was attached to, let's say, 514th FS after service with 23rd FS. But would the new owner have kept the old squadron codes?

I've found a list on the web which lists P-47D 44-32984 as being in service with the 23rd FS. Is there any evidence for this plane being in service with another squadron than 23rd FS?

Christian -
From 9th AF in WW II by Kenn Rust:
By Fall , 1944 all 36th FG P - 47s had Yellow Tails
Cowling Colors:
22d Sq. - Red
23d Sq. - Yellow
53d Sq. - Blue
Mike