Gabreski T-Bolt Questions

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by JACK COOK

Everyone know's Gabby's T-Bolt was s/n 42-26418 HV+A and he was lost in it on 7-20-1944. My question is did any other pilot have the same camo on his P-47D or was this a one off scheme? Was Gabby really downed in this a/c or is the serial number off?

According to J-1663 Gabby was flying this ship, 20% damage so obviously it was NOT set on fire. According to this report Gabby 'defended himself with a pistol and escaped' (to be captured later.

Also noted was the '28' victories on his ship HVA, serial number '226418' so 42-26418 was correct serial number and squadron code.

MACR 6843 (not in armyairforces.com data base)

Look at this pictiure. The date is unknown but clearly post D-Day. Capt Jim Carter and Lt Earl Hertel are preparing for a dust DB mission. This seems to be Gabby's 47 and his armorer Joe DiFranza is IDed in the center of the 3 ground crewmen on the left. Note also a large block is painted over under the cockpit. It looks to be were 28 kill flags were! Does anyone know anything about his a/c. Over to the experts!

In Capt Donovan Smith's Eyewitness Report attached to the MACR they destroyed the jug - according to German Report it was 20% damaged.

As to mystery of upper D-Day stripes, 8th AF issued directive on July 9 to remove all upper stripes. Took awhile for order to be 100% completed