Need help with P-47 ID - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

JACK COOK · #1 17th July 2005, 19:07

I'll assume that this photo was taken on 6-3-44 and this is Lt Pursell.
Thanks much for the help!
I've put a small webpage up with some of my photos 350/5000 take a look and let me know what you think.
http://groups.msn.com/NOSEARTATWAR

edwest · #2 17th July 2005, 19:55

Sir,

With all due respect, may I ask if this is a composite image? The contrast of the figure is noticeably different from the aircraft. I have no expertise in cameras and image analysis.

Regards,
Ed West

JACK COOK · #3 17th July 2005, 21:32

Ed,
Not to my knowledge.
Got it from the National Archives on last visit.

Alex Smart · #4 18th July 2005, 02:50

Hello Frank,

Just to be sure .

1st claim 11th May 1944

2nd claim 10th June 1944

3rd claim 6th July 1944

Alex

Frank Olynyk · #5 18th July 2005, 04:06

Alex,

Yes.

Frank.

fsbofk · #6 18th July 2005, 04:06

I'm no photo expert either, but I would say the pilot was not superimposed, at least based on the contrast in the photo. My guess is that the photog set his camera to produce the best exposure for the pilot's face (so that he could be recognized), which resulted in a relatively light exposure for his skin tone. The OD color of the plane, being darker than the fleshtone, comes out darker. The shadows under the wing and left stabilizer, being darker than OD, come out the darkest of all.

Tony Kambic · #7 19th July 2005, 03:46

I'm thinking Ed may be correct about the photograph. The shadows on the pilot's face and accoutrements suggest sun coming from his left to right, given the facial shadow and the shadow of the oxygen mask. The horizonal stablizer's shadow suggests sun is above, and slightly from the front of the aircraft to the rear. This would contradict the pilot's shadows. The remainder of the pilot's iniform is indescernible, which is a bit odd.

How often has Ed found on eBay or has anyone seen such a photograph, of a just belly-landed pilot posing in front of his aircraft?

Tony

fsbofk · #8 19th July 2005, 04:55

Looking at it again, I compared the highlight off the rear-view mirror and on the forward portion of the left wing root - both point to a sun behind my right shoulder (if I was the cameraman). The stabilizer shadow, it looks to me, makes a slight angle rearward (not straight down), consistent with the sun behind me on my right. The highlights on the wrinkles of his left jacket sleeve also reflect the sun from behind my right. I still think the shadows are in sync here (better than in the famous Lee Harvey Oswald photo !), but that suit is a puzzle.