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

JACK COOK · #1 17th July 2005, 07:44

Looking for info on a P-47 I have a photo of. I beleive it to be 78th FG due to the style of the personal insignia. The name is "Noamie Vee" with 2 kill markers and the serial is 43-25528. Thank you!

Alex Smart · #2 17th July 2005, 17:47

Hi,

Yes, 78 Fighter Group, 83rd Fighter Squadron.

involved in an accident on 3rd June 1944 at Dixford.

Following this the a/c was eventually used by the 36th Fighter Group 23 Fighter Squadron and was lost on th 19th March 1945 with pilot Peter W Klaassen.

MACR 13173.

Alex

PS please could you send me at alex@smart98.freeserve.co.uk a scan of the picture.
Thanks

Frank Olynyk · #3 17th July 2005, 17:57

Jack,
Two claims credited to 1st Lt Franklin R Pursell in this aircraft, HL-H on May 11 and July 6, 1944. He was also credited with 1/0/1 FW-190 on June 10, 1944 in a different aircraft.

Frank.

JACK COOK · #4 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 · #5 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 · #6 17th July 2005, 21:32

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

Alex Smart · #7 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 · #8 18th July 2005, 04:06

Alex,

Yes.

Frank.

fsbofk · #9 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 · #10 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