Gabreski T-Bolt Questions

[SMF144]

Gabreskitgate? Didn't know there was one? Indeed photos are worth a 1000 words, but only if you know what's going on in "that" photo. Otherwise, to the rubbish bin they go...

Either way, things have been rather slow of late, so this has been a good topic.

[petewenman]

Found the photo.It is in the book "Beware the Thunderbolt" which is a Schiffer book on the 56 th FG page 110.

Indeed it is



Pete

[JACK COOK]

[Flavio]

Originally Posted by petewenman

Indeed it is



Pete

Dear all,

I suspect this photo with 31 kill markings is a photo-retouch. Note the last three kill flags: they have the same shape and shadow of those in the row upper. I think Gabreski never had a 31 kill board on his T-Bolt.

Flavio

[rpeck350]

Thanks Pete for posting.
Top row are all with FW-190's on top with the extra 3 on the bottom the last one says ME-109.Which makes sence in that his last four victories were ME-109's.
We might never know.
Rick

[SMF144]

What I find interesting is when did the stenciling of the identity of the kills show up? Clearly these were not part of the stickers...

[lampie]

I must agree that the "31" kill flags is a retouch.
Look carefully and you will see how the curve of the fusalage doesnt continue over the last row of 3 kill markings, in fact, the fusalage appears to start to curve the other way.
Jack.3 nice photos of Gabbys T'bolt.
Thats all,,no painted over scoreboard etc etc etc.
Obviously a reflection.

Jack, you post photos claiming that the staged night photo "obviously" shows a different P-47,stating that the invasion stripes having been painted out on the upper surfaces and in the same post show of photo which clearly shows Gabreski in his P-47 with the stripes removed.
A fine job of disproving your own "theory"


Gabreski bellylanded HV-A and the aircraft had 28 kill markings on this date.
Obviously photographs of HV-A bellylanded with German officers standing on the wing are not enough proof for you?

The photo showing Gabby with 31 kill markings is obviously doctored.

Do you honestly think that while flying 2 or 3 missions a day during the heaviest period of operations,(remember the small matter of the Normandy Landings around this time? ), that ground crews had the time or inclination to cover up a victory scoreboard for a staged photograph etc etc.
It amazing how easy it is to see something you want to see in a photograph rather than what is actually there when you look carefully.

Lets inject a small amount of sanity into these proceedings and leave the conspiracy theories to the UFO fans shall we?

I wonder what Mr Gabreski would make of all of this?

Nige

[SMF144]

Good eye to both Flavio and Lampie about the doctored photo. That's something I totally missed...

[JACK COOK]

Geez you guys are a rough crowd. From intriguing question to conspiracy theories. I just thought it was a cool photo which raised a few questions and I thought ya'll might enjoy seeing it.

[SMF144]

Jack, it's all in good fun.