42-7877 In The Mood- Jackson County Michigan Fighter
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FRE 254
Four ground crew demonstrate the different jobs that an aircraft's ground crew had to perform. One stands in the cockpit with radio equipment, another rubs down the barrels of one of the machine guns, another peers at the edge of the engine cowling and the fourth kneels beside the fuel drop tank. This was probably taken at Halesworth (Holton) air base where the 56th Fighter Group were based between 8 July 1943 and 18 April 1944. The P-47 Thunderbolt is one of the 61st Fighter Squadron's, marked with the code HV-D, serial number 42-7877 and known as "In the Mood". Passed for publication 16 September 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'U.S. Fighter Ace's Ground Crew. Associated Press photo shows: The ground crew of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter flown by Eighth Air Force pilot Captain Gerald Johnson, at work on the aircraft, preparing it for another incursion into enemy skies. WOR 260558/9 16943 U'.
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron 63rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-659306
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
- Role/Job: Enlisted Man