FRE 286

IMAGE
First Lieutenant Earl L. Stier of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, surveys the damage to his aircraft at Duxford air base. Half the rudder was shot away when he was hit by flak on the recent mission. 1945.
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First Lieutenant Earl L. Stier of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, surveys the damage to his aircraft at Duxford air base. Half the rudder was shot away when he was hit by flak on the recent mission. 1945.

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Units

People

The tail section of a P-51 Mustang aircraft, WZ-Y (serial number 44-63187), piloted by Captain Earl Stier. Whilst on a strafing mission over Luneburg airfield (3rd February 1945), the P-51 was struck by anti-aircraft fire. Stier succeeded in returning his stricken Mustang the 450 miles to Duxford.

Earl L Stier

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-774347
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Earl L. Stier of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, surveys the damage to his aircraft at Duxford air base. Half the rudder was shot away when he was hit by flak on the recent mission. 1945.

44-63187

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Bum Steer
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron

Locations

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'

Duxford

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Revisions

Date:
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to unit associations and aircraft associations
Sources

Roger Freeman Photo.

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection