44-63187 Bum Steer

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. media-377530.jpg FRE 286 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. Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo.

Object Number - FRE 286 - 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...

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Clarion Ledger April 22 1945 clipping James Farmer

James M Farmer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14095572 / O-763134
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
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

Places

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"

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The serial number is written in the description of a photo showing the damaged tail section of Earl Stier's plane following a mission. The aircraft name and emblem are from my personal collection of photos that belonged to Earl Stier, my grandfather. I noticed there were no photos of the front section of his aircraft on this website so I am donating one.

44-63187: Gallery (4 items)

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.

Object number: FRE 286 - First Lieutenant Earl L. Stier of the 84th Fighter...

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.

Object number: FRE 5614 - The tail section of a P-51 Mustang aircraft, WZ-Y...

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. Handwritten on slide casing:"WZ:-Y 187 cpt Earl Stier C.T. Bendorf"

Object number: FRE 5617 - The tail section of a P-51 Mustang aircraft, WZ-Y...

Object number: UPL 26172 - Earl Stier's P-51 Mustang. Unknown occupant. From...