42-76329 Mrs Blue

A Chevrolet truck fitted out as a mobile air traffic control unit. In the background is P-47 (WZ-A, serial no. 42-76329) of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, which was based at Duxford air base. Passed for publication 11 March 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Discard bomb(er) nose as control tower. Associated Press photo shows: A home made black and white checkered truck fitted with a dome made of a discarded plexiglass bomber nose is used as a portable control tower on a P-47 field in Engl media-377539.jpg FRE 296 A Chevrolet truck fitted out as a mobile air traffic control unit. In the background is P-47 (WZ-A, serial no. 42-76329) of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, which was based at Duxford air base. Passed for publication 11 March 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Discard bomb(er) nose as control tower. Associated Press photo shows: A home made black and white checkered truck fitted with a dome made of a discarded plexiglass bomber nose is used as a portable control tower on a P-47 field in England. It is radio and telephone equipped and the dome gives protection from the cold. A P-47 is seen taking off after being given the green light from the cotrol tower.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 296 - A Chevrolet truck fitted out as a mobile air traffic control unit. In the background is P-47 (WZ-A, serial no. 42-76329) of the 83rd Fighter...

Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of 1st Lt Richard L Baron. Baron bagged 4.5 aircraft destroyed in this A/C. Seized engine due to flak hit in lower cylinder Oct-44. Engine replaced. Transferred to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Abandoned RAF Woodbridge, pilot Lt Andrew G Kopas baled out. 5-Jan-45. Written Off.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Richard Leo Baron

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17113531 / O-702744
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

William F Hunt

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-667820
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Andrew G Kopas

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron
  • Role/Job: Fighter 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"

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Woodbridge, UK 5 January 1945 Baled out RAF Woodbridge Cat 4 damage Lt Andrew G Kopas, 5-Jan-45. P-47D 42-76329 - 62FS 56FG 8AF

Manufactured

Farmingdale, NY 11735, USA Built at Republic.

Delivered

New York, NY, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Duxford, Cambridge CB22, UK Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Transferred

Boxted, Colchester, UK Transferred to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF.

Crashed

Manston Airport (MSE), Manston Rd, Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5BQ, UK On fighter sweep over France. Hit by flak badly damaging the lower cylinder of the radial engine. Managed to limp back to Manston ELG landing without flaps. Taxiing in the engine seized solid. Pilot 1st Lt Richard L Baron.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=42-76329
http://scottnelsonart.com/last-flight-of-mrs-blue/

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Peter Randall - 78th FG D-Day List;

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search.php?searchString=42-76329&Submit=…
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=42-76329
http://scottnelsonart.com/last-flight-of-mrs-blue/

42-76329: Gallery (1 items)

A Chevrolet truck fitted out as a mobile air traffic control unit. In the background is P-47 (WZ-A, serial no. 42-76329) of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, which was based at Duxford air base. Passed for publication 11 March 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Discard bomb(er) nose as control tower. Associated Press photo shows: A home made black and white checkered truck fitted with a dome made of a discarded plexiglass bomber nose is used as a portable control tower on a P-47 field in Engl

Object number: FRE 296 - A Chevrolet truck fitted out as a mobile air...