Could Use Some Help

[cactuskooler]

I've been working on Col. Laughlin's P-47D-30 44-33287, one of his P-47s he flew while CO of the 362nd FG. The further I research into it, the more I think this particular paint scheme may not have seen combat. Normally I'd like to do all the research for a skin myself, but not having any definite answers I'd like to get a second opinion before I pull the plug.

The problem is I've found four different profiles for this plane, three of which say it was from May of 1945. According to "Mogin's Maulers", the 362nd FG's history book by Dan Gianneschi, there was only 12 sorties flown during May all occurring on the 1st. The weather was bad enough that they jettisoned their bombs or brought them back to the base. No air or ground claims were made. V-E day was the 8th.

One thing I've learned from skinning is to never trust the profiles! I can't confirm whether the profile's dates are accurate or not, especially since they don't even all have the same dates. So I'd like to see if anyone has info on the plane or knows if whether that small amount of flying is acceptable.

Some pics and info here.
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/laughlin.html

This is how far along I am with it. I'd like to make certain what's what before I scrap it.

[StokesAk]

That looks amazing cactus!

I hope it saw combat i want to fly it!

[oboe]

I know we used to have a P-47D with a pink elephant on the cowling - I think Jeep did it, but later asked for it to be removed.   Don't know the details.   Not sure if it had a colorboard checked pattern, though - can't recall for sure.

This skin looks fantastic.  I love how master skinners of the '47 can do jobs that really give you a great impression of the machine's bulk and heavy construction.

[USRanger]

Now that is just plain awesome cactus.  Very very nice work.

[Greebo]

That's a beautiful skin Cactus. I'd say that if it saw front line squadron service in WW2, combat or not, it should be OK for AH. It can't hurt to submit it anyway, just mention your doubts in the info.txt file and let HTC decide.

[fudgums]

  amazing

[lyric1]

I posted a colour video clip on youtube of that very plane I have a DVD of the Ninth airforce it is all in colour it is a very crisp & clear if you have the original what I posted on youtube is so so.

The bomb mounts though are all yellow I remember that much. I can't help much as my PC has been dead for over 5 weeks now. I think Greebo may be able to post the link to youtube as I sent him it many months ago.

Plus the US airforce museum has that plane prior to it's checkered paint scheme it was a all yellow nose at first.

[cactuskooler]

I posted a colour video clip on youtube of that very plane I have a DVD of the Ninth airforce it is all in colour it is a very crisp & clear if you have the orignal what I posted on youtube is so so. The bomb mounts though are all yellow I remember that much. I can't help much as my PC has been dead for over 5 weeks now. I think Greebo may be able to post the link to youtube as I sent him it many months ago.

I found that same DVD after starting this thread and it is in the mail as I type. Grabbed the 8th FG DVD as well. 

http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/id69.html

[lyric1]

I found that same DVD after starting this thread and it is in the mail as I type. Grabbed the 8th FG DVD as well.  

http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/id69.html

That is the DVD  the clip is about 30 seconds long it will give you all the info you need plus if you search back on jeepinaz & his posts I gave him two Profiles on this plane he submitted the yellow nose & scrapped it & was working on the checker patten & stopped & pulled everything out of his. Greebo I think has the profiles too?

Not on the DVD there is another colour clip of the plane taking off together with a bomber & the camera is filming from in side the bomber as they take off. Not sure where I found that one though now?

[lyric1]

Go to youtube type in. 5x5 p47 That will get you there, the clip is longer on the DVD than what I posted.

[cactuskooler]

Thanks for that Lyric! That's exactly what I was hoping to find in the DVD. Confirms my suspicions about the yellow on the bomb mounts.

[lyric1]

Thanks for that Lyric! That's exactly what I was hoping to find in the DVD. Confirms my suspicions about the yellow on the bomb mounts.

Any time here is the museum link. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_media.asp?fsID=520

[lyric1]

I think this profile is a good match based off the colours on the video.

[cactuskooler]

Thanks Lyric. She's pretty much finished at this point. Just a couple more days of finishing touches that no one will notice.

The 9th Air Force DVD arrived the other day. It looks like there wasn't any yellow on the leading edge machine gun panel. Yellow hub caps though.  

There's also no tank/truck/locomotive kill tallies on the side, just his three A2A kills and the cruiser.

[lyric1]

That DVD is a good one about the 9TH. May be a few others on there worth skinning.