From "P-47 THunderbolt: Aviation Darwinism":
The 348th Fighter Group arrived in Australia on June 30th 1943 with their P-47D-2-RE Jugs.
On page 313 of
From Seversky to Republic, Bodie writes that no P-47Cs were flown "down under"... only Ds. "Those early series Thunderbolts, lacking external drop tank provisions, were totally unsuitable for coping with the expanses of the SWPA." Kearby was KIA 5 March 44. By this time, the 348th FG was flying the -16-RE variant (this variant in theater around Christmas Day 1943) with wing drop tanks.
According to
this web page, Kearby was flying a P-47D-4-RA named "Fiery Ginger IV" when he was KIA. He had 3 previous mounts known as "Fiery Ginger": a -2, a later unknown variant, a -16, and finally his -4.
I'm actually waiting on a book from Osprey
Mustang and Thunderbolt ACes of the PTO which should have some more info on Kearby. If you want to read more about him on the net, check also
"Giant in a Jug: Neel Kearby". You might also check out the book
Kearby's Thunderbolts by John C. Stanaway.
[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: Sancho ]
