My first overall green drab Thunderbolt. Underside is bare metal and carries the extra large star-and-bar insignia under both wings. Still finalizing layer opacities and have some work on the spec and power maps left.
Click images for full-size versions
The 405th FG was commanded by former 133 Eagle Squadron CO Carroll "Mac" McColpin, who authorized the wild personal decorations on the aircraft for morale purposes,
since the unit was tasked with ground attack missions and during the course of the battles between D-Day and VE-Day, the Group suffered 180% losses.
This aircraft originally flew with the 56thFG as "Ole Cock III" but wound up transferred to the 9th AF, probably as the 56th was getting its newer M version Thunderbolts in early 1945.
Joe Baugher's serial number site says she met her end in a crash on 13Apr45 two miles west of Horn, Germany, but doesn't specify the cause, whether due to mechanical failure
or enemy fire.
