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| USAAF 5th AF 348th FG 341st FS  Lolos November 1943  Uling July 13, 1944   Ray Fairfield 1968  Justin Taylan 2000   Justin Taylan 2006 |
Pilot Captain
Samuel V. Blair (survived) Force landed November 7, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Republic at Farmingdale, NY. Constructor Number 270. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-2-RE Thunderbolt serial number 42-8130. Disassembled ans shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) "Black Jack". Assigned to pilot Captain Samuel V. Blair. Crew chief Sgt Marshall. Armorer Sgt Robert P. Harrell. Nicknamed "Frankie" in a stylized font with a stylized pair of lines below the name on the left side of the engine cowling. On the left side of the fuselage below the cockpit was a scoreboard with three Japanese flags (1x1x1) indicating Blair's aerial victory claims as of November 7, 1943. Flying this aircraft, Blair claimed his first three aerial victory credits on October 23, 1943, November 5, 1943 and November 7, 1943. During late 1943, this P-47 force landed at Hood Point Airfield (Hula Airfield). The precise date of the crash is unknown, but likely on or after November 7, 1943. During the landing, the rear fuselage was severely damaged. Afterwards, written off and abandoned upside down at the end of the runway. Afterwards, Captain Samuel V. Blair was assigned a replacement aircraft P-47D "Frankie II". Wreckage Until 1968, this P-47 remained in situ at Hood Point. In 1968, the engine, cockpit section and tail were recovered by William G. Chapman and transported to Jackson Airport for to use as a source of spare parts for his restoration of P-47D 42-8066. During the early 1970s, Charles Darby was allowed to export P-47D 42-8066 and in exchange was to restore and return this aircraft. This P-47 was transported to New Zealand and restored at Museum of Transportation and Technology (MoTaT). Per his agreement, it was returned to the PNG Museum and placed on display until 2001. During 2001, the aircraft was taken by Robert Greinert / HARS to re-restore and was shipped to Australia and some minor restoration work (stripping of paint) was undertaken. Instead of being further restored and returned to the PNG Museum, the P-47 was sold to the Pima Air & Space Museum and shipped to the United States and placed into storage to await further restoration. References This aircraft's crew cheif, Sgt Marshall, who passed away in 2000. USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-2-RE Thunderbolt 42-8130 "8130 (MSN 270) crashed in Papua New Guinea. Wreck is now being restored. Aircraft was given to Robert Greinert/HARS who sold it to the PIMA museum. Now in storage." Thanks to Pima Air & Space Museum Scott Marchand, Director of Collections & Aircraft Restorations, Bruce Hoy and Charles Darby for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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