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Pilot 1st Lt. William H. Sparks (survived) Dade County, FL Ditched June 21, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Republic at the Indiana Division of Republic Aviation in Evansville, IN. Constructor Number 1398. This aircraft was part of the first batch of 224 P-47s built at Evansville that left the factory in overall aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-21-RA Thunderbolt serial number 43-25601. Wartime History On February 14, 1944 took off from New Mexico Municipal Airport piloted by 2nd Lt. Ben G. Parsons Jr. on a ferry flight bound for Tuscon, Arizona. While taxing, this P-47 hit a soft spot while turning onto the runway and damaged the propeller. Afterwards, the engine, propeller and tail wheel were replaced. Later, this P-47 was disassembled and shipped to Oahu. Reassembled and assigned to the 7th Air Force (7th AF) based at Bellows Airfield. Mission History On June 21, 1944 at 3:33pm took off from Bellows Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. William H. Sparks on a training mission. During the flight, this aircraft suffered an engine failure and ditched off Waimanalo on eastern Oahu. Sparks survived without injury and returned to duty. Wreckage This aircraft remains underwater roughly 1,000 yards off shore. Postwar, the machine guns and other parts were salvaged or removed. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William H. Sparks USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-21-RA Thunderbolt 43-25601 "25601 (7th AF) crash landed in water off Bellows Field, Oahu, HI Jun 21, 1944. Pilot survived and made it to shore. Aircraft salvaged for parts." HQ 339th Sub-Depot Biggs Field, Texas "Extend of damage to airplane P-47 43-25601 Honolulu Star-Bulletin "SCUBA Men Dive into the Past for WWII Fighter Planes" September 2, 1971 page 59 "And the Navy's Pacific Service Force last June [1970] salvage an Army Air Corps [Force] F-47 [P-47] Thunderbolt 'Jug' in 20 feet of water off Waimanalo. It was added to the Hawaii Air National Guard's museum at the airport." Academia "A World War II Underwater Plane Wreck: The History of a P-47" by Whitney Petrey May 2008 War Department CO Office of Flying Safety RJ 19933, 22 June 1944 Thanks to Kenneth D. Wilson for constructor number 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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