P-47D Thunderbolt photo sought

Wyvernfan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2020 2:41 am

I’m looking for a photo of P-47D Thunderbolt 42-74683 of the 82nd FS, 78th FG which crashed in the UK on the 10th December 1943 killing the pilot 1st Lt Melvin R.Wright - if anyone can help?!

Thanks in advance,
Rob

wolf · **Joined:** Sun Mar 01, 2020 2:18 pm **Posts:** 154

Give Maxwell an e-mail and ask for the accident report, might have photos of the wreckage.

Tammy should be able to e-mail you a PDF of the file

report is WRIGHT, MELVIN R. (44-12-10-502)

Maxwell contact is

tammy.horton@us.af.mil

Wyvernfan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:19 am

Thank you, I’ll give that a go!

Rob

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2539

Accident report and some post accident pics here. http://www.ulongbeach.com/Wright_Accident_Page.html

AG pilot · **Joined:** Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:13 am **Posts:** 532

That was amazingly fast! Well done!

Wyvernfan · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 3:11 am

Thank you, Mike, that is very much appreciated.!

Back in the 1970’s my late father - who was a schoolboy at the time of the crash and local to the area, took me to the field where a P-47 had crashed and we found a couple of small fragments - one of which I have kept. Because of the distance and direction from RAF Duxford as stated in the crash report I believe it to be this accident involving 1st Lt Melvin R. Wright.

I’m hoping to find a photo of the pilot and Thunderbolt 42-74683 before the accident to help complete the story of what would otherwise be ‘another plane crash’, and integrate it into a small display.

Rob

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P-47D Thunderbolt photo sought

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