Warbird Information Exchange

John Godfrey & Don Gentile 4th FG Debden, England 1944

Capt Don "Snuffy" Smith (x-121 Eagle Squadron) 4th FG. BTW
he was a super cool guy!!

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thx so much, Jack!

It's early April 1944, and Don and Johnny are standing on Don's corner hardstand located near the southwestern corner of Debden's peri-track - right in front of 336's dispersal hut. I have several "Then and Now" shots of that hardstand here.

A stone's throw from the boys and Shangri-La is 336's south 2-ship parking bay/blast pen - still extant today, as a matter of fact, less one London Brick Co. brick, which sits in my studio today!

Don's sister Edith told me she and her mother used to watch Don sitting up in his bed upon his return obviously reliving combat missions in his sleep. They were scared to wake him up. I guess nearly two years of constant combat exposure would wear on you a bit . . .

Thanks again -

Wade

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Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
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Jack,

Would by chance have any profile shots of Snuffy's P-47? I'm currently building a Top Flite P-47 and I'm looking for an interesting paint scheme to replicate.

Thanks

Wow..

Great shots there jack.. thats a very famous one .. your collection is
incredible!

Wade, great shots as well.. Love the stuff you're doing there! Great
articles too... as always, keep contributing and keep up the great work!

henning

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"The best way to control the future is to create it".

I may have a right side shot of Snuffy and his crew.
The serial number was 42-7936 coded WD+W standard ID marking white nose and tail stripes. Wade may know if the insignia had a red border or not.

Thanks! I've made some nice enlargements for people of these shot and I can tell you the scan doesn't do it justice. The famous shot of Blakeslee looking up from the cockpit is awesome enlarged the detail is incredible.
Where would we be without the National Archives? So much would be lost!!! Amazing stuff is there. You just have to mount an expedition!!
Wade's description of the events around the Godfrey/Gentile photo really bring it to life.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I'm not near my refs at the moment, but this one is easy in regards to the 4th FG, re: the red surround to the P-47 national insignias changing to blue. The official directive came down a little earlier (Sept time-frame?? Easily looked up ... ), but the 4th FG began the paintwork on 5th November 43.

As many here well know, compared to Luftwaffe camouflage and markings (and I'm about to get into that in a big way with a commissioned Fw 190A-6 JG.1 piece), 8th AF markings were simple and straightforward; the fascination lies with the many variations in application and time-frames. Nailing down specific markings for specific dates on specific airplanes can be every bit as, uh, "fascinating" as untangling Luftwaffe mysteries.

Wade

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Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Wade.Meyers.Studios