P-47 Thunderbolt research help

[ohbejuan]

Hello,

I have not been too rigorous about doing research and finding reference photos, mostly content to use reference information from the kit manufacturer. I suspect I might be in the minority in that way .
So, I was chatting with my sister's partner, and she said she had a relative that flew in World War II, in a P-47 Thunderbolt. I am now curious about building this plane for her.
She sent me this link. It has a good photo in it where I can see the markings. and the invasion strips.
https://mymemorialday.org/remember/hamilton.php

My question is... what are some good resources for finding reference photos and more information? I did some rudimentary Google searches and did not find much additional information.

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Down Time]

Have you tried contacting the Eighth Airforce Museum in Georgia?

 

[ohbejuan]

Have you tried contacting the Eighth Airforce Museum in Georgia?

No! I will follow up on that.

 

[Down Time]

Tail number?

 

[Down Time]

www.archives.gov/ research/military/ww2

 

[ohbejuan]

Tail number?

I will try to find out!

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

You're not going to find aftermarket decals for that particular P-47 Thunderbolt scheme. Your best bet is make your own decals or find someone who does custom decals.

 

[urumomo]

https://www.bedlamcreations.com/custom-waterslide-decals/custom-model-plane-waterslide-decals/

 

[ohbejuan]

Thanks to everyone for the help so far! My friend is "up north" in Michigan for the summer and says she has more photos at home in North Carolina. So I hope to get the squadron and tail number in a few weeks.

 

[airdave]

[Report - 8041 366th FS [IA-Z], 358th FG, 9th AF, High Halden, Station 411; "Mrs. Ham" / "Lil' Ham 3";
Shot down by Fw 190A-8 flown by unknown pilot and unit crashing on a wooded hill in Bérou-la-Mulotière,
France July 14, 1944; MACR 6878. Pilot killed ]

366th FS 358th FG
P47D-2-RE serial 42-8041

Augustus Hamilton died July 14 1944 over Berou-la-Mulotiere (France, I assume)
Some info here (although the aircraft info is not completely accurate):
https://www.database-memoire.eu/pri...ille-h-us/617-hamilton-gus-jr-366-fs-358-fg-u

I think I only do one aircraft (paper model) from that fighter group, and that's TarHeel Hal (shown below).
So I assume your Lil' Ham 3 might have the orange tail like Tarheel Hal, but I have no idea what any other forward paint might be.
(Until we find a better photo)
Keep in mind, Tarheel Hal (as shown) is a bubbletop (later D model), whereas Lil Ham is an early "razorback" style of P47.
And Lil Ham is obviously painted green, not bare metal.

I would be interested in seeing those photos, because I can add LIl Ham to my catalog.