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Pacific Profiles
volume xiv, issue iv, winter 2023
Pacific Profiles Volume 10

Pacific Profiles Volume 10

Allied Fighters: P-47D Thunderbolt series Southwest Pacific 1943-1945

by Michael Claringbould

Series: Pacific Profiles

Imprint: Avonmore Books

108 Pages, 6.93 x 9.84 in

Paperback
9780645700404
May 2023
In Stock

$42.95

$27.99

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Description
Contents
Authors
Praise

"...an exceptional book for enthusiasts and modelers of the P-47 Thunderbolt, Fifth Air Force fighters, and the Southwest Pacific air war." — Aeroscale

The ongoing Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of aircraft which served throughout the South Pacific. Volume 10 covers the P-47D Thunderbolt which flew combat missions in the New Guinea theater until mid-1945, serving with a total of eleven Fifth Air Force USAAF combat squadrons, Fifth Fighter Command and the Combat Replacement Training Center.

Most profiles are presented for the first time, alongside an explanation of markings, including squadron heraldry and identifiers. Frequent airframe reassignments between units resulted in wide-ranging unit markings and nose art. Until now there has been a paucity of material about several units, especially those which entered the theater after the infamous 348th Fighter Group. This volume also rectifies past misidentifications resulting from the widespread practice of swapping attractively decorated cowls, often commissioned for generous reward.

Each profile is supported by photos and/or documentation, along with a brief aircraft history. Wide-ranging primary reference material is cited including official squadron records, color movies, maintenance logs, diaries, wreck site inspections and multifarious reference photos including color slides. A brief summary history of each unit and the rationale of its markings completes the text.

The author is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before have Pacific P-47s been illustrated with such colorful accuracy and detail.

Contents
About the Author
Introduction
Glossary and Abbreviations
Chapter 1 – Markings and Technical Notes
Chapter 2 – 9th Fighter Squadron “Flying Knights”
Chapter 3 – 36th Fighter Squadron “Flying Fiends”
Chapter 4 – 39th Fighter Squadron
Chapter 5 – 40th Fighter Squadron “‘Fightin’ Red Devils”
Chapter 6 – 41st Fighter Squadron “Flying Buzzsaws”
Chapter 7 – 69th Fighter Squadron “The Fightin’ 69th”
Chapter 8 – 310th Fighter Squadron
Chapter 9 – 311th Fighter Squadron
Chapter 10 – 340th Fighter Squadron “The Minute Men”
Chapter 11 – 341st Fighter Squadron “The Black Jacks”
Chapter 12 – 342nd Fighter Squadron “The Scourgers”
Chapter 13 – Fifth Fighter Command Headquarters
Chapter 14 – Combat Replacement Training Center
Sources & Acknowledgments
Index of Names

Raised in Port Moresby, Michael Claringbould is a globally recognized expert on the New Guinea air war and Japanese aviation in particular.

"...will provide a good reference for modelers while also providing a student of the combat theater with additional information on the air war there." ~The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation

"Highly recommended." ~AMPS Indianapolis

“The Thunderbolt was not so widely used in the Pacific, nor as successful as it was in NW Europe, but it was used and this book provides a great selection of options for modellers looking for a new theme they might consider for including in any collection of P-47 models. The research behind these profiles is a long-time hobby for the author and I think this is another good reference in this Pacific Profiles book series.” ~Military Model Scene

"...an exceptional book for enthusiasts and modelers of the P-47 Thunderbolt, Fifth Air Force fighters, and the South West Pacific air war." ~Aeroscale

“Even if you have just a passing interest in the pacific air war, you can’t go wrong with the purchase of this book and you may just become a fan, as I most certainly am.” ~Large Scale Planes

“For the aircraft modelers, the Pacific Profile volumes offer a considerable reference source for markings and nose art.” ~Historical Miniatures Gaming Society