This HiRes P47D skinning project is a representation of 
P-47D-28-RA 42-29336, 353rd.FS/354th.FG Thunderbolt "FT-O" stationed at Rosieres-en-Haye (A-98),
France in December 1944.

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A Brief History of the 9th USAAF.....

Once the Mustang began to take over the long-range escort role, the Thunderbolt was largely diverted 
into the ground attack role, where the P-47 was to gain its reputation. After seeing action in North Africa, 
the Ninth Air Force was transferred to England as part of the build-up for D-Day. 
The 362nd and 365th Fighter Groups of the Ninth Air Force were the first to receive P-47Ds. 
They were joined by the 358th Group from the Eighth Air Force. In May 1944, these three groups 
were joined by many other units flying P-47Ds in providing air cover for the impending landings in France-- 
the 36th, 50th, 366th, 367th,, 368th, 371st, 373rd, 405th, 406th, 48th, 354th, and 404th Fighter Groups. 
These units provided much effective ground support for the advancing Allied forces as they penetrated further 
and further into France. The Thunderbolt, with its heavy machine gun armament and its heavy load of bombs 
and rockets, was extremely effective in eliminating enemy forces in the face of the Allied advance. 
Even though the P-51 Mustang had largely replaced the Thunderbolt in the long-range, 
high-altitude bomber escort role in the ETO by the end of 1944, the P-47D continued to rack up 
an impressive number of air-to-air kills against the Luftwaffe, 
while it beat up the Wehrmacht on the ground in its destructive bombing and strafing career.

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This Thunderbolt and it's Pilot.....

This Weathered P47D-28 "Bubble-Top" (circa: December.1944) skin (FT-O) is based on an aircraft of 
the 353rd.Fighter Squadron, 354th.Fighter Group of the 8th.USAAF stationed at Rosieres-en-Haye (A-98), 
France engaged in the Allies Battle for Europe.

This P47D-28-RE aircraft "FT-O" was the mount of Capt.Kenneth H.Dahlberg at the time of his combat tour in the ETO.
In contrast to some 354th.FG.pilots, Kenneth Dahlberg took to the P47 well enough
to score three victories (all Bf109s, with a fourth example unconfirmed and a fifth damaged)
in this very aeroplane on 19th.December 1944 while flying a ground attack mission.
Capt.Dahlberg was shot down by flak in 42-29336 on St.Valentine's Day 1945.
The 14th.victory Ace saw the rest of the conflict as a POW....   

  
The aircraft's colour scheme and Squadron markings where derived from a coloured aircraft 
profile plate found in the Osprey Aviation Elite #7 "354th.Fighter Group" by William H.Hess. 
The colours are as accurate as possible with the use of standard EAW Palette. 
Further detail reference material came from Kagero's Polish & English publication 
"Republic P-47 Thunderbolt" Vol.2 by Tomasz Szlagor & Krzysztof Janowicz.
Special thanks to Alessandro Borges for his excellent EAW Batch File Converter V1.5 Utility...

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Those who contributed to this skins development:

1) Kudos go to John "Chompy" Masters for creating the orginal 3D modding and Dean"DeanH"Hill 
   for basic all-metal skin surfaces.
Many thanks guys for raising the bar and adding greatly to the look and enjoyment of this 3D modded skin.....
2) Thanks to Carl "Peregrine" Ringvold for providing the 'Adjusted GunSight' and the 'New 50 Cal.' sound file...
3) Thanks to Ray "Rotton50" Otton for creating the 'Hamilton Standard Propeller'....
4) Thanks to the collaborative team of Ray "Rotton50" Otton and Brian "Crashin Jack" Baker
   for the creation of the 'Readable Cockpit Instruments' package....
5) Thanks again to John "Chompy" Masters to providing the 'HiRes P47D Batch Files Utility'.... 

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Skinner's Notes: 

The skin's markings, as far as the Fighter Group and Squadron colours 
are based on reference material found in 
Osprey Aviation Elite #7 "354th.Fighter Group" by William H.Hess.....

As with most of my other skin releases, I have taken the time to apply, as detailed as I can, skin panels
and weathering effects.....

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Enjoy this skin and watch your six.......

David "Skylark" Phillips