LoRes Weathered P47c Thunderbolt "56th.FG,61st.FS." for Emil's ETO 9th.USAAF.& 2nd.TAF Campaign

This Weathered P47c (circa: May 1943) skin (HV-W) is based on an aircraft of the 61st.Fighter Squadron, 56st.Fighter Group of the 8th.USAAF stationed at Horsham St.Faith, England engaged in the Allies Battle for Europe. One of the most successful Fighter Groups in the ETO with a total of 1000+ German fighters to it's credit.

This aircraft "Little Butch" was the mount of Captain Robert Wetherbee 'A'Flight Commander. Capt.Wetherbee was shot down 26th. June 1943 when the 56th.FG. was bounced by Fw190s of JG2 near Forges, Belguim. The 56th. providing support for B-17s that were withdrawing after bombing the air depot at Villecoublay near Paris. Being at a height disadvantage the 56th. was badly mauled by attacking Me109s and Fw190s. At the end of the 20 minute air battle the 56th. lost four of it's pilots and could claim only 2 Focke-Wulfs as destroyed. As an aside: Capt. Wetherbee's squadon CO. Maj. Loren McCollom's aircraft was called "Butch".
  
The aircraft's colour scheme and Squadron markings where derived from a coloured aircraft profile plate found in the "Osprey Aviation Elite #2" Publication (2000) "56th. Fighter Group" series by Roger A. Freeman. The colours are as accurate as possible with the use of standard EAW Palette. Further reference material came from a 1998 Squadron/Signals Publication "Thunderbolt-The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in the European Theatre" by Ernest R.McDowell.... 

The original 'P47c OD Base Skin' was the creation of Fabio Melee. Included with this is Migge's excellent 'P47C Virtual Cockpit' and the P47c Wing View is from Col.Gibbon because IMHO their work is first rate.... USAAF Mark8 Gunsight by PapaRomeo for period authenticity... 

Special thanks to Alessandro Borges for his excellent EAW Batch File Converter V1.5 Utility...    

The download includes all *.tpc, *.3dz and *.pcx files. The latter begin included so you can review how the graphic weathering techniques were done....
To install simple copy all the *.tpc and *.3dz files into your EAW main directory or as required by 'Stab' or 'Skins & More'....  

Enjoy and watch your six .... Skylark 