A couple of things odd with this P-47 ...

[Mark Allen M]

P-47D-27-RE "I'll get by" Lt.Col.Leo Moon 404th FG ... can you see what they are?

[raconnel]

I see zero-zero rocket launchers (with rockets) mounted inboard of the bomb racks.

[steve dickey]

If not taken at different times in its career? Not sure what that is under the left bomb. No inboard hubcaps? Looks like the outboard gun is removed, which I think was common practice? I guess I'll have to keep studying. Nice pix, 9th air force?

[Richard W.]

Why did they take the outboard .50s out?

[Rajay]

Not sure what that is under the left bomb.

I think it's a ground crewman kneeling down and working on the bomb or rack.

[Mark Allen M]

Yes that's a crewmember.

One oddity is quite evident, the other is there as well, just have to look closely.

[Mark Allen M]

I see zero-zero rocket launchers (with rockets) mounted inboard of the bomb racks.

I thought that was odd until I looked at several other P-47's with rockets mounted and noticed it was common to have a couple of rails inboard of the bomb racks. The three outboard on the original posted photos either were removed for some reason or never installed for some reason.

[C VEICH]

Definitely taken at different times since the art work on the vertical fin should be clearly evident in the first photo but is not there.

[Mark Allen M]

One glaring oddity in both photos ...

[greatgonzo]

I was wondering what's odd in this P-47 and couldn't find out. Two rocket launchers was a field modification of the wings of the versions prior to HVAR standard. You can spot that easily on 318th FG N-2s, distinguishing them from N-5s. My guess is the wing construction needed kind of reinforcement to carry outer 3 rocket mounts and only two were possible to retrofit on earlier wings.

There were occasions where the guns used to be removed like training or some pilots claimed the aircraft maneuvered better with outer guns out. Still I think it wouldn't have been a case for 9th AF Thunderbolt. I believe the outer gun is taped over, not removed. You can see the covers present on blast tubes of other three Brownings.
This is how it looks with a close-up. Turtle is Dooney's 405th FG P-47.



The only non standard thing I can spot on Mark's splendid pics is that the frame of the windscreen and Canopy has been painted OD in time, but I wouldn't call it odd. Rather interesting. So I hope for a hint.

[JohnTerrell]

Perhaps by chance, Mark, you're referring to the ID bands on the fuselage? They are obviously not the standard (as outlined in the order) three white stripes and two black stripes. (BTW, these are not invasion stripes (at this later stage), and it is not terribly unusual that they are not applied to the wing under-surfaces.)

[Mark Allen M]

John is indeed correct regarding the ID bands. Three black and two white as opposed to the standard flipped. The other oddity (as I cannot think of a better word to use) is what has been stated on another forum as the blast tubes have been removed from the guns. My eyes can't see that statement as fact, but it's been suggested it's a fact indeed. What do you think? there, not there?

As for the rocket rail setup. It's been stated that the first D's to use rockets could only mount 4. It was only the later D's, D-35 and D-40 that could have 10.

[greatgonzo]

D-40 was designed to carry 10 rockets. So was N-5. The earlier versions had them retrofitted in number of only 4. Never heard of D-35 .

it is funny thing with the stripes. It seems the reversed version worked as well as original. It was so hard for us to spot the difference .

Other funny thing is the aircraft fits the 19.8.1944 order which states the wing markings should be removed. AFAIK there are no documents left throwing some light on the mystery how it came to the situation, where most aircraft continued to carry the underwing stripes. Friendly ground fire problem is an obvious answer, but the official process and decisions would be interesting to know.

[Duggy009]

Here is another 404th FG P-47 taken March 45 over Belgium, different stripes but also with the four rocket pylons.
Maybe Colonel Leon Moon had enough clout to paint his aircraft as he saw fit !

[lucky52]

Not a prop or P-47 expert by any stretch, but did the p-47 have different props installed?