This repaint for A2A's WOP III P-47D was inspired by a decal received in the latest issue of the IPMS/USA Journal, January-February 2009, Volume 21, Number 01. A special note of gratitude goes out to Jack Morris of JDMC Graphics for the original artwork, Roy Sutherland and Barracuda decals for the decal production, and Chris Bucholtz of Obscureco Aircraft for the sponsorship of this fine debt of gratitude to one of our surviving heroes. The decal is for a P-47D-11-RE flown by Lt. James (Jim) Ashford of the 379th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. Please note that though I used three of the the decal images for templates, all artwork was redone by me to properly fit the stretched texture given in the paint kit and no cut-out scan of the decal was rendered on the repaint. Fonts used were Amarillo USAF and USAAF Stencil. As most well-heeled aviation historians know, the 379th FS had a pilot named George Rarey, who had been a commercial artist in new York before the war. Lt. Ashord's P-47 "Okole Maluna" was painted by Rarey and originally featured a Rarey Bird flying upside down, as Rarey took "Okole Maluna" meant "Bottoms Up". But 'okule' means "ass" in Hawaiian, Ashford's native territory, so Ashford told Rarey to use a can-can girl and the rest is history. The plane lasted through an overhaul and and accident repair before finally suffering an engine failure over Belgium in March 1945. Ashford nursed the plane back to England, but it was written off after landing. Overall, 28 of Lt. Ashford 99 missions were flown in "Okole Maluna". He only had one air combat kill, but the 379th's job was not air combat, it was train busting, and they did their job pretty up and walking good. Thanks also to the fantastic Paint kit provided for the A2A payware WOP III P-47 by A2A. Caz Dalton
Originally submitted by Cazzie (2009-02-23 12:22:44)
Submitted by Cazzie
Originally submitted by Cazzie (2009-02-23 12:22:44)
Submitted by Cazzie
