This folder contains a repaint for the A2A Wings of Power III P-47D Thunderbolt, representing P-47D-5-RE 42-8438 B4-W "Morticians Delight", one of the P-47's flown by Lt Neal Worley of the 387th FS/ 365th FG. Lt. Worley's first two P-47's were called 'Kansas Jack', referring to his Emporia, Kansas upbringing, but he did not feel like naming his third aircraft. His crew came up with 'Morticians Delight', and Worley himself painted the picture on the engine cowling. In 127 missions, he crashed 5 Thunderbolts. His coolness under pressure was immortilized on July 26th, 1944. A 20 mm shell hit his right wheel well during an attack on Sauveur Lendelin, jamming the wheel. He discovered that only the left wheel would lower, but would not retract, so bellying in was no longer an option. He circled for over an hour, burning fuel, and then landed on only the left gear, easing the fighter down. When the right wing dipped just enough, he hit the left brake, and the P-47 spun to a stop. His landing was captured on film, and used in the movie "Fighter Squadron". The aircraft was repaired, and flew missions the very next day, as a testament to the ruggedness of the Thunderbolt.
Repaint by Jan Kees Blom, based on the paint kit by Martin Catney.
