| 368th Fighter Group in Action Pre-deployment training - June 1943 to Dec 1943 |
| All photographs are the property of the 368th Fighter Group Association. High resolution images for approved publication or for members of the 368th FG Association are available upon request. Please e-mail me with any requests, comments, questions, or corrections. ken.kik@368thfightergroup.com |
| This page is dedicated to 395th pilot Lt. Charles Rust Killed on October 6th, 1943 in a crash at Farmingdale, NY |
Rare color photo of 395th FS preparing to take off during
aerial gunnery training in October 1943.
395th Sq. Commander Lt. Col Henry Quimby is in the
closest plane, 42-74840, a P-47D-6RE Coded K23. Note
only 2 guns are installed in each wing.
aerial gunnery training in October 1943.
395th Sq. Commander Lt. Col Henry Quimby is in the
closest plane, 42-74840, a P-47D-6RE Coded K23. Note
only 2 guns are installed in each wing.
| Another rare color photo of 395th FS Pilots Alexander LeLoup, Bob Fay, Richard Kik Jr., Cliff Gamble, Al Kleinklaus, Joe Williams, & Jim Early (down front) |
| 395th FS Pilots during pre-deployment FTX (Field Training Exercise) |
| Flightline at Republic Field, Farmingdale, NY. |
| Note only 2 guns installed on these 368th FG P-47D-6-RE's |
| #3 in this flight is K1 "Brass Hat" flown by 368th FG Commander Col. Gilbert Meyer |
Top: George Reynolds atop Col. Meyer's "Brass Hat"
Left: 395th FS Crew Chiefs
George Reynolds, Milt Brophy, & Vern Powers
Left: 395th FS Crew Chiefs
George Reynolds, Milt Brophy, & Vern Powers
Note the cowling on "Brass Hat"
The 3 colors represent each of the 368th Fighter Group's Squadrons.
The 3 colors represent each of the 368th Fighter Group's Squadrons.
Mitchel Field Flightline
Due to limited space at Republic Field,
the 397th FS was stationed at nearby
Mitchel Field.
Due to limited space at Republic Field,
the 397th FS was stationed at nearby
Mitchel Field.
Note the 320th FS, 326th FG insignia painted on 397th
FS Commander Lt. Col. Haesler's P-47C. The 368th FG
was formed from the 326th FG.
These early P-47C's were soon replaced by new
P-47D-6's
Left: 320th FS Patch.
FS Commander Lt. Col. Haesler's P-47C. The 368th FG
was formed from the 326th FG.
These early P-47C's were soon replaced by new
P-47D-6's
Left: 320th FS Patch.
Top: Lt. Col. John Haesler, 1st Commander of the 397th FS
Left: This photo of 397th FS Crew Chief William Hirschfeld taken at
Mitchel Field appeared in a September 1943 issue of Boy's Life
Magazine
Left: This photo of 397th FS Crew Chief William Hirschfeld taken at
Mitchel Field appeared in a September 1943 issue of Boy's Life
Magazine
| Randall "Pinky" Hendricks Future Commander & Ace of the 397th FS |
| Randall Hendricks & Bob Gibson |
| Joe Marini with ground crew in front of Marini's "Dirty Joe" Marini would use "Dirty Joe" on his aircraft overseas as well. |
P-47D-6-RE coded K23 inflight & on the ground with 395th FS
crewmembers
crewmembers
| 396th FS Pilot's Joe McLachlan, Irv Ostuw, Clarence Olson (on wing) & Ode Ryerson |
The ground crewmembers are the
backbone of any flying unit.
Some of the specialties that are required to
keep the planes in the air:
Aircraft Crew Chief
Aircraft Inspector
Aircraft Engineering Technician
Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic
Aircraft Sheet Metal
Power Plant (Engine) Mechanic
Propeller Mechanic
Armorer
Aviation Ordnance
Electrician
Electrical Instrument Specialist
Radio Mechanic (Avionics)
Camera Technician
Parachute Rigger & Repairman
Dozens more support the unit as a whole:
Cooks, supply, medical, admin, weather,
intel, communications, & many more!
backbone of any flying unit.
Some of the specialties that are required to
keep the planes in the air:
Aircraft Crew Chief
Aircraft Inspector
Aircraft Engineering Technician
Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic
Aircraft Sheet Metal
Power Plant (Engine) Mechanic
Propeller Mechanic
Armorer
Aviation Ordnance
Electrician
Electrical Instrument Specialist
Radio Mechanic (Avionics)
Camera Technician
Parachute Rigger & Repairman
Dozens more support the unit as a whole:
Cooks, supply, medical, admin, weather,
intel, communications, & many more!
Top & Left: 396th FS Mechanic / Crew Chief Arnold Stephens
397th FS in flight over the NY countryside.
P-47D-6-RE Code K78 is flown by Lt. Rudy Marko.
Photo was taken by Republic Aviation for promotional
purposes.
P-47D-6-RE Code K78 is flown by Lt. Rudy Marko.
Photo was taken by Republic Aviation for promotional
purposes.
Top: 397th FS Pilots Lt. Marini, Lt. Hendricks, and
397th CO Lt. Col. Haesler.
Left: Pilots honed their aerial gunnery skills on the
skeet field, shooting skeet taught pilots how to lead
targets and make deflection shots.
397th CO Lt. Col. Haesler.
Left: Pilots honed their aerial gunnery skills on the
skeet field, shooting skeet taught pilots how to lead
targets and make deflection shots.
George Hughes
pre-flighting his
aircarft before
aerial gunnery
training.
pre-flighting his
aircarft before
aerial gunnery
training.
| 368th Fighter Group party prior to deployment overseas |