BUILT

F-6D-15, 44-14874, Lt. John E. Jacoby, 82nd TRS, 71st TRG, 5th AF, Johnson Field, Japan, September 1945

Since November 1944, 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, within 71st TRG, participated in reconnaissance missions over

Philippines island of Luzon, ground units’ support, photographing and bombing of the airports on Formosa and China. Its next base

became the island of Ie shima from where they were flying sorties over the Japanese island of Kyushu. Since the deployment over the

Philippines until the middle of June 1945 the unit was commanded by Capt. William Shomo, probably the most famous F-6D pilot. At the

end of hostilities, the unit was transferred to Irumagawa airbase on the Tokyo outskirts. The squadron deployed aircraft nr.54 from the

very beginning of the combat on Philippines and she remained in the unit inventory even after the end of War and served as a part of

occupying forces on Japanese territory. The aircraft appearance during its service changed significantly. At the beginning of its service

the aircraft carried only number 54 on the vertical tail surface, later the black stripes were added to the fuselage and wings, anti-glare

panel was repainted black and the propeller spinner sported several versions of the coloration. Inscriptions on fthe fuselage nose are

also documented in two different layouts. There is an 82nd TRS marking on the port side of the fuselage, most probably applied after the

end of War.

INFO Eduard - February 2021

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