Strana 32
P-51D-20, 44-63483, Maj. Robert W. Moore, CO of 45th FS, 15th FG,
7th AF, Iwojima, August 1945
P-51D-20, 44-63420, Capt. Eurich L. Bright, 47th FS, 15th FG,
7th AF, Iwojima, Summer 1945
Major Robert W. Moore became the top scoring
fighter ace of the VII Fighter Command with
12 confirmed kills. He achieved his first kill,
a Mitsubishi Zero, over Gilbert Island on January
26, 1944, but most of his aerial victories were
achieved during his service with 78th FS.
He led the 45th FS since July 19, 1944, and then
he overtook also the Mustang s/n 44-63483,
named then Stinger VII. Stinger VII wore the
simplified late unit marking with green wing
and tailplane tips and green propeller spinner.
Note the green painted undercarriage door.
Pilots of the 47th Pursuit Squadron were
credited with seven kills during Japanese attack
on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. At the time
the unit was still part of Hawaiian Air Force.
Three and a half years later, on March 6, 1945,
47th FS was the first unit of VII FC which arrived
to Iwojima. Eurich L. Bright achieved his three
kills during the first VRL mission over Japan
on April 7, 1945, shooting down Ki-61, Ki-45 and
A6M5 Zero. Later, on May 25, 1945, he shared
a Zero together with George Petrouleas. The unit
markings were most probably very dark blue,
not black as it is often suggested.
KITS 07/2025
INFO Eduard32
July 2025