re: WWII, the P-38 in the Pacific

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Hap Arnold refused to allow P-38s to carry wing tanks in Europe. He and the bomber mafia were convinced our bombers didn't need escorts and could defend themselves. No telling how many bomber crews he consigned to their deaths with this ridiculous policy.

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Yep. In late 1943, the first P-51 started their escort missions deep into Germany.

Buzzy Harper crashed one near the airport in Lafayette in 1974. Apparently one of the engines went full throttle and torqued it upside down at a low altitude.

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Yep. In late 1943, the first P-51 started their escort missions deep into Germany.

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P-47s could also do it in summer ‘43. Even in New Guinea at the very end of the logistical train, they were starting to stretch the limits and push further with drop tanks “unavailable” to the “Germany first” European theater.

A claim could be made the p-47 shot down a ton of Germany’s better pilots (at great loses of their own) before the p-51 got going.