USAAF Nose Art Research Project

Tipsy
P-47D-20-RE 42-76520

405th Fighter Group, 510th Fighter Squadron

Nose art painted by
S/Sgt Lynn E. TRANK
405th Fighter Group, 510th Fighter Squadron
Christchurch, England, Picauville & St Dizier, France, Kitzingen

This Thunderbolt was assigned to Lt Harris S. Boyse and sported a beautiful piece of nose art by S/Sgt Trank. The photo here shows 2Lt Paul Ellison who was shot down by flak on 17th July 1944 while flying "Tipsy". After taking off from Picauville he was hit by flak just after bombing the bridge at Conde-sur-Vire. Bits of the wing started to fall away and Ellison bailed out at about 1000ft. He evaded capture and returned to military control on 2nd August.