There is a long standing controversy over which plane Col. Neel Kearby was flying on his final mission when he was shot down and killed over Wewak. Pacific Wreck Database wanted to clarify this point, and solve this misconception.

What Plane Was Kearby Flying on his final Mission?
Author John Stanaway comments:
"I got word from Jesse Ivey's widow that Kearby was flying his P-47 on the fatal mission. However, I checked the manufacturer's number on FIREY GINGER [IV, Serial Number 42-22668] and it tallies with the plane that Kearby flew on the last mission. Also, regret that I have almost no information on Jessie Ivey's P-47 or a photo of him. I was corresponding with him for a time before his death. 1946). For further reading, see Stanaway's book P-47 / P-51 Aces of the Pacific/CBI pages 26-27.

Recovery & Donation of Tail Section
The tail P-47 Thunderbolt “Fiery Ginger IV” was recovered by Robert Greinert of HARS in 2000. It has since been donated to the USAF Museum. This wreckage would further confirm that Kearby was flying 42-22668, and thus solve the controversy over which plane he was flying on his last mission.

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