Neat photo! 47th Fighter Squadron ground crew members performing engine maintenance pause for their picture to be taken. This is a picture from a private collection that Mark Stevens of the 7th Fighter Command Association provided to me.

The simplified squadron marking of an all black spinner can be seen along the 47th FS emblem on the engine cowling panel leaning against the engine maintenance scaffolding.

This photo is interesting for a number of reasons. First, there is absolutely nothing in the background to give any reference to where this maintenance activity took place. The only landmark on Iwo Jima, Mt. Suribachi, is not present, and there are no planes of any type or any other activity going on in the background. Unusual. Second, you can see a portion of the canvas wheel well cover that extends down onto the main landing gear leg. Canvas linings for the wheel wells were factory installed as a measure to keep grit, dirt and mud out of the wheel wells. In other theater of operations, like the European Theater, they were removed by ground crews. On Iwo Jima, they were a necessity to keep the volcanic grit and sand out of the wheel wells. Third, there is a black band painted on the inside of the landing gear cover and the main landing gear leg. This is very unusual and I have not been able to find another photo that shows this type of band.

This is most likely a Block 25 D model because of the presence of the HVAR rocket stubs underneath the wings.

Thanks to Mark Stevens for sharing this photo.

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