• 42-74631

• 56 Fighter Group, 62 Fighter Squadron

• Etikhove, 1 december 1943 - 20 juli 2003
  

On December 1st, 1943, large 8th AF formations flew towards the German industry town of Sölingen. A few days before, an identical raid was aborted, one of the Thunderbolts lost that day, flown by Lt Grosvenor, was allready recovered by BAHAAT earlier (link). That very same 56 Fighter Group, lost a Thunderbolt on December 1st and this wreckage was recovered by BAHAAT in July 2003. Unfortunately, this time the pilot, Lt Harry Pruden, lost his life.
The crashlocation was situated in the beautiful Flemish Ardennes, at the village called Etikhove.
This operation proved to be very succesful. Parts of the armour plating were found first, under which the huge engine was hidden for so many years. All eight .50 were recovered as well. Other interesting parts were the pilot's gun sight, rudder pedals, the tail wheel etc.