P-47D Thunderbolt 42-74728 of the 495th Fighter Training Group USAAF crashed on Greenway Hall Golf Course on the 24th August 1944 after the pilot lost control of the aircraft while performing aerobatics

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

 

Paul R. Fulton 2nd Lieutenant Pilot Killed

 

2nd Lt Fulton was on an instrument and aerobatics training flight from Atcham with another P-47. After completing the instrument phase of the flight both pilots commenced their assigned aerobatics training, while carrying out his second Immelman 2nd Lt Fulton lost control of his aircraft.  The event was not seen by his wingman, as by the time he realised Fulton’s aircraft was missing it had already fallen into the cloud which was at ~6,000ft.  The aircraft was heard to dive at high speed and under power into the ground.  2nd Lt Fulton abandoned his aircraft but was killed when he opened his parachute immediately after bailing out, this caused him to decelerate rapidly causing severe neck and spinal injuries, he came down near to Rudyard almost 5 miles from the crash site.

Crash site of Republic P-47D 42-74728 at Greenway Hall, Staffordshire
The above photo shows where the aircraft crash, with the crash site in the foreground, there is still a clear depression in the ground.
This was probably exaggerated when the site was excavated during the 1980s.
Crash site of Republic P-47D 42-74728 at Greenway Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
A view from above the crash site.
Alan at the crash site of Republic P-47D 42-74728 at Greenway Hall, Staffordshire
Alan at the crash site in April 2005.