Heavy though the aircraft was, the Thunderbolt could be tipped over, as 375th  Squadron pilot Capt. William J. Shackelford discovered while landing his personal P-47D 42-75096, E2:D at Bottisham on 5 February 1944. Even so, he was rescued with only minor injuries and completed his tour credited with one enemy aircraft damaged in the air plus one destroyed and two damaged on the ground.

Flipped Thunderbolt 

This incident claimed the life of Capt. Richard M. Durbin on 9 November 1944, as he landed in gusty conditions at Little Walden aboard P-51D 44-14922, E9:P 376th FS. Soon after touchdown, the plane ballooned, veered off the runway and became airborne once again, but then rolled over on its back and crashed in the 374th area, demolishing a line shack.

Landing casualty

A Dodge ambulance provides a make-shift bar for 376th Squadron pilots (L-R) Lts. Victor E. Bocquin, Donald T. Woodward, Jimmie C. Wright, Ray S. White, Robert D. Shirmer and Cecil A. Laxton at Bottisham.  