The Hotshot

The 511th Fighter Group with new P-51s arrives at Archbury to escort the 918 on the home leg of the shuttle mission. On the way, Lieutenant Col. Troper attacks a train, making him 10 minutes late for the rendezvous. The 511th fails to provide the proper recognition codes, and Gallagher's B-17 accidentally shoots down one pilot. On the ground, an angry Troper slugs Gallagher. Gallagher tells Troper to forget about it. They are ordered to train together. In London, Troper gets drunk, insults Gallagher, and takes off with Gallagher's date, Lt. Fay Vendry. Gallagher orders a mission briefing at 0400, but only 12 of the 511th pilots show up. Gallagher has Troper put under house arrest. Merritt leads the fighters, and no bomber is lost.