First to Fifty

[Duggy009]

B-24D Liberator #41-23722 'Bomerang' (coded GO-C) of the 328th BS, 93rd BG. First 8th AF Liberator to complete 50 missions. Survivor of the first raid on the Ploesti oil refinery complex.

England - These airman headed the Consolidated B-24 "Bomerang" out across the Atlantic in early Sept. 1942 ... the first transatlantic formation flight in history. The "pioneer" heavy bombardment group was led by Brig Gen Edward J (Ted) Timberlake, Jr., of St Patersburg, Fla. This crew took the bomber into combat over Lille, France, on 9 October 1942; mastered "Bomerang" for 23 missions. Left to right; Capt John E Stewart of Ambler, Pa., pilot; Capt George W Bailey of Los Angeles, Calif., co-pilot 1 Lt Gerald F Cunningham of Haverhill Mass., Navigator; Capt Benjamin Klose of San Antonio Texas, bombardier;T/Sgt Herbert B Hape, of Evansville, Ind., radio operator; T/Sgt Herbert B. Daly, Ventondala, Pa., engineer-gunner; Sgt Robert D Scott of Anderson, Ind., Waist gunner, Sgt Joe M Cuellar, Jr., of San Gabriel, Calif., turret gunner; S/Sgt Maurice P Cotter of Yarmo, Calif., waist gunner; and S/Sgt Homer O Sheetz of Sheals, Ind., tail gunner.

B-24D Liberator 41-23722 'Boomerang'. Ship's Crew, upon arrival At 36th Street Airport, Miami, Florida, 17 April 1944. Crew members L to R : M/Sgt. George E. Ewald, M/Sgt. Charles A. Chambers, S/Sgt. Enos H. Lee, Lt. George G. Everhart, T. Sgt Alfred B. Bergkamp, Lt Wm. N. Ford.



93rd Bomb Group formation flight. Near aircraft is Consolidated B-24D-25-CO (S/N 41-24226) "Joisey Bounce," of the 330th Bomb Squadron, second aircraft is (S/N 41-24147) "The Duchess" also of the 330th. Next higher is Bomerang (s/n 41-23722) from the 328th. Last of all at the very top is 42-40246 (F) "Thunder mug" also of the 328th.

[TheBigBadGman]

Let's have some fun, eh?

To all WIXers, post pictures of record breaking bombers as you think of them: first to 25, first to 75, first to 100, etc.

I'll get us started:

*First 8AF B-17 to complete 25 missions
B-17F-25-BO
Hell's Angels
41-24577
358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, VIII Bomber Command, US 8th Air Force
VK-D

Crew (Left to Right)
SSGT David Miller (Tail), SSGT James H. Comer, Jr. (Left Waist), SSGT Frank Kimotek (Radio), SSGT Alfred R. Buinicky (Ball), SSGT Walter Gasser (Right Waist), TSGT Marion D. Ignaczewski (Engineer), 1LT William J. Monahan (Pilot), 1LT Ripley W. Joy (Co-Pilot), 2LT William P. Maher (Navigator), 2LT Walter Hargrove (Bombardier)

On propeller is the crew chief, on the scaffold is the ground crew, on the bomb is the armorers, and in the jeep is the squadron CO.

Hell's Angels flew her 25th mission on 13 May 1943, and went on to fly a total of 48 missions before rotating home for a war bond tour.

*First 8AF B-17 to complete 50 and 75 missions.
B-17F-27-BO
Knockout Dropper
41-24605
359th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, VIII Bomber Command, US 8th Air Force
BN-R

Crew (Left to Right)
SSGT Leroy L. Mace (Ball), SSGT Robert I. McKenna (Left Waist), TSGT George R. Keesling (Engineer), 2LT Jack Antman (Navigator), CPT George T. Mackin (Co-Pilot), SSGT Albert C. Santella (Right Waist), 1LT John P. Manning (Pilot), TSGT Kenneth P. Fitzsimmons (Radio), 2LT Mathew Schreidell (Bombardier), SGT Carl R. Horton (Tail), TSGT E. A. Howell (Photographer)

The above photo was taken after returning from her 50th mission.

Knockout Dropper flew her 50th mission on 16 November 1943 and her 75th mission on 27 March 1944, returning stateside after this landmark.

[TheBigBadGman]

No interest?

That's fine. I think I'll keep going - I'm having fun.

*First 8AF B-24 to complete 25 missions
B-24D-1-DT
Hot Stuff
41-23728
330th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, IX Bomber Command, US 9th Air Force (attached)
L

Crew (Left to Right)
(Back Row) 1LT Robert J. Jacobson (Bombardier), CPT Robert H. Shannon (Pilot), 1LT James E. Gott (Navigator), CPT John H. Lentz (Co-Pilot)
(Front Row) SSGT Grant G. Rondeau (Engineer), SSGT Joseph L. Craighead (Ball), SSGT L. F. Durham (Tail), SSGT Paul H. McQueen (Right Waist), TSGT Kenneth A. Jeffers (Radio), SSGT George D. Farley (Left Waist)

Hot Stuff flew her 25th mission on 7 February 1943. Hot Stuff was lost on 3 May 1943 ferrying LTG Frank M. Andrews back to the US.

Hot Stuff's status as "the first" seems to have become a personal crusade for Jim Lux, who has fought strongly for this claim. Why Hot Stuff didn't recieve due attention may be because she was attached to the 9AF for so much of her career (whose exploits did not receive as much attention). It certainly didn't help that she was a B-24 with rather risque noseart.


*First 8AF B-17F to complete 25 missions and return home
B-17F-10-BO
Memphis Belle
41-24485
324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, VIII Bomber Command, US 8th Air Force
DF-A

Crew (Left to Right): TSGT Harold P. Loch (Engineer), SSGT Cecil H. Scott (Ball), TSGT Robert J. Hanson (Radio), CPT James A. Verinis (Co-Pilot), CPT Robert K. Morgan (Pilot), CPT Charles B. Leighton (Navigator), SSGT John P. Quinlan (Tail), SSGT Casimer A. Nastal (Right Waist), CPT Vincent B. Evans (Bombardier), SSGT Clarence E. Winchell (Left Waist)

Hollywood director William Wyler had supervised the filming of a variety of 8AF aircraft, starting in January with the intention of focusing the film on another bomber, Invasion 2nd, switching to Belle only after his first subject was lost over Bremen on April 17th. The crew was bluntly informed that, had the Belle been lost, enough footage of Hell's Angels existed to make the film about it. Memphis Belle flew her 25th mission on 19 May 1943.

The Belle is currently under restoration at the National US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. With the generous help of the people who restored My Gal Sal, it should, when completed, stand as the finest B-17 restoration in the world.

Last edited by TheBigBadGman on Mon Oct 26, 2015 10:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

[TheBigBadGman]

*Most missions flown by a B-17 (140)
NO LONGER VALID, SEE POST ON OL' GAPPY
B-17G-30-BO
Nine O' Nine
42-31909
323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, 1st Bomb Wing, 1st Air Division, US 8th Air Force, US Strategic Air Forces Europe
OR-R

Crew (Left to Right)
(Back Row) SSGT Fred Fisher (Ball), SSGT Harold Shelley (Engineer), SSGT Morton Jaffe (Radio), SSGT Richard Williams (Tail), SSGT Edward Jasurda (Waist)
(Front Row) 1LT Edward Bull (Pilot), 1LT Anthony Theis (Co-Pilot), 1LT Kent Hammer (Navigator), 1LT William McNicol (Bombardier)

Nine O' Nine flew her final mission on 25 April 1945, completing 126 missions without an abort. She was scrapped shortly after returning stateside.

*Most missions flown by a B-24 (130)
B-24H-15-FO
Witchcraft
42-52534
790th Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Division, US 8th Air Force, US Strategic Air Forces Europe
M

Crew (Left to Right)
(Back Row) MSGT Seymour Arnold (Crew Chief), 1LT H. Buck (Navigator), 1LT Henry E. Meyer (Co-Pilot), 1LT Jr. St. Gray (Pilot)
(Front Row) TSGT Clarence Tognarini (Radio), SSGT Warren G. O'Neal (Left Waist), SSGT Eduman Laczynski (Right Waist), SSGT Allen L. Francis (Tail), SSGT James H. Eberline (Bow)

The above picture was taken after her 93rd mission.

Witchcraft, like Nine O' Nine, flew her final mission on 25 April 1945. She was scrapped shortly after returning stateside. On an interesting note, a look-a-like bomber was displayed as Witchcraft in Paris as part of the victory celebrations.

Last edited by TheBigBadGman on Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Scott Rose]

Cool idea. I like it!

[gamary]

I like it very much. I'm in charge of editing the monthly newsletter of the CAF French Wing, which is published in French and English. If it is OK with you, I'd love to publish this as I believe our members and sympathisers would enjoy it. If you agree, would you mind letting me know by email? I'd need your name (unless you prefer to be credited with your WIX username) and email address (so I can send you a copy). I'd also be happy to include a link/refernce to your website or aviation-related activity/business if you happen to have one. You can reach me at contact(AT)bravobravoaviation(DOT)com.

Bertrand Brown (aka gamary/Gaëtan Marie)

[TheBigBadGman]

Well, it looks like some of you enjoy this stuff. Great!

Just keep in mind that airmen rotated between bombers, so while I am posting crew photos whenever I can, remember that they probably didn't stay with that bomber. As a matter of fact, some of these aircraft carried over 100 different airmen into battle throughout their careers.



*First 9AF B-26 to complete 50 and 100 missions
B-26B-25-MA
Mild & Bitter
41-31819
450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, IX Bomber Command, US 9th Air Force
DR-X

Crew (Left to Right)
1LT Lee W. Rice (Co-Pilot), 2LT Harry R. Harp (Bombardier), CPT Paul Shannon (Pilot), SSGT Walter J. Bond (Radio), SGT Robert E. Johnson (Tail), SSGT James K. Brandemihl (Top Turret)

Mild & Bitter returned to the US in June of 1944, after completing 100 combat missions. It achieved great fame within the 9th Air Force, and was even displayed for a period at Wright Field, but that didn't stop it from eventually being scrapped.

[TheBigBadGman]

*Most missions flown by a USAAF bomber (207)
B-26B-25-MA
Flak Bait
41-31173
449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, IX Bomber Command, US 9th Air Force
PN-O

Crew (Left to Right)
(Back Row) COL John S. Samuel (Co-Pilot & 322BG CO), CPT William G. Fort (Pilot), TSGT William J. Hess (Tail)
(Front Row) 1LT William D. Brearly (Bombardier), TSGT Cecil Fisher (Radio), TSGT Kenneth Locke (Top Turret), 1LT Arthur D. Perkins (Navigator)

The above photo was taken on 17 April 1945 upon completion of the bomber's 200th mission.

Flak Bait was named by its original pilot, 1LT James J. Farrell after his boyhood dog, Flea-Bait.

Because of its place in history, Flak Bait was personally chosen by GA Henry "Hap" Arnold to be transferred to the National Air Museum in May of 1949, where it remained in storage until portions of the aircraft were placed on display in 1960.

Today, preservationists at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center are rebuilding the bomber, leaving its original paint and contents unmolested. When reassembled, this will make Flak Bait the most complete, untouched example of an USAAF bomber still in existence.


*First B-26 to complete 100 missions
B-26C-11-MA
41-18322
Hell's Belle II
439th Bomb Squadron, 319th Bomb Group, 42nd Bomb Wing, US 12th Air Force
64

Hell's Belle II completed its 100th mission on 1 May 1944 after bombing marshaling yards in Florence, Italy. It completed another 32 raids before its retirement.

Last edited by TheBigBadGman on Thu Oct 29, 2015 7:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[TheBigBadGman]

*First Avro Lancaster to complete 100 missions
Avro Lancaster B I
R5868
PO-S
No. 467 Squadron, No. 5 Group, RAF Bomber Command

Crew (Left to Right)
Plt Off Tom N. Scholefield (Pilot), FG Off I. Hamilton (Navigator), Flt Sgt R. T. Hillas (Radio), Flt Sgt F. E. Hughes (Bomb Aimer), Sgt R. H. Burgess (Engineer), Flt Sgt K. E. Stewart (Tail), Sgt J. D. Wells (Upper Gunner)

The above photo was taken after completing its 100th mission on 12 May 1944.

While S for Sugar was the subject of much British pride, the aircraft served through most of the war in Commonwealth units, primarily flown by Australian crews.

S for Sugar eventually completed 132 missions before being earmarked by the RAF for preservation after the war. Today, she is the oldest surviving Lancaster and can be seen at RAF Hendon outside of London.

[Invader26]

No 467 Sqn was an RAAF unit serving with RAF Bomber Command...

[Chris Brame]

How original is S-for-Sugar, inside and out? The message from Goering looks redone (kudos to the original artist who hand-painted it using a serif font!).

[Duggy009]

How original is S-for-Sugar, inside and out? The message from Goering looks redone (kudos to the original artist who hand-painted it using a serif font!).

Her resume -- http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/c ... -R5868.pdf
Regards Duggy

[TheBigBadGman]

No 467 Sqn was an RAAF unit serving with RAF Bomber Command...

Yep, but that was one of several units she was assigned to. Likewise, not all of her crewmen were Australian. Hence the vague terminology. I didn't want to leave anybody out.

[SaxMan]

As far as B-17s, the one that flew the most missions was the 379th BG's "Ol' Gappy" with 165 missions. Nine-O-Nine's claim to fame was that it flew its 140 missions without a single abort. Outhouse Mouse was right behind Nine-O-Nine with 139.

J.K. Havener in his book on the B-26 Marauder speculates that there was a "mystery ship" B-26 in the MTO that flew 336 missions, although, I have never seen any documentation on that plane elsewhere. Havener surmises the plane flew with the 17th BG.

[TheBigBadGman]

As far as B-17s, the one that flew the most missions was the 379th BG's "Ol' Gappy" with 165 missions. Nine-O-Nine's claim to fame was that it flew its 140 missions without a single abort. Outhouse Mouse was right behind Nine-O-Nine with 139.

Thanks, SaxMan! (Cool name, too)

It's amazing how little there is on Ol Gappy, but here is what I could find:

*Most missions flown by a B-17 (157)
B-17G-10-VE
42-40003
Ol' Gappy
524th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, 41st Bomb Wing, 1st Air Division, US 8th Air Force, US Strategic Air Forces Europe
WA-H

I apologize for how small this picture is. There is another online, but it is too large to post here.



Crew (Left to Right)
Back Row: 1LT Stephen L. Hennrich (Pilot), SGT Anthony P. LaSalle (Engineer), SSGT Robert L. Schnare (Radio), SGT Earl K. Parker (Tail), SSGT Kenneth E. Dewire (Left Waist), SGT Donald L. Houck (Right Waist), SGT Lloyd A. Carville (Ball) , 2LT Peter M. Beloberk (Bombardier)

The front row is the aircraft's ground crew. The photo is dated 12 June 1944.



Supposedly, Ol Gappy was originally to be named Topper, but before the artwork was completed, "Ol Gappy" was painted on the chin turret as a joke against a particular ground crewmen missing several teeth. The name stuck and the nose-art was never completed because it was thought bad luck to do so. Ol Gappy flew her 157th mission on 25 April 1945 against Pilsen, Czechoslovakia - by that time, she was the only aircraft in her unit to still have OD paint.