B-24 44-51228 "Dugan" At Duxford

[APG85]

Just curious as to how Duxford got a B-24 that was on display at a USAF base? Don't get me wrong, they did a fantastic job restoring it (it was rotting outside at Lackland). I was wondering how that transfer occured and why the Smithsonian didn't get it (did they want it?). Also, where did Duxford get the gun turrets, etc. to complete the restoration? Again, they did a great job - I'd love to see pictures of the interior........

[Jack Cook]

B-24 44-51228 "Dugan"

Interesting name the Brits picked.
Dugan was the British assassin in "Day of the Jackel"!

[Jerry O'Neill]

I can't answer the question specifically, but my suspision is that they just asked for it! A lot of people in the US were upset about the loss of the B-24 at Lackland, but did any of them ever approach the USAF with a proposal? You neber know until you ask, and many may thought that the USAF would never want to trade it off. You don't get things if you don't ask and have a plan of action when you do ask.
I personally think it's a perfect home for a B-24, considering their operational history in Europe and I'm glad tosee it restored in a place of honor.
Blue skies,
Jerry

[Mike]

As for the name, the Brits didn't pick it - the original Dugan was flown by one of the supporters of the American Museum at Duxford during WWII.

http://www.bcwarbirds.com/B24dugan/B-24_DUGAN.htm

http://aam.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Rededication.pdf

The deal was an exchange between the USAF Museum (which received a fully-restored Spitfire V, now on display at Dayton plus a full-size reproduction B-24) and the Imperial War Museum, which received the unrestored Lackland B-24.

They've done a great job of restoring it, a fitting memorial to the 2nd Air Division crews (almost 7,000 of whom lost their lives) who flew from local bases, and are still remembered with a great deal of affection and gratitude by the locals.

[Jack Cook]

They've done a great job of restoring it, a fitting memorial to the 2nd Air Division crews (many of whom lost their lives) who flew from local bases, and are still remembered with a great deal of affection and gratitude by the locals.

I hope to see it one day.
My cousin was a B-24 pilot in the 392nd BG KIA March 18, 1944 over Germany (FW-190s).

[Mike]

Jack, if you do get across to Duxford, make sure you also take the trip over to Norwich (about 70 miles away) and visit the 2nd Air Division memorial library there. They lost most of their collection some years back in a fire, when Norwich Central Library burned out, but have now rebuilt. Well worth the visit.

http://www.2ndair.org.uk/

Most of the bases also have memorials.

'Dugan' as she is today.......





Another 'must visit', only a few miles from Duxford, is the Americam Cemetary at Madingley, a beautifully-kept and very moving monument. As well as almost 4.000 graves there, the wall of the missing contains the names of those whose bodies have no known resting place (including Glenn Miller).

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ca.php

Some photos from Memorial Day 2005

[Originalboxcar]

...
The deal was an exchange between the USAF Museum (which received a fully-restored Spitfire V, now on display at Dayton plus a full-size reproduction B-24) and the Imperial War Museum, which received the unrestored Lackland B-24...

Would that spitfire V be this one? (borrowed from Shay's post)



regards,

t~

[Mike]

That's the one.

MA863, ex-Australia.

Good to see that it's dropped its spurious 'Eagle Squadron' scheme in favour of something a bit more representative.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/spitregi ... ma863.html

[PeterA]

Mike,

As I understand, the Eagle Squadron Scheme was a change in plan from the original North African Theatre Scheme envisaged. Apparently with the Hurricane away for refurbishment the museum wanted their 'British' fighter to carry an RAF Roundel.

PeterA

ps Methinks the undersurface should be 'Azure' blue rather than what appears to be 'Sky' (light duck egg green).

[Jack Cook]

As I understand, the Eagle Squadron Scheme was a change in plan from the original North African Theatre Scheme envisaged. Apparently with the Hurricane away for refurbishment the museum wanted their 'British' fighter to carry an RAF Roundel.

This isn't an Eagle Squadron paint scheme. This Spit V is in the markings of the 308th FS 31st FG.
They originally were part of the 8th AF and flew a number of sweeps including the Dieppe Raid before being transfered to the 12th AF in North Africa in late 1942.

[airnutz]

Hi Jack, I took Peter's post as an explanation why the NMUSAF displayed the
Spitfire in the Eagle Squadron(XR-T) scheme for awhile. See 2nd photo in the
registry in the link provided by Mike.

[PeterA]

As I understand, the Eagle Squadron Scheme was a change in plan from the original North African Theatre Scheme envisaged. Apparently with the Hurricane away for refurbishment the museum wanted their 'British' fighter to carry an RAF Roundel.

This isn't an Eagle Squadron paint scheme. This Spit V is in the markings of the 308th FS 31st FG.
They originally were part of the 8th AF and flew a number of sweeps including the Dieppe Raid before being transfered to the 12th AF in North Africa in late 1942.

Jack,

Absolutely right.

When first put on display at Dayton, it carried not the intended N African scheme but an Eagle scheme. Here is a shot of the scheme, applied at Dayton and before installation in the museum.

Do note that this Mk V has a tropical lower cowling....Dieppe?

PeterA

[Originalboxcar]

I have an old old (1970's) official photo album for the NMUSAF and it lists the following Spitfire TE330 in its inventory:

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/spitregi ... te330.html

How was it that this aircraft too was sold from the museum? Doesn't the museum also have a "blue" recon Spit as well. Anyone know the history of the juggling around of Spits?

regards,

t~

[Firebird]

They've done a great job of restoring it, a fitting memorial to the 2nd Air Division crews (many of whom lost their lives) who flew from local bases, and are still remembered with a great deal of affection and gratitude by the locals.

I hope to see it one day.
My cousin was a B-24 pilot in the 392nd BG KIA March 18, 1944 over Germany (FW-190s).

In my collection of militaria I have the officers 4-pocket tunic that belonged to 1st Lt. Leander Page, a B-24 pilot of the 392nd from Dec 1943 to June 1944.

[PeterA]

Original Box Car,

The British gave Spitfire TE330 to US way back in July 1958. At that time it was an airworthy machine.

The US however never had the low back Mk XVI on it's inventory.

In 1996 it was reported as exchanged with World Wide Aeronautics Industries of Los Angeles. A Boeing Peashooter replica is reported as involved in the exchange.

After several further changes of ownership it is currently with the Subritzky family near Auckland NZ.

Here is a shot I took of it a couple of months back. The aircraft has been totally refurbished to flying standard but requires an overhauled engine and propeller.

PeterA