Warbird Information Exchange

Another request, hope you guys aren't getting tired of these threads just yet. Source, Library of Congress photo archives, 8th AF archives, my collections.

Part 1


"Our Baby"
B-24J-1-CO Liberator
s/n 42-72969
27th Bomb Squadron, 30th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force.
Lost on December 15,1943 when she was shot down by AAA 20 miles northeast of Taroa,Gilbert Islands. 9 KIA, 2 POW
Lt. Col. Arthur J. Walker - command pilot
1st Lt. Fred B. Garrett - pilot
2nd Lt. James J. Palladino - copilot
2nd Lt. Charles W. Holland - navigator
2nd Lt. Donald E. Wright - bombardier
T/Sgt. John D. Travers - engineer/top turret gunner
T/Sgt. Virgil F. Abbot - radio operator
S/Sgt. John R. Ormesher - gunner
S/Sgt. Lester G. Schwam - gunner
S/Sgt. George S. Lunsford - gunner
Maj. Thomas F. Harper,Jr. - observer,30th BG HQ

The fates of the individual crew members is unknown.


"Chug-A-Lug"
B-24D-25-CO Liberator
s/n 41-24251
425th BS, 308th BG, 14th AF


"Teggie Ann" (originally named "Honey Chile") (#100)
B-24D-85-CO Liberator
s/n 42-40664
515th Bomb Squadron, 376th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.
She was flown by Col. Keith Compton, the commanding officer of the 376th BG, on the low-level Ploesti,Rumania mission on August 1,1943.
She was lost on the August 16,1943 mission to Foggia, Italy when she was shot up by fighters and crashed at Melfi,Italy.
The shoot down was credited to Unteroffizier Martin Muller in a Bf 109G-6 from JG 3/12.


"A-Tisket A-Tasket A G-I Casket" A B-24J from the 11th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force.


"Kate Smith"
B-24D-85-CO Liberator
s/n 42-40654
345th Bomb Squadron, 98th Bomb Group
Crashed during landing at Benina,Libya on July 29,1943.


"Kuuipo"
B-24J-170-CO Liberator
Serial number 44-40559
864th Bomb Squadron, 494th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force.
Kuuipo means 'sweetheart' in Hawaiian.
She was a veteran of 45 combat missions when she was badly shot up by Japanese fighters on the July 25,1945 mission to bomb Tsuiki,Kyushu. Only two of the eleven crew members survived.

1st Lt. John C. Anderson - pilot (KIA)
1st Lt. Andrew J. Lohneis - copilot (KIA)
1st Lt. Joseph J. Gjondla - navigator (KIA)
1st Lt. Bruno J. Mariotti - bombardier (KIA)
T/Sgt. Charles D. McLaughlin - engineer
T/Sgt. Waldo M. Keeney - radio operator (KIA)
S/Sgt. Orlando L. Webb - waist gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Marion F. Bandur - ball turret gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Elliot J. Deutsch - nose turret gunner
S/Sgt. Eugene M. Linn - tail turret gunner (KIA)
T/Sgt. Albert E. Shiposki - radar operator (KIA)


"Frenisi"
B-24D-50-CO
s/n 42-40323
424th BS, 307th BG, 13th AF
Flew a total of 104 combat missions in the Pacific.


"Wolf Pack" (IG-A)
Ford B-24H-10-FO Liberator
s/n 42-52121
713th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Shown as the aircraft is being recovered from a non-operational landing accident on September 8,1944. The nose gear collapsed. Andrew T. Panchure - Pilot
Photo taken on September 9,1944.


"Lucky" aka "Lucky Gordon"
B-24D-20-CO Liberator
s/n 41-24215
Formation assembly ship for the 445th Bomb Group.
Was originally a 409th BS, 93rd BG, 8th AF plane named "Dogpatch Raider".


B-24 Liberators from the 512th Bomb Squadron, 376th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force at an airfield in Bengasi,Libya prior to the low level mission to Ploesti,Rumania on August 1,1943.

The nearest aircraft is "Brewery Wagon", then "Desert Lily" and "Wongo Wongo!"

"Brewery Wagon" (36-V)
B-24D-25-CO
s/n 41-24294
Shot down by a Me-109 over Ploesti. Two of the crew were KIA, eight became POW's.
MACR 154
1st Lt. John D. Palm - Pilot (POW)
2nd Lt. William F. Love - CoPilot (POW)
2nd Lt. William K. Wright - Navigator (KIA)
2nd Lt. Robert W. Merrell - Bombardier (KIA)
T/Sgt. Alexander Rockinson - Engineer/Gunner (POW)
T/Sgt. Harold Black - Radio Operator (POW)
S/Sgt. William E. Thompson - Gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Austin D. Chastain - Gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Dallis R. Robertson - Tail Gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Clay E. Snyder - Gunner (POW)

"Desert Lily" later renamed "Minerva II" (23-A)
B-24D-25-CO
s/n 41-24258
Shot down by a Bf 109G-6 near Wiemath,Austria on November 2,1943. 8 KIA, 2 POW
MACR 1099
2nd Lt. Harold L. Shick - Pilot (KIA)
2nd Lt. Donald D. Brewer - CoPilot (KIA)
2nd Lt. Carl Simon - Navigator (KIA)
2nd Lt. William W. King - Bombardier (POW)
T/Sgt. William J. Dascalkis - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Theodore E. Bencivanni - Radio Operator (KIA)
S/Sgt. Bryan Vaughn - Gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Roy L. VanCleave - Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Leonard N. Gish - Tail Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. John D. Rundle - Gunner (KIA)

"Wongo Wongo!" (28-D)
B-24D-70-CO
s/n 42-40563
After take off for the Ploesti mission on August 1,1943 she crashed into Meditteranean Sea for unknown reasons, killing all 10 crewmen aboard.
MACR 150
1st Lt. Brian W. Flavelle - Pilot (KIA)
2nd Lt. John C. Ryan - CoPilot (KIA)
1st Lt. Robert F. Wilson - Navigator (KIA)
1st Lt. Jack B. Lanning - Bombardier (KIA)
T/Sgt. Willis G. Lutz - Radio Operator (KIA)
T/Sgt. John H. Cleveland - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Tim O. McLaughlin - Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Robert M. Bowden - Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Melick J. Janacek - Gunner (KIA)
Sgt. Sander Lazar - Gunner (KIA)


Consolidated B-24E-1-FO (S/N 42-6981). Note the Martin top turret has been removed and a Bendix chin turret added. (U.S. Air Force photo)



"Chief Wapello" (R5-K)
Ford B-24H-15-FO Liberator
s/n 42-52618
839th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group, 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force.
She was later transfered to the 44th Bomb Group when the 487th Bomb Group converted to B-17's.
506th BS, 44th BG (GJ-B)
66th BS, 44th BG (GK-V +)

Shot down by fighters over the Netherlands on Jan. 28,1945 mission to Dortmund,Germany. The entire crew bailed out over Allied lines and returned to duty.
2nd Lt. John J. Muldoon - Pilot
2nd Lt. Oliver E. Duerksen - CoPilot
2nd Lt. Karl D. Grossman,Jr. - Navigator
Sgt. Walter E. Jacobs - Nose Turret Gunner/Togglier
Sgt. Edward A. Wilner - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Sgt. Adolph J. Hrebar - Radio Operator
Sgt. George K. Willis,Jr. - Right Waist Gunner
Sgt. James A. Alberado - Left Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Edwin L. Schofeld - Tail Turret Gunner


Landing on Anguar Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Group.
"Wolf"
Consolidated B-24J-175-CO Liberator
Serial number 44-40737
867th Bomb Squadron, 494th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force.


"My Achin' Back!!"
B-24H-15-CF Liberator
s/n 41-29432
718th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Part 2


"Betsy"
B-24D-170-CO Liberator
s/n 42-72956
321st BS, 90th BG, 5th AF


"Conquest Cavalier"
B-24H-1-CF Liberator
s/n 41-29126
701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.


576th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force


446th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force


"Screamin' Meemie II"
B-24H-15-CF Liberator
s/n 41-29580
726th BS, 451st BG, 15th AF


"Lady Kaye" (#647)
B-24J-170-CO Liberator
s/n 44-40647
867th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF
This is the original nose art which didn't last and was repainted, but with a different pin-up.


"Scotland Taxi" (JU-P)
Ford B-24H-15-FO Liberator
Serial number 42-52583
707th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force


"Dazzlin' Dutchess and the Ten Dukes"
Consolidated-Fort Worth B-24H-10-CF Liberator
s/n 42-64500
743rd Bomb Squadron, 455th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
Aircraft suffered a severe fuel leak on the June 11,1944 nission and aborted. The crew was forced to bail out near the Bulgarian - Romanian border.
They all got out safely but Sgt. Kleeman was found in the Danube River still in his chute.
There was a rumor the the Bulgarian civilians killed him but it was never proven.
Sgt. Lewis was killed in a German bombing of the POW camp after Romania capitulated.
MACR 5771
2nd Lt. Earl W. Brawninger - Pilot (POW)
~ Union,NY
2nd Lt. Robert M. Murphy,Jr. - CoPilot (POW)
~ Knoxville,TN
2nd Lt. Jordan W. Grant III - Navigator (POW)
~ Portsmouth,VA
2nd Lt. Jimmy P. Robinson - Bombardier (POW)
~ Memphis,TN
S/Sgt. John W. Sheperd - Radio Operator (POW)
~ Osceola,MO
S/Sgt. Frank W. Luscinskas - Engineer/Gunner (POW)
~ Warehouse Point, Conn.
Sgt. Joseph P. McMillen,Jr. - Gunner (POW)
~ Greenville,SC
Sgt. Wallace E. Bailey - Gunner (POW)
~ Wellsboro,PA
Sgt. Robert F. Kleeman - Gunner (KIA)
~ Ashland,PA
Sgt. Ernest P. Lewis - Gunner (KIA)
~ Westfield,PA


"Fertile Myrtle"
B-24G-16-NT
s/n 42-78471
724th BS, 451st BG, 15th AF
Shot down by fighters over Austria on Sept. 23,1944. MACR 7966

2nd Lt. Cornelius E. Donoghue - pilot (POW)
2nd Lt. George L. Hogan - copilot (KIA)
2nd Lt. James W. Bitzinger - navigator (POW)
2nd Lt. Clarence O. Roettger - bombardier (KIA)
T/Sgt. Carl R. Lottman - radio operator (POW)
T/Sgt. Wayne Johnson - ball turret gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Claude C. Baker - tail turret gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Raymond A. Ranville - engineer/top turret gunner (MIA)
S/Sgt. Alfonso B. Diaz - left waist gunner (POW)
Sgt. Stanley E. Black - nose turret gunner (POW)

Lts. Hogan and Roettger are believed to have been shot by the Gastapo for killing civilians while attempting to escape.


Consolidated B-24J-5-CO Liberator
s/n 42-73029
431st Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force.
Over Kwajalin,Marshall Islands in June 1944.


"Ronnie"
B-24H-1-CF Liberator
41-29144
704th BS, 446th BG, 8th AF
On March 30,1945 mission to bomb the submarine assembly plant at Wilhelmshaven,Germany.


"Minnesota Mauler"
B-24J-5-FO Liberator
s/n 42-50906
724th Bomb Squadron, 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
Crashlanded at Zara,Yugoslavia on March 9,1945.


3R-F
Ford B-24H-20-FO Liberator (s/n 42-94871). This plane was transfered to the 15th Air Force when the 486th Bomb Group converted to B-17's.

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Part 3


"Hot Matilda"
B-24J-195-CO Liberator
s/n 44-41122
781st BS, 465th BG, 15th AF


"Extra Joker"
Ford B-24H-30-FO Liberator
s/n 42-95379
725th Bomb Squadron, 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
This aircraft is pictured just moments before it burst into flames and went out of control, all 10 crew members were KIA.
It was attacked by Fw-190s over Turnitz,Austria on August 23,1944.
You can see the fire that had just started on the left wing behind the #1 engine
MACR 7956

1st Lt. Kenneth A. Whiting - Pilot (KIA) O-809071
-- Salt Lake City,Utah
1st Lt. Alvin W. Moore - CoPilot (KIA) O-748453
-- McMinnville,Oregon
2nd Lt. Francis J. Bednarek - Navigator (KIA) O-709257
-- Ashley,Pennsylvania
2nd Lt. Edward S. Waneski - Bombardier (KIA) O-698623
-- Brooklyn,New York
Sgt. Peter Breda - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (KIA) 35765768
-- Lima,Ohio
Sgt. Harry V. Bates - Ball Turret Gunner (KIA) 33504616
-- Reinholds,Pennsylvania
Sgt. Joseph Garbacz - Right Waist Gunner (KIA) 36171783
-- Detroit,Michigan
S/Sgt. Milton R. Nitsch - Left Waist Gunner (KIA) 36807036
-- Sheboygan,Wisconsin
Sgt. Elmer J. Anderson - Nose Turret Gunner (KIA) 34783328
-- Los Angeles,California
Sgt. Oscar W. Bateman - Tail Turret Gunner (KIA) 18149555
-- Baton Rouge,Louisiana


Consolidated B-24G-5-NT (S/N 42-78154) of the 722nd Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. This was the last block 5 B-24G built. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Aircraft was reported MIA on July 3,1944 on a mission to bomb the oil storage depot at Giurgiu,Rumania.

1st Lt. Kenneth G. Wilson - Pilot (POW)
2nd Lt. Jerome J. Haggerty - Co-Pilot (POW)
2nd Lt. Frank P. Lunardo - Navigator (POW)
2nd Lt. Leroy E. Crowe - Bombardier (KIA)
T/Sgt. William R. Shuman - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (POW)
T/Sgt. August J. Mastropaolo - Radio Operator (POW)
T/Sgt. Charles C. Burgess,Jr. - Gunner (POW)
S/Sgt. Frank W. Martin - Gunner (MIA)
S/Sgt. Emil J. Hudecek - Gunner (MIA)
S/Sgt. Leo R. Adamy - Gunner (POW)


707th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force over Muhldorf,Germany.


Consolidated B-24J-35-CO (S/N 42-73316) "Reluctant Dragon" of the 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

This aircraft was lost on May 19,1944.


Consolidated B-24G-16-NT (S/N 42-78356) "Maiden America" of the 723rd Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
Crashed in Switzerland on December 25,1944 after bombing the West Marshalling Yards in Innsbruck,Austria. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The plane was heavily damaged by flak during the mission and further damaged by the Swiss AAA gunners forcing the crew to bail out.
The pilot, 1st Lt. Vincent Fagan, remained with the aircraft to guide it away from the village of Wuerenlingen. Three of the crew were killed during the bail-out and crash.
The co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Nicholas MacKoul, drown when he came down in a nearby river.
The navigator, 2nd Lt. Martin A. Homistek, was killed when his chute got caught on the horizontal stabilizer.
The left waist gunner, Sgt. Ralph L. Coulson, refused to leave his position and died in the crash.
The rest of the crew, including Lt. Fagan, survived and were interned in Switzerland.


"Flying Crusader" (EC-P)
Ford B-24H-1-FO Liberator
Serial number 42-7478
578th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Crashed on October 9,1944 near Wendling,England during a routine maintenance flight.
Capt. Allen B. "Ben" Alexander - pilot
1st Lt. Presley Broussard - copilot
1st Lt. Tom Kirkwood - navigator
T/Sgt. Rupert Sutphin - engineer
T/Sgt. Frank E. Gallo - radio operator (K.I.L.D.)


Consolidated B-24's over Friedrichshaven, Germany. The B-24 was employed in operations in every combat theater during World War II . (U.S. Air Force photo)

"Naughty Nan"
B-24J-55-CO Liberator
s/n 42-99949
328th BS, 93rd BG, 8th AF
Lost in a mid-air collision on the September 21,1944 mission to Koblenz,Germany.
Another B-24, flying erratically in cloudy conditions, dropped down into this aircraft and sending it into a spin and tearing the tail section off the other aircraft.
2ndLt. Everett E. Johnson - pilot (POW)
2ndLt. Stanislaus L. Mikolajczyk - copilot (POW)
2ndLt. Alvin M. Kibler - navigator (KIA)
2ndLt. Edwin S. Stellhorn - bombardier (KIA)
S/Sgt. Cecil D. Johnson - engineer/top turret gunner (POW)
T/Sgt. Joseph F. Bradley - radio operator (POW)
S/Sgt. Lee J. Grafe - nose turret gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Oscar Bregman - waist gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. Merrill J. Conoway - tail gunner (KIA)


Consolidated B-24D-CO (S/N 41-11598) "Hi Doc" with "Sally Lou" behind the waist gunner position.
Note the tunnel gun position on the lower aft fuselage. (U.S. Air Force photo) This is actually a F-7D photo recon.


"Lemon Drop" (P)
B-24D-1-CO Liberator
s/n 41-23699
68th BS, 44th BG, 8th AF
One of the original nine aircraft flown to England by the 68th BS. She was a veteran of the August 1,1943 low-level mission to bomb the oil refineries at Ploesti,Romania
(Operation Tidalwave). After returning to England she was declared 'War Weary' converted for use as the Group's formation assembly ship
until it failed a POM inspection and scrapped in June 1945.


90th Bomb Group


"Mistah Chick"
B-24J-75-CO Liberator
s/n 42-100146
564th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF
Transfered to the 567th BS in March 1944.
Interned in Sweden after the June 20,1944 mission to Politz,Germany. All 10 crewmen and one passenger unhurt. MACR 5924

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Mark, to the contrary, please keep these threads coming.

INDEED! Especially with B-24's that had not only more diversity between models (and blocks of airplanes) and manufacturers, and that there were more individually modded B-24's than variations on the same theme then you'd find at a 'Show n Shine' featuring late 70's Chevy custom vans or HONDA CIVICS, window added here on this one but not that one, extra nose guns on those two but none of the others in the photo, a diverse and eclectic crowd keep 'em coming Mark!!!!

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Love it! Thanks for posting the crews as well.

On the 451st ship "Extra Joker"; it was named after one of the crew bought a pack of cards at the State Line motel and Casino in Wendover that contained an "extra joker". The card was actually kept by a crew member in his footlocker. After the war it came home with a friend of the man - and in the early eighties it was supposedly donated to the then just starting Wendover museum. When I got involved in the project in 2001 it was unfortunately nowhere to be found. . . .

Tom P.

Tired of these threads, no way Jose! Keep 'em coming and of course thanks for posting them.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Those are fantastic. You gotta love the Liberator! The B-24 sitting rite at the water's edge got my attention. Not something you see every day!

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Mark I'm not complaining one bit! I've thoroughly enjoyed all of your posts!

_________________
A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

Part 4


Consolidated B-24M-20-CO (S/N 44-42151) in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo)


A Consolidated B-24 Liberator from Maxwell Field, Alabama, four engine pilot school,


"Screamin' Meemie II"
B-24H-15-CF Liberator
s/n 41-29580
726th BS, 451st BG, 15th AF
Written off due to battle damage from August 22,1944 mission to Vienna,Austria.


"Burma Bound"
B-24H-15-DT Liberator
s/n 41-28861
725th BS, 451st BG, 15th AF
Limping home from a mission to Munich,Germany with engine #4 feathered and #1 smoking, December 1944.


"Consolidated Mess" (E3-F)
Douglas-Tulsa B-24H-5-DT Liberator
s/n 41-28654
732nd BS, 453rd BG, 8th AF
Photo taken on February 21,1944 mission to bomb the airfield at Achmer,Germany.
Aircraft was reported as scrapped on June 24,1944 but was actually assigned to secret operations over Norway. Was shot down by "friendly" fire over Murmansk,USSR in September 1944.


Named "Dorothy"
B-24D-15-CF Liberator
s/n 42-63960
564th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.


465th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force


464th Bomb Group




"Gum Drop" aka "Patches"
Ford B-24H-15-FO Liberator
s/n 42-52449
781st BS, 465th BG, 15th AF
Shot down by fighters on the June 6,1944 mission to Ploesti,Romania. All 10 crew members bailed out and were captured. They were liberated in August 1944. MACR 6125

1st Lt. Kenneth M. Martin - Pilot
2nd Lt. Rex L. Struble - CoPilot
2nd Lt. Robert L. Williamson - Navigator
2nd Lt. Morris E. Finley - Bombardier
S/Sgt. Donald L. Merkel - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. Thomas Scalese - Radio operator
Sgt. Kenneth G. Foden - Gunner
S/Sgt. Gerald J. Simmons - Left Waist Gunner
Sgt. Francis P. Little - Tail Gunner
Sgt. Wilburn Vorheer - Nose Turret Gunner


"159-P"
B-24J-200-CO Liberator
s/n 44-41159
782nd BS, 465th BG, 15th AF
Mission to Southern France on August 12,1944.

This aircraft was lost on the January 31,1945 nission to bomb the oil refineries at Moosbierbaum,Austria. The MACR said it crashed near Budapest. The all bailed out safely and were taken prisoner.
MACR 12112

2nd Lt. John P. Frantz - Pilot (O-719819) Roanoke,Virginia
2nd Lt. Richard R. Coleman - CoPilot (O-770953) Lynwood,California
2nd Lt. Owen W. Maloney - Navigator (O-2062684) Tulsa,Oklahoma
2nd Lt. Chelsea H. Browne - Bombardier (O-782917) Roseburg,Oregon
Cpl. Robert E. Schroeder - Engineer/Gunner (13130664) Brackenridge,Pennsylvania
Cpl. Malcolm A. MacDonald - Gunner (19200991) Longview,Washington
Cpl. John L. Russell - Radio Operator (16122755) Rock Island,Illonois
Cpl. Miles C. Bozarth - Gunner (38589146) Tallant,Oklahoma
Cpl. John W. Dollman - Gunner (33662058) Roanoke,Virginia
Cpl. Francis C. Wilson - Gunner (31409028) Pine Meadow,Connecticut


(EE-Z̅)
Ford B-24J-1-FO Liberator
s/n 42-50625
565th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF
Aircraft was destroyed on August 14,1944 when it crash-landed at Heathel, then caught fire.


"Kansas Cyclone"
B-24J-5-CO Liberator
s/n 42-73025
26th BS, 11th BG, 7th AF


460th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force


"That's All Brother" (X4-D+)
B-24J-145-CO Liberator
s/n 44-40120
859th Bomb Squadron, 492nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Transfered to 788th BS, 467th BG, 8th AF when the 492nd ceased combat operations in August 1944.

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Hopefully this thread will eventually feature some blue painted agony wagons Lookin' mighty fine Mark

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

"Miss Fury"
B-24H-5-CF Liberator
s/n 41-29212
721st Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
Shown after her left landing gear collapsed on landing at Manduria,Italy on March 13,1944.


"T'ings Is Tuff"
Douglas-Tulsa B-24H-15-DT Liberator
s/n 41-28931
724th Bomb Squadron, 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
Shown making a belly-landing at it's base in Southern Italy after being damaged by flak on a mission to Ploesti,Rumania.


B-24J-195-CO Liberator
s/n 44-41142
780th BS, 465th BG, 15th AF
Crash-landed at Poltava,Ukraine on January 4,1945 during a heavy fog.


"Sweat Box" (QK-P +)
Consolidated B-24J-145-CO Liberator
Serial number 44-40071
66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Crash landed at Shipham,Norfolk,England on November 6,1944.
This aircraft was one of the original planes for the 492nd Bomb Group (9H-B) but was transfered to the 44th after the 492nd stopped combat operations in August 1944.


"Spotted Ass Ape"
Douglas-Tulsa B-24H-10-DT Liberator
s/n 41-28697
458th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
March 9,1945


"Lonesome Lois" (MK-X +)
Ford B-24H-20-FO Liberator
Serial number 42-95020
701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Nose wheel collapsed while making an emergency landing at an RAF Station near Beccles,Suffolk,England on July 14,1944.


"Fearless Fosdick" (WV-Y)
Consolidated-Fort Worth B-24H-15-CF Liberator
Serial number 41-29604
702nd Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Damaged the landing gear in crash landing on August 1,1944 near Westley Waterless,Cambridgeshire and scrapped the next day.


(353-L)
Consolidated B-24J-90-CO Liberator
Serial number 42-100353
703rd Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Crash landed in a field near Metfield,Norfolk,England on March 8,1944 and salvaged two days later.


"Nokkish" (7V-P)
Consolidated-Fort Worth B-24H-10-CF Liberator
Serial number 41-29302
752nd Bomb Squadron, 458th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Crashed on landing on April 29,1944 after returning from a mission to Berlin to bomb the rail station.


(J4-R)
B-24J-145-CO Liberator
s/n 44-40134
753rd BS, 458th BG, 8th AF.
Originally assigned to 753rd BS, 492nd BG, 8th AF but only flew 4 missions with this group before transfer to 458th in late May 1944. Was modified for the AZON Project's radio controlled bombs.
Was salvaged after damage recieved during landing on March 2,1945 (photo).


"Ruthless Ruthie" (6X-I -)
Consolidated B-24J-155-CO Liberator
Serial number 44-40317
854th Bomb Squadron, 491st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Blew the tire on the left-main landing gear and the right gear collapsed causing the plane to go off the runway while taking off on April 16,1945.

Assignments:
863rd BS, 493rd BG (A)
852nd, 491st BG (3Q-W)
855th BS, 491st BG (V2-X +)
854th BS, 491st BG (6X-I -)


"White Angel"
Ford B-24L-1-FO Liberator
s/n 44-49059
Converted to a C-109 transport and used by the 2nd Air Transport Squadron as a tanker for the B-29 Superfortress units in the C.B.I.
Showing 169 missions flown over the Hump.


"Shack Date" (U8-P-)
Ford B-24H-15-FO Liberator
s/n 42-52566
786th Bomb Squadron, 466th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
damaged by flak on mission to bomb airfield at Gutersloh on April 19,1944 she was totally destroyed in the crashlanding at Attlebridge.
Lt. N. Furnace crew.


(YO-F)
Ford B-24L-5-FO Liberator
s/n 44-49279
564th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
Crashlanded at Ashwellthorpe,Norfolk,England on Feb. 6,1945 after returning from mission to Magdeburg,Germany.


"The Missouri Mule"
B-24J-175-CO Liberator
s/n 44-40715
865th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF

Flown by Col. Laurence Kelley from Grover,MO (that's him pictured with the plane). Col. Kelley was the commander of the 494th Bomb Group.
The plane was damaged by AAA fire over the Philippines on April 10,1945 and had to make a belly landing at the base on Anguar Island,Caroline Islands.

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Great Stuff! Anymore from the 90th BG? 320th SQ maybe?!

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Part 5


Ford B-24H-25-FO Liberator 42-95051 before being handed over to the 445th BG 702nd BS. This B-24 was shot down May 8, 1944 over Frankfurt Germany, all crew KIA


Ford B-24H


Consolidated C-87


PB4Y-1 Liberator


Consolidated Liberator LB30 or MkII RAF


Ford Willow Run B-24


US Coast Guard PB4Y-2 Privateer 1947


NAS Jacksonville 1952


Overhead view of the Navy museums P4Y-2G PB4Y-2 Privateer on temporary outdoor static display

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”