CBI B-24 Nose Art at the
http://www.airpowermuseum.org/
We ask you, our visitors, to please assist Christopher in this most worthwhile endeavor!!
- If you can provide more information than provided below, if you remember stories about the aircraft or crew,
or if you have orders, letters, pictures or other memorabilia related to any of the aircraft shown, PLEASE
contact Christopher - by email ( collections@aahm.org ),
- by mail at 9600 Wright Drive, P.O. Box 62000, Midland, TX, 79711,
- or by FAX - (915)567-3047.
- by mail at 9600 Wright Drive, P.O. Box 62000, Midland, TX, 79711,
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"Forever Amber", a B-24J-20-CO, serial 42-73188, assigned to the 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force. The museum has a photocopy of Operation Order listing the crew as Leonard Padgett (p), and Storch, Dolan, Davis, Gadfield, Parry, Thurber, Linardos, Begel, Morris, Piccoli, Barham and Forbes. |
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The nose art panel of "Hump Time" was cut off without the words, but WW II photos show her name. She was a B-24M-15-CO, serial 44-42117, serving in the CBI theater while assigned to the 375th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force. This panel is on display at the museum. In addition, the museum has a photocopy of Operation Order for movement of the aircraft from Rupsi, India, to Morrison Field, Florida, dated October 17, 1945. The listed crew is William Davis (p), William Drumm (p), Thomas J. Massey (cp), McGrath (cp). Others listed are Barker, Iseminger, Ifkovick, O'Conner, Hardy, Chambliss, Howard, Fallon, Fisher and Harrington. The museum also has photos and other documents related to 'Hump Time'. |
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"Lady Luck" (artwork signed 'R. Silva') was B-24L-1-CO, serial 44-41430, assigned to the 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force. The museum has a photocopy of a Brief from the Operations Office of the 374th listing the crew as Robert Weidl (p), Richard Wolfersperger (p), with Runner, Rich, Cooley, Czenik, Rogo, Johnson, Purdy, Hicks, Farnsworth, Crugnale, Quigley and Herzog. |
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Another artwork panel on display at the Museum is "Mama Foo Foo", B-24M-15-CO, serial 44-42094, 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force. In the last months of the war, the374th moved from Kwanghan, China to Rupsi, India where copilot Fred Hardy is credited with naming and painting her in preparation for the Squadron's return to the states. The pilot, Daniel Petty was killed in action in China. R.D. MacDonald was the pilot for the flight home. Other crewmen were Frank (b), Varr (n), Conrad, Gunn, Thompson, Flesner, Majarus and Smith. |
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"Sack Time", B-24M-2-FO, serial 44-50797 (visible on panel), was assigned to the 308th Bombardment Group, 14th Air Force, probably to the 374th Bomb Squadron. The panel is currently on display at the museum. |
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"Squeeze", B-24M-10-CO, serial 44-42020, of the 374th Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group, 14th Air Force. This panel is restored, on display and thoroughly documented, thanks to Lewis 'Ed' Atkinson one of the pilots. There was another "Squeeze" nose art (man with shotgun) which may, or may not, have preceeded this version. |
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"Surprise Attack", B-24M-16-FO, serial 44-50956, assigned 374th Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group, 14th Air Force. Further information is lacking. |
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"Yellow Fever", B-24M-11-FO, serial 44-50803 (on panel) was assigned to 374th Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group, 14th Air Force. Artwork signed, 'R. Silva'. Photocopy of 308th crew assignment orders lists, Don Maison (p), Joe Wharton (cp), John Reeder (n), McLaughlin, Gohd, Houts, Poe, Waters, Voelker, Derewetzky, Dipaudua, Entriken, Graham, Morrissey. This panel is now on display. |
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"Double Trouble", B-24J-190-CO of the 493rd Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, Pandaveswar, India, which was one of only ten B-24s equipped with Azimuth Only, radio-controlled bombs (AZON). Crew included Gene Morris (p), Duane Jordon (cp), Frank Nelson (b), and possibly Hugh Fletcher (a-g), Art Ruonavaara (n), Marion Crawley (r-g), Andy Hocko (ball) and Dean. According to Mr Crawley later crewmen, due to replacements, were Van Zandt (n), Piper, Hoidra, Robinson, Johnston, Fletcher and Hocko. Bill McDaniel was probably the pilot bringing the plane home at war's end. |
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"Home Stretch" has been reported, and is being logged by the museum, as being assigned to the 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force. However, the museum has no official documentation supporting that and some contradictory notes suggesting she might have been a 308th Bomb Group aircraft. The full type of this B-24 and her serial number are unknown.
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"Lassie I'm Home" art was done by Vernon L. Drake who was assigned to the 493rd Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force, at Pandaveswar, India. This panel is currently in storage at the AAHM. The full type of this B-24, her serial number, and to which group and squadron the plane was assigned are unknown at this time. |
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"Mission Completed", believed to be B-24J assigned to 436th (or 493rd) Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, Asanol, India. According to Joseph Vinette (n), the crew going over to India was made up of him, Phillip Watson (p), Charles Weems (cp), James Adamsen (b), Drabek (e-g), Fountain (r-g) and Hance (tail). Vinette also was on the crew bringing the plane home. The serial number is unknown. The artwork was done by Vernon Drake, who also did 'Lassie, I'm Home'. |
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"Mors Ab Alto", meaning 'Death from Above' (still the 7th Bomb's motto) is on display. LtCol William Henderson has a picture of this plane in his book "From China Burma India to the Kwai", and identifies it as a 7th Bombardment Group aircraft, serial number and squadron assignment unknown, although Wally Forman has stated it was a 493rd plane. The serial number is unknown. |
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"Sleepy Time Gal", B-24M-15-FO, serial 44-51030, was identified by Arthur I. Hall (cp for flight home from India). He says it was scheduled to go to the 14th AF, but was diverted to 493rd Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force, based at Pandaveswar, India. Ops Order 174 lists crew for return flight as Ansel L. Shindeldecker (p), Hall (cp), Kenneth W. Lloyd (n), George Fernandes (e), John H. McClellan (r) and passenger (1 of 10) Anthony J. Sgro, crew chief of the plane. |
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"Southern Comfort". LtCol William Henderson has a picture of this plane in his book "From China Burma India to the Kwai", and identifies it as a 7th Bombardment Group aircraft, serial number and squadron assignment unknown. |
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authored by Tony Strotman |
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