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  B-24D-65-CO "Deliverer" Serial Number 42-40522 / A72-6  
RAAF
No. 7 OTU

Former Assignment
USAAF
5th AF
380th BG
531st BS


380th BG October 1943


RAAF 1944

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego between March 5, 1943 until March 17, 1943. Constructors Number 1599. On March 19, 1943 first test flight. On March 20, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial number 42-40522.

On March 25, 1943 flown to the modification center in Tucson. On April 16, 1943 to the staging area at Topeka, Kansas. On May 1, 1943 departed Hamilton Field on a ferry flight via Hickam Field then across the Pacific bound for Australia. On May 5, 1943 arrives Amberly Field near Brisbane.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group, 531st Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Deliverer" in stenciled block letters with the nose art of a stork in flight holding a bomb wrapped in a blanket on both sides of the nose. Assigned to crew chief MSgt William W. Baker. A scoreboard was on both sides of the nose a single row of bomb markings indicating missions flown, some with a star above. Also, two aircraft silhouettes indicating aerial victories claimed by the gunners.

This B-24 operated from Manbulloo Field and later Long Field in the Northern Territory of Australia.

On July 8, 1943 took off piloted by Brennan with crew no. 33 on bombing mission (FEN I-48) against Penfoei Airfield.

Afterwards, flown to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby for missions in New Guinea.

On October 13, 1943 took off piloted by Z. Smith with crew no. 76 (Seale crew) on a bombing mission (285-L) against Rabaul but aborted due to bad weather.

On October 17, 1943 took off piloted by piloted by Z. Smith with crew no. 76 (Seale crew) on a bombing mission (285-L) against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul but again aborted due to bad weather.

Afterwards, returned to Long Field and resumed flying combat missions from the Northern Territory of Australia.

In total, this B-24 flew 30 combat missions in New Guinea. On December 13, 1943 declared war weary and flown to Garbutt Field for evaluation and had a nose turret installed. Officially written off from the USAAF on March 3, 1944.

On February 15, 1944 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Liberator serial number A72-6. Assigned to No. 7 Operational Training Unit (No. 7 OTU) based at Tocumwal Airfield. Nose number 6. Flown in Australia to train Australian air crews. Later, used as Instructional Airframe No. 2.

Fate
During August 1945 offered for sale as war surplus. On August 18, 1945 sold to Charlie Ruthburg of Boisdale, Victoria and broken up for scrap. Some pieces were salvaged by B-24 Liberator Restoration Fund Inc. and placed into storage for use in their restoration of Liberator A72-176.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-65-CO Liberator 42-40522
"40522 Flew 33 missions with 380th BG, 531st BS as "Deliverer". To RAAF as A72-6 Mar 3, 1944. Used as instuctional airframe. Scrapped Aug 18, 1945."
380th Bomb Group - B-24D "Deliverer" 42-40522
380th Bomb Goup - B-24D "Deliverer" 42-40522 Mission Record
ADF Serials - Liberator A72-6
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
February 6, 2024

 

Tech Information
B-24
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