Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Delivered to the U. S. Army at Savannah, GA on October 21, 1941. Next to McCellan on January 7, 1942 to"X" January 29, 1942. Assigned to Project "X" on January 2, 1942, Dissassembled on January 8, 1942 transported overseas to Australia. Reassembled and assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group, 8th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. Assigned to pilot Farr.

Mission History
Three A-24s, this aircraft and A-24 41-15822 and A-24 41-15783 (Piloted by Rogers, Doan & Holcomb) crash land at Aiyary Airfield, in an attempt to rescue the crew of B-25C 41-12478 It is not clear which pilot flew which A-24 to Aiyary on May 24, 1942. Two crashed on landing Floyd "Buck" Rogers (engine failure on landing), Doan nosed up, Holcomb landed successfully piloting this A-24.

The next morning on May 25, 1942, 2nd Lt James T. Holcombe attempted to take off with the single surviving A-24. On take off, it flipped over and killed him. Passenger Floyd Rogers in the gunner's seat was wounded, but survived. Officially condemed on November 7, 1942.

Edward Rogers adds:
"According to Michael Claringbould, three mechanics later went up to Aiyura to see if any of A-24's could be repaired and flown out. They decided that they were beyond repair and were all stripped of usable components (instruments and armament supposedly)."

Reference
Thanks to Edward Rogers for research and analysis

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019