Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  B-24D-30-CO "Scootin' Thunder" Serial Number 42-40100  
USAAF
13th AF
5th BG
31st BS

Former Assignments
394th BS

Click For Enlargement
Oscar Fitzhenry c1943

Click For Enlargement
Click For Enlargement
Oscar Fitzhenry 2017

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 1137. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-30-CO Liberator serial number 42-40100. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field to the South Pacific.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) "Bomber Barons", 394th Bomb Squadron (394th BS). Nicknamed "Scootin' Thunder" with the nose art depicts a white lightning bolt outlined in black atop a globe on both sides of the nose. On the right side of the nose were bomb markings indicating missions flown. Assigned to pilot Oscar G. Fitzhenry with co-pilot Lt. Robert Houser. Later, assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Squadron (72nd BS).

During 1943-1944 this B-24 flew bombing missions in the South Pacific (SOPAC). Afterwards flown back to the United States. On October 1, 1945 at RFC Altus, OK and likely scrapped sometime afterwards.

Relatives
Beth Houser (daughter of Robert Houser)

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-30-CO Liberator 42-40100
"40100 to RFC Altus Oct 1, 1945"
Scootin' Thunder (2006) by Beth Houser details this aircraft
Scootin' Thunder Lecture at Long Beach Yacht Club by Beth Houser September 14, 2010
Courage Before Every Danger Honor Honor Before All Men (2010) by Joanne Pfannenstiel Emerick page 200 (photo of Fallin crew including Palmer with B-24D Scootin' Thunder 42-40100)
Thanks to Oscar C. Fitzhenry and Beth Houser for additional information

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 17, 2024

 

Tech Info
B-24

Photos
Photo Archive
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram