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| USAAF 5th AF 380th BG 530th BS |
Aircraft History Built at Consolidated at San Diego between February 27, 1943 until March 11, 1943 at a cost of $297,627.00. Constructors Number 1573. On March 15, 1943 first flight. On March 16, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial number 42-40496. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Amberley Field near Brisbane arriving April 24, 1943. Next, modified into a B-24D-1 with the installation of a nose turret by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field at Townsville. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group (380th BG), 530th Bombardment Squadron (530th BS). Nicknamed "Juarez Whistle" (in quotes with the quotation marks in the shape of musical notes) with the nose art of a woman with blonde hair reclining in a one piece body suit wearing high heels and her hands behind. Assigned to crew chief MSgt Sydney E. Allen. In total, this B-24 flew 27 mission. On August 21, 1943 took off from Fenton Field (mission FEN II-23) piloted by Captain Augustus "Gus" V. Connery with crew no. 25 on bombing mission against a nickel mining operation at Pomelaa on Celebes (Sulawesi). Over Bono Bay (Gulf of Boni) out of the clouds appeared a L2D "Cedar Tree" and top turret gunner SSgt John W. Tackett opened fire from the engines, along the fuselage windows to the tail causing it to catch fire and nose down. As the plane lost altitude, it was the crew photographed the Tabby on fire and smoking over Bono Bay before it crashed into Bono Bay (Gulf of Boni). On February 1, 1944 crash landed at Fenton Field and was written off. On September 26, 1945 scrapped. Officially stricken off charge on December 31, 1945. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Augustus V. Connery USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-65-CO Liberator 42-40496 "40496 (380th BG, 530th BS, "Juarez Whistle") salvaged Sep 26, 1945" 380th.org B-24D "Juarez Whistle" 42-40496 data sheet 380th.org B-24D "Juarez Whistle" 42-40496 mission record Contribute
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