|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 63rd BS Former Assignments 1st AF 1st SSAG 2nd SSAS  USAAF c1943  43rd BG c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Alvin E. McGehee (survived) Volusia County, FL Crash Landed December 3, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego. Constructors Number 2135. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-130-CO Liberator serial number 42-41058. Project Number 96189R. Wartime History In early August 1943, assigned to the 1st Air Force (1st AF), 1st Sea Search Attach Group (1st SSAG), 2nd Sea Search Attack Squadron (2nd SSAS) at Langley Field in Virginia. Assigned to Captain William F. Hamill. Nicknamed "Lady Luck" in cursive with the nose art of a woman riding a harnessed Japanese seahorse character on both the left and right sides of the nose. This bomber was one of twelve radar equipped B-24 and crews dubbed the "Scott Project" were placed under the command of Lt. Col Edward W. Scott and trained on the Low Altitude Bombing (LAB) system and tactics and completed training by the end of September 1943. On October 1, 1943 departs Langley Field piloted Captain William F. Hamill across the United States then via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving two weeks later. On October 21, 1943 flown to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) "Ken's Men", 63rd Bombardment Squadron (63rd BS) "Sea Hawks". Assigned to pilot Captain William F. Hamill until he was transfered to other duty. Next, assigned to pilot 2nd Lt. John B. Ahrens who flew this bomber on four or five missions. On November 29, 1943 took off from Horanda No. 4 Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Alvin E. McGehee on an armed reconnaissance mission over the Bismarck Sea. Mission History On December 3, 1943 took off from Horanda No. 4 Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Alvin E. McGehee on an armed reconnaissance mission over the Bismarck Sea. During the fight, this bomber lost generator power and aborted the mission and returned to base. While landing, the right landing gear leg collapsed and the no. 4 propeller tore off and hit the wing and fuel tank and the bomb bay doors buckled. None of th crew were seriously injured. Afterwards, written off and scrapped. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Alvin E. Mc Gehee USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-130-CO Liberator 42-41058 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 45 (December 3, 1943), 227 (profile no. 1), 402-403 (profile no. 1 description), 402 (photo), 368 (63rd BS, 42-41058) Thanks to Pete Johnston 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 August 27, 2026 |
 B-24 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
