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  F-7B "Cherokee Strip" Serial Number 44-40198  
USAAF
5th AF
6th PRG
20th CMS

Click For Enlargement
20th CMS 1945

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 4134. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-150-CO Liberator serial number 44-40198. Converted to F-7B photographic reconnaissance version. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG), 20th Combat Mapping Squadron (20th CMS). Assigned to pilot Craig. Nicknamed "Cherokee Strip" with the nose art of a woman wearing an American Indian headdress on the right side of the nose. This F-7 flew at least 106 photographic reconnaissance missions over New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (NEI) and Philippines.

Mission History
On April 21, 1945 took off from McGuire Airfield (San Jose) on Mindoro on a test flight. During the flight, an engine caught fire and the bomber ditched into the sea northwest of San Teresa (Lalawigan) on southwest Mindoro.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-150-CO Liberator 44-40198
April 1945 USAAF Overseas Accident Reports does not list F-7 44-40198

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Last Updated
April 19, 2025

 

Tech Info
F-7B
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