Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 4276. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-155-CO Liberator 44-40340. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 90th Bombardment Group, 400th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Buck Benny Rides Again" painted in light blue lettering with the nose art of a red car with a driver and passenger in the rear holding a bomb with the 90th Bomb Group skull and crossed bombs motif on the trunk with a licence plate that read "Jolly Rogers" with the exhaust backfiring over an island with the Japanese flag surrounded by three ripples. The tail rudders were painted with white and red stripes with a large "340" (last three digits of the serial number) at the tip of each tail with the 90th Bomb Group skull and crossed bombs motif.

During 1944, this B-24 operated from Dobodura, Nadzab and Biak. During 1944, when USO performers including Bob Hope and Frances Langford visited Hollandia, they were photographed with this bomber. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-155-CO Liberator 44-40340

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

Last Updated
October 15, 2024