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-24J-85-CF Liberator Serial Number 44-44052  
USAAF
Former Assignments:
RAF
IAF

Click For Enlargement
Susan Wolf, 2007

Click For Enlargement
Justin Taylan 2008

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated-Convair. Constructors Number 1347. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-85-CF Liberator serial number 44-44052.

Wartime History
Ferried overseas to India. Assigned to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Liberator GR.VI serial number KH191 and operated in India. Postwar, transfered to the India Air Force (IAF) as T-18. During 1972, stored at an Indian Air Force Technical College.

In 1982, it was airfreighted to the United Kingdom and stored at Blackbushe until 1986. Purchased by the Collings Foundation, it was rebuilt in Kissimee Florida, with its first flighot on August 8, 1989.

This liberator was adorned with two paint schemes.  On the left side, "All American".  On the right, it is painted to represent B-24J "The Dragon And His Tail" 44-40973 that served with the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) the replica nose art was painted by Sarkis Bartigan. In 2005 this B-24 was repainted as "Witchcraft".

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-85-CF Liberator 44-44052
"44052 to RAF as Liberator GR.VI KH191. To Indian AF as T-18. In Indian AF Technical College, Jalahali by 1972. Acquired by Warbirds of GB Ltd and delivered to UK by Heavylift May 6, 1982. Stored dismantled at Blackbushe AP, England. Purchased by Collings Foundation and shipped to USA in 1986 and restored to flying condition, flying for the first time after restoration Aug 1989. Now with Collings Foundation. Last flyable "real" B-24. Registered as N224J and named "All American" In 2009 was named "Witchcraft" and bore the number 252534 on the tail."
CollingsFoundation.org

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

Last Updated
December 26, 2022

 

Tech Information
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