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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS Former Assignment 3rd BG 13th BS |
Aircraft History Built by North American (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8505. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30340. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group, 13th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "El Diablo IV", after three prior bombers with the same nickname: B-25C "El Diablo" 41-12511, B-25C "El Diablo II", B-25C "El Diablo III / Chatter Box". Converted into a B-25D-1 strafer version by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Afterwards, assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell" to pilot 1st Lt. Octave J. Daniel, who renamed it "Lil Shifless" after his previous plane B-25D "Shif'less Skonk" 41-30021 was written off. Assigned to crew cheif TSgt Donald E. Thomas. The regular flight crew included: Pilot 1st Lt. Octave J. Daniel Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Russell N. Erum Navigator 1st Lt. James T. Bryan Engineer SSgt Dean W. Butler Radio-Gunner TSgt James E. Griffin Turret Gunner SSgt Edward J. Cooley On December 26, 1943, participated in a mission over Cape Gloucester and was photographed over the target. On January 25, 1944 flown on a mission over the Admiralties piloted by Taylor and February 3 over Dagua piloted by Anderson. In total, this B-25 flew at least 60+ combat missions, and at least one fat cat mission to Australia. Prior to May 1944, painted with the "Bat Outta Hell" nose marking and operated from Nadzab Airfield. After Daniel completed his tour of duty in July 1944, the bomber was assigned to 1st Lt. John B. Boyd and continued to fly combat missions. Fate On December 2, 1944 declared war weary and transferred to a service squadron. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30340 Warpath Across The Pacific page 217 (profile) 387, 421 Contribute
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