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| USAAF 11th AF 28th CG 77th BS   Dave Pawski 2013 |
Pilot Lt. Edward S. Avery (survived) Force Landed January 16, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Constructor Number 1324. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1459. Wartime History Assigned to the 11th Air Force (11th AF), 28th Composite Group (28th CG), 77th Bombardment Squadron (77th BS). No known nose art or nickname. On December 29, 1941 arrived at Elmendorf Field. Mission History On January 16, 1942 took off from Elmendorf Field piloted Lt. Edward S. Avery by one of three B-26s on a ferry flight to the south. Low on fuel, all three Marauders force landed wheels up at Smith River in British Columbia. During the crash, the nose section was wrecked. Also lost were B-26 40-1501 and B-26 40-1464. Rescue The entire crew was later rescued. Wreckage Later in 1942, this bomber was stripped for usable parts by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) then the rest of the aircraft was abandoned. Until September 1971 the wreckage remained in situ. Recovery During September 1971 to November 1971 this bomber was salvaged by a team funded by David Tallichet / Yesterdays Air Force (YAF). Restoration Between 1972 to 1991 stored at Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation (MARC) at Chino Airport. In April 1991, registered as N4299K. During 1991 transported to Air Heritage Inc. in Beaver Falls, PA. Around 1992, transported to the U.S. Aviation Museum in Willowick, OH. During 1991, transported to MAPS Air Museum and restoration was begun to airworthy condition. On May 18, 2011 registration N4299K was canceled. As of May 2013 externally restored at MAPS Air Museum. Painted with the nickname "Charlys Jewel" with nose art of Mammy Yokum from Li’l Abner cartoon wearing boots, a yellow skirt, black shirt and hat smoking a corn cob pipe. Dave Pawski B-26 Crew Chief adds on September 17, 2020: In regards to the nose art, the character is Mammy Yokum from Li’l Abner. The name Charly’s Jewel is paying tribute to Charlie Tillson, a MAPS member who was a B-26 flight Instructor. Also Ed Smith who named the plane the 'Jewel'. This plane never carried nose art in service, so we elected to create our own. The restoration is essentially complete as a non-flying aircraft. We recently installed the Martin 250 turret and wrapping up installing a replica Mk-13 Torpedo. We will continue to make the aircraft more complete as time allows." Memorials Avery remained in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and served in the Korean War and retired with the rank of Major. He passed away on September 8, 1992 at age 76. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at section X, site 2218. References USAAF Accident report lists force landing as January 16, 1942 and the location as Watson Lake, Yukon Territory and assignment as 3rd Air Force. Other sources list date of force landing as January 15, 1942 USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 Marauder 40-1459 "1459 crash-landed in British Columbia Jan 16, 1942. Recovered from Smith River, BC Nov 9, 1971 and to Military Aircraft Restoration Group, Chino, CA. Re-registered as N4299K" FindAGrave - Edward Stephen Avery (grave photo) MAPS B-26 40-1459 Out of the Wilderness: Restoring a Relic FAA Registry N4299K WarbirdsDirectory - Martin B-26 Marauder Thanks to Dave Pawski / MAPS Air Museum, B-26 Crew Chief 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
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