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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 19th BS |
Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1532. Disassembled and shipped as cargo across the Pacific to Melbourne and reassembled at Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Wartime History On June 10, 1942 assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 19th Bombardment Squadron (19th BS). Nicknamed "Sourpuss". Also known as "Old Sourpuss". Nicknamed by regular pilot Larson when his fiancée returned his ring with a "Dear John" letter declining marriage. Assigned to crew chiefs Hodock and Stoops. On August 17, 1942 one of ten B-26 Marauders parked at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby fully fueled and armed with 500 pound bombs. On the ground, there was no advanced warning of a Japanese air raid against 7 Mile Drome by G4M1 Betty bombers from the 4th Kokutai (4th Air Group) and Misawa Kokutai (Misawa Air Group) escorted by A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group). Standing nearby was the regular crew including pilot Captain Larson, bombardier SSgt Al Catallo, engineer Sgt Stanley Lincoln plus Cpl Charles Cavill and George V. McMannamy. When the alert sounded, the crew started the engines and was taxing towards the runway before a Japanese bomb exploded off the right wing, riddling the nose with shrapnel, smashing the perspex glass and damaging the nose wheel. Aboard, Larson was injured by shrapnel in his left elbow and right arm and was aided by Catallo who was in the co-pilot's seat and himself wounded by perspex glass. Also, Cavill was injured in his heel. The crew managed to escape and hail a jeep to the nearest hospital. Larson's elbow injury resulted in him being transfered to the United States for additional medical treatment and ended his flying career. On October 10, 1942 at Iron Range Airfield the brakes were not set properly and rolled into a pole when it went off a taxiway and sustained tail damage. During March 1943 at Garbutt Field, the tail section from B-26 "Kansas Comet / Bunagoon" 40-1403 was attached to this aircraft replacing the damaged tail. In total, this B-26 flew at least 31 combat missions including 25 in the "Silver Fleet". During January 1944 scrapped at Brisbane. References Some sources list this bomber's nickname as either "Old Sourpuss" or "Sourpus" USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 Marauder 40-1532 "1532 (22nd BG, "Sourpuss") Scrapped at Brisbane, Australia Jan 1944. Flew with tail of 40-1403." Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 129-132, 143 (photo), 496 (40-1532, 19th BS), 517 (photo) Contribute
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