|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAF Former Assignments USAAF 4117th AAFBU 4196th AAFBU 1505th AAFBU 20th AF 500th BG 882nd BS 881st BS  881st BS 1944 |
Aircraft History Built by Boeing. Constructors Number 4341. On August 27, 1944 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29-45-BW Superfortress serial number 42-24680. Project Number 98087. On August 28, 1944 arrives Birmingham Modification Center in Birmingham, Alabama. On October 5, 1944 at Walker Army Airfield in Victoria, Kansas. On October 28, 1944 moves to Mather Army Airfield in California. On October 30, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Richard D. Sullivan on a ferry flight via Oahu bound for the Marianas. Wartime History On November 3, 1944 assigned to the 20th Air Force (20th AF), 500th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), 881st Bombardment Squadron (881st BS) at Isley Field on Saipan. Nicknamed "Hell's Belle" in block letters. Tail code Z ▢ 7 (Z Square 7) vertically on the tail in black. On December 3, 1944 took off on the bomber's fourth mission (Mission 10) to bomb the Musashino aircraft plant and docks and urban areas in Tokyo. Over the target, intercepted by Japanese fighters and this B-29 sustained damage but returned safely. Afterwards, grounded for repairs then assigned to the 882nd Bombardment Squadron (882nd BS) renamed "Belle Ruth" with squadron number 37. This B-29 flew 27 missions with the squadron. In total, this bomber flew 31 missions. Postwar On October 25, 1945 returns to the United States assigned to the 1505th Army Air Forces Base Unit at Mather Army Airfield in California. On January 18, 1945 assigned to the 4196th Army Air Forces Base Unit at Victorville Army Airfield in California. On April 30, 1946 noted as in storage (code SA). On June 11, 1946 assigned to 4117th Army Air Forces Base Unit at Robins Army Airfield in Georgia. On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On January 1, 1948 noted as non-cocooned storage (code SS). On January 13, 1948 assigned to the 4117th Air Force Base Unit. Fate On April 24, 1951 written off at at Robins AFB and authorized for reclimation and afterwards scrapped. References Joe Baugher's Serial Number Lists - 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-10960 to 42-30031) "24680 (MSN 4341) following information is on microfilm PDF OACR-1, pages 88-89." Contribute
Information |
 B-29 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
