 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B-24J Liberator 44-40142 SKNAPPY
|
|
|
 |
| Manufacturing Data |
| Serial Number |
44-40142 |
| Model |
B-24J |
| Manufacturer |
Consolidated - San Diego, California |
| Production Block |
B-24J-145-CO |
| Color |
Silver aka NMF (Natural Metal Finish) |
|
|
| Group Data |
| Date Assigned to 492nd |
Original aircraft for the 856th BS |
| Obtained From |
Consolidated |
| Flyover Pilot |
2nd Lt James Kuntz Crew 616 |
| Total Missions w/492nd |
8 |
| Total WWII Missions |
8 |
|
|
| Notes |
|
856th Squadron Code: 5Z
|
|
Tail Code: K
|
|
The name SKNAPPY was conjured by combining 2nd Lt James Kuntz's girlfriend's lastname, Knappenburger, with a snapping turtle. The noseart had a flying turtle jumping over the name SKNAPPY.
|
|
A landing accident on 3 May 44 w/Kuntz Crew 616 put this a/c in the shop until D-Day.
|
|
20 Jun 44: Lost w/Seitzinger Crew 616
|
|
The plane was severely damaged after they had bombed the target and couldn't make it back to England.
|
|
10 interned in Sweden, MACR 7077
|
|
Flown back to England 16 Jun 45.
|
|
|
This aircraft was replaced with 44-40064.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mission Record
|
|
Documented Missions with the 492nd BG, 858th BS
|
| Date |
Mission |
Mission # |
Pilot |
Crew |
Notes |
| 6 Jun 44 |
invasion coast, France |
|
Seitzinger |
616 |
Target: Tactical |
| 8 Jun 44 |
Angers, France |
|
Seitzinger |
616 |
Target: Tactical |
| 12 Jun 44 |
Dreux, France |
|
Seitzinger |
616 |
Target: Airfield |
| 14 Jun 44 |
Chateaudun, France |
|
Seitzinger |
616 |
Target: Airfield
Aborted |
| 15 Jun 44 |
Tours, France |
|
Seitzinger |
616 |
Target: Railroad bridge |
| 17 Jun 44 |
Melun, France |
|
Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Airfield
Lent to the 858th
Bombed with another group |
| 18 Jun 44 |
Bremerhaven, Germany |
|
R Harris |
612 |
Target: Airfield
Bombed target of opportunity |
| 20 Jun 44 |
Politz, Germany |
|
Seitzinger |
616 |
Target: Oil refineries
Lost after target: 10 interned in Sweden, MACR 7077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
