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B-24J Liberator 44-40159 BATTLING BOOP
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| Manufacturing Data |
| Serial Number |
44-40159 |
| Model |
B-24J |
| Manufacturer |
Consolidated - San Diego, California |
| Production Block |
B-24J-150-CO |
| Color |
Silver aka NMF (Natural Metal Finish) |
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| Group Data |
| Date Assigned to 492nd |
Original aircraft for the 858th BS |
| Obtained From |
Consolidated |
| Flyover Pilot |
1st Lt Saul Platinsky Crew 816 |
| Total Missions w/492nd |
14 |
| Total WWII Missions |
14 |
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| Notes |
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There is a lot of confusion as to if this plane was BATTLING BOOP, BOTTLING BOOP or even BOOTLING BOOP. Although the artwork is a little sloppy, it can't be the latter because the noseart defintely has a double T in it. Other than that no one really knows for sure. Bottling is an old expression for when an audience throws things at performers for a bad act. Perhaps used for this plane as its goal with to throw bombs at Hitler's Fortress Europe. We are sticking with BATTLING BOOP because that's what it looks like in the photo... to us anyway.
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858th Squadron Code: 9A
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Tail Code: H- (underlined)
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18 Jun 44: Lost w/D Miller Crew 810
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11 interned in Sweden, MACR 6767
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Seeing how the 858th was cut from the Group the day after this plane was lost, it was not replaced. At least not with the 858th. When the replacement plane did come it went to another squadron.
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Mission Record
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Documented Missions with the 492nd BG, 858th BS
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| Date |
Mission |
Mission # |
Pilot |
Crew |
Notes |
| 11 May 44 |
Mulhouse, France |
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Frantz |
803 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 12 May 44 |
Zeitz, Germany |
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Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 21 May 44 |
Siracourt, France |
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Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 24 May 44 |
Melun, France |
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Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Airfield |
| 25 May 44 |
Belfort, France |
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Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 4 Jun 44 |
Avord, France |
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Munson |
814 |
Target: Airfield
Led C Section w/Jaques |
| 6 Jun 44 |
Invasion coast, France |
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Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Tactical |
| 11 Jun 44 |
La Possonniere, France |
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McLaughlin |
811 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 12 Jun 44 |
Dreux, France |
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McMurray |
801 |
Target: Airfield |
| 14 Jun 44 |
Chateaudun, France |
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D Miller |
810 |
Target: Airfield |
| 15 Jun 44 |
Tours, France |
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Platinsky |
816 |
Target: Railroad bridge
Bombed target in Le Mans |
| 18 Jun 44 |
Bremerhaven, Germany |
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D Miller |
810 |
Target: Airfield
Lost: 11 interned in Sweden, MACR 6767 |
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