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B-24J Liberator 44-40173 ERNIE'S BEAVERS
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| Manufacturing Data |
| Serial Number |
44-40173 |
| 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 857th BS |
| Obtained From |
Consolidated |
| Flyover Pilot |
1st Lt Ernest Gossett Crew 708 |
| Total Missions w/492nd |
20 |
| Total WWII Missions |
88 |
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| Notes |
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857th Squadron Code: 9H
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Tail Code: -P (overlined)
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Original research by Al Blue shows this plane was used on 20 missions while at the 492nd. Our records are missing some pages, so we can only confirm 17 of these missions. Most likey the Gossett Crew 708 used this plane on the 13th, 21st and 23rd of May, but we can't prove that with official documentation.
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12 Aug 44, transferred to 735 BS, 453rd BG.
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RCL code: H6:K- (underlined)
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Aircraft also had the nickname TS associated with it. While at the 453rd, it was renamed OUR BABY, completed with nose art.
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Waist windows with gun socket mounted and a Fairchild compensating sight on both guns were fitted between 27 Oct and 3 Nov 1944. The nose turret was changed from Consolidated MPC A-6B to Emerson A-15 probably at the same time or during December 1944.
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Flew a total of 63 missions with the 735th BS.
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1 April 45 transferred to the 733rd BS (also in the 453rd BG), where it was used on 5 more missions.
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RCL code: F8:F+
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10 April 45, Transferred to 786th BS, 466th BG.
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RCL code: U8:-W (overlined)
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It's doubtful if this plane was used on any missions at the 466th BG.
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Returned to USA in 1945.
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Mission Record
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Documented Missions with the 492nd BG, 857th BS
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| Date |
Mission |
Mission # |
Pilot |
Crew |
Notes |
| 13 May 44 |
Tutow, Germany |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Oil refinery
needs documentation |
| 19 May 44 |
Brunswick, Germany |
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G Haag |
706 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 21 May 44 |
Siracourt, France |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
needs documentation |
| 23 May 44 |
Avord, France |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Airfield
needs documentation |
| 24 May 44 |
Melun, France |
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O'Sullivan |
713 |
Target: Airfield |
| 25 May 44 |
Belfort, France |
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Liggett |
701 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 27 May 44 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
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Heber |
705 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 28 May 44 |
Zeitz, Germany |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 29 May 44 |
Politz, Germany |
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O'Sullivan |
713 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 28 Jun 44 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
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Koltun |
R-10 |
Target: Marshalling yard
Engaged the Luftwaffe |
| 29 Jun 44 |
Magdeburg, Germany |
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Kuecker |
R-07 |
Target: Aircraft industry |
| 6 Jul 44 |
Kiel, Germany |
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Tracey |
715 |
Target: Shipyard |
| 12 Jul 44 |
Munich, Germany |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Railroad station |
| 18 Jul 44 |
Troarns, France |
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Testa |
R-13 |
Target: Tactical |
| 19 Jul 44 |
Koblenz, Germany |
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Rasmussen |
R-02 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 29 Jul 44 |
Oslebshausen, Germany |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 3 Aug 44 |
Mery-sur-Oise, France |
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Gossett |
708 |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
Lead Ship w/Heaton
Damaged by flak |
| 4 Aug 44 |
Villers I'Hopital, France |
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Cravens |
R-24 |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 5 Aug 44 |
Brunswick, Germany |
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Perry |
R-21 |
Target: Aircraft manufacturing |
| 7 Aug 44 |
Ostend, Belgium |
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Bridges |
702 |
Target: Oil dump |
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