44-40142 Sknappy
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 2129 - A Swedish soldier guards the nose of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40142) nicknamed "Sknappy" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden....
The name SKNAPPY was conjured by combining 2nd Lt James Kuntz's girlfriend's lastname, Knappenburger, with a snapping turtle. The nose-art had a flying turtle jumping over the name SKNAPPY. A landing accident on 3 May 44 with 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 at the 492nd BG with 44-40064.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17091281 / O-693014
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18118791
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12093090 / O-691982
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36415028
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14080728 / O-684172
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: North Pick
Missions
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Harrington, UK | 3 May 1944 | Nosewheel collapse, repairs took till after 6-Jun-44. |
|
Other Battle damaged INT |
Bulltofta Airfield, Sweden | 20 June 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) Bechammer with Seitzinger crew 20-Jun-44; fell out of formation after target probably due to flak hit, diverted to and interned at Bulltofta, Sweden. 10 x INT |
|
Other Returned to base |
North Pickenham, UK | 16 June 1945 | Flown back to England 16-Jun-45. |
|
Manufactured |
Willow Run, Ypsilanti, MI | Built at Consolidated. | |
|
Assigned |
North Pickenham, UK | Assigned to 856BS, 492BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
MACR 7077 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
