42-95095 Sleepy Time Gal

media-6372.jpeg UPL 6372 Fairy Lochs, Torridon, Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland. Crash site of B-24 42-95095.

Sent through to the museum by Stuart Urquhart.

Object Number - UPL 6372 - Fairy Lochs, Torridon, Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland. Crash site of B-24 42-95095.

Text below from http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/95095.html

"On the 13th of June 1945 this aircraft had set out from the UK with the intention of flying home to the USA after the War, on the aircraft was a regular nine-airmen crew and a further six men who were technically passengers on the aircraft."



"The aircraft is believed to have carried the nose art of "Sleepy Gal Time" before being transferred to this unit but may have still had the nose art painted on it, it was given a major overhaul in April 1945 and was effectively a spare aircraft as the War had ended while it was taken off front line duties."



"The aircraft and its crew set out from Prestwick they were intending on flying a leg to Meeks Field in Iceland to re-fuel before continuing the journey. As they headed north the weather turned and with limited visibility the aircraft is reported to have clipped the top of Slioch mountain near Gairloch, at the north west side of Scotland. It was then thought that the pilot was attempting to either ditch the damaged aircraft in the sea off Gairloch or force land it when it flew into high ground at the Fairy Lochs, on Sidhean Mor."



"Sadly all fifteen personnel on board were killed in the crash. The crash report did not make any firm conclusions as to the reasons for the crash but suggested an uncontrollable engine fire could have been the cause of the aircraft being so low initially. It is not known whether the engine fire came after the collision with Slioch or afterwards."



"Reports on the site being a War-grave are perhaps incorrect as all fifteen men have graves, many were returned home while some were buried in the large American cemetery near Cambridge in England."

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Slioch, Achnasheen, Highland IV22, UK 13 June 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorLanLow609
Changes
Sources

Joe Baugher's USAAF Serial Number Listing

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Information from http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/95095.html via Stuart Urquhart.

42-95095: Gallery (4 items)