44-40066 S.O.L.

A B-24 Liberators including, (serial number 44-40066) nicknamed "S.O.L", of the 458th Bomb Group fly in formation with a flight assembly ship. Written on slide casing: 'SOL, Azon a/c.' media-395531.jpg FRE 6711 A B-24 Liberators including, (serial number 44-40066) nicknamed "S.O.L", of the 458th Bomb Group fly in formation with a flight assembly ship 41-28697 'Spotted Ass Ape' . Written on slide casing: 'SOL, Azon a/c.' Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 6711 - A B-24 Liberators including, (serial number 44-40066) nicknamed "S.O.L", of the 458th Bomb Group fly in formation with a flight assembly ship...

Originally assigned to the 492nd BG and flown overseas by the Handwright crew. Flew three missions with the 858th BS, 492nd BG and was then transferred to the 856th BS, thence to 753rd BS, 458th BG after being fitted for AZON delivery of Aphrodite drones. Salvaged 14 Nov 44.

Connections

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

Units served with

Personnel of the 458th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29303) nicknamed "Liberty Lib" in order to transfer a casualty into a waiting ambulance. Image via Harry Holmes. Written on slide casing: '458th BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 458th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron 753rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Operational mission

06711 Zeitz, Germany 12 May 1944 Target Zeitz, Germany. Pilot Handwright crew #807 Target: Oil refinery. 12-5-44.

Other

Operational mission

62130 Siracourt, France 15 May 1944 Target Siracourt, France. Pilot Handwright crew #807 Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets). 15-5-44.

Other

Operational mission

62130 Siracourt, France 21 May 1944 Target Siracourt, France pilot Handwright, crew #807 Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets). 21-5-44.

Other

Operational mission

Magdeburg, Germany 29 May 1944 Target Magdeburg, Germany. Pilot McLaughlin, crew #811. Aircraft Industry - Mission aborted, uncredited. 29-5-44.

Other

Aphrodite mission

Watten, France 6 August 1944 Flown as 2nd 'Mother' to Baby 42-30212. Target Watten V1 missile site. Pilot Lt John Lansing, Drone controller 2l James W Lacy. 6-8-44.

Other

Salvaged

Horsham St Faith, Norwich, Norfolk, UK 14 November 1944 Salvaged 14 Nov 44.

Manufactured

San Diego, CA, USA Built at Consolidated.

Delivered

Long Beach, CA, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Assigned to the 858th BS, 492nd BG, 8AF.

Other

Transferred

Transferred to the 753rd BS, 458th BG, 8AF.

Other

Azon equipment upgrade

Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25, UK Azon equipment fitted for project Aphrodite 3 Strategic Air Depot.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes

44-40066: Gallery (8 items)