42-39835 Wantta Spar
Delivered Long Beach 14/9/43; Scott 21/10/43; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 26/10/43; transferred 510BS/351BG [TU-N] Polebrook 18/11/43; to 1 Base Air Depot, Burtonwood 8/6/44; Aphrodite/Azon Project Knettishall 7/44; 16m Missing in Action Siracourt 4/8/44 with John W Fisher Jr [KIA] of 96BG & T/Sgt Elmer Most; Crashed Watling Wood, Sudbourne Park, Suffolk; WANTTA SPA
Control problems led to drone crashing in wood at Sudbourne Park, pilot baled too late [KIA].
Two times Lt Fisher re-engaged the autopilot controls, T/Sgt Most having baled out, and level flight had been established, on the third attempt to gain level flight and successful remote control the A/C went into a spin that stopped Fisher from being able to bale out.
Mother ship for this mission was B-17 43-37637 piloted by Lt Foster Flakenstine and drone controller Major Rand.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Air base
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-695247
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16104347 / T-123104 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron 860th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12034363
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Bombsight Mechanic
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Base Air Depot Area (BADA) : 1st Base Air Depot (1 BAD)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Benefield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Winfarthing
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 4 August 1944
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Daniels
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron 332nd Bomb Squadron 4th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Sudbourne Park, Sudbourne, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2AJ, UK | 4 August 1944 | Aphrodite mission to Siracourt 4/8/44 with John W Fisher Jr [KIA] of 96BG & T/Sgt Elmer Most; Control problems led to drone crashing in Watling Wood, Sudbourne Park, Suffolk; |
Revisions
AAM DB Entry.
http://usaafdata.com/?q=search
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 By Graham Simons.
AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 By Graham Simons
http://usaafdata.com/?q=search