42-51233 Bigast Boid

Leon J Nowicki, and engineer of the 389th Bomb Group with the nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51233 nicknamed "The Bigast Boid". Image via LR Ades. Written on slide casing: 'Nov 1944 Leon J Nowicki.' media-395315.jpg FRE 6480 Leon J Nowicki, and engineer of the 389th Bomb Group with the nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51233 nicknamed "The Bigast Boid". Image via LR Ades. Written on slide casing: 'Nov 1944 Leon J Nowicki.' Roger Freeman Collection

Page 73, The Mighty Eighth in Color, Roger Freeman

Object Number - FRE 6480 - Leon J Nowicki, and engineer of the 389th Bomb Group with the nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51233 nicknamed "The Bigast Boid". Image...

B-24 Liberator "The Bigast Bird" (also know as "Bigast Boid"). It was a Douglas-Tulsa B-24J-1-DT Liberator (s/n 42-51233) from the 567th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF. On the April 14,1945 mission to bomb gun emplacements near Royan, France five Liberators from the 389th Bomb Group were hit by fragmentation bombs dropped by a higher flying B-17 group. This aircraft, and the other one in the photo, were lost. The Bush crew in "Bigast Bird" had 8 KIA/2 POW. MACR 13906.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

Royan, France 14 April 1945 On the April 14,1945 mission to bomb gun emplacements near Royan, France five Liberators from the 389th Bomb Group were hit by fragmentation bombs dropped by a higher flying B-17 group. This aircraft, and the other one in the photo, were lost. The Bush crew in "Bigast Bird" had 8 KIA/2 POW. MACR 13906.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributorjrugman
Changes
Sources

Page 73, The Mighty Eighth in Color, Roger Freeman

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 13906 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-51233: Gallery (2 items)