41-28697 Spotted Ass Ape : Dixie Belle II : Wonder Bread
Roger Freeman Photo.
http://www.b24bestweb.com/spottedassape3.htm
Spotted Ape, Spotted Ass Ape, or Wonder Bread were but a few of the names for the 458th Bomb Group’s second assembly ship. After "First Sergeant" was destroyed on May 27, 1944 in a flare accident on the runway, B-24H-10-DT 41-28697 Z5 P named Dixie Bell II was removed from combat operations after only eight missions with the 754th Squadron, and decorated in the same paint scheme as her predecessor. All but one of the eight missions were flown by Lt Watson’s crew. Spotted Ape’s career as the group’s formator came to an end on March 9, 1945. 2Lt William B. Cheney, Jr., pilot, along with 2Lt Kenneth O. Gilbert as co-pilot were assigned to fly the ship that morning. Landing upon their return to Horsham, the plane skidded off the runway and ended up on her belly. The aircraft was written off as salvage.
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12162769
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron 755th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37658158
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron 755th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-1995867
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron 755th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36476322
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31319537
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Nose turret gunner
Places
Missions
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
9 March 1945 | Landing accident Horsham St Faith Sta 123, Cat 4 damage pilot Lt William B Chenney Jr, 9-3-45. |