UPL 7525

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In August, 1944, The 466th Bomb Group celebrated their 100th Mission with a party that featured Glen Miller and his orchestra. The orchestra was transported to the base in the 466th Formation Ship, Ready and Willing, B-24D, 41-42109. This photo was taken by Jack Dougherty, pilot with the 786th Bomb Squadron, Crew 612.

Connections

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

Units

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'

466th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

A B-24 Liberator of the 466th Bomb Group used as a flight assembly ship. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 Leaders ship.'

41-24109

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Ready & Willing, Silver Streak
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron

Locations

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Revisions

Date:
ContributorKickapoo
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

Punctuation removed from ac name for clarity, uniformity, and readability. - Kickapoo

Date:
Contributorbcurtis419
ChangesChanges to collection and caption
Sources

B24-D 41-24109 was a war weary B-24-D that was stripped of all armaments and painted silver with red stripes and was used as the 466th Formation Ship. It's original name was "Ready and Willing" but many of the bomber crews referred to her as "The Striped Ass Ape".

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to aircraft associations
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date:
Contributorbcurtis419
ChangesCreated entry with caption, unit associations and place associations
Sources

41-24109 was a war-weary B-24 D that was stripped of armaments, painted silver with red stripes and used as the the formation ship for the 466th Bomb Group stationed at Attlebridge. It's official name was "Ready and Willing" but the aircrews referred to it as "the Striped Ass Ape".