44-10558 Ma's Lil Angel

media-6471.jpeg UPL 6471 B-24J-65-CF #44-10558 Ma's Little Angel
466th BG - 785th BS

466th BG Archives

Object Number - UPL 6471 - B-24J-65-CF #44-10558 Ma's Little Angel 466th BG - 785th BS

B-24 44-10558 was given to a crew of the 491st Bomb Group. Assuming it would become their regular aircraft, the right waist gunner, David Redfern painted the aircraft (with the support of the crew) with the nose art of 'Ma's 'Lil' Angel'.



Upon arrival in Northern Ireland the aircraft was re-assigned to the 466th Bomb Group, and the 491st crew given another Liberator.

Connections

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

Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2000240
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38516146
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36780423
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36819504
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 35393626
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Combat Mission

Stade, Germany 6 October 1944 Earl Wassom Crew - Crew #554 German Airfield Flying Time: 6:05 hours

Other

Combat Mission

Hamm, Germany 22 October 1944 Ear Wassom Crew - Crew #554 Rail Yard Flying Time: 6:00 hours

Other

Combat Mission

Bottrop, Germany 26 October 1944 Earl Wassom Crew - Crew #554 Rail Yard Flying Time: 6:30 hours

Other

Combat Mission

Castrop-Rauxel, Germany 1 November 1944 Earl Wassom Crew - Crew #554 Oil Refinery & Stroage Flying Time: 5:35 hours

Other

Combat Mission

Karlsruhe, Germany 5 November 1944 Earl Wassom - Crew #554 Rail Yard Flying Time: 5:15 Damaged by flak, knocking out #2 engine. Prop wouldn't feather. A second flak burst punctured the main fuel cells.

Other

Emergency Landing

52100 Saint-Dizier, France 5 November 1944 Made an emergency landing in France with #2 engine shot out, punctured fuel tanks in the bomb bay, and the left landing gear damaged and the left main tire shredded. Ma's Lil' Angel eventually was repaired and returned to the 466th BG, however the Wassom Crew never flew her again.

Other

Damaged in Taxi Accident

Attlebridge, Norwich, Norfolk NR9, UK 28 January 1945 Damaged beyond repair in a taxi accident on this date. Left landing gear snapped of cause the wing to hit the runway and break the main spar. A/C was written off for salvage. The hulk being used for ditching practice.

Assigned

Hamilton Field, San Francisco 44-10558 was given to Eugene Scamhorn's crew of the 491st Bomb Group, who painted it with the nose art Ma's 'Lil' Angel

Other

Ferry stop

Nebraska Stopped there during deployment to UK

Other

Ferry stop

Ohio Stopped there during deployment to UK

Other

Ferry stop

Grenier Field, New Hampshire Stopped there during deployment to UK

Other

Ferry Stop

Goose Bay, Labrador Stopped there during deployment to UK

Other

Ferry Stop

Iceland Stopped there during deployment to UK

Assigned

Belfast Re-assigned to 466th Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

B-24 Identification Tool ( Marchese)
B- 24 Liberator PMD, Marchese

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Diary of David Redfern 2nd Air Division Digital Archive

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Archives - Earl Wassom Papers

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Archives

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

Chris Brassfield

44-10558: Gallery (3 items)