41-23808

Nicknames: - Texan
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Production block number: B-24-D-5-CO
Manufacturer: Consolidated
Markings & paint scheme: The B-24D, 41-23808, named, Texan, was painted in the USAAF's standard olive drab color on the upper surfaces of it's wings, fuselage, with the sides of it's vertical fins, and engines. The sides and the lower surfaces of it's wings, engines, horizontal stabilizer fins, and fuselage, were painted in the Army Air Force's standard light gray color. It's name, Texan, was, likely, painted on both sides of it's forward nose, but that is unsubstantiated by photos. The other markings, not proven by photographs, were : Circle = 2nd Bomb Division, A = 44th Bomb Group, and it's Radio Call Sign, NB : 67th Bomb Squadron, and it's aircraft ID number, is unknown.

41-23808 - Texan

media-55840.jpeg UPL 55840 B-24D, Texan, 41-23808. Over St Nazaire France. Jan 1943.

MACR 4697

Object Number - UPL 55840 - B-24D, Texan, 41-23808. Over St Nazaire France. Jan 1943.

The B-24D, 41-23808, named, Texan, was assigned to the 44th Bomb Group, and the 67th Bomb Squadron at Shipdham, UK. The aircraft, flown by Lt. John Long, was dispatched on 3 Jan 43 to bomb the U Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. The aircraft returned to England but ran out of fuel and crashed at Aperporth Airfield, Cardiganshire, UK. There were no injuries but the aircraft was declared a Category E loss, damaged beyond repair (DBR) and salvaged. All of the crewmen were returned to duty. 11 RTD. No MACR was issued.

Texan's Crew :

Pilot 2ndLt. John B. Long (RTD)

CoPilot 2ndLt. John F. McCormick (RTD)

Navigator 2Lt. Leo O. Frazier (RTD) B 2ndLt. Winthrop T. Frazee (RTD)

Engineer TSgt. Clyde Littell (RTD)

Radio Operator TSgt Leroy R. Winter (RTD)

Gunner SSgt. Samuel L. Weiser (RTD)

Gunner SSgt Donald C. McGinnis (RTD)

Gunner SSgt. Ralph C. Laurence (RTD)

Gunner SSgt. William C. Crigger (RTD)

Gunner SSgt. Charles P. Hammond (RTD)

Date: 03 JAN 1943

Time:

Type - Consolidated B-24D Liberator

Owner - Operator: 67th Bomb Squadron - 44th Bomb Group

Registration : 41-23808

MSN :

Fatalities : 0 / Occupants : 11

Aircraft damage: Unknown

Location: Near Aberporth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom

Phase: En route

Nature: Military

Departure airport : RAF Shipdham - AAF Sta. 115

Destination airport: Aberporth, UK

Narrative: Crash landed near Aberporth after running out of fuel returning from operation to St. Nazaire. Aircraft: 41-23808 - Texan. Crew : 10 RTS

Note : The B-24D, 41-23808, Texan, should not be confused with the B-24D, 41-23818, named, Texan II, and also named and flown, later, by Pilot Lt. John Long and Copilot Lt. John McCormick. Lt. Long, Lt. McCormick were both KIA in, Texan II, when it crashed and was lost after a mid air collision (MAC) with the B-24D, Snafu. All of the two planes' crewmen were killed In Action. 20 KIA. 18 Feb 43.