42-52688 Paper Doll (?)
The crew of "Pandora's Box" was flying this loaner aircraft on July 4th, 1944. The aircraft was badly damaged, and the pilot (LT Pearson) and co-pilot (LT Orlasky) were badly injured by flak over their target (an airfield in France). The navigator and engineer, coached by the injured copilot, put the aircraft down with wheels up. This plane is #688 from the 832nd BS and would not fly in combat again. (See photo by Frank Holt, reprinted from "War Stories of the O & W" at: https://486th.org/Photos/AC1/688.htm)
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16092205
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Nose Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron 835th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35092141
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner / Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Acton
Missions
- Date: 27 May 1944
Revisions
See the photo of B24H #42-52688 at the official web page of the 486th Bomb. Group at: https://486th.org/Photos/AC1/688.htm
This information from the official web page of the 486th Bomb. Group, and specifically, the crew and mission page of Lt. G. Smith of the 835th Bomb. Sq. at: https://486th.org/BS835/SmithG.htm
From the official web page of the 486th Bomb. Group: https://486th.org/#
And the aircraft at: https://486th.org/Photos/AC1/688.htm