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

A diagrammatic layout of AAF Station 174 - the USAAF codename for Sudbury airfield - while the 486th Bomb Group were stationed at the airbase as of the 22 June 1944.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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

Aerial photograph of Sudbury airfield looking south west, the bomb dump is to the upper right of the airfield, 29 February 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC188. English Heritage (USAAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Acton

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Sources

From the official web page of the 486th Bomb. Group: https://486th.org/#
And the aircraft at: https://486th.org/Photos/AC1/688.htm