42-40082 - Prince Charming

media-15135.jpeg UPL 15135 Prince Charming, was flown on Operation Tidal Wave by Lt. Tom Bennett. Bennet turned back early in the flight in the vicinity of Corfu, Turkey, and did not even reach the target area. The B-24D that was shot down over Bulgaria, while helping defend, The Witch, 41-11840, was, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 42-40364.

The "D" model, Prince Charming was retired from combat operations and was replaced in Feb 1944 with a newer "J" model, Prince Charming, 42-109802, which carried similar nose art, both painted by Amos Rudolph "Rudy" Gaydosh was the Crew Chief on both, Prince Charmings, and proudly claims that none of his ships were lost in combat. The B-24D Liberator, 42-40082, Prince Charming, was one of several B-24Ds in the 98th Bomb Group with beautifully painted nose art, done by the talented crew chief and artist, SSgt. Amos Nicholson, in 1942-43. Prince Charming, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the Ploesti bombing mission, aborting the mission early at the island of Crete and returned safely to base (RTB) at Benghazi, Libya. 10 RTB. 1 Aug 1943

Best Web - B-24 - 42-40082 - Prince Charming

Object Number - UPL 15135 - Prince Charming, was flown on Operation Tidal Wave by Lt. Tom Bennett. Bennet turned back early in the flight in the vicinity of Corfu, Turkey, ...

The B-24D, Prince Charming, 42-40082, flew on the low level Ploesti mission, flown by Lt. Thomas W. Bennett. Bennet turned back early in the mission, in the vicinity of Corfu, and did not reach the target area. He aborted the mission because his gunner, Sgt. Livingston, was down on the floor with cramps and appeared to be very sick. All bombs were jettisoned, and they turned back to home base. 1 Aug 1943.



The "D" series, Prince Charming, was retired from combat operations and was replaced in Feb, 1944, by a "J" series, Prince Charming, 42-109802, which carried similar nose art with both, Prince Charming, nose art portraits painted by the talented painter, Sgt. Amos Nicholson. SSGT. Rudolph "Rudy" Gaydosh was the Crew Chief on both, Prince Charming, planes, and proudly claimed that none of "his" ships were lost in combat. Info Contributer - Bill Whitney

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Prince Charming
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flew on the 1 Aug 43 low level Ploesti mission, flown by Tom Bennett, turned back early in the vicinity of Corfu and did not reach the target area.

Other

Retired Operations

Retired from combat operations and was replaced in Feb 44.

Other

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 343rd BS, 98th BG, 9th AF.

Revisions

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorKickapoo
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Added details. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 42-109802 - Prince Charming

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40082 - Prince Charming

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 42-109802 - Prince Charming

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40082 - Prince Charming

Date
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Ploesti Sortie Reports for the 98th Bomb Group.

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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42-40082: Gallery (3 items)