42-40082 - Prince Charming
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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-730282
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16035567
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief / Artist
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
Places
Missions
Aircraft
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. |